Nvidia’s Interim CEO Colette Kress Brings Decades of Microsoft and Cisco Finance Experience to the Top Role
Colette Kress, Nvidia’s CFO since 2013, has been named interim CEO following the abrupt resignation of founder Jensen Huang. Kress, who spent 13 years at Microsoft including four as a divisional CFO, will retain her finance role while the board searches for a permanent leader. Her appointment aims to stabilize the company after a significant market value decline and amid scrutiny over Huang’s personal conduct.
Key points
- Colette Kress was named Nvidia’s interim CEO on November 12, 2026, after Jensen Huang resigned as president, CEO, and board member effective immediately.
- Kress will continue serving as CFO while the board evaluates internal and external candidates for a permanent CEO position.
- Huang’s resignation followed reports of extramarital affairs, including one involving a woman U.S. intelligence officials reportedly concluded was a Chinese spy, and another involving a direct report.
- Kress spent 13 years at Microsoft starting in 1997, serving as corporate vice president and CFO of the Server and Tools business from 2006 to 2010.
- Nvidia shares fell more than 13% in early trading following the announcement, reflecting market volatility after the company lost over $2 trillion in market value since October.
- Kress’s first major test as interim CEO is the fiscal third-quarter earnings report scheduled for November 17, 2026.
Background
Nvidia has faced significant leadership turmoil since October 2026, with market value dropping by over $2 trillion. Previous coverage highlighted the immediate resignation of Jensen Huang and the appointment of Colette Kress as interim CEO to stabilize the company. Analysts have been divided on whether the stock’s recent movements signal a bottom or a pause in a longer-term decline, with some citing near-term stability and others warning of strategic uncertainty due to the loss of Huang’s visionary leadership.
Why it matters
The appointment of a finance-focused executive as interim CEO signals a shift toward financial stability and operational continuity during a period of intense scrutiny. Kress’s background in large-scale corporate finance at Microsoft and Cisco suggests a focus on disciplined management, which may influence Nvidia’s strategic direction in the AI sector. The transition also highlights the risks associated with leadership instability in a company central to the global AI boom.
What to watch
Nvidia will report fiscal third-quarter results on November 17, 2026, followed by an employee meeting on November 18. The board will continue its search for a permanent CEO, considering both internal and external candidates. Market reactions to the earnings report and the transition process will be critical in determining the company’s long-term stability.
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