Jensen Huang has resigned as Nvidia’s president, chief executive officer, and a member of its board, ending his 33-year run leading the company. Nvidia announced the change on Nov. 12 and named Colette Kress, executive vice president and chief financial officer, as interim CEO.
Kress will lead Nvidia while keeping her existing roles until the board names a permanent successor. The search will include candidates from inside and outside the company, according to its announcement.
“Our focus remains on serving our customers, partners, developers and shareholders,” said Colette Kress, interim CEO and CFO, Nvidia.
The leadership change comes as Nvidia supplies chips used to build and run artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
Nvidia’s filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission said the board accepted Huang’s resignation on Nov. 11, effective immediately. His departure covers both his executive positions and his seat on the board. The filing identifies Kress as the executive appointed to lead the company during the search for his replacement.
The board also appointed Harvey C. Jones as its first-ever chair. Jones has served on Nvidia’s board since 1993 and has been managing partner of Square Wave Ventures, a private family office, since 2004. His experience includes work as an entrepreneur, technology executive, and venture investor.
Jones said the board expects Nvidia’s operations, customer commitments, and planned products to continue without interruption. He also expressed confidence in Kress and the existing leadership team as they carry out the company’s strategy.
Huang’s departure follows an independent investigation announced by Nvidia’s board after reports that he had been targeted by a foreign intelligence effort. The company’s resignation announcement did not state a reason for his departure.
In a Nov. 10 statement, Nvidia’s independent directors said they had retained Joon H. Kim, former acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, and his firm, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, to conduct the investigation. That statement did not provide findings or a timetable for its completion.
Nvidia will report its third-quarter fiscal 2027 financial results on Nov. 17, as previously scheduled, followed by an earnings call. The company thanked Huang for his contributions to Nvidia and the technology industry.