David Vélez, the founder and CEO of Nubank, has been appointed to the board of directors of OpenAI [1].
The appointment signals a strategic move by the U.S.-based artificial intelligence research company to integrate deep expertise in financial services and digital scaling. As OpenAI seeks to move beyond a research lab into a global commercial powerhouse, Vélez brings a track record of disrupting traditional banking systems across Latin America.
OpenAI said that the experience of Vélez in digital transformation, financial services, and innovation will help drive the company's global AI expansion [1]. His leadership at Nubank, which he founded in 2013 [2], transformed the company into one of the largest digital banking platforms in the world. This background in scaling a digital-first business model is expected to provide the board with new perspectives on user growth and international market entry.
Vélez has received significant recognition for his business leadership in recent years. He was recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year 2026 [2] for his contributions to the fintech sector. His addition to the board comes as OpenAI continues to refine the governance and oversight of its AI development and commercialization strategies.
The move connects the worlds of high-growth fintech and generative AI. By bringing in a leader who has successfully navigated complex regulatory environments in multiple countries, OpenAI may be better positioned to handle the legal and financial hurdles associated with deploying AI tools globally.
Vélez will join other board members in overseeing the strategic direction of the creator of ChatGPT. The board is responsible for ensuring the company adheres to its mission of ensuring that artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity while managing the commercial interests of its investors.
“David Vélez, the founder and CEO of Nubank, has been appointed to the board of directors of OpenAI”
The addition of David Vélez to the OpenAI board reflects a shift toward operational and commercial maturity. By recruiting a seasoned fintech executive who has scaled a company across borders, OpenAI is prioritizing global market penetration and digital infrastructure. This suggests the company is focusing less on pure research and more on the practical, financial, and regulatory challenges of deploying AI at a global scale.
