Nvidia’s interim chief executive, Colette Kress, and newly appointed board chair Harvey Jones have moved to reassure employees following Jensen Huang’s abrupt resignation, promising continuity in the company’s operations while the board searches for a permanent successor.
The two executives addressed the leadership transition in separate internal memos circulated on Thursday, according to documents obtained by Business Insider. Their messages acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Huang’s departure and sought to reinforce confidence in Nvidia’s leadership, workforce and position in the artificial intelligence industry.
Kress, who has served as Nvidia’s chief financial officer for more than 13 years, said the company’s leadership would hold a meeting with employees on November 18 to discuss its future.
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Jones confirmed that the board was beginning the search for a permanent CEO and would consider both internal and external candidates. He also said he would serve as the company’s first-ever board chair.
The leadership changes follow reports of extramarital affairs involving Huang, who co-founded Nvidia more than three decades ago. His resignation as chief executive and board member marks a major transition for a company that has been closely associated with his leadership during its expansion into one of the world’s most influential technology businesses.
In her memo, Kress acknowledged the difficult period facing employees and thanked them for maintaining their commitment to the company.
“The Board, Estaff and I recognize that this has been an extraordinarily difficult period and I want you to know how grateful we are for your resilience, professionalism and continued dedication,” she wrote.
She emphasized the importance of Nvidia’s workforce, customers and partners, describing employees as the company’s greatest strength.
Kress also sought to keep attention on Nvidia’s business priorities, particularly its role in developing the technology underpinning the AI industry.
“We play a vital role in building the technology that is powering the AI revolution, and we have important work ahead of us,” she said.
Her message suggests that the immediate priority for the interim leadership is to maintain operational stability while the company manages the transition at the top. The November 18 meeting will provide an opportunity for executives to address employees directly about the company’s direction and priorities.
Kress’s appointment places a long-serving finance executive at the center of Nvidia’s leadership transition. Her experience overseeing the company’s financial strategy and growth gives her familiarity with its operations, capital requirements, and relationships with investors.
Jones said the board had full confidence in her ability to manage the company during the search for a permanent chief executive.
“As CFO for over 13 years, Colette has been a key architect of NVIDIA’s growth and capital strategy. She possesses a deep understanding of this business and the markets in which we operate,” he wrote.
Jones said the board had asked Kress to serve as interim CEO while it conducts a search for Huang’s permanent replacement.
The decision to consider candidates from both inside and outside Nvidia leaves open the possibility of a leadership change beyond the company’s existing executive team.
Jones also described the board’s responsibility as protecting the company’s long-term interests, pointing to Nvidia’s technical capabilities, employees, leadership team and network of business partners as the foundations of its position in the industry.
“The strength of this company resides in our employees, leadership team, technical strength and partner ecosystem,” he wrote.
He added that the board expected Nvidia to continue growing under Kress’s interim leadership and maintain its position in the technology industry.
The transition comes at a sensitive time for Nvidia, whose chips and computing systems have become central to the global expansion of artificial intelligence. The company has built its position through accelerated computing and graphics processing technology, which now underpin much of the infrastructure used to train and operate AI models.
Jones acknowledged Huang’s role in building that business, describing his contributions as profound and highlighting the company’s development of the modern GPU and the computing platform that enabled the growth of artificial intelligence.
The board’s immediate challenge is to separate the company’s operating performance and long-term technology strategy from the uncertainty surrounding its leadership. A prolonged transition could attract greater attention from investors and business partners, particularly given Nvidia’s importance to the AI supply chain.
For now, the internal messages seek to establish continuity rather than announce major changes in corporate direction. Kress will oversee the company while the board evaluates succession options, with the November 18 employee meeting expected to provide further details about the leadership team’s plans.
Colette Kress’s memo to employees
Dear NVIDIANs,
I believe deeply in this company and in its future. More than anything, I believe in each of you, in our customers and partners, and in the vital role we play every day in the global economy.
The Board, Estaff, and I recognize that this has been an extraordinarily difficult period, and I want you to know how grateful we are for your resilience, professionalism, and continued dedication. Thank you.
This company has achieved so much because of the work that all of you bring to it every single day. You are our greatest strength. You will hear more from leadership in the coming days about our future together, and we will host a company meeting on November 18 at 9 am PT.
We play a vital role in building the technology that is powering the AI revolution, and we have important work ahead of us. So let’s move forward together, with the same determination and commitment that have always defined this company.
Thank you for all you do,
Colette
Harvey Jones’s memo to employees
Dear NVIDIA Employees,
I am writing to share an important update. Jensen has resigned as CEO and Board Member, and the Board has asked our Chief Financial Officer, Colette Kress, to serve as interim CEO while it conducts a search for a permanent successor, looking at both internal and external candidates. I will serve as the first-ever Chair of the Board.
As CFO for over 13 years, Colette has been a key architect of NVIDIA’s growth and capital strategy. She possesses a deep understanding of this business and the markets in which we operate. The Board has full confidence in Colette to deliver on our commitments to shareholders, customers, partners, and to each of you.
Jensen’s contributions to NVIDIA are profound. NVIDIA is one of the most consequential technology companies in the world. We pioneered accelerated computing, defined the modern GPU, and built the platform that powered artificial intelligence.
The Board takes seriously our duty as stewards of this great company.
The strength of this company resides in our employees, leadership team, technical strength, and partner ecosystem. I am confident that under Colette’s leadership, with the full support of the Board, we will continue to grow our business and lead the industry forward.
Thank you for your focus, your professionalism, and your commitment to NVIDIA.
Harvey Jones
Chair, NVIDIA Board of Directors