Nvidia’s interim CEO Colette Kress inherits Jensen Huang’s no-meeting playbook
Nvidia's interim CEO Colette Kress now decides whether to maintain founder Jensen Huang's unusual management style of skipping one-on-one meetings with direct reports.
Huang famously skipped one-on-one meetings with dozens of direct reports during his 33-year tenure as CEO. Now that he has resigned following board investigations into his conduct, Kress must decide whether this unusual management culture continues under her leadership.
Nvidia named Kress, its executive vice president and CFO, as interim CEO on November 12, 2026. The board is currently evaluating both internal and external candidates for the permanent position, marking a significant shift for a company that has only ever known Huang as its chief executive.
Unusual management style
Huang's approach to management was unconventional by corporate standards. At one point, he had 60 direct reports but avoided the weekly check-ups that most executives would require. His solution was simple: he didn't conduct one-on-one meetings.
I don't do one-on-ones with any of them.
Kress's challenge
Kress joined Nvidia in 2013 and has served as CFO since then, overseeing the financial strategy behind the company's transformation from gaming chipmaker to AI leader. Her financial approach often contrasted with Huang's more aggressive stance on financing, particularly regarding AI infrastructure risks.
Her first major test comes quickly with an all-hands meeting scheduled for November 18, 2026, at 9 a.m. PT. Markets have already reacted negatively, with Nvidia's share price falling sharply in pre-market trading following the leadership change announcement.
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