Nvidia's new interim CEO Kress rallies staff in first message to employees
Colette Kress told Nvidia employees they are the company's greatest strength, as the new interim chief moves to steady the chipmaker after Jensen Huang's resignation.
A first message to employees
Nvidia interim chief executive Colette Kress sent her first message to employees on Thursday, telling staff they are the company's greatest strength after a week that ended with founder Jensen Huang's resignation, according to CNBC. Kress, who served as chief financial officer for more than 13 years, was asked by the board to lead the chipmaker while it searches for a permanent successor, looking at internal and external candidates.
Board chair Harvey Jones sent his own message shortly before Kress, CNBC reported, citing a source familiar with the matter. Jones said he will serve as the first-ever chair of the board, a new role created as part of the leadership change.
The architect of Nvidia's growth
Kress joined Nvidia in September 2013 as executive vice president and chief financial officer, and has held the post since, according to Reuters. Nvidia's revenue was $4.13 billion in the fiscal year she joined and $215.9 billion in fiscal 2026, a rise that Jones called her out for: he described her as a key architect of Nvidia's growth and capital strategy.
Forbes ranks Kress No. 32 on its 2026 list of America's richest self-made women, Reuters reported. Her shares in the chipmaker were valued at roughly $750 million as of Wednesday's close, down from more than $1 billion at the stock's peak last month.
- Kress joined NvidiaSeptember 2013 as CFO
- Nvidia revenue$4.13 billion to $215.9 billion
- Kress shares valueAbout $750 million
- Company meetingNovember 18 at 9 a.m. PT
- Nvidia shares ThursdayDown about 4.80%
Steadying the company
In her message, Kress thanked employees for their resilience, professionalism and continued dedication through what she called an extraordinarily difficult period. She told staff the company has important work ahead and asked them to move forward together, with the same determination that has always defined the company. Her closing line to employees was short: "You are our greatest strength."
Nvidia will host a company meeting on November 18 at 9 a.m. PT, CNBC reported. Jones told employees the board has full confidence in Kress, writing: "The Board has full confidence in Colette to deliver on our commitments to shareholders, customers, partners, and to each of you." Nvidia shares were down about 4.80% on Thursday, after falling more than 10% in premarket trading, according to Reuters.
What comes next
The board's search for a permanent chief executive is now the central question for Nvidia, a company whose chips power the world's most advanced supercomputers and AI data centers. Kress built her career in finance over nearly 25 years at major technology companies before joining Nvidia, according to Reuters.
For now, the message from the top is continuity: operations, customer commitments and product roadmaps continue without interruption, the board said. The November 18 meeting will be the first chance for employees to hear directly from Kress as interim chief, and for investors to judge whether the steady hand at the top can hold the company together.
