Tesla chair Robyn Denholm has stepped down from her role as operating partner at Blackbird VC, Australia’s largest venture capital fund, though she will remain a board member and adviser to the firm, according to sources familiar with the situation. Denholm, who has held a significant role in the firm since January 2021, had been involved in advising later-stage startups on operational matters, such as designing operating systems, hiring senior teams, and managing partnerships.
Denholm, based in Sydney, also stepped down as the chair of the Tech Council of Australia on Wednesday, a position she had held since the group’s founding in 2021. She will continue to serve as a board member there as well.
A spokesperson for Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Similarly, Blackbird VC confirmed that Denholm transitioned into a board member role in 2024 but did not provide further details about the reasons behind the change. Denholm’s LinkedIn profile and the Tesla website still listed her as an operating partner as of Friday.
In addition to her role at Blackbird, Denholm has served as the chair of Tesla since 2018. The company has faced political scrutiny, particularly related to CEO Elon Musk‘s involvement with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. Denholm was also part of a Tesla board settlement worth up to $919 million, addressing allegations of overcompensation.
