NVIDIA is entering a new leadership chapter after Jensen Huang resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer, ending his 33-year tenure at the company. The board has appointed longtime Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress as interim CEO while beginning the search for a permanent replacement.
The leadership change also brings a historic development to NVIDIA’s corporate structure. Harvey C. Jones has been appointed the company’s first-ever Chair of the Board of Directors.
Although the executive transition takes effect immediately, NVIDIA says its operations, customer commitments and product roadmap are expected to continue without interruption. The company now faces an important transition as it prepares to maintain its position in accelerated computing and artificial intelligence without the executive who helped build its foundation.
Jensen Huang Resigns After 33 Years at NVIDIA
Jensen Huang has stepped down from three positions at NVIDIA: President, Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors.
According to the company’s November 12 announcement, his resignation became effective immediately.
Huang’s departure marks a significant leadership transition for NVIDIA. During his 33 years at the company, he helped establish its foundation and guide its development into a major force in technology.
The company acknowledged his contributions, thanking him for his influence on NVIDIA and the wider technology industry.
However, the announcement did not specify a reason for his resignation. NVIDIA also did not announce a permanent replacement.
That leaves the company facing two immediate priorities: maintaining leadership continuity and identifying its next chief executive.
Colette Kress Becomes NVIDIA’s Interim CEO
Colette Kress, NVIDIA’s longtime Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will take over as interim CEO.
Her appointment places an experienced member of NVIDIA’s existing leadership team in charge during the transition.
Kress joined NVIDIA in September 2013. Since then, she has led the company’s finance organization and contributed to its growth and business development.
Before joining NVIDIA, she spent nearly 25 years working in finance positions at major technology companies, including Cisco and Microsoft.
Importantly, Kress will not immediately leave her existing position.
She will continue serving as both Executive Vice President and CFO while holding the interim CEO role. This arrangement will remain in place until NVIDIA appoints a permanent chief executive.
Is Colette Kress NVIDIA’s Permanent CEO?
No. NVIDIA has appointed Kress as interim CEO, not as its permanent chief executive.
The board has confirmed that it is beginning a search for a permanent successor. Both internal and external candidates will be considered.
Consequently, NVIDIA’s leadership structure remains temporary until that selection process concludes.
Harvey C. Jones Becomes NVIDIA’s First-Ever Board Chair
Another important development accompanies Huang’s departure.
NVIDIA has appointed Harvey C. Jones as its first-ever Chair of the Board of Directors.
Jones brings more than 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur, technology executive and venture investor.
His professional background includes serving as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of Synopsys.
As the newly appointed board chair, Jones expressed confidence in Kress and NVIDIA’s existing leadership team.
He highlighted Kress’s understanding of the company’s business, customers, operations and financial position.
Jones also emphasized that the board expects NVIDIA’s operations, customer commitments and product roadmap to continue without interruption.
This message addresses one of the biggest questions surrounding the transition: whether a change at the top will disrupt NVIDIA’s ongoing business activities.
According to the company’s announcement, maintaining operational continuity remains a priority.
NVIDIA Says Its AI and Computing Strategy Will Continue
Despite the departure of its longtime CEO, NVIDIA has signaled that its existing technology direction remains a priority.
Kress said she intends to build on the foundation Huang established during his 33 years at the company.
Her statement specifically emphasized continued development in accelerated computing and artificial intelligence.
She also reaffirmed NVIDIA’s commitment to serving its customers, partners, developers and shareholders.
For the technology industry, this is an important distinction.
A change in executive leadership does not automatically mean a change in corporate strategy. NVIDIA’s announcement indicates that its existing leadership team will continue executing the company’s technology roadmap.
However, the longer-term direction will depend on the permanent CEO appointment and the decisions made by NVIDIA’s board and executive leadership.
For now, the company has offered no indication of an immediate change to its customer commitments or product roadmap.
NVIDIA’s November 17 Earnings Report Remains on Schedule
NVIDIA’s leadership announcement arrives just days before its next major financial update.
The company has confirmed that its third-quarter fiscal 2027 financial results will be released on Tuesday, November 17, 2026.
The scheduled timeline remains unchanged:
| Event | Scheduled Time |
|---|---|
| Financial results announcement | November 17, 2026 |
| Results release | Approximately 1:20 p.m. PT |
| Earnings conference call | 2:00 p.m. PT |
The earnings announcement will provide another important update from NVIDIA during its leadership transition.
Investors, technology businesses and industry observers will be watching the company’s financial performance and management commentary.
However, NVIDIA has not announced any changes to its previously scheduled reporting arrangements.
What Happens Next at NVIDIA?
NVIDIA’s immediate leadership structure is now established, but one major decision remains unresolved: the appointment of a permanent CEO.
The board has confirmed that it will consider candidates from both inside and outside the company.
Until that process concludes, Kress will continue managing the company as interim CEO while retaining her CFO responsibilities.
Three developments will be particularly important to watch:
Permanent CEO selection: NVIDIA must identify the executive who will lead the company beyond the interim arrangement.
Leadership continuity: Kress and the existing executive team will be responsible for maintaining operations and executing the current technology roadmap.
Financial performance: The November 17 earnings announcement will provide NVIDIA’s next scheduled financial update.
The company has made its immediate leadership decisions. However, the long-term direction of its executive structure remains an open question.
What NVIDIA’s Leadership Transition Means for the Technology Industry
Jensen Huang’s resignation represents a major change for NVIDIA, but the company is attempting to separate its leadership transition from its ongoing business operations.
Kress brings more than a decade of experience inside NVIDIA, while Jones assumes a newly established board leadership position.
Together with the existing executive team, they will oversee the company during a period when artificial intelligence and accelerated computing remain central to its business priorities.
The immediate question is no longer who will temporarily lead NVIDIA. That decision has already been made.
The bigger question is who will permanently succeed Huang and how that executive will guide NVIDIA into its next chapter.
For now, November 17 is the next important date on NVIDIA’s calendar, while the search for its next permanent CEO continues.
NVIDIA CEO Transition FAQ
Everything you need to know about Jensen Huang’s resignation, Colette Kress’s interim appointment and NVIDIA’s next leadership chapter.
NVIDIA’s Leadership Transition
Jensen Huang’s departure marks a new chapter for NVIDIA. Explore Colette Kress’s appointment as interim CEO, Harvey C. Jones’s historic board position, and the leadership decisions shaping the company’s next phase.
Inside NVIDIA’s Executive Shake-Up
NVIDIA is changing its top leadership after Jensen Huang resigned as President, CEO and a member of the Board of Directors. Colette Kress will serve as interim CEO while the board searches for a permanent successor. The transition also introduces Harvey C. Jones as the company’s first-ever Board Chair.
Huang resigned as NVIDIA’s President, CEO and a member of its Board of Directors, effective immediately. The company did not disclose a specific reason for his departure. 02 — Colette Kress Takes Over
NVIDIA’s longtime Executive Vice President and CFO becomes interim CEO. She will retain her CFO responsibilities until a permanent CEO is appointed. 03 — Harvey C. Jones Becomes Board Chair
Jones has been appointed NVIDIA’s first-ever Chair of the Board of Directors. He previously served as CEO and Executive Chairman of Synopsys.
What happens to NVIDIA’s technology roadmap?
Board Chair Harvey Jones said NVIDIA expects its operations, customer commitments and product roadmap to continue without interruption. Interim CEO Colette Kress also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to accelerated computing and artificial intelligence.
Next major milestone: November 17, 2026. NVIDIA’s third-quarter fiscal 2027 financial results remain scheduled for approximately 1:20 p.m. Pacific Time, followed by its earnings call at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
The board has begun searching for a permanent CEO and will consider both internal and external candidates. NVIDIA has not announced who will ultimately succeed Huang.
