Former Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario resigns from Rivian’s board

Rose Marcario, the former CEO of Patagonia, is stepping down from her role on Rivian’s board of directors, as revealed in a stock exchange filing on Friday. Her departure is set for January 1 and is attributed to her desire to pursue other commitments. Marcario's exit will reduce Rivian’s board from eight members to seven, coinciding with a critical period for the electric vehicle manufacturer. The company is gearing up to launch its more budget-friendly R2 SUV in the first half of 2026, aiming to broaden its market reach compared to the existing R1 SUV and pickup truck. Rivian anticipates producing hundreds of thousands of R2 vehicles annually, including at a new factory in Georgia. Additionally, Rivian is poised to enhance its automated driving capabilities in the upcoming year, a topic highlighted during last week’s inaugural Autonomy & AI Day event. Marcario has been a board member since January 2021, following a notable 12-year tenure at Patagonia, where she rose to the position of CEO. The company’s CEO, RJ Scaringe, has previously expressed a vision for Rivian to embody the values of Patagonia in the EV sector. Despite her resignation from Rivian’s board, Marcario will continue her influence as the chair of the board of trustees for the Rivian Foundation. This foundation, established shortly before Rivian's significant 2021 IPO, was allocated 1% of the company’s equity to ensure that the natural environment is considered a stakeholder in Rivian’s success. While the foundation initially took a quieter approach amid fluctuating stock prices, it has since begun issuing grants, including $10 million announced in 2024 and an additional $2.6 million this year. A company spokesperson expressed gratitude for Marcario’s contributions over the past five years, looking forward to her ongoing leadership role at the Rivian Foundation.