Colette Kress, Nvidia’s longtime Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed interim Chief Executive Officer following the sudden resignation of co-founder Jensen Huang. The leadership change places one of the technology industry’s most influential finance executives at the helm of a company central to the global artificial intelligence boom.
Kress will continue to serve as Nvidia’s Executive Vice President and CFO while taking on the interim CEO role. The company’s board has initiated a search for a permanent successor.
Who is Colette Kress?
Kress joined Nvidia in September 2013 as Executive Vice President and CFO. Over the past 13 years, she has led the company’s finance organisation through a period of significant expansion, as Nvidia transformed from a graphics chipmaker into a major supplier of AI computing infrastructure.
Before joining Nvidia, Kress spent nearly 25 years in finance and leadership roles across major technology companies, including Cisco, Microsoft and Texas Instruments.
At Cisco, she served as Senior Vice President and CFO of the Business Technology and Operations Finance organisation. She also spent 13 years at Microsoft, where she held senior corporate finance positions, including CFO of its Server and Tools division. Earlier in her career, she worked in finance roles at Texas Instruments.
Kress holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Arizona and an MBA from Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business.
A key figure in Nvidia’s growth
During her tenure as CFO, Nvidia experienced a major transformation driven by rising demand for graphics processing units used in artificial intelligence, data centres and high-performance computing.
Her financial leadership has been an important part of the company’s expansion, helping manage its resources and financial strategy during a period of rapid growth.
Nvidia’s board has expressed confidence in Kress, citing her understanding of the company’s business, customers, operations and financial position. She has also said she is committed to building on the foundation created during Huang’s 33 years at the company.
What happens after Jensen Huang?
Huang’s resignation marks a major leadership transition for Nvidia, which he co-founded and led for more than three decades. The board has appointed Harvey C. Jones as its first-ever chairman and will consider both internal and external candidates for the permanent CEO position.
Kress will lead Nvidia during this transition while the company continues its AI and accelerated computing strategy. She is also set to oversee the company’s next quarterly financial update, scheduled for November 17, 2026.
Her appointment brings financial and operational experience to the top role at a critical time for Nvidia and the wider AI industry.
