Who is Colette Kress? Meet Nvidia's longtime CFO reportedly emerging as a favourite for interim CEO as Jensen Huang faces ouster

As Nvidia, the world's leading AI chipmaker is allegedly heading towards one of the biggest leadership shake-ups in the technology industry, a new name has emerged as the company's possible new face. Co-founder and longtime CEO Jensen Huang, who has led the company for more than three decades, is reportedly facing the possibility of being removed as the board weighs its next steps. Amid the uncertainty, a potential interim successor could be Colette Kress, Nvidia's longtime chief financial officer.

While no final succession decision has been announced, reports suggest that some board members see her as a candidate who could provide continuity during a period of upheaval.

Who is Colette Kress?

It is not Kress' first time in the tech industry or Nvidia's management team. She was hired by the firm in September 2013 as an executive vice president and chief financial officer, after having worked in finance roles at Texas Instruments, Microsoft and Cisco. In the last 13 years, she has been part of the changes and evolution of Nvidia from a graphics chip maker to a key player in the AI world.

Kress holds a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Arizona and an MBA from Southern Methodist University. Her career in the technology industry began at Texas Instruments, where she spent eight years in various finance positions.

She subsequently joined Microsoft in 1997, spending 13 years at the company. One of her most significant assignments was serving as CFO of Microsoft's Server and Tools division for four years, beginning in 2006.

In 2010, Kress moved to Cisco, where she served as senior vice president and CFO of its Business Technology and Operations Finance organisation for three years.

Nvidia appointed her executive vice president and chief financial officer in September 2013. Announcing her appointment, Huang praised her experience and financial expertise, saying: "She brings fantastic experience, excellent financial management skills and deep industry knowledge to NVIDIA."

Why is Colette Kress being considered for Nvidia CEO?

The discussion around Kress's possible elevation comes as Nvidia faces an unprecedented leadership crisis involving Huang, who co-founded the company in 1993 and has served as its CEO ever since.

According to Semafor, some Nvidia directors favour Kress as an interim CEO if a leadership change becomes necessary. Crypto Briefing also reported that the support was coming from some board members, rather than representing a final decision by the entire board.

The developments follow reports of two extramarital affairs involving Huang, including one with Alice Huang, an executive at Singapore-based data company Megaspeed, who US intelligence officials reportedly suspect of having links to Chinese intelligence.

Huang acknowledged being unfaithful in a message to employees and apologised for betraying his family's and employees' trust: “There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry. To my colleagues at NVIDIA, including those I have worked alongside for decades, and to our board, partners, and shareholders around the world: you deserve better from me. Leading NVIDIA is the privilege of my life. My responsibility is to serve you and be worthy of your trust. I have fallen short of that responsibility. I am fully committed to NVIDIA and will work to earn back your confidence.”