Sheryl Sandberg’s nonprofit, LeanIn.org, is undergoing a major strategic shift, laying off approximately 25% of its workforce as it pivots from its traditional corporate empowerment mission to combat the rising influence of the “manosphere.”

A Strategic Narrowing

The organization, founded by the former Meta COO following her 2013 bestseller Lean In, has historically focused on helping women navigate corporate hierarchies and advocate for leadership roles. However, the nonprofit is now downsizing to concentrate its resources on a more specific cultural threat: the digital ecosystem of anti-feminist rhetoric and misogyny often labeled the “manosphere.”

The layoffs are intended to streamline the organization as it moves away from broad workplace initiatives toward targeted digital campaigns and research aimed at counteracting extremist influencers who have gained significant traction among young men.

Shifting from the Boardroom to the Web

For over a decade, “Lean In” was the definitive mantra for corporate feminism, emphasizing internal barriers and individual ambition. The new direction reflects a recognition that the challenges facing gender equality have evolved.

Sandberg and her leadership team have signaled that the proliferation of online misogyny—championed by figures like Andrew Tate—represents a foundational threat to the progress women have made in society. By focusing on the manosphere, the organization aims to tackle the cultural roots of gender bias that take hold long before women enter the professional workforce.

Adapting to a New Era

This pivot comes at a time when the original “Lean In” philosophy has faced criticism for being out of touch with the systemic and economic realities of most women. By refocusing on the ideological battleground of social media, Sandberg’s foundation is attempting to stay relevant in a landscape where gender dynamics are increasingly polarized by algorithmic content.

While the staff reductions are significant, LeanIn.org intends to remain a vocal force, using its remaining team to develop educational tools and counter-narratives to protect the next generation from radicalization.