Colette Kress Takes Helm at Nvidia as Interim Chief Executive

Nvidia employees and shareholders learned on Thursday that Colette Kress is the company's new interim chief executive officer. She also assumes the titles of executive vice president and chief financial officer, roles she has already held. The appointment places a veteran finance executive at the head of the world's most valuable technology firm during a period of leadership transition.

Huang, who founded the company in 1993, resigned as president, chief executive officer, and board member this week. Board investigations into Huang preceded his departure. Kress joined Nvidia in September 2013. Before that, she spent nearly 25 years in finance roles at major technology firms, including Microsoft, Cisco, and Texas Instruments.

Kress earned her professional master of business administration from Southern Methodist University's Cox School of Business in 1996. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Arizona. Her career path moved from large hardware and software companies to the semiconductor industry where Nvidia operates.

"SMU alumna Colette Kress earned her Professional MBA from the SMU Cox School of Business in 1996," said Todd Milbourn, dean of the SMU Cox School of Business. "As a full-time professional in this part-time program, she balanced work demands alongside a rigorous academic load. Doing so successfully requires focus, determination and an ability to manage complex priorities. Those skills created a solid foundation upon which she was able to build throughout her tenure as Nvidia’s CFO and Executive Vice President, and they will serve her well as she transitions into her new role as interim CEO."

Kress will now oversee Nvidia's day-to-day operations and strategic direction while the board searches for a permanent replacement. The company did not announce a timeline for a permanent CEO search on Thursday.

The move consolidates financial and operational control under one leader. Kress remains on the board of directors as part of her new executive package. Her interim status indicates that the board views this as a temporary measure rather than a permanent appointment.

Huang's departure marks the end of an era for the chipmaker. Kress, who has managed Nvidia's finances for over a decade, now holds the final decision-making authority on product roadmaps and corporate strategy.