Nvidia Board Weighs Ousting CEO Jensen Huang After Reports

Board Reviews CEO Future

Nvidia’s board of directors is preparing to discuss the possible removal of co-founder and chief executive Jensen Huang. The directors could meet as early as November 11 to address the situation following media reports detailing two separate personal relationships. Nvidia’s stock dropped eight percent in after-hours trading as news of the independent investigation spread across the market. The board previously expressed confidence in Huang, but new revelations have accelerated discussions about his position at the chipmaker.

Details of the Allegations

Recent media reports indicate that Huang had a relationship with Kimberly Powell, an Nvidia vice president who reports directly to him. Another report suggests a connection with a businesswoman whom U.S. intelligence suspects of working for Chinese intelligence. Nvidia’s internal code of conduct requires employees to report potential conflicts of interest to the legal department. Similar policy violations have cost executives at other tech firms their jobs in the past, including an incident at Intel in 2018.

Leadership and Succession

If Huang departs, it would trigger the first leadership transition in the company’s 33-year history. Potential interim leaders include chief financial officer Colette Kress, though Wall Street’s reaction to her temporary appointment remains uncertain. Co-founder Chris Malachowsky could also play a role due to his deep knowledge of the technology, though his return to an executive role is considered unlikely. The board continues to review the matter to determine if internal policies were officially breached.