Jensen Huang Steps Down as Nvidia CEO; Colette Kress Appointed Successor

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Nvidia Corp. announced Thursday that co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang has stepped down from his position, effective immediately. Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress has been appointed to succeed Huang as chief executive officer and will also join the company's board of directors.

The leadership transition follows recent reports of internal misconduct and controversy surrounding Huang. Nvidia's board confirmed the resignation, concluding a decades-long tenure during which Huang helped build the semiconductor giant into the primary hardware engine of the artificial intelligence boom.

Kress, who joined Nvidia as chief financial officer in 2013 after executive roles at Cisco Systems and Microsoft, assumes control as the company navigates heightened market volatility. The board expressed confidence in her capability to lead the firm through its next operational phase and maintain key client partnerships.

Nvidia shares experienced sharp swings in trading following the news, reflecting investor caution over the sudden shift in executive leadership. Market analysts pointed out that the disruption comes at a critical juncture for the semiconductor industry, as demand for advanced computing processors continues to soar globally.

Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993, expanding the business from specialized computer graphics chips into high-performance data center technology. The company stated it will provide additional details regarding executive compensation and interim management structure in upcoming filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.