Majella Mungovan’s job title hardly does justice to the nature and scale of her role. As vice-president of global financial operations at Meta, she leads the finance team responsible for processing and managing Meta’s vast global revenue and expenditure. “We have more than $160 billion in revenue and over $70 billion in expenditure,” she points out. “Those are eye rolling figures, and we have to run a complex operation in a fast, efficient and secure manner.”
She runs a global team from Meta’s international HQ in Dublin, with team members across locations such as Singapore, India, Tokyo, Texas, New York, California, and Brazil. “We have between 50 and 60 different nationalities on my direct team alone, with a blend of accountancy, data analytics, programming and varied cultural and religious backgrounds,” she shares. “That diversity is crucial. It allows us to approach business challenges from a unique perspective, and where you have a cognitively diverse group sitting around the table, you can create something truly innovative – something others haven’t thought of yet. We run a very large and complex business in a very lean way, and I love figuring out how to solve business challenges at scale, using cutting-edge technology.”
The use of cutting-edge technology is integral to Meta’s operations. Over the past six years, Majella’s team has leveraged machine learning and AI, and recently, they’ve started utilising GenAI to scale faster and are working on Agentic AI Agents. “The rapid pace of growth at Meta means we have to be innovative at every turn. We can’t just work harder; we have to evolve and work smarter, using AI and automation to stay ahead.”
Regulatory oversight and the value of a good network
She joined the board of Meta Platforms Ireland in 2024 and is also on the board of WhatsApp. “We work in a highly regulated environment,” she notes. “We oversee a lot of different regulatory requirements in areas like privacy, online safety, security, GDPR and so on. It’s a very important and demanding responsibility.”
Her membership with the Institute of Directors Ireland (IoD) has been instrumental in supporting her regulatory responsibilities. “The programmes they run on upcoming regulatory changes have been extremely helpful, especially in a time when the regulatory landscape is evolving so rapidly. IoD Ireland has also connected me with leaders from various industries, offering fresh perspectives on leadership and governance challenges that are shared across sectors.”
Throughout her career, Majella has continuously sought out opportunities to learn and grow, both professionally and personally. Raised in a family immersed in business in Quilty, Co Clare, she was introduced to financial concepts early on by her father. “When I was buying my first car, he didn’t just buy it for me – he took me to the bank to get a loan, teaching me the process and making sure I understood the responsibility of paying it back.”
Majella’s academic path led her to the University of Galway, UCD, Deloitte and eventually Glen Dimplex, where she learned to think creatively about solving business problems. “At Glen Dimplex, I learned that there’s always another way to find a solution – if you’re creative enough to see it.”
Her decision to move to Microsoft, where she spent 12 years in mainly finance and financial operations roles marked a pivotal moment in her career. “I was lucky to work with incredible leaders and mentors who helped me reframe issues and accelerate my growth. Mentoring can be a real career accelerator.”
Move to Meta: Embracing start-up energy at scale
Leaving Microsoft for Meta 11 years ago was seen as a bold move. “Everyone thought I was crazy to leave Microsoft, but I joined a company with start-up energy, and it was exhilarating. I had to set up everything from almost scratch in EMEA finance, and I quickly learned that what worked in one place doesn’t always work in another.”
The initial experience was both challenging and rewarding. “Meta has always been intense and fast-paced, but it’s also lots of fun. The work we do is cutting-edge and meaningful. I make sure my team is motivated by big goals and being stretched to grow and learn every day.”
The growth at Meta has been staggering – revenue surged from $7 billion when Majella joined to $160 billion today. “We had to embrace new technology and AI in our finance function to keep up with that growth. It was essential for staying ahead of the demands and evolving quickly to manage trillions of transactions.”
Enhancing skills and gaining crucial insights
Majella joined IoD Ireland to enhance her skills, particularly regarding new regulations. “It was important for me to keep up with regulatory changes and to build my network in Ireland. The insights I gained from IoD Ireland events have been incredibly valuable for solving complex problems. For example, attending an IoD AI event right before I spoke on AI at a major conference was eye-opening. The insights I gained on how to communicate complex topics to diverse audiences helped me rethink how I present and explain issues at Meta and beyond.”
One key benefit of IoD membership has been the opportunity to connect with other senior leaders and exchange perspectives. “Through IoD Ireland, I’ve met great people who are facing similar challenges. That external perspective has been invaluable. I often return from IoD events with new ideas on how to approach my work or how to communicate more effectively.”
Majella plans to take the IoD Chartered Director programme when she has the capacity. “While life is busy with my job and twin boys, the programme is something I’m looking forward to. The opportunity to learn alongside other senior leaders and share experiences is an exciting prospect.”
Ultimately, Majella’s recommendation for IoD Ireland membership is clear. “IoD membership offers invaluable opportunities to connect with senior leaders, gain insights into leadership and governance, and receive professional development. The support, training, and networking are second to none. For me, it’s the chance to step outside my bubble, meet people facing similar challenges, and learn from their experiences that’s been most impactful.”
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