Yes. As a general rule, it is not necessary to be a shareholder to be elected or appointed as a director of a corporation.
The roles of shareholder and director are distinct. A shareholder owns shares in the company and exercises the rights attached to them, while a director participates in the management of the company's affairs and in decisions that fall under the purview of the board of directors.
A person can therefore be elected or appointed as a director without holding any shares. Conversely, a shareholder does not automatically become a director simply by virtue of owning shares in the company.
Shareholders of a company can elect as a director a person with particular experience or expertise, even if that person does not hold any shares in the company. When a vacancy occurs on the board of directors, the remaining directors who constitute a quorum can also, where permitted by law, appoint a new director to fill that vacancy.
The elected or appointed person must, however, meet the eligibility requirements set out in applicable laws. The company's articles of incorporation, bylaws, or, as the case may be, a shareholders' agreement may also stipulate certain conditions regarding the election or appointment of directors.
Not being a shareholder does not reduce the duties and responsibilities of a director. In particular, the director must act with prudence, diligence, honesty, and loyalty in the best interests of the company and comply with all legal obligations.
In summary , a person can be a director of a company without being a shareholder. However, they must meet the applicable eligibility requirements to act as a director and assume the duties and responsibilities associated with that role.