Nvidia's lack of a succession plan when Jensen Huang quit draws criticism from former Fortune 500 CEOs

fortune.com —

Nvidia had no succession plan in place when CEO Jensen Huang resigned on November 12, 2026, following reports of a second affair, leaving the company without a clear heir and prompting criticism from former Fortune 500 CEOs who called the situation "preposterous." CFO Colette Kress was named interim CEO while the board searches for a permanent replacement, though her background lacks business leadership experience, and experts believe the board improvised its response. Critics point to Huang's 60 direct reports, a board with no Fortune 500 CEO experience, and investor complacency driven by Nvidia's massive success as red flags. The company's diverse shareholder structure, with Huang holding only 3.5% of shares, means the board had the power to prepare a successor but failed, highlighting a governance weakness that experts say could have invited activist intervention if Nvidia's performance had faltered.


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