Santa Monica-based real estate investment trust Macerich Co. appointed Peggy Alford, chief financial officer of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, to its board of directors, the company announced recently.

Alford, who held several executive positions at PayPal Inc. before joining the philanthropic organization created by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla Chan, will fill the seat vacated by Fred Hubbell, according to the company.

Hubbell left the board in order to focus on his run for governor of Iowa, Macerich said.

Staff Reporter Caroline Anderson can be reached at [email protected] or (323) 556-8329.