Nvidia moves to oust CEO Jensen Huang amid new allegation of affair: report

Reported relationship with executive

The Wall Street Journal reported that Nvidia’s board is preparing to oust Huang after disclosures concerning two extramarital relationships. One allegedly involved Powell, 48, the company’s vice president of health care, who reports to Huang, 63. Both are married to other people.

Sources familiar with the matter said Huang and Powell were seen behaving affectionately at a San Jose hotel during Nvidia’s GTC developer conference in March. Powell joined Nvidia in 2008 and became head of its health care unit in 2017. At the conference, she presented on AI applications in biology, using cartoon depictions of Huang.

Company rules and investigation

The reported relationship conflicts with Nvidia’s conduct rules, which instruct employees to avoid circumstances, including personal relationships, that create conflicts within the company. The policy says Nvidia “promptly investigates reports of misconduct.” The board has already opened an internal investigation, led by the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. The reported disclosures add to existing pressure on the chipmaker.

Congressional request over contacts

Republican leaders of three House committees have asked Huang to take part in a closed-door briefing. Their request concerns his interactions with a woman alleged to be a Chinese spy.

The report describes that allegation as part of the disclosures behind the board’s reported move to oust Huang. It does not say that the allegation has been proven.