At a glance: Meg Whitman

Age: 54

Born: Aug. 4, 1956

Birthplace: Long Island, N.Y.

City of residence: Atherton, Calif.

Personal: Married to Dr. Griffith Harsh; has two sons

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in economics from Princeton University

MBA from Harvard Business School

POLITICS

Party: Republican

Platform: Create at least 2 million private-sector jobs by 2015, in part by cutting fees, taxes and unnecessary regulations. Cut spending by lopping at least $15 billion from state budget; reduce state workforce by up to 40,000. Improve education by giving each school a letter grade, returning control of schools to parents, principals and teachers, demanding accountability for failing schools and expanding charters to improve choice.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Occupation: Former chief executive, EBay online auction business

Executive positions at several companies, including senior vice president at Walt Disney Co., 1989-92; president, Stride Rite Division, Stride Rite Corp., 1994-95; president and chief executive, FTD, 1995-97; general manager, preschool division, Hasbro Inc., 1997-98; president and chief executive, EBay Inc., 1998-2008

Campaign website: megwhitman.com