Resigning from her position on Rivian’s board of directors, Former Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario’s departure was announced in a Friday afternoon stock exchange filing. Her last day will be on January 1, as she steps down to focus on other commitments, shrinking Rivian’s board from eight members to seven.
The timing of Marcario’s exit and the reduction of Rivian’s board size coincide with a pivotal year for the company. Rivian is gearing up to launch its more affordable R2 SUV in the first half of 2026, targeting a broader market compared to its current R1 SUV and pickup truck. The company’s ambitious plans include scaling production to hundreds of thousands of vehicles annually, with a new factory in Georgia set to facilitate this expansion. Additionally, Rivian is poised to enhance its automated driving capabilities in the coming year, as outlined at the recent Autonomy & AI Day event.
Having joined Rivian’s board in January 2021 following her tenure at Patagonia, Marcario played a key role in the company’s strategic direction. Rivian’s CEO RJ Scaringe previously envisioned Rivian as “the Patagonia of EVs,” highlighting Marcario’s influence on the company’s sustainability ethos. Despite her board resignation, Marcario will continue to lead the Rivian Foundation’s board of trustees, alongside Scaringe, Anisa Kamadoli Costa, and Ed M. Norton.
Established ahead of Rivian’s high-profile IPO in 2021, the Rivian Foundation received 1% of the company’s equity to prioritize environmental conservation. While initially quiet, the foundation made its mark in 2024 with $10 million in grants and has since awarded an additional $2.6 million this year, reflecting its commitment to environmental causes.
In a statement, a Rivian spokesperson expressed gratitude for Marcario’s contributions to the board over the past five years and anticipated her ongoing leadership within the Rivian Foundation. The company values her dedication and looks forward to her continued impact on their environmental initiatives.
