Robert Zoellick

About Robert Zoellick

Robert B. Zoellick (age 71) has served as an independent director of Robinhood Markets, Inc. since May 2021; he chairs the Safety, Risk & Regulatory Committee and is a member of the Audit Committee, where the Board determined he qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert.” He is Chair, Americas at Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited (since July 2023; former Temasek Board Member 2013–2023), a Senior Fellow at Harvard’s Belfer Center, and previously held senior U.S. government roles including President of the World Bank, U.S. Trade Representative, and Deputy Secretary of State; he holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School, an M.P.P. from Harvard Kennedy School, and a B.A. from Swarthmore College .

Past Roles

External Roles

Board Governance

• Independence: The Board determined Mr. Zoellick is independent under Nasdaq listing standards and eligible for committee service; no family relationships; independence assessments considered related person transactions and other relationships, none of which interfered with independent judgment .
• Committee assignments: Chair, Safety, Risk & Regulatory Committee (4 meetings in 2024); Member, Audit Committee (9 meetings in 2024); not listed on People and NomGov committees .
• Audit committee financial expertise: The Board determined Mr. Zoellick (and Ms. Loop) qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” per SEC rules; each Audit member is independent .
• Attendance and engagement: In 2024 the Board held 5 meetings and committees held 24; each incumbent director attended at least 75% of aggregate Board and committee meetings during the period of service; independent directors meet in executive sessions at least twice annually; all directors attended the 2024 annual meeting .

Fixed Compensation

Performance Compensation

No director‑level options or performance stock units are disclosed; director equity is time‑based RSUs under the Non‑Employee Director Compensation Program .

Other Directorships & Interlocks

Expertise & Qualifications

• Regulatory/government/public policy expertise; international business experience; risk management—identified by the Board as Mr. Zoellick’s key skills and qualifications for Robinhood’s oversight needs .
• Audit committee financial expertise designation; can read and understand fundamental financial statements; independent Audit member .
• Author of “America in the World: A History of U.S. Diplomacy and Foreign Policy” (2020), reflecting deep policy acumen .

Equity Ownership

Governance Assessment

• Board effectiveness and oversight: Zoellick’s chairmanship of the Safety, Risk & Regulatory Committee and Audit membership (as an audit committee financial expert) signal strong engagement in enterprise risk, compliance, AI/cybersecurity, and financial reporting oversight; Safety Committee reviewed top risks quarterly and compliance frameworks in 2024 .
• Independence and conflicts: The Board affirmed Zoellick’s independence after reviewing related person transactions and other relationships; no related person transactions involving Zoellick are disclosed, and director hedging/pledging is prohibited—positive alignment signals .
• Attendance/engagement: Each incumbent director met at least 75% attendance in 2024; directors attended the 2024 annual meeting and hold regular executive sessions—supports investor confidence in board diligence .
• Director compensation and alignment: 2024 total compensation of $314,996 comprised $90,000 cash and $224,996 time‑based RSUs; RSUs vest over one year and accelerate upon change‑in‑control; stock ownership guidelines at 5x retainer are met—balanced cash/equity mix with ownership alignment .
• Risk indicators and red flags: Zoellick is a named defendant (as an IPO signatory/director) in ongoing IPO‑related litigation and derivative litigation; the securities class action was dismissed at district court with a pending appeal to the Ninth Circuit, and derivative claims are stayed—monitor but common for IPO signatories; no other legal proceedings disclosed against him .

Overall, Zoellick’s regulatory and international policy background, audit expertise, and leadership of Robinhood’s Safety Committee strengthen board oversight of complex regulatory and risk domains, with no disclosed related‑party conflicts and compliance with ownership alignment policies—supportive of governance quality .