Directing an area is very different from the title (or compensation) of Director, and it's certainly not equivalent to Director in a tech organization. SWW was hired as "Manager of Global Public Policy" but the book never indicates that she ever has reports or is a manager in that sense, which is generally a requirement to be understood or perceived as a "Director".

If you're surprised media articles don't ask questions and get basic facts wrong, go read any article about a topic you have direct experience with.

The articles don't seem to have gotten any basic facts wrong.

She had director in her title and reported directly to a vice president, Joel Kaplan, who is now a C-level officer. She managed staff.

That's seriously high up in the corporate hierarchy at Facebook. Feel free to read more:

"She managed a growing staff and oversaw government relations for entire continents, including Asia and South America. She reported to corporate vice presidents and had direct contact with Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg, then the chief operating officer."

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/facebook-alleges-h...

So again, I don't what you mean by "wasn't an executive in the sense you're thinking". She's seems to be exactly an executive in the sense that everyone thinks.