Nvidia Board Member Persis Drell Steps Down After Over a Decade of Service
In a significant development for the technology giant, Nvidia director Persis Drell has officially resigned from the company's board of directors. The announcement was made through a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, as reported by CNBC. Drell, who is 70 years old, cited her decision to step down as being motivated by a desire to pursue a new professional opportunity.
No Disagreements or Operational Issues Behind the Exit
Nvidia clarified in the filing that Drell's departure was not due to any disagreement with the company or matters related to its operations or policies. This underscores that her resignation was a personal career move rather than a reflection of internal conflicts. Drell, an esteemed engineering professor at Stanford University, had been associated with Nvidia for more than ten years, contributing significantly to the board's oversight and strategic direction.
During her tenure, she served on the compensation committee, playing a key role in executive remuneration decisions. Her exit marks the first departure from Nvidia's board since astronaut Ellen Ochoa resigned in June of last year. With Drell's resignation, Nvidia's board now comprises 10 directors, including the company's CEO, Jensen Huang.
Financial Holdings and Compensation Details
According to the latest holdings report, Persis Drell owns nearly 143,000 shares of Nvidia, which are valued at approximately $26 million based on current market prices. In 2025, she received total compensation of about $344,000 for her board services, with this amount including almost $259,000 in stock awards. This financial stake highlights her long-term involvement and vested interest in the company's success.
CEO Jensen Huang's Vision for AI Infrastructure and Job Creation
In related news, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently attended the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. During his participation, Huang delivered a compelling speech on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence infrastructure. He emphasized that the massive global push to build data centers and AI factories represents the largest infrastructure buildout in human history, with an estimated investment of $7 trillion.
Transforming Traditional Jobs into High-Paying Careers
Huang argued that this infrastructure development will not be limited to software engineers but will also create lucrative opportunities for traditional blue-collar workers. He pointed out that roles such as plumbers, electricians, construction workers, steel workers, and network technicians will be in high demand to install and maintain these AI facilities. In the United States, this has already led to a significant boom in the sector, with salaries nearly doubling in some cases.
Key points from Huang's conversation with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink include:
- The AI infrastructure buildout is the largest in history, creating numerous jobs.
- Jobs will be related to tradecraft, offering six-figure salaries for those building chip factories, computer factories, or AI factories.
- This shift is transforming traditional occupations into high-paying careers, benefiting a wide range of skilled workers.
Huang's insights underscore Nvidia's pivotal role in the AI revolution and its broader economic implications. As the company navigates changes in its board composition, its leadership continues to shape global discussions on technology and employment trends.
