NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang is ranked No. 1 on Glassdoor’s Best CEOs list for 2026.

In the just-released ranking, recognition is earned directly from the people who know their leadership the best — employees. Huang topped the list, with 99% of employees approving of the job he does.

“As AI and shifting expectations redefine the modern workplace, exceptional leadership has never been more vital,” Glassdoor noted. “The top 50 CEOs do more than manage day-to-day operations — they empower their people and drive authentic culture.”

Glassdoor reintroduced the Best CEOs list this year after a hiatus of five years, replacing the Best-Led Companies list, which ranked NVIDIA at No. 1 in 2025, in a shift to sharpen the focus on CEO and executive leadership and its impact on employee experience and company reputation. 

Glassdoor also publishes a list of Best Places to Work in Technology and AI, where NVIDIA ranked No. 1 in January. Some 28 of the 50 Best CEOs 2026 winners also earned a spot on Glassdoor’s 2026 Best Places to Work list, reinforcing that strong CEO leadership and great workplace culture go hand in hand. 

Focus on Leadership

Rounding out the top five spots on this year’s list of 50 Best CEOs are Jason Johnson of Quick Quack Car Wash; Kevin A.  Lobo of Stryker; Alan D. Schnitzer of Travelers, and Chris Czarnecki of Keller Williams.  

This award recognizes CEOs “who are leading with empathy, clarity, and purpose,” at a time when workers are navigating increased uncertainty in the job market, according to Glassdoor, which analyzes employee ratings and reviews to identify the leaders who have earned the highest levels of employee approval and trust. 

“Trust in leadership is fraying at exactly the moment employees need it most,” Glassdoor’s Chief Economist, Daniel Zhao, said in a statement. “Our data shows senior leadership ratings hitting their lowest point in nearly a decade. Against that backdrop, the CEOs on this list stand out for doing the opposite: communicating clearly, staying grounded in their company’s mission, and earning genuine trust from the people they lead.” 

Tech Companies Lead the List

While the 50 Best-Led Companies list spans multiple industries, technology companies dominate the ranking.

This year, nine tech CEOs are on Glassdoor’s 50 Best CEOs list, making technology the most-represented sector, led by NVIDIA, followed by leaders in real estate, financial services, and manufacturing. 

When providing a company review, employees are asked to rate several factors tied to their employment experience, including sentiment regarding their CEO and senior management’s job performance. Employees also share feedback about the company’s culture via Glassdoor’s anonymous reviews.

Here are some recent comments on NVIDIA’s leadership:

• “Jensen is a dynamic and genuine leader. People are friendly and helpful. Work is meaningful.” 
• “CEO is visionary and a true leader.” 
• “Great vision for the company from the CEO.” 
• “CEO is a rock star, company encourages collaboration.” 

And employee comments on NVIDIA’s company culture:

• “The best place I’ve ever worked. The engineering culture, the people-first leadership, the freedom to do things my own way — these are hard to find anywhere else.”
• “It is a rare company that encourages collaboration across teams. First-principle thinking is encouraged from the top.”
• “You get to work on the latest AI technologies — the company that is the backbone of the new tech revolution.”
• “The opportunities to forge a career path aligned to my interests and talents, along with the supportive culture. The benefits afforded to employees are second to none.”

Glassdoor’s Best CEOs list was determined using company reviews from U.S. employees between May 16, 2025, and May 15, 2026. The site offers workplace insights and curated job matches.

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