Nvidia Appoints CFO Colette Kress as Interim CEO After Jensen Huang Resigns Amid Scandal

On Thursday, Nvidia announced that its chief financial officer, Colette Kress, will step into the position of interim chief executive officer after the sudden exit of long‑time founder Jensen Huang, who has led the company since its inception. The board explained that the appointment is meant to ensure continuity while a permanent CEO is sought.

Jensen Huang co‑founded Nvidia in 1993 and transformed it into a leading player in graphics processing units and artificial‑intelligence hardware. During his tenure, the firm grew from a niche PC graphics chipmaker into a multi‑billion‑dollar enterprise that now powers data‑center AI workloads, gaming rigs, and autonomous‑vehicle platforms.

The change follows reports of an internal scandal involving Huang that triggered an accelerated leadership review. Although detailed findings have not been released, the board said the allegations required swift action to safeguard shareholder interests and maintain operational stability.

Colette Kress, who became Nvidia’s CFO in 2021 after a lengthy stint at Microsoft overseeing finance for its cloud and AI divisions, is expected to guide the company through this unsettled period. Recognized for disciplined financial stewardship and experience in high‑growth tech settings, Kress has already played a role in key initiatives such as Nvidia’s recent acquisitions and the expansion of its AI ecosystem.

Investors and analysts are monitoring the leadership shift closely, noting that Nvidia’s market valuation and its pivotal position in the AI supply chain make any uncertainty especially impactful. The stock showed modest volatility after the news, reflecting both worries about the scandal and confidence in Kress’s capacity to keep the business on track.

Looking forward, the board has launched a formal search for a permanent chief executive, with Kress expected to remain in the interim role until a successor is named. The company affirmed that it will stay focused on its core product roadmap, including the rollout of next‑generation GPUs and AI‑sector partnerships, while working to restore full confidence among customers, partners and shareholders.