Nvidia names CFO Colette Kress interim CEO after Jensen Huang resigns

In short: Nvidia appointed its chief financial officer, Colette Kress, as interim CEO after CEO and cofounder Jensen Huang resigned amid a personal scandal.

What happened

Nvidia’s board of directors said Thursday that Jensen Huang is no longer CEO. The company said Huang resigned after reports about an extramarital affair with a Chinese businesswoman who US officials believe may be connected to China’s main intelligence agency.

Nvidia named Colette Kress, the company’s longtime chief financial officer, as interim CEO. An interim CEO is a temporary leader, like an acting manager who steps in while a company decides what to do next.

Board chair Harvey Jones said Kress helped guide Nvidia through years of rapid growth. He said she has a strong understanding of Nvidia’s business, customers, operations, and finances, and that she will be supported by an experienced leadership team.

Kress joined Nvidia in 2013. Before that, she held finance roles at Microsoft, Cisco, and Texas Instruments. People who follow the chip industry told WIRED that she is seen as a steady choice because she knows Nvidia’s finances and often handles tough questions from investors.

The leadership change comes as Nvidia’s board has said it is running an independent investigation into Huang’s activities following earlier reporting.

Why it matters

Nvidia makes chips, meaning the key electronic parts used to power many AI systems (like the engine in a car). When the top leader changes suddenly, it can affect big decisions about products, spending, and partnerships. For anyone watching AI, this is a major company under pressure, and the next steps could influence how quickly new AI tools and services reach the market.

Source: Wired