In the male-dominated world of technology, Colette Kress stands out as a shining example of a woman breaking barriers and setting high standards. As the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of NVIDIA, a top Silicon Valley chipmaker, she has not only demonstrated her financial acumen but has also become a role model for women in the tech industry.
Her journey in the world of finance and technology began over 25 years ago. Prior to joining NVIDIA in 2013, she held significant positions at some of the biggest technology companies in the world. Her remarkable career trajectory is a testament to her exceptional skills and unwavering dedication.
Before her tenure at NVIDIA, she served as the Senior Vice President of Business Technology and Operations Finance at Cisco for three years. In this role, she oversaw financial strategy, planning, reporting, and business development for all sectors of the company, including engineering and operations. Her ability to translate technical jargon into financial figures proved invaluable in a field where engineers are often the primary audience for financial reporting.
However, it was during her time at Microsoft from 1997 to 2010 that she truly made her mark. She spent four years as the CFO of the Server and Tools division, where she played a pivotal role in shaping the financial strategy of one of Microsoft's most critical divisions. Her contributions extended beyond finance, as she held several senior business planning and financial positions during her tenure.
Kress' journey in finance started at Texas Instruments, where she worked for eight years in various finance roles before making the move to Microsoft. Her educational background is equally impressive, with a Bachelor of Science in finance from the University of Arizona and an MBA from Southern Methodist University.
However, her accomplishments extend far beyond her impressive resume. She is a techie at heart, having started her career in computing. Her ability to bridge the gap between technology and finance has been a key driver of her success. Her work at NVIDIA, in particular, has been nothing short of outstanding. Under her financial leadership, the company's worth has skyrocketed from $9.3 billion to an astounding $47 billion since she joined in 2013.
In recognition of her remarkable achievements and contributions to the technology industry, Kress was named one of the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Technology by the California Diversity Council. This accolade acknowledges her as a trailblazer who has not only broken barriers but also set exceptionally high standards for herself and others.
Her story is a testament to the fact that with talent, determination, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, women can make an indelible mark in the technology and finance sectors. As we anticipate many more accolades for Kress, she continues to shine as a true tech role model for women worldwide.