NVIDIA is preparing for a leadership transition after Jensen Huang stepped down as President and Chief Executive Officer, bringing an end to his tenure at the helm of the technology company.
The NVIDIA Board of Directors has appointed Colette Kress, the company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, as Interim CEO with immediate effect, while beginning the search for a permanent successor.
The leadership change also marks a new development in NVIDIA’s board structure, with Harvey C. Jones appointed as the company’s first-ever Chair of the Board.
The board will consider both internal and external candidates for the permanent CEO position.
Colette Kress to Lead NVIDIA as Interim CEO
Colette Kress will take charge as Interim Chief Executive Officer while continuing to serve as NVIDIA’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. She will hold both responsibilities until the company appoints a permanent CEO.
Kress joined NVIDIA in September 2013 and has served as its Executive Vice President and CFO since then.
During her tenure, she has led the company’s finance organisation and played a key role in its growth and evolution.
Before joining NVIDIA, Colette Kress spent nearly 25 years working in finance roles at leading technology companies, including Cisco and Microsoft.
Her experience across the technology industry and her understanding of NVIDIA’s financial and operational structure are among the factors highlighted by the board in announcing her interim appointment.
Harvey C. Jones Becomes NVIDIA’s First-Ever Board Chair
Alongside the CEO transition, NVIDIA has appointed Harvey C. Jones as its first-ever Chair of the Board of Directors.
Jones brings more than 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur, technology executive and venture investor. His professional background includes serving as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of Synopsys.
Commenting on the appointment of Colette Kress, Harvey Jones said, “Colette has helped lead NVIDIA through a period of extraordinary growth and has a deep understanding of our business, customers, operations and financial position.
She is supported by an experienced leadership team that has been instrumental in executing NVIDIA’s strategy and advancing its technology roadmap. The Board has full confidence in Colette and the leadership team, and we expect the company’s operations, customer commitments and product roadmap to continue without interruption.”
Colette Kress Says NVIDIA Will Build on Jensen Huang’s Legacy
In her first statement following the appointment, Colette Kress emphasised continuity in NVIDIA’s leadership, technology development and customer commitments.
“NVIDIA’s strength has always come from its people, and together with our leadership team, I am committed to building on the extraordinary foundation Jensen created over the last 33 years,” said Colette Kress, Interim CEO and CFO, NVIDIA.
“We will continue advancing the work that has made NVIDIA a leader in accelerated computing and AI, and execute on the opportunities ahead. Our focus remains on serving our customers, partners, developers and shareholders.”
The company also acknowledged Jensen Huang’s contributions, describing his impact on NVIDIA and the wider technology industry as profound.
“NVIDIA is one of the most consequential technology companies in the world,” the company said, while thanking Huang for his immeasurable contributions to the company and the industry.
NVIDIA’s Q3 FY2027 Results Scheduled for November 17
Despite the leadership transition, NVIDIA’s upcoming financial results announcement remains on schedule.
The company will report its third-quarter fiscal 2027 financial results on Tuesday, November 17, at approximately 1:20 p.m. Pacific Time. The announcement will be followed by an earnings conference call at 2 p.m. PT.
The company has confirmed that the results announcement and earnings call will take place as previously scheduled.
