Jensen Huang, now former CEO of NVIDIA, reportedly expressed misgivings about the capabilities of Collette Kress—his long-serving Chief Financial Officer—whom he appointed as interim CEO. Sources reveal Huang once referred to her as being like a “deer in the headlights” during a summer presentation with the finance team, suggesting he felt she lacked strategic input. The comments came as NVIDIA discussed ambitious guarantees to support data center clients struggling to pay for chips upfront. (No direct quotes retained.)
Kress has been with the company for over 13 years, rising through roles including Special Vice President and CFO following a stint at Cisco. Despite her seniority, the report says Huang didn’t view her as someone who could help shape company strategy or decision-making. Internal discussions highlighted that she questioned certain credit- and program-based deals—especially those involving his son-in-law, Nico Caprez. She reportedly sought clarity on which deals would be beneficial, how to value guarantees, and what returns could be expected.
One instance of her caution came earlier this year, when she pushed back on NVIDIA’s commitment to an Ohio data center project with OpenAI. While initial plans involved offering as much as $250 billion in credit, the company ultimately agreed to provide $105 billion instead. Kress’s role in trimming that commitment signals her emerging influence—and willingness to scrutinize major financial exposure.
Huang stepped down as CEO after reports emerged of multiple extramarital affairs, including with Kimberly Powell, a VP at NVIDIA, and an employee identified in related investigations. He is also under scrutiny amid allegations of a Chinese espionage plot. Following his resignation, there were reports of another affair with a different employee. Meanwhile, NVIDIA is in active search for a permanent CEO after Huang’s more than three-decade tenure.
Why this report matters
For much of his leadership, Huang has been synonymous with NVIDIA’s identity—driving its rise in AI, graphics, and enterprise computing. Kress’s appointment marked a rare leadership shift, but the reported lack of confidence from Huang suggests internal tensions around governance and authority. If she is to guide NVIDIA through a turbulent period, having a mandate—not just a title—will be key.
This episode underscores the broader challenge facing many tech giants: leadership succession amid personal scandal and strategic risk. NVIDIA’s ability to stabilize, with transparent decision-making and aligned leadership, will be critical as it navigates both competitive pressures and legal or regulatory scrutiny.
What to watch next: who the board appoints as permanent CEO, how much leeway Kress has during this interim phase, and whether the company revisits or restructures its financial guarantees to data centers.
