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Nvidia board member Persis Drell has stepped down after nearly a decade at the chipmaker, leaving with company shares now worth about $26m, according to a regulatory filing.
The resignation comes at a time when Nvidia is enjoying unprecedented growth, driven by surging global demand for its artificial intelligence chips. The company’s market value has climbed above $3 trillion, making it one of the world’s most valuable firms.
Dr Drell, a distinguished physicist and former provost of Stanford University, said she was leaving for personal reasons. In a statement, she said she was proud to have served during what she described as a “transformative period” in the company’s history.
A filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission showed that the shares she accumulated over her 10 years on the board were valued at roughly $26m at current prices. Nvidia’s share price has risen by more than 200% over the past year alone, fuelled by heavy investment in data centres running its powerful graphics processing units.
Her departure takes immediate effect, reducing Nvidia’s board to 11 members. The company has not announced who will replace her.
Read also: Nvidia Unveils Next-Generation AI Superchip at CES 2026
A Decade of Transformation
Dr Drell joined Nvidia’s board in 2015, when the company was still best known for graphics chips used in video games. During her tenure, Nvidia repositioned itself as a central player in artificial intelligence and machine learning, with its chips becoming critical infrastructure for AI development worldwide.
With a background in particle physics, Dr Drell was involved in overseeing the research and development strategy at a time when Nvidia aggressively expanded into high-performance computing and AI.
In a brief statement, the company thanked her for her contribution, saying she had played an important role in helping guide its AI strategy.
Board Changes and Scrutiny
Nvidia’s board has evolved as the company has grown rapidly and attracted greater regulatory attention. Like several other large technology firms, it has faced increased scrutiny from competition authorities in the US and Europe over its dominance of the AI chip market.
Industry analysts say it is not unusual for long-serving directors to step aside during periods of fast growth, allowing companies to refresh boards with new skills and perspectives. In recent years, technology companies have increasingly sought directors with expertise in areas such as sustainability, ethics and regulation.
Nvidia is also navigating geopolitical and supply chain challenges, including tensions between the US and China. The company has said it is working to diversify manufacturing, including through partnerships with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and plans for production facilities in the US state of Arizona.
Market Reaction
Nvidia’s shares slipped slightly in after-hours trading following the announcement, though analysts described the move as a routine board change rather than a sign of internal problems. The company remains buoyed by strong demand for its latest generation of AI chips.
The news comes as the wider technology sector continues to adjust to the rapid pace of change brought about by artificial intelligence, with companies reshaping leadership teams to prepare for the next phase of growth.
Dr Drell has not disclosed her plans, though she is widely expected to remain active in academic or advisory roles related to science and technology policy.
