OpenAI appoints fintech chiefs to governance boards

OpenAI has appointed David Vélez and Robin Vince to the boards of the OpenAI Foundation and OpenAI Group PBC, adding two financial services executives to its governance structure.

Vélez is Founder, Chairman and Global Chief Executive Officer of Nubank, while Vince is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BNY. Both will serve on the nonprofit foundation board and the public benefit corporation board.

The appointments add two leaders whose careers have centred on large financial institutions and the use of technology in banking and related services. They come as OpenAI broadens its reach with business customers and public-facing products while facing scrutiny over governance and oversight.

Bret Taylor, Chair of the OpenAI Foundation and OpenAI Group PBC Boards, said: "David and Robin are exceptional leaders who have used technology to reshape financial services and expand opportunity at global scale. Their experience will be invaluable as OpenAI serves more businesses and people around the world, working to ensure AI benefits everyone. We're delighted to welcome them to the boards."

Board roles

The dual appointment is notable because OpenAI operates through both a foundation and a public benefit corporation. Seats on both boards place Vélez and Vince within the organisation's formal oversight structure rather than in advisory roles.

That structure has drawn attention in recent years as OpenAI has expanded from a research-focused organisation into a company with major commercial products and partnerships. Board composition has therefore become a closely watched issue for investors, customers and policymakers assessing how the group balances growth, safety and accountability.

Vélez founded Nubank in 2013 after seeing the cost and complexity of traditional banking in Brazil first-hand, according to OpenAI. The company built a digital-first banking model and has since grown into one of Latin America's largest financial technology groups, with more than 135 million customers.

Nubank is now extending its footprint beyond Latin America into the United States after securing conditional approval to establish a US national bank, OpenAI said. Before founding Nubank, Vélez worked at Sequoia Capital, focusing on Latin America, and previously held roles at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and General Atlantic.

Alongside his business work, Vélez leads VélezReyes+ with his wife, Mariel Reyes. OpenAI described the philanthropic platform as focusing on democratic governance, education and other initiatives across Latin America.

Vélez said: "Technology can be a powerful force for expanding access and opportunity when it is built around people's needs and grounded in trust. AI has the potential to help individuals, businesses, and entire economies do more, and I look forward to contributing to OpenAI's efforts to bring useful AI to everyone."

Financial background

Vince leads BNY, one of the oldest names in financial services, with a history spanning more than 240 years. Since becoming Chief Executive Officer in 2022, he has overseen changes to the company's operating model and increased investment in AI and data, according to OpenAI.

Earlier in his career, he spent 26 years at Goldman Sachs, where he became a partner and member of the Management Committee. His roles there included Chief Risk Officer, Treasurer, Head of Operations, Chief Operating Officer for the EMEA region and Chief Executive Officer of Goldman Sachs International Bank.

He also holds outside board and policy positions, including roles at the Hospital for Special Surgery and the Perelman Performing Arts Centre. He is also a member of several business and policy groups, OpenAI said, 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.

Vince said: "AI can be the ultimate capacity creator, expanding what people and institutions are capable of. Realizing AI's promise requires creativity, strong governance, and responsible deployment, and I'm honored to join the boards to contribute to OpenAI's mission."

The appointments also add board members with direct experience in heavily regulated sectors, an area likely to matter as AI companies face increasing government scrutiny. Banking executives are accustomed to risk controls, operational resilience requirements and supervisory engagement, all of which are becoming more relevant for companies building widely used AI systems.

For OpenAI, the addition of a Latin American fintech founder and the head of a global custody bank brings international and institutional perspectives to the boardroom. It also signals an emphasis on commercial governance and financial sector experience as the organisation's products become more deeply embedded in businesses and public life.