Who Will Replace Jensen Huang? Meet the 10 Power Players Deciding NVIDIA's Next CEO — Including an Indian-Origin Leader
For more than three decades, Jensen Huang was the defining face of NVIDIA. He co-founded the company in 1993 and transformed it from a graphics-chip manufacturer into one of the most influential businesses powering the artificial intelligence revolution.
Now, the company is entering an entirely new chapter.
On November 12, 2026, NVIDIA announced that Huang had resigned as president, CEO and a member of its board, effective immediately. The company appointed longtime finance chief Colette Kress as interim CEO and confirmed that it would consider both internal and external candidates for the permanent position.
The announcement followed intense scrutiny surrounding reports about Huang's personal relationships and a wider investigation into whether he had been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation. NVIDIA's official resignation announcement did not specify a reason for his departure.
The leadership transition has put the company's board of directors in the spotlight. Ten directors now form the group responsible for corporate oversight and the leadership succession process.
One name is particularly interesting for Indian readers: Dr. Aarti Shah, the former Eli Lilly executive who joined NVIDIA's board in 2020.
Here are the 10 people whose collective decisions will help shape NVIDIA's next chapter.
The 10 NVIDIA Board Members Behind the Leadership Transition
1. Harvey C. Jones — Chairman of the Board
Harvey C. Jones has taken on an especially important position during NVIDIA's leadership transition.
A longtime member of the company's board, Jones joined NVIDIA in 1993, the same year the company was founded. He is a technology entrepreneur and investor who previously served as CEO and executive chairman of Synopsys.
He is also the managing partner of Square Wave Ventures.
Following Huang's resignation, NVIDIA appointed Jones as its first-ever chairman of the board.
His experience with NVIDIA from its earliest years gives him a long perspective on the company's development. As chairman, he will have an important role in board leadership during the search for a permanent CEO.
2. Stephen C. Neal — The Corporate Governance Expert
Stephen C. Neal brings extensive legal and corporate governance experience to the board.
He joined NVIDIA in 2019 and is chairman emeritus and senior counsel at Cooley LLP, a major US law firm.
His professional background includes advising corporate boards, executives and special committees on complex legal and governance matters.
During a leadership transition involving investigations and intense public scrutiny, that experience could be particularly valuable.
3. Tench Coxe — NVIDIA's Early Investor
Tench Coxe is among the people who have been connected to NVIDIA since its early years.
He joined the company's board in 1993 and previously served as managing director at venture capital firm Sutter Hill Ventures.
Coxe has decades of experience evaluating technology businesses, investment opportunities and emerging markets.
His long association with NVIDIA gives him an understanding of the company that goes back to its early development.
4. John O. Dabiri — The Scientific Mind
John O. Dabiri brings an academic and scientific perspective to NVIDIA's board.
He is a professor of aeronautics and mechanical engineering at the California Institute of Technology and joined the board in 2020.
His research includes fluid dynamics, biological motion and engineering systems.
As artificial intelligence increasingly connects with robotics, scientific computing and advanced engineering, his expertise provides a different perspective from that of traditional business executives.
5. Dawn Hudson — The Former PepsiCo and NFL Executive
Dawn Hudson has held senior leadership positions in some of America's most recognised organisations.
She previously served as CEO of Pepsi-Cola North America and chief marketing officer of the National Football League.
Hudson joined NVIDIA's board in 2013.
Her experience in brand strategy, marketing and large-scale business management could be important as NVIDIA navigates a major change in leadership and continues building relationships with customers around the world.
6. Melissa B. Lora — The International Business Leader
Melissa B. Lora joined NVIDIA's board in 2023.
She previously served as president of Taco Bell International, where she was involved in managing the brand's global business operations.
Her experience in international markets, consumer businesses and financial management adds another commercial perspective to NVIDIA's board.
As NVIDIA expands its global AI ecosystem, understanding international business and market conditions remains important.
7. A. Brooke Seawell — The Venture Capital Veteran
A. Brooke Seawell has been associated with NVIDIA's board since 1997.
He is a venture partner at New Enterprise Associates and has spent much of his career working with technology companies and entrepreneurs.
His background includes experience at technology companies such as NetDynamics and Synopsys.
Seawell's long history with NVIDIA gives him insight into the company's evolution from an ambitious semiconductor startup into a global technology powerhouse.
8. Dr. Aarti Shah — The Indian-Origin Executive in the Spotlight
Dr. Aarti Shah is one of the most closely watched names in NVIDIA's boardroom, particularly among Indian readers.
Shah joined NVIDIA's board in November 2020 after spending approximately 27 years at pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly.
During her career there, she held several senior positions, eventually serving as Senior Vice President and Chief Information and Digital Officer.
Her academic background is equally impressive. She earned bachelor's and master's degrees in Statistics and Mathematics from Gujarat University before completing a PhD in Applied Statistics at the University of California, Riverside.
At NVIDIA, Shah serves on the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee.
These positions place her within important areas of corporate oversight, including financial reporting, internal controls and executive compensation.
Her presence is significant because NVIDIA's next leadership chapter will involve more than selecting a CEO. The board must also maintain strong governance, investor confidence and accountability.
However, Shah is one member of a collective board. There is no public evidence that she alone controls the CEO appointment or personally leads the succession decision.
9. Mark A. Stevens — The Technology Investor
Mark A. Stevens is another longtime figure in NVIDIA's corporate history.
He joined the board in 2008, having previously served from 1993 to 2006.
Stevens is the managing partner of S-Cubed Capital and previously worked as a managing partner at Sequoia Capital.
His background includes technology investment, semiconductor industry experience and venture capital.
His perspective could be valuable as NVIDIA considers the kind of leadership needed to maintain its position in the increasingly competitive AI industry.
10. Suzanne Nora Johnson — The Wall Street Veteran
Suzanne Nora Johnson is one of the board's more recent additions.
She previously served as vice chairman of Goldman Sachs, where she spent 21 years in senior leadership positions.
She has also served on the boards of major financial and technology-related businesses, including Pfizer and Intuit.
Her experience in financial markets, corporate governance and large institutions brings another important perspective to NVIDIA's leadership decisions.
As the company faces questions from investors and financial markets, her experience could be particularly relevant.
Who Could Actually Replace Jensen Huang?
While the 10 directors are central to NVIDIA's corporate oversight, the permanent CEO search is a separate question.
The company has confirmed that it will consider both internal and external candidates.
Several names have already attracted attention in media reports and public discussion.
Colette Kress — The Interim CEO
Kress is currently NVIDIA's interim CEO and CFO. She joined the company in 2013 after working in finance roles at major technology companies, including Microsoft and Cisco.
Her familiarity with NVIDIA's finances, operations and customers makes her a natural choice to lead the company during the transition.
Whether she eventually receives the permanent position remains undecided.
Ian Buck — The Internal Technology Candidate
Ian Buck is an NVIDIA executive associated with the company's AI hardware and software business.
He has played an important role in the development of GPU computing and the CUDA software ecosystem.
His technical background could make him an interesting internal name if the board wants a leader with deep knowledge of NVIDIA's engineering strategy.
Lisa Su — The AMD Connection
Lisa Su, CEO of Advanced Micro Devices, is another name mentioned in discussions about possible successors.
She has led AMD through a major transformation in the semiconductor industry and has extensive experience competing in the same markets as NVIDIA.
However, there is no official indication that she has been approached or is a candidate for the position.
Rene Haas — The Arm Executive
Rene Haas, CEO of Arm Holdings, has also been mentioned among potential external possibilities.
Arm plays an important role in the global semiconductor ecosystem, and Haas has experience leading a major technology company.
His name has surfaced in media speculation, but NVIDIA has not confirmed him as a candidate.
Tim Cook — A Name Trump Has Mentioned
US President Donald Trump publicly suggested that former Apple CEO Tim Cook should replace Huang.
Cook stepped down as Apple's CEO in September 2026 but continues to hold a senior role at the company.
Trump's suggestion attracted attention, although there is no confirmation that Cook is being considered by NVIDIA's board.
These names represent reported possibilities and public speculation, not an official shortlist released by NVIDIA.
Why NVIDIA's Next CEO Will Face an Extraordinary Challenge
Replacing Jensen Huang will not be like replacing an ordinary corporate executive.
Huang's leadership was closely connected to NVIDIA's technology strategy, product development, customer relationships and long-term AI ambitions.
The company now sits at the centre of the global AI infrastructure market. Its chips power data centres, advanced AI models, scientific computing systems and a growing range of applications.
The next CEO will need to maintain confidence among customers, investors, employees and governments while protecting NVIDIA's technological advantage.
There are also major strategic questions ahead.
The AI industry is becoming increasingly competitive. Companies are investing heavily in their own chips, cloud infrastructure and alternative computing platforms.
At the same time, geopolitical tensions, semiconductor export restrictions and questions about AI investment spending are creating new challenges for the industry.
NVIDIA's next leader will inherit all of these responsibilities.
The Biggest Question: Can NVIDIA Move Beyond the Jensen Huang Era?
NVIDIA's leadership transition is a defining moment for the company and the wider artificial intelligence industry.
Colette Kress is currently keeping the business under interim leadership, while the board considers the company's long-term direction.
The 10 directors bring different backgrounds in technology, finance, law, science, investment and international business. Among them, Dr. Aarti Shah stands out as an Indian-origin executive with decades of experience in technology and corporate leadership.
But the ultimate challenge is bigger than finding a famous name to occupy the CEO's office.
NVIDIA needs a leader capable of protecting the innovation culture that made the company a global AI powerhouse while guiding it through a much more complicated competitive and regulatory environment.
The next CEO will inherit one of the most influential technology businesses in the world.
And the decision will help determine what NVIDIA looks like after Jensen Huang.
The Bottom Line
Jensen Huang's resignation has put NVIDIA's 10-member board under an intense global spotlight.
The board must now find a leader capable of maintaining NVIDIA's dominance in the AI industry while navigating regulatory scrutiny and fierce competition.
Dr. Aarti Shah is one of the key independent directors in the room. While she is not solely responsible for the CEO decision, her background in data, digital transformation and governance makes her a critical voice in the boardroom.
The next CEO will inherit one of the most important companies in the world. The board's decision will shape the future of AI infrastructure for years to come.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.
