According to The New York Times, Jensen Huang, in addition to a relationship he previously acknowledged, apparently had another extramarital relationship with one of the company’s executives. The alleged relationship is said to have been with Kimberly Powell, Nvidia’s vice president of healthcare. Powell is reported to be married, like Huang.
The newspaper, citing five Nvidia employees, reported that they were aware of the relationship. According to these sources, Huang and Powell were seen in a video expressing affection for each other at a hotel in San Jose, California, during a conference earlier this year.
The report also points to Nvidia’s internal policies which, like those of many large companies, restrict personal relationships between senior executives and employees who report directly to them.
Board investigation and possible congressional involvement
The report was published as Nvidia’s board had previously opened investigations into Huang’s earlier relationship with a woman named Alice Hwang; a woman accused of ties to China’s intelligence apparatus.
After those reports surfaced, Jensen Huang had earlier acknowledged infidelity to his wife and apologized to his family and company employees. Concerns about the possibility of him being targeted in a foreign intelligence operation have also intensified the board’s inquiry.
Separately, two Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives said on Wednesday that if Huang does not voluntarily respond to their request to appear for a closed briefing, Congress may subpoena him to answer questions about the espionage allegations.
Possibility of Nvidia CEO’s removal
Amid these controversies, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that Nvidia’s board is preparing for the possible removal of Jensen Huang and may convene to decide his managerial future.
Huang, who founded Nvidia in 1993, has led the company for more than three decades. His possible removal could represent a major managerial change for one of the world’s most valuable technology companies.
However, reports about the second relationship and Huang’s potential removal should be distinguished from any official decision by the board. As of The Wall Street Journal’s report, Nvidia had not announced a definitive decision to change its CEO.