NVIDIA Board Weighs Three Israeli Candidates for CEO Succession
NVIDIA's board is reportedly considering three Israeli executives, including CTO Michael Kagan and Mellanox founder Eyal Waldman, to replace Jensen Huang following his resignation.
By Lorenzo Evans ·
The board of directors at NVIDIA is reportedly evaluating three Israeli professionals to succeed Jensen Huang as the company's chief executive officer. This search follows Huang's recent resignation, which has left the semiconductor giant in a period of transition. Reports indicate that the leadership team is carefully reviewing internal and external options to ensure stability during this critical period.
Michael Kagan, the current chief technology officer at NVIDIA, is one of the primary contenders. Alongside him, Johny Srouji, who serves as Apple's chief hardware officer, is also under consideration. A third candidate is Eyal Waldman, the founder and former CEO of Mellanox. These three individuals represent distinct backgrounds that could shape the future direction of the chip manufacturer.
Kagan and Waldman share a significant professional history as co-founders of Mellanox, an Israeli networking firm. NVIDIA acquired this company in 2020 in a deal valued at approximately seven billion dollars. Waldman is viewed as having an advantage due to his prior experience as a chief executive officer. In contrast, Kagan's strength lies in his long tenure at NVIDIA, where he has helped develop key technologies and built substantial internal relationships during his time as CTO.
Srouji brings a different set of qualifications to the table. His main advantage is his extensive experience in developing Apple's silicon strategy. This work enabled the iPhone maker to design and produce its own proprietary chips for various products. However, a potential drawback for his appointment is that he was promoted to Apple's chief hardware officer only recently, in April 2026, which is less than six months ago.
The departure of Huang was precipitated by reports of personal affairs involving two employees and a woman identified by American intelligence as a Chinese spy. In the interim, Colette Kress, the company's vice president, has stepped in as the acting CEO. Kress previously served as the chief financial officer at NVIDIA and joined the firm in 2013 after stints at Microsoft and Cisco. She is currently considered one of the leading internal favorites to secure the permanent role.
Another internal candidate gaining attention is Ian Buck, who oversees hyperscale AI hardware and software products. While his technical expertise is recognized, his lack of broader executive experience is cited as a potential hurdle in the selection process. The board is also looking beyond NVIDIA's walls, with Rene Haas, the CEO of Arm and a former NVIDIA executive, listed among those being considered.
The candidate pool also includes high-profile external leaders. Lisa Su, the CEO of AMD, a direct competitor to NVIDIA, is reportedly in the mix. Additionally, Matt Garman, the head of Amazon Web Services, is being evaluated for the position. The breadth of these candidates suggests that the board is open to both industry veterans and leaders from rival technology companies.
US President Donald Trump has weighed in on the succession drama, suggesting that Tim Cook, the former CEO of Apple, should take the helm. On social media, Trump praised Huang's work and declared that Cook was the only suitable replacement. He described the potential transition as a legend replacing another legend, highlighting the high stakes involved in the appointment.
The leadership vacuum has also triggered political scrutiny in Washington. Democratic policymakers are pressuring the administration regarding its previously lenient limits on NVIDIA chip sales to China. Officials have demanded that the administration preserve all records related to its dealings with the company. This political oversight adds another layer of complexity to the board's decision-making process as it seeks to stabilize the company's leadership.
As the selection process moves forward, the chosen CEO will face the challenge of navigating NVIDIA through several operational hiccups anticipated in the wake of Huang's exit. The board's final decision will likely reflect a balance between internal institutional knowledge and external strategic expertise, aiming to maintain the company's competitive edge in the global chip market.
