David W. Nelms

David previously served as our Board’s Lead Independent Director from January 2023 to March 2025 and from January 2019 to December 2019 and as our Non‑Executive Chair from January 2020 to December 2022. He is the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Discover Financial Services, a direct banking and payment services company. 

Nelms joined Discover in 1998 as President and Chief Operating Officer. He was elected Chairman of the Board at Discover in January 2009, having served as Chief Executive Officer since 2004. Prior to joining Discover, Nelms worked at MBNA America Bank from 1991 to 1998, most recently as Vice Chairman. From 1990 to 1991, he was a Senior Product Manager for Progressive Insurance.  Nelms served as a management consultant with Bain & Company from 1986 to 1990.

Nelms also serves on the executive board of directors of the University of Florida Foundation, the JDRF T1D Fund, and Conserving Carolina. Nelms is a graduate of University of Florida where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a graduate of Harvard Business School where he earned a Master of Business Administration.