Earlier this year, Airbnb CEO and Head of Community Brian Chesky outlined plans to design a Board of Directors that can help the company implement its 21st-Century vision. Today, we are proud to announce that Ann Mather is joining Airbnb’s Board of Directors as our second non-affiliated independent director, effective immediately.
Ann joins Ken Chenault, the former CEO of American Express, as a non-affiliated independent director. Expanding the Airbnb Board is an important opportunity to bring strategic, thoughtful leaders who embrace Airbnb’s mission to create a world where anyone can belong anywhere and believe the best way for us to achieve that mission is as a 21st-Century Company that operates on an infinite time horizon and serves the interests of all stakeholders.
A native of Great Britain, Ann brings to Airbnb’s Board of Directors deep experience in financial and risk oversight from her roles as Chair of the Audit Committees of both Alphabet and Netflix. In addition, she served as Chief Financial Officer at Pixar from 1999 to 2004, providing technical financial leadership to a company that honors and encourages creativity and innovation. Previously, she held executive leadership roles in leading entertainment companies including Village Roadshow Pictures and The Walt Disney Company. True to the Airbnb community, Ann also brings a deep understanding of and commitment to our mission and has identified company culture as a strategic advantage.
I’m incredibly excited to announce the appointment of Ann Mather to the Airbnb Board of Directors. In meeting Ann, I was immediately impressed by her deep financial technical expertise, her passion for innovation, and her fierce commitment to fostering growth within creative cultures like the one we have at Airbnb. Ann values taking smart, ambitious long-term bets and has the vision to see how they can transform a company and its stakeholders.
I am especially excited for the guidance she will offer in helping us institutionalize our intentions as we plan for the future. Her leadership on the boards of some of the world’s most innovative companies as well as her experience working with some of the world’s most incredible entrepreneurs will serve Airbnb and our community well as we move forward.
Brian Chesky, Co-founder, CEO and Head of Community
I am thrilled to join the Board of Directors at Airbnb, a company with an incredible clarity of vision, sense of purpose and long-term perspective. Home sharing has been part of my life from an early age. Growing up in England, my family always stayed in family cottages and B&Bs and I’ve continued that tradition with my own children when we travel.
One of the most exciting aspects of Airbnb is how it is transforming from a home sharing service to a true end-to-end travel platform, thoughtfully designed and rooted in a true community. It has an amazing potential to change the lives of hosts who share their homes and their expertise and the guests who experience it. I believe that Airbnb is a different kind of company, one that can leave a lasting and positive impact on this world, and I am excited to be a part of it.
Ann Mather, Airbnb Board of Directors
The Airbnb Board of Directors also shared this joint statement:
“We welcome Ann Mather to the Airbnb board of Directors. Undoubtedly, her thoughtful and strategic leadership will be an accelerant for us as we continue to take steps to build a 21st-Century company and position Airbnb as an end-to-end travel platform.”
We will look to continue to add other leaders to the Airbnb Board of Directors in the months to come.