Albertsons Companies has appointed Meg Whitman, the former chief executive of eBay and Hewlett-Packard, to the newly created role of executive chair of its board of directors. The move shifts Kim Fennebresque from chair to lead independent director and expands the board from 10 to 11 members. This structural change signals a significant shift in how the Boise, Idaho-based grocer intends to approach its next phase of growth and operational efficiency.
Whitman’s duties extend beyond standard board governance. She will serve as an operations and strategic advisor to CEO Susan Morris and her senior team. The company stated that Whitman’s background is particularly relevant as Morris works to streamline the operating structure around AI technologies. A more consistent customer experience across physical stores and digital channels is also a key focus area.
Restructuring for Speed
Morris took the helm of Albertsons in May 2025. In July 2026, she announced a sweeping restructuring that consolidated the company’s 11 divisions into four regions. This decision followed a decline in first-quarter identical sales.
Morris stated the results highlighted the urgent need to accelerate operations. The consolidation aims to reduce complexity and allow for quicker decision-making across the chain.
The board has also been building digital and AI expertise at the governance level. In February, the group added Brian Rice, the technology chief at McDonald’s. These hires suggest a deliberate pivot toward leveraging technology for competitive advantage. It is a common trend among large retailers seeking to modernize their supply chains and customer interfaces.
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“Meg has a remarkable track record of helping companies strengthen execution, accelerate growth and create long-term value,” Morris said. “As we focus on moving faster and competing more effectively, Meg’s strategic judgment, operating discipline and technology expertise will be invaluable.” The endorsement highlights the specific skills the current leadership team seeks to inject into the daily operations of the grocer.
A Career Spanning Tech and Retail
Whitman served as president and CEO of eBay from 1998 to 2008. During that tenure, the company grew from $30 million to more than $8 billion in annual revenue. She later led Hewlett-Packard’s turnaround from 2011 to 2018, including serving as CEO of Hewlett Packard Enterprise after the company’s split. Her recent roles include CEO of entertainment startup Quibi and U.S. ambassador to Kenya from July 2022 until November 2024.
Her board experience includes Procter & Gamble and General Motors. She currently serves on the boards of CoreWeave, Motive Technologies and Fervo Energy. Albertsons operates 2,240 retail stores in 35 states and the District of Columbia. The company runs under 22 banners, including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Tom Thumb and Randalls.
“Albertsons has a rich history serving customers and communities across the country,” Whitman said. “Susan is a talented leader who has dedicated her career to the company. I am honored to work with her, the entire management team and my fellow directors as we build on the company’s strengths and deliver meaningful value for customers, associates, communities and shareholders.”
