Nvidia announced Thursday, November 12, that Jensen Huang has resigned as president, chief executive officer and a member of its board of directors, effective immediately, ending more than three decades of leadership at one of the world’s most influential technology companies.
The announcement was made directly by Nvidia’s board of directors through an official corporate statement.
The Santa Clara, California-based semiconductor manufacturer confirmed that Colette Kress, its executive vice president and chief financial officer, will assume the position of interim CEO while the company searches for a permanent replacement.
The board also appointed Harvey C. Jones as its first chairman.
The leadership transition follows several days of reports concerning Huang’s personal relationships and an independent investigation into potential national security risks involving alleged connections to Chinese intelligence.
However, Nvidia’s official announcement did not provide a reason for Huang’s resignation or establish a direct connection between the investigation and his departure.
Who Is Colette Kress, Nvidia’s New Interim CEO?
Colette Kress has served as Nvidia’s executive vice president and chief financial officer since joining the company in September 2013.
During her tenure, she has overseen the company’s financial operations and played a significant role in its expansion from a graphics processor manufacturer into a leading supplier of computing infrastructure for artificial intelligence.
Before joining Nvidia, Kress spent nearly 25 years in financial leadership positions at major technology companies, including Cisco and Microsoft.
According to the company’s announcement, Kress will retain her responsibilities as chief financial officer while serving as interim CEO.
Nvidia’s board has initiated a search for a permanent chief executive and will consider candidates from both inside and outside the company.
In the official statement, Kress acknowledged Huang’s contribution to Nvidia’s development over the past 33 years and reaffirmed her commitment to the company’s existing strategy.
“Our focus remains on serving our customers, partners, developers and shareholders,” Kress said.
Harvey C. Jones Appointed Chairman of the Board
Nvidia also announced the appointment of Harvey C. Jones as its first chairman of the board.
Jones has more than 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur, technology executive and venture investor.
His previous leadership positions include serving as chief executive officer and executive chairman of Synopsys, a company specializing in semiconductor design software and technology.
In Nvidia’s official announcement, Jones expressed confidence in Kress and the existing executive team.
He said the company expects its operations, customer commitments and technology development plans to continue without interruption.
The board also recognized Huang’s contributions to the semiconductor industry and thanked him for his leadership.
Departure Follows Investigation Into Alleged Intelligence Connections
Huang’s resignation comes days after Nvidia’s board announced an independent investigation following reports that the executive had been the target of a foreign intelligence effort.
On November 8, the company said a committee of independent directors, supported by external legal counsel, would examine the allegations.
At the time, Nvidia stated that it had no reason to believe company secrets or US national security had been compromised.
The investigation followed media reports involving Huang’s relationship with a businesswoman suspected of connections to Chinese intelligence.
Additional reports concerning another alleged extramarital relationship subsequently raised questions about corporate governance and executive conduct.
On November 11, Reuters reported that Nvidia’s directors had convened to consider Huang’s future, citing a person familiar with the matter.
The following day, the company formally announced his resignation.
Nvidia has not publicly established that Huang disclosed confidential information or violated US export-control regulations.
Huang’s Departure Marks a Major Transition for the AI Industry
Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993 alongside Chris Malachowsky and Curtis Priem.
Originally known for developing graphics processing units for computers and video games, the company became a central supplier of advanced processors used in artificial intelligence, scientific computing and large-scale data centers.
Its technology supports the infrastructure used to train and operate AI models developed by companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic and other major technology providers.
Under Huang’s leadership, Nvidia became one of the world’s most valuable publicly traded companies, benefiting from rapid growth in demand for AI computing infrastructure.
His departure therefore represents a significant leadership change for a company whose products play an important role in global technology investment and the expansion of artificial intelligence.
Nvidia Confirms Earnings Announcement Will Proceed as Scheduled
Despite the leadership transition, Nvidia confirmed that its third-quarter fiscal 2027 financial results will be released on Tuesday, November 17, as previously scheduled.
The company expects to publish its earnings at approximately 1:20 p.m. Pacific Time, followed by a conference call at 2 p.m.
The announcement will provide investors with an opportunity to assess Nvidia’s financial performance and hear from its interim leadership following Huang’s departure.
The company has not announced a timetable for appointing a permanent chief executive.
For now, Kress will lead Nvidia while the board evaluates candidates and oversees the transition.
