Tesla names Airbnb's founder Joe Gebbia as an independent director

EV giants Tesla has welcomed Airbnb's cofounder Joe Gebbia to the board of directors as an independent director, the company announced in a release.

"We are pleased to welcome Joe Gebbia to Tesla’s Board of Directors, effective September 25, 2022.", the statement said. 

His appointment comes a few months after leaving day-to-day operations at Airbnb, where he is now an advisor to the short-term rental company and also serves on its board. Gebbia also is on the board of Airbnb.org, an organization that encourages its hosts to open homes in times of crisis.

Gebbia, a designer and entrepreneur, has spent the last 14 years of his career as co-founder of Airbnb. The service he built with his co-founders transformed the hospitality industry, allowing travellers seeking local experiences to book homes in nearly every country around the world.

As the original designer and host, Gebbia helped shape Airbnb’s product, interface, and brand to become a household name. His entrepreneurial instinct also led to the formation of their community-powered non-profit, Airbnb.org. With the mission to open homes in times of crisis, their emergency response efforts have housed over 200,000 people during natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the global refugee crisis.

Along with his role at Tesla, he will be working on the next startup, acquiring a stake in the San Antonio Spurs, giving back via his commitment to the Giving Pledge, and serving on other boards and councils such as his alma mater, the Rhode Island School of Design, the Olympic Refuge Foundation, UNHCR, Tent.org, Malala Fund, and the Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity.

Image source: Skift