Rivian CFO Claire McDonough to Leave Company for GE Vernova Role

Rivian’s chief financial officer Claire McDonough will leave the electric vehicle maker at the end of October, marking a leadership change as the company prepares to expand production and sales of its next-generation vehicles.

Rivian disclosed McDonough’s resignation in a regulatory filing, saying she is stepping down to pursue a new opportunity and relocate closer to family on the East Coast.

McDonough will become chief financial officer at GE Vernova, an energy equipment company based in Massachusetts. Rivian said her departure was not related to any disagreement with the company.

The EV maker has started searching for a permanent replacement. Derek Mulvey, Rivian’s vice president of finance, will serve as interim CFO after McDonough leaves the role.

McDonough joined Rivian as CFO in January 2021 during a challenging period for the company. At the time, Rivian was preparing to bring its R1T pickup truck, R1S SUV, and commercial delivery van to market while dealing with production delays, rising costs, supply chain constraints, and significant capital spending.

During her first year, Rivian began production of the R1T and completed one of the largest initial public offerings of the year. She later played a key role in efforts to improve the company’s financial position and reduce vehicle production costs.

McDonough also helped lead Rivian’s technology partnership with Volkswagen Group. Under the agreement finalised in 2024, Volkswagen committed to invest up to $5.8 billion in Rivian through 2027 in exchange for access to the company’s electrical architecture and software technology.

Her departure comes as Rivian focuses on scaling its business, including the launch of the R2 SUV, which began customer deliveries this summer.

In a LinkedIn post, McDonough said her time at Rivian included launching the company’s first vehicles, building partnerships, and preparing the company for future growth with the R2 platform.