Nvidia Names Colette Kress Interim CEO After Jensen Huang Resigns

Nvidia Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress has been appointed interim CEO following Jensen Huang’s resignation, the company announced.

Nvidia Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress has been appointed interim CEO following Jensen Huang’s resignation. [Photo: NVIDIA Newsroom]

Huang resigned as Nvidia’s president, CEO and a member of its board, effective immediately.

The board appointed Kress to lead the company while it searches for a permanent successor. She will retain her CFO responsibilities during the transition.

Kress, one of Nvidia’s most prominent executives, joined the company in September 2013 and has played a key role in its financial growth and transformation into a leading supplier of artificial intelligence chips and accelerated-computing technology.

In a statement, Kress said she was committed to building on the foundation Huang established during his 33 years at the company.

“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,” she said.

Kress regularly presents Nvidia’s financial results during quarterly earnings calls, making her a familiar figure to analysts and investors.

Before joining Nvidia, she served as senior vice president and chief financial officer of Cisco’s Business Technology and Operations Finance group.

She previously spent 13 years at Microsoft, including as CFO of its Server and Tools group, and also held positions at Texas Instruments.

Harvey Jones, whom Nvidia appointed as its first-ever board chair following Huang’s departure, said Kress had helped guide the company through a period of extraordinary growth.

“Colette has helped lead Nvidia through a period of extraordinary growth and has a deep understanding of our business, customers, operations and financial position,” Jones said.

The board said it would consider both internal and external candidates for the permanent CEO position.