Rocket Lab
Lead Independent Director
Since June 2021
Engineer. Operator. Director. Builder.
Merline
Saintil
An engineer’s curiosity.
A director’s perspective.
A door held open.
Current boards
The person behind the ascent
A builder’s curiosity.
A leader’s responsibility.
Merline Saintil wrote software for jet engines at Pratt & Whitney.
Her career grew through products, people and the decisions that shape a business. Today, she brings that operator’s perspective to the boardroom, investing and the work of opening doors for others.
Meet MerlineCurrent board responsibilities
The work she carries today.
As of 15 October 2026
Symbotic
Independent Director and Chair of the Nominating & Governance Committee
Since June 2022
TD SYNNEX
Independent Director
Since 2021
Agility Robotics
Board Director (private company)
Since September 2026
Founder · A10L Ventures
Acquiring and transforming middle-market businesses through technology, experienced operators and long-term ownership.
The investment approach
A wider perspective.
Our world, seen from above.
NASA / Expedition 36 · South Pacific, 2013
Space systems. Autonomous robotics. Global technology. Merline’s software and operating background informs her view of the infrastructure shaping our physical world.
The operator years
Close to the work.
Open to what comes next.
From jet-engine software to team leadership at Sun, and from a learning bet at Joyent to operating at Intuit, Merline’s path was built through deliberate moves.
Follow her storyLeadership that brings others forward
A door opened.
Then a door held open.
Sponsorship helped Merline make the transition to board service. In 2020, she and Robin Washington co-founded Black Women on Boards to connect accomplished leaders with the relationships and opportunities that can put their names in the room.
The work of opening doorsThe next conversation
Start a conversation.
A question. An invitation. An opportunity to build something that matters.
Connect with Merline Speaking and selected conversations