Nvidia announced today that its board has appointed Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress as interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. This leadership change follows the unexpected resignation of co-founder Jensen Huang on November 12, 2026. Kress will continue to serve as the company's Executive Vice President and CFO while the search for a permanent CEO is underway.
Kress brings extensive experience to her expanded role, having served as Nvidia's CFO since September 2013. During her tenure, she has overseen the company's financial operations through a period of significant growth, particularly with its rise as a dominant force in AI chip manufacturing. Before joining Nvidia, Kress held senior finance positions at other technology giants, including Cisco, where she was CFO of the Business Technology and Operations Finance division, and Microsoft, where she spent 13 years, including as CFO of its Server and Tools division from 2006.
Significant Stake in Nvidia
According to recent proxy filings, Colette Kress held approximately 4.44 million Nvidia shares as of March 23, 2026. Based on the November 11 closing price of $173.73, her holdings were valued at an impressive $772 million. These substantial holdings underscore her long-term commitment and belief in the company's trajectory.
Leadership Transition and Future Outlook
The company's board has initiated a comprehensive search for a permanent chief executive, considering both internal and external candidates. In conjunction with Kress's appointment, Nvidia also named Harvey C. Jones as its first board chair.
“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 stated.
Kress herself has pledged continuity amidst the transition. “We will continue advancing the work that has made NVIDIA a leader in accelerated computing and AI, and execute on the opportunities ahead,” she affirmed. The leadership change comes just ahead of Nvidia's scheduled third-quarter fiscal 2027 earnings announcement on November 17, placing the company's performance and strategic direction under immediate scrutiny.