Upwork Announces Board Refreshment, Adding Strategic Expertise to Support Next Chapter of Growth

Rhea-AI Summary

Upwork (NASDAQ: UPWK) has announced significant changes to its Board of Directors, adding two new members to support its strategic growth initiatives. Dana L. Evan, former CFO of VeriSign and current board member at Box and Nextdoor, and Glenn Kelman, CEO of Redfin, have joined the board following the company's Annual Meeting on June 5, 2025. These appointments coincide with the departure of longtime board members Gregory C. Gretsch and Elizabeth Nelson. Evan will serve as Chair of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee and join both the Compensation and Nominating and Governance Committees. Kelman, bringing extensive experience in technology-powered marketplace businesses, will serve on the Compensation Committee. The board refreshment aligns with Upwork's strategic focus on becoming the leading destination for AI talent and work, expanding enterprise offerings, and delivering enhanced work outcomes for customers.

Positive

• Addition of two highly experienced board members with expertise in financial strategy, marketplace operations, and scaling public companies
• Strategic alignment with company's focus on AI talent and enterprise expansion
• Strengthened governance structure with Dana Evan chairing the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee

Negative

• Loss of institutional knowledge with departure of two longtime board members, including a founding investor
• Potential temporary disruption in board dynamics during transition period

Insights

Corporate Governance Expert

Upwork strengthens board with strategic additions focused on AI growth, marketplace expertise, and financial governance.

Upwork's board refreshment signals a deliberate governance shift to support its strategic vision centered on AI talent leadership and enterprise growth. The addition of Glenn Kelman (Redfin CEO) brings valuable marketplace scaling expertise that directly aligns with Upwork's platform business model. His experience transforming traditional industries through technology platforms mirrors Upwork's own mission in the freelance economy.

Dana Evan's appointment as Audit Committee Chair is equally strategic, bringing financial leadership credentials from VeriSign and current governance experience at Box and Nextdoor. Her background in scaling public technology companies provides Upwork with seasoned financial oversight during its next growth phase.

The timing of this board evolution suggests Upwork is positioning for an accelerated execution of its AI-centric strategy. By replacing long-serving directors with experts in marketplace operations and financial governance, the company appears to be reinforcing capabilities in two critical areas: platform scaling and financial discipline. These board changes reflect a governance structure being aligned to support Upwork's stated ambitions in the AI-powered work marketplace, suggesting the company is entering a more focused phase of its strategic roadmap with governance expertise matched to its growth priorities.

Dana Evan and Glenn Kelman join Board of Directors, bringing deep operational experience in financial strategy, market leadership, and platform scale

PALO ALTO, Calif., June 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Upwork Inc. (Nasdaq: UPWK), the world’s work marketplace, today announced changes to its Board of Directors to support its continued evolution and long-term strategy to lead as the preeminent destination for AI talent and work, expand its enterprise offerings, and deliver work outcomes for customers.

Following Upwork’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 5, 2025, two new directors, Dana L. Evan and Glenn Kelman, have officially joined the company’s Board.

As part of a transition, Gregory C. Gretsch and Elizabeth “Betsey” Nelson concluded their longstanding service on the Board. Gretsch, a founding investor and director since 2014, has retired, and Nelson, who joined the Board in 2015 and served as chair of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee, did not stand for re-election.

Glenn Kelman, CEO of Redfin, brings decades of experience building and leading innovative, technology-powered marketplace businesses at scale. He has led Redfin since 2005, guiding it through significant growth and digital transformation in the real estate sector, and previously co-founded Plumtree Software, a publicly traded enterprise software company where he held leadership roles across engineering, product, marketing, and business development. Kelman will serve as a member of the Compensation Committee.

Dana Evan, former chief financial officer of VeriSign and current board member at Box and Nextdoor, brings a track record of financial leadership and governance across leading public technology companies. Evan will serve as Chair of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee, and as a member of both the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee.

Their additions reflect Upwork’s continued focus on pairing accelerated operational excellence with forward-thinking market leadership to advance the company’s long-term strategy and growth.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Glenn and Dana to our Board and look forward to partnering closely with them as we reinvent work for the age of AI,” said Hayden Brown, president and CEO of Upwork. “As a sitting CEO and former founder, Glenn offers tremendous value as a builder and seasoned operator of marketplace companies. Dana brings exceptional experience in financial strategy, governance, and scaling public companies. Each of these additions supports Upwork as a pioneer in the new era of AI-powered work. Their insights and stewardship will help drive our next chapter of durable, profitable growth.”

“We’re excited to welcome Dana and Glenn to the Board at a time of such dynamic opportunity for Upwork,” said Thomas Layton, chair of the Board. “Each brings a proven track record of leadership and deep domain expertise that aligns with our strategic priorities. We’re confident they will be invaluable partners as we support the company’s continued evolution and long-term growth. I also want to extend our sincere gratitude to Greg and Betsey for their many years of dedicated service and exceptional contributions to Upwork.”

About Upwork
Upwork is the world’s largest work marketplace that connects businesses with highly skilled independent talent from across the globe. From entrepreneurs to Fortune 100 enterprises, companies rely on Upwork’s trusted platform to tap into expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive meaningful business outcomes. With access to professionals spanning more than 10,000 skills across AI & machine learning, software development, sales & marketing, customer support, finance & accounting, and more, Upwork enables businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and build agile teams. Upwork’s platform has facilitated more than $25 billion in economic opportunity for talent around the world. Learn more at upwork.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X.

SAFE HARBOR
This press release of Upwork contains “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include all statements other than statements of historical fact, including any statements about future profitability, future operating results and financial position, information or predictions concerning the future of our business or strategy, anticipated events and trends, potential growth or growth prospects, competitive position, technological and market trends, the expected impact of cost-saving initiatives, and other future conditions.

We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections as of the date hereof about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs. As such, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, known and unknown risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and in many cases outside our control, and you should not rely on such forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We make no representation that the projected results will be achieved or that future events and circumstances will occur, and actual results may differ materially and adversely from our expectations. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and we do not undertake, and expressly disclaim, any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, conform these statements to actual results, or make changes in our expectations, except as required by law. Additional information regarding the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations is included under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 5, 2025, and in our other SEC filings, which are available on our Investor Relations website at investors.upwork.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Contact:
Elisabeth Hutchinson
press@upwork.com

FAQ

Who are the new board members joining Upwork (UPWK)?

Dana L. Evan, former CFO of VeriSign, and Glenn Kelman, CEO of Redfin, are joining Upwork's Board of Directors as of June 5, 2025.

What experience does Glenn Kelman bring to Upwork's board?

Glenn Kelman brings decades of experience as CEO of Redfin since 2005 and co-founder of Plumtree Software, with expertise in building and leading technology-powered marketplace businesses at scale.

What roles will Dana Evan take on Upwork's board?

Dana Evan will serve as Chair of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee, and as a member of both the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee.

Which board members are leaving Upwork (UPWK)?

Gregory C. Gretsch, a founding investor and director since 2014, and Elizabeth 'Betsey' Nelson, who joined in 2015 and served as chair of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee.

What is Upwork's strategic focus according to the board changes?

Upwork is focusing on becoming the leading destination for AI talent and work, expanding enterprise offerings, and delivering enhanced work outcomes for customers.