OpenAI has announced the appointments of David Vélez and Robin Vince to the boards of the OpenAI Foundation and OpenAI Group PBC. The organization says the two executives will contribute their experience leading major financial institutions and steering technology-driven transformation.
Who they are and why it matters
David Vélez is the founder, Chairman, and Global CEO of Nubank, widely regarded as the largest digital bank in Latin America. Under his leadership Nubank developed a digital-first, customer-focused model aimed at simplifying, increasing transparency of, and expanding access to financial services. The company serves more than 135 million customers and is expanding beyond Latin America, including plans in the United States after receiving conditional approval to establish a U.S. national bank.
Robin Vince is Chairman and CEO of BNY, a global financial services firm with over 240 years of history. Since taking the CEO role in 2022, Vince has led a broad reimagining of the company, simplifying its operating model, accelerating investments in AI and data, and strengthening a culture of innovation and execution.
Both bring complementary perspectives on how technology can reshape industries and support economic growth. Each has led large organizations through significant technological and market change while emphasizing disciplined governance, resilience, and durable value creation. They also have longstanding commitments to philanthropy and nonprofit leadership across healthcare, education, and the arts.
Background and prior roles
David Vélez is a Colombian entrepreneur, engineer, and banker who founded Nubank in 2013 after experiencing the costs and complexity of traditional banking in Brazil. Before Nubank, he was a partner at Sequoia Capital focusing on Latin America and worked in investment banking and growth equity at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and General Atlantic. Vélez and his wife, Mariel Reyes, lead VélezReyes+, a philanthropic platform focused on democratic governance, education, and other initiatives across Latin America.
Robin Vince spent 26 years at Goldman Sachs, where he was a partner and a member of the Management Committee, holding roles including Chief Risk Officer, Treasurer, Head of Operations, COO for EMEA, and CEO of Goldman Sachs International Bank. He serves on the boards of the Hospital for Special Surgery and the Perelman Performing Arts Center and is a member of several industry and policy groups including the Business Roundtable, the Business Council, the Partnership for New York City, the Financial Services Forum, and the International Advisory Board of the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Statements from OpenAI and the appointees
Bret Taylor, Chair of the OpenAI Foundation and OpenAI Group PBC Boards, said Vélez and Vince are exceptional leaders who have reshaped financial services through technology and expanded opportunity at global scale. He noted their experience will be valuable as OpenAI serves more businesses and people worldwide and works to ensure AI benefits everyone.
David Vélez commented that technology can expand access and opportunity when built around people’s needs and grounded in trust, and he looks forward to contributing to OpenAI’s efforts to bring useful AI to everyone. Robin Vince said AI can act as a capacity creator for people and institutions, and that realizing its potential requires creativity, strong governance, and responsible deployment; he expressed honor at joining the boards to support OpenAI’s mission.
Significance
Adding two senior leaders with deep experience in financial services, international expansion, technology investment, and philanthropic leadership aligns with OpenAI’s stated aims to scale its technology responsibly and increase access. Their practical experience in governance, risk, and large-scale operational change may help guide OpenAI as it expands services and partnerships globally.
