Who Is Colette Kress? Meet Nvidia's Interim CEO and One of America's Richest Self-Made Women

Colette Kress has taken charge of Nvidia as interim CEO following Jensen Huang's departure, bringing nearly 13 years of financial leadership experience and considerable personal wealth.

Who Is Colette Kress? Meet Nvidia's Interim CEO and One of America's Richest Self-Made Women

Colette Kress Takes Charge of Nvidia After Jensen Huang's Exit

Colette Kress, Nvidia's longtime chief financial officer, has stepped into the role of interim chief executive officer following Jensen Huang's sudden departure. The appointment places her in charge of one of the world's most influential artificial intelligence and semiconductor companies during an important leadership transition.

Effective November 12, Kress will manage Nvidia's overall operations while continuing to oversee its financial responsibilities. The company's board is expected to search for a permanent CEO.

Her appointment marks a major milestone in a career spanning several decades across leading technology companies. Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Kress is also recognised as one of America's wealthiest self-made women.

According to Forbes' 2026 ranking, she secured the 32nd position on its list.

From Texas Instruments to Microsoft: The Beginning of Her Career

Before becoming one of Nvidia's most important executives, Kress developed her professional experience at several major technology companies.

She graduated with a finance degree from the University of Arizona and started her career at Texas Instruments, where she spent eight years working in financial positions.

In 1997, she joined Microsoft, beginning a 13-year professional journey with the technology giant.

Her responsibilities expanded over time, and in 2006, she became CFO of Microsoft's Server and Tools division. In this position, she handled financial planning, reporting and strategic financial management.

Her experience at Microsoft helped establish her reputation as an experienced finance professional capable of managing complex business operations.

Colette Kress Joined Cisco Before Moving to Nvidia

In 2010, Kress moved to Cisco, where she took up the position of senior vice president and CFO of its Business Technology and Operations Finance organisation.

Her role involved overseeing financial strategy, business development and operational finance.

After spending three years at Cisco, she received an opportunity that would eventually define her professional career.

Nearly 13 Years at Nvidia: Working Alongside Jensen Huang

Nvidia appointed Kress as executive vice president and chief financial officer in September 2013.

At the time, Nvidia was much smaller than the global technology leader it has become today. Kress reportedly described it as the smallest company she had worked for when she joined.

During her tenure, Nvidia underwent a remarkable transformation. Initially known primarily for its graphics processing units (GPUs) used in gaming computers, the company became a major supplier of chips powering artificial intelligence systems worldwide.

Kress played an important role in managing the company's finances throughout this expansion.

She regularly appeared alongside Jensen Huang during quarterly earnings discussions, explaining revenue performance, financial forecasts and business developments to investors.

Her long association with Nvidia has provided her with extensive knowledge of its financial structure, business operations and growth strategy.

Education and Academic Qualifications

Kress has an educational background specialising in finance and business management.

Her academic qualifications include:

• Bachelor's degree: Finance from the University of Arizona.

• MBA: Southern Methodist University.

These qualifications, combined with her experience at Texas Instruments, Microsoft, Cisco and Nvidia, helped establish her position among the technology industry's leading financial executives.

Colette Kress' Net Worth and Forbes Ranking

Kress has accumulated considerable personal wealth during her corporate career, primarily through her Nvidia shareholding.

Forbes ranked her 32nd among America's richest self-made women in its 2026 list.

According to Nvidia's most recent annual report cited in the supplied information, she owns approximately 4.44 million company shares.

Her financial position reflects the significant value created during Nvidia's expansion and the role of executive equity ownership in building long-term wealth.

What Lies Ahead for Nvidia's Interim CEO?

Taking charge of Nvidia presents Kress with responsibilities that extend well beyond financial management.

She must maintain the company's technological leadership, support its global AI chip business and manage investor confidence during the leadership transition.

Her understanding of Nvidia's operations and nearly 13 years of experience within the company could prove valuable during this period.

However, leading a business of Nvidia's scale will require her to manage strategic decisions, competition and the rapidly changing artificial intelligence industry.

For Kress, the interim CEO position could become the most defining chapter of her professional journey.

Conclusion

Colette Kress has built an impressive career through decades of financial leadership at major technology companies. Her appointment as Nvidia's interim CEO represents a significant opportunity to demonstrate her leadership abilities beyond the finance department. With extensive institutional knowledge and experience working alongside Jensen Huang, she now faces the challenge of guiding Nvidia through its next phase of growth.