In a surprising turn of events, the entire board of directors at 23andMe, a San Francisco-based DNA testing company, resigned in September following a prolonged disagreement with CEO and co-founder Anne Wojcicki, NDTV reports.
The mass resignation leaves Wojcicki as the sole board member of the company, with her controlling nearly 50% of the voting rights.
The resignations stemmed from a disagreement over Wojcicki’s proposal to take the company private. The board, which included notable figures such as YouTube CEO Neal Mohan and Sequoia Capital’s Roelof Botha, expressed support for 23andMe’s mission to personalize healthcare through genetic data but disagreed with the CEO’s strategic direction, particularly her buyout plans. Wojcicki’s plan to privatize the company came amid a sharp decline in its valuation, which fell from $6 billion in 2021 to less than $150 million in 2024.
Since its 2021 IPO, 23andMe has faced a series of challenges, including struggling stock performance and slowing sales. The company’s share price, which debuted at $10, dropped to a record low of $0.30 after the board’s resignation. Additionally, a significant data breach further exacerbated concerns over privacy, while its costly drug discovery venture was eventually shut down.
While Wojcicki’s efforts to take the company private were met with resistance from the board, she retained control due to her majority voting rights. In a recent interview, Wojcicki acknowledged the complexity of the situation but expressed confidence in navigating the company’s future. Despite the internal tensions, she reiterated her commitment to 23andMe’s vision.
Former employees and board members have offered varying perspectives on Wojcicki’s leadership, with some describing her approach as stubborn and controlling, particularly after the company went public.
