inDrive appoints ex-Lyft finance chief Elaine Paul

inDrive has appointed former Lyft Chief Financial Officer Elaine Paul to its board of directors as an independent director, as the company expands its mobility and delivery services across 48 countries.

Paul brings more than 30 years of finance experience across technology, mobility, and media. Most recently, she served as chief financial officer of Lyft, overseeing finance, investor relations, treasury, accounting, and corporate development.

Before joining Lyft, she was chief financial officer at Amazon Studios, where she led financial planning and strategy for content acquisitions and investment. Earlier, she spent six years as chief financial officer of Hulu and more than two decades at The Walt Disney Company.

At Disney, she worked on the group's international reorganisation and its original investment in Hulu. She also serves on the boards of Sabre and Marqeta.

Paul will advise inDrive's board on financial strategy, corporate governance, and capital allocation. The company operates a ride-hailing and delivery platform and has expanded beyond its core transport business into intercity travel, delivery, and financial services.

inDrive said its app has been downloaded more than 400 million times and that it is the second most downloaded ride-hailing app. It operates in more than 1,200 cities worldwide.

Board expansion

Paul joins a board that includes four other non-employee directors: Daegwon Chae and Mahmoud Ragwani of BOND Capital, Ryan M. Hinkle of Insight Partners, and Jeri Doris, the company's first independent board director.

Her appointment adds direct public company ride-hailing experience to the board at a time when governance and capital discipline remain central issues for transport platforms pursuing growth across multiple markets. It also brings experience spanning consumer technology and media businesses with large investment budgets.

Arsen Tomsky, founder and chief executive officer of inDrive, commented on the appointment.

"Elaine understands from the inside what it takes to scale a mobility business, and how to balance the opportunity and organizational discipline necessary to sustainably grow the business. Her presence on the Board will strengthen our governance and financial maturity. I'm delighted to welcome her to the Board, and look forward to working closely with her as inDrive continues to bring its mobility and delivery platform to millions around the world," said Tomsky.

Paul also commented on joining the board.

"inDrive is a platform where fairness isn't just a value statement, but integral to how the business operates. That mission resonates with me, and so does the company's clear ambition, backed by strong fundamentals. I'm delighted to be joining inDrive's Board and look forward to contributing to the next phase of the company's journey, helping to build the governance to match its global scale," said Paul.

Growth backdrop

inDrive has expanded from ride-hailing into a broader set of services as it builds its presence in international markets. Alongside urban transport, the group now offers intercity transportation, delivery, and financial services, and in 2023 launched New Ventures, its venture and mergers and acquisitions arm.

Paul's appointment points to a push for deeper board-level oversight as the company grows across regions and business lines. Her background includes managing investor expectations, overseeing large spending programmes, and supporting organisational change in consumer-facing companies.

Her career has spanned businesses at different stages of development, from established media groups to technology platforms navigating expansion and changing market conditions. That experience may prove relevant as inDrive balances growth in ride-hailing with broader ambitions in delivery and adjacent services.

inDrive said Paul would bring an independent perspective to the board as it continues to expand its core mobility business and broader portfolio across 48 countries.