Nvidia's board is expected to convene today to deliberate the dismissal of CEO Jensen Huang following a second alleged extramarital affair with Kimberly Powell, which pushed the company's shares down over 7% after hours.
Second alleged affair reported
The New York Times reports that Jensen Huang is accused of a second extramarital relationship with Kimberly Powell, Nvidia's vice president of health care who reports directly to him. Both individuals are married, and sources say they were seen together at a San Jose hotel during Nvidia's GTC conference in March.
Two unnamed sources told the Times that a video exists showing the pair, though the newspaper has not reviewed it. Rumors about a link between Huang and Powell have circulated for months, partly because Powell lacks a background in health or science, a source told CNBC.
Board prepares to act
The Wall Street Journal says Nvidia's board will meet as early as today to decide Huang's future at the company. The meeting follows Huang's recent admission of an affair with a woman alleged to be a Chinese spy, Alice Huang, after which Nvidia retained former U.S. attorney Joon H. Kim and the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.
Nvidia has not responded to The Verge's request for comment. In after‑hours trading on Wednesday, Nvidia shares fell more than 7%, reflecting investor concern about the potential impact of the scandal on leadership stability and the company's strategic direction.
Context and crisis response
Last year, Nvidia hired crisis‑communications firm Heller, known for managing high‑profile sex scandals, to advise Huang. Heller has previously counseled figures such as former congressman Anthony Weiner and writer Jeffrey Toobin.
A board move to remove a CEO is rare in the technology sector, where founders often retain long‑term control. Should the board decide to dismiss Huang, Nvidia will need to identify a successor capable of preserving key partnerships and sustaining its leadership in the GPU and AI markets.
TechTimes analysis
TechTimes believes the board's consideration of Jensen Huang's removal underscores how personal misconduct can quickly become a corporate governance crisis for a high‑profile tech firm. While Nvidia has already engaged legal counsel and a crisis‑communications firm, the 7% share decline signals heightened investor anxiety about possible disruption to its AI and GPU roadmap. If Huang is replaced, the company will face the challenge of finding a leader who can maintain strategic momentum and reassure stakeholders amid intense market competition.