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The Faces Behind Tesla's Board
The Tesla board is responsible for approving executive pay packages, overseeing company direction, and holding leadership accountable — or not.
In recent years, Tesla’s board has come under scrutiny for its close ties to CEO Elon Musk and its repeated rubber-stamping of controversial decisions — including a $56 billion pay package that was struck down in court. Who are these board members? What conflicts of interest do they carry? And why does it matter?
Here’s a closer look at the key people shaping the direction of one of the most influential companies on Earth.
Robyn Denholm
Chair of the Board
Denholm has served as Tesla’s chair since 2018, brought in after Elon Musk’s SEC settlement. Despite the title, critics argue she hasn’t meaningfully checked Musk’s power. She earned $280M from her stock holdings as of 2024.
James Murdoch
Independent Director
Son of Rupert Murdoch and ex-CEO of 21st Century Fox, Murdoch brings media clout to the board — but his “independence” is questioned given his longstanding ties to Musk. He also served briefly as Twitter’s board member.
Kimbal Musk
Board Director, Elon Musk’s Brother
Known for his culinary ventures and close familial ties, Kimbal’s presence on the board raises red flags about self-dealing and governance standards. How independent can a board be when your sibling is the CEO?
Ira Ehrenpreis
Lead Independent Director
Venture capitalist and early Tesla investor. Ehrenpreis chairs the compensation committee — the group responsible for approving Musk’s massive pay package. He also serves on boards of several green-tech startups.
Kathleen Wilson-Thompson
Director
With experience from Walgreens Boots Alliance, she brings HR and compliance expertise. However, she voted in favor of Musk’s pay plan despite governance concerns raised by shareholder watchdogs.