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Duolingo Adds Former Citigroup CFO Sallie Krawcheck to Board, Expanding Governance Team
Duolingo, Inc. (Nasdaq: DUOL) announced on August 10, 2026 that it has appointed Sallie Krawcheck as an independent director, effective immediately. The company increased its board size from nine to ten members and designated Krawcheck as a Class I director and a member of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee.
Krawcheck brings more than thirty years of senior financial and operational experience. She served as chief financial officer of Citigroup, the third‑largest banking institution in the United States, and held executive roles at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Smith Barney, and Sanford Bernstein. In 2016 she founded Ellevest, a digital wealth‑management platform focused on women and families, and grew the firm to $2.4 billion in assets under management before its automated investing accounts were acquired by Betterment in 2025.
Duolingo’s CEO and co‑founder Luis von Ahn said the company is focused on building a board that can guide its next phase of growth. He highlighted Krawcheck’s track record in building businesses, leading through change, and challenging conventional thinking. Krawcheck echoed the sentiment, noting that learning is a long‑term investment that expands opportunities for individuals worldwide.
Duolingo is the world’s leading mobile learning platform. Its flagship app is the most popular language‑learning tool and the top‑grossing education app on both Google Play and the Apple App Store. The company offers courses in 42 languages, including widely spoken languages such as Spanish and French, as well as less common languages like Hawaiian and Navajo. In addition to language courses, Duolingo provides the Duolingo English Test, a digital language assessment, and Duolingo ABC, a literacy app for children.
The company follows a freemium model: users can access core content for free with advertising, while a paid subscription removes ads and unlocks additional features. Duolingo’s business strategy has emphasized continuous investment in technology to keep the learning experience engaging and effective.
Krawcheck’s appointment is part of Duolingo’s broader governance strategy. The Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee oversees financial reporting, internal controls, and regulatory compliance. Her background in large financial institutions and fintech will add depth to the committee’s oversight of financial and risk matters.
Duolingo’s board expansion follows a recent SEC filing that detailed the compensation package for Krawcheck under the company’s Non‑Employee Director Compensation Program. The filing also confirmed that she will serve on the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee.
The appointment comes at a time when Duolingo is preparing for further product launches and market expansion. While the company has not announced specific new initiatives, it has indicated plans to deepen its educational offerings and broaden its global reach.
Krawcheck’s experience in both traditional banking and fintech aligns with Duolingo’s focus on data‑driven product development and scalable operations. Her leadership at Ellevest, which grew to manage over $2 billion in assets, demonstrates her ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and drive growth in consumer‑facing platforms.
In summary, Duolingo’s addition of Sallie Krawcheck to its board strengthens the company’s governance framework and brings a seasoned financial executive with a track record of scaling technology‑enabled businesses. The move positions Duolingo to continue expanding its educational services while maintaining rigorous oversight of its financial and risk management practices.
The company remains focused on delivering high‑quality learning experiences to millions of users worldwide and on executing its growth strategy under the guidance of its expanded board.
Krawcheck brings more than thirty years of senior financial and operational experience. She served as chief financial officer of Citigroup, the third‑largest banking institution in the United States, and held executive roles at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Smith Barney, and Sanford Bernstein. In 2016 she founded Ellevest, a digital wealth‑management platform focused on women and families, and grew the firm to $2.4 billion in assets under management before its automated investing accounts were acquired by Betterment in 2025.
Duolingo’s CEO and co‑founder Luis von Ahn said the company is focused on building a board that can guide its next phase of growth. He highlighted Krawcheck’s track record in building businesses, leading through change, and challenging conventional thinking. Krawcheck echoed the sentiment, noting that learning is a long‑term investment that expands opportunities for individuals worldwide.
Duolingo is the world’s leading mobile learning platform. Its flagship app is the most popular language‑learning tool and the top‑grossing education app on both Google Play and the Apple App Store. The company offers courses in 42 languages, including widely spoken languages such as Spanish and French, as well as less common languages like Hawaiian and Navajo. In addition to language courses, Duolingo provides the Duolingo English Test, a digital language assessment, and Duolingo ABC, a literacy app for children.
The company follows a freemium model: users can access core content for free with advertising, while a paid subscription removes ads and unlocks additional features. Duolingo’s business strategy has emphasized continuous investment in technology to keep the learning experience engaging and effective.
Krawcheck’s appointment is part of Duolingo’s broader governance strategy. The Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee oversees financial reporting, internal controls, and regulatory compliance. Her background in large financial institutions and fintech will add depth to the committee’s oversight of financial and risk matters.
Duolingo’s board expansion follows a recent SEC filing that detailed the compensation package for Krawcheck under the company’s Non‑Employee Director Compensation Program. The filing also confirmed that she will serve on the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee.
The appointment comes at a time when Duolingo is preparing for further product launches and market expansion. While the company has not announced specific new initiatives, it has indicated plans to deepen its educational offerings and broaden its global reach.
Krawcheck’s experience in both traditional banking and fintech aligns with Duolingo’s focus on data‑driven product development and scalable operations. Her leadership at Ellevest, which grew to manage over $2 billion in assets, demonstrates her ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and drive growth in consumer‑facing platforms.
In summary, Duolingo’s addition of Sallie Krawcheck to its board strengthens the company’s governance framework and brings a seasoned financial executive with a track record of scaling technology‑enabled businesses. The move positions Duolingo to continue expanding its educational services while maintaining rigorous oversight of its financial and risk management practices.
The company remains focused on delivering high‑quality learning experiences to millions of users worldwide and on executing its growth strategy under the guidance of its expanded board.
