Ex-Visa CEO appointed to General Motors' board of directors
In a strategic move to bolster its board, General Motors Co. has announced the appointment of Alfred F. Kelly Jr. as a member of its board of directors. The news was reported by Payments Dive on September 5, 2023.
Kelly, who previously served as the CEO of Visa from 2016 to 2023 and as the company's chairman from 2019 to 2023, brings a wealth of experience in the digital payments sector to General Motors. He retired from Visa's board in January 2023, after assuming the role of executive chairman in the same year.
The addition of Kelly to General Motors' board is part of a broader "board refresh" initiative, which has seen the election of eight new directors over the past five years. This strategy reflects a focus on diversity and adding directors with diverse skill sets, with the company's board currently consisting of 13 directors, six of whom are women, and all 12 being independent.
The board members have diverse backgrounds, with experience across manufacturing, information technology, digital commerce, defense, transportation, and cybersecurity, among other fields. Mary Barra, GM's chair and CEO, expressed her excitement about Kelly's appointment, stating that his financial, tech, and consumer insights are a great complement to GM's board.
Kelly's role at General Motors is expected to help unlock new growth opportunities in electric vehicles, autonomous technology, and software and services. His leadership during a period of unprecedented technological change at Visa, including navigating the company through the coronavirus pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and stock market fluctuations, will undoubtedly prove valuable in these areas.
The board refresh by General Motors also includes the addition of directors with expertise in various sectors, such as technology and cybersecurity. This move underscores the company's commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation and maintaining a board composition that reflects a focus on diversity and adding directors with diverse skill sets.
Aneel Bhusri, previously a member of General Motors' board, has transitioned to the board of its autonomous vehicle unit Cruise, as per the company's 2024 proxy statement. Jan E. Tighe was the last board appointment by General Motors before Alfred F. Kelly Jr., joining in April 2023.
In conclusion, the appointment of Alfred F. Kelly Jr. to General Motors' board of directors marks a significant step in the company's ongoing efforts to stay at the forefront of innovation and maintain a board that is diverse and skilled in a variety of sectors. As General Motors continues to navigate the rapidly changing landscape of the automotive industry, the expertise and leadership that Kelly brings will undoubtedly prove invaluable.
