In a recent internal memo obtained by Reuters, NVIDIA’s interim CEO, Colette Kress, conveyed a strong sense of optimism regarding the company’s future and its dedicated workforce. Kress, who also continues her role as Executive Vice President and CFO, stepped into the interim CEO position following the departure of Huang Renxun from his roles as President, CEO, and board member.
A Message of Resilience and Future Focus
Kress began her message by affirming her deep belief in NVIDIA and its prospects, emphasizing that her confidence extends most importantly to the employees, as well as the company’s customers and partners. She acknowledged the recent period as “extraordinarily difficult” for everyone and expressed profound gratitude for the “resilience, professionalism, and continued dedication” shown by the NVIDIA team.
“The Board, Estaff (executive staff) 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.”
Highlighting the invaluable contribution of each employee, Kress stated, “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.” She assured employees that leadership would provide further updates on the company’s future direction in the coming days and announced a company-wide meeting scheduled for November 18 at 9 a.m. PT.
NVIDIA’s Pivotal Role in the AI Revolution
The memo underscored NVIDIA’s critical mission in developing core technologies that are powering the AI revolution. Kress urged the team to “move forward together, with the same determination and commitment that have always defined this company,” reiterating the importance of their ongoing work.
Leadership Transition and Colette Kress’s Background
The appointment of Kress as interim CEO marks a significant moment in NVIDIA’s leadership transition. While the board initiates a formal search for a permanent CEO, considering both internal and external candidates, Kress will continue to manage her responsibilities as CFO. Her tenure at NVIDIA, which began in September 2013, has seen her lead the finance department and play a key role in the company’s growth and evolution.
Kress brings a wealth of financial expertise to her roles. Prior to joining NVIDIA, she served as Senior Vice President and CFO for three years in Cisco’s business technology and operations finance divisions, overseeing financial strategy, planning, reporting, and business development for all business, engineering, and operations units. Her earlier career includes a 13-year stint at Microsoft, where she held the position of CFO for the Server and Tools division for four years, alongside other senior roles in corporate planning and finance. She also held various financial positions at Texas Instruments.
Kress holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Arizona and an MBA from Southern Methodist University.
