OpenAI appoints David Vélez and Robin Vince to Foundation and Group PBC boards
The Nubank founder and BNY Chairman and CEO bring experience in digital finance, institutional governance and nonprofit leadership.
Robin Vince has joined the boards of the OpenAI Foundation and OpenAI Group PBC alongside Nubank founder David Vélez
OpenAI has appointed Nubank Founder, Chairman and Global CEO David Vélez and BNY Chairman and CEO Robin Vince to the boards of both the OpenAI Foundation and OpenAI Group PBC.
The contrast between the two new board members is sharp. Vélez built a digital-first bank intended to challenge the cost and complexity of traditional financial services in Latin America. Vince is modernizing an institution with more than two centuries of history, including through increased investment in AI and data.
OpenAI is placing both perspectives across its two boards, rather than assigning each executive to a different part of the organization.
Bret Taylor, Chair of the OpenAI Foundation and OpenAI Group PBC Boards, positions their experience around the international expansion of OpenAI’s technology.
“David and Robin are exceptional leaders who have used technology to reshape financial services and expand opportunity at global scale,” Taylor says. “Their experience will be invaluable as OpenAI serves more businesses and people around the world, working to ensure AI benefits everyone.”
Vélez brings experience building a digital challenger
Vélez founded Nubank in 2013 after encountering the cost and complexity of traditional banking in Brazil. The business was developed around a digital-first model designed to make financial services simpler, more transparent and more accessible.
OpenAI describes Nubank as Latin America’s largest digital bank and says the platform now has more than 135 million customers. The company is also moving beyond Latin America after receiving conditional approval to establish a US national bank.
Before founding Nubank, Vélez was a Partner at Sequoia Capital focused on investments in Latin America. His earlier career included roles in investment banking and growth equity at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and General Atlantic.
His appointment also gives the OpenAI Foundation a connection to education and nonprofit work in Latin America. Vélez and his wife, Mariel Reyes, lead VélezReyes+, a philanthropic platform focused on democratic governance, education and other initiatives across the region.
“Technology can be a powerful force for expanding access and opportunity when it is built around people’s needs and grounded in trust,” Vélez says. “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.”
Vince focuses on AI adoption and governance
Vince became BNY’s CEO in 2022 and has served as Chairman and CEO since September 2025. OpenAI says he has simplified the financial services company’s operating model while accelerating its investment in AI and data.
His experience also spans risk, operations and institutional governance. During 26 years at Goldman Sachs, Vince served as Chief Risk Officer, Treasurer, Head of Operations, COO for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and CEO of Goldman Sachs International Bank. He was also a Partner and member of the Management Committee.
In a LinkedIn post about his OpenAI appointment, Vince connected the role with BNY’s approach to using AI inside an established financial institution.
“I've often described AI as the ultimate capacity creator,” he wrote. “It has the potential to expand what people and organizations can do, but only if it's deployed responsibly, securely and with strong governance in place.”
Vince also serves on the boards of the Hospital for Special Surgery and the Perelman Performing Arts Center. His other memberships include the Business Roundtable, the Financial Services Forum and the International Advisory Board of the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
