Nvidia director Persis Drell resigns with $26 million worth of stock after decade on board

Persis Drell, a prominent director at Nvidia and a respected engineering professor at Stanford University, has officially resigned from her position after over a decade on the company's board. Nvidia disclosed this development in a recent filing with the SEC, revealing that Drell's departure was driven by a desire to pursue a "new professional opportunity" rather than any disagreement with the company or its policies. At 69 years old, Drell has made significant contributions during her tenure, including her role on the compensation committee. Her resignation marks a notable change in the board's composition, as she is the first member to leave since astronaut Ellen Ochoa stepped down in June. Following Drell's exit, Nvidia's board now consists of 10 directors, with CEO Jensen Huang continuing to lead the team. Drell's financial stake in Nvidia is significant, holding approximately 143,000 shares valued at around $26 million. Last year alone, she received compensation of about $344,000, which included nearly $259,000 in stock awards, as reported in the company's annual review. Since the end of 2015, Nvidia’s stock has skyrocketed over 22,000%, solidifying its status as the world's most valuable company, largely fueled by the surge in artificial intelligence applications. In addition to her role at Nvidia, Drell has held various prestigious positions at Stanford, serving as dean of the engineering school from 2014 to 2017 and as provost from 2017 to 2023. She also directed Stanford's particle accelerator, SLAC, from 2007 to 2012. Additionally, it was noted that she sold approximately 40,000 of her shares last year, reflecting her strategic financial decisions amidst Nvidia's remarkable growth in the AI sector.