OpenAI Welcomes BlackRock Veteran Bayo Ogunlesi to Its Board
In a strategic move to bolster its leadership, OpenAI has appointed Adebayo “Bayo” Ogunlesi, a senior managing director at BlackRock and CEO of Global Infrastructure Partners, to its board of directors. The announcement, made via OpenAI’s official blog, highlights the company’s focus on combining AI innovation with global business expertise.
A Proven Leader with Diverse Experience
Ogunlesi brings an impressive resume to OpenAI:
- 23 years at Credit Suisse, including as executive vice chairman of investment banking
- Legal background as an attorney at Cravath, Swaine & Moore
- Historic clerkship under Thurgood Marshall, the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice
- Current board positions at BlackRock, Topgolf Callaway Brands, Kosmos Energy Holdings, and Terminal Investment Limited
“Bayo’s exceptional track record in navigating complex global organizations makes him invaluable as we enter AI’s next phase,” said OpenAI board chairman Bret Taylor in the announcement.
Strategic Vision for AI’s Future
Ogunlesi emphasized the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in his statement:
“The rapid advancement of AI presents a unique opportunity to build a better future. Thoughtful infrastructure investment and strategy will be crucial to responsibly unlocking AI’s full potential. I’m excited to contribute to this effort through my role on OpenAI’s board.”
OpenAI’s Evolving Leadership Landscape
This appointment continues the significant transformation of OpenAI’s governance structure following the dramatic leadership changes in late 2023. After CEO Sam Altman’s temporary ouster and subsequent reinstatement, the board has undergone a complete overhaul with only Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo remaining from the previous iteration.
The current board now includes:
- Bret Taylor (Chairman)
- Sam Altman (CEO)
- Adam D’Angelo (Quora CEO)
- Sue Desmond-Hellmann (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation CEO)
- Paul M. Nakasone (Former NSA director)
- Nicole Seligman (Former Sony Corporation of America President)
- Fidji Simo (Instacart CEO)
- Larry Summers (Economist)
- Zico Kolter (Carnegie Mellon computer scientist)
This diverse group of leaders positions OpenAI at the intersection of technology, policy, and global business strategy as artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries worldwide.
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