Jensen Huang Named Glassdoor’s Best CEO of 2026

NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang has been named the No. 1 leader on Glassdoor’s Best CEOs list for 2026.

The newly released rankings highlight CEOs who have earned the strongest approval from the people who know their leadership best: their employees. Huang received a 99% employee approval rating, placing him at the top of the list.

“As AI and changing expectations redefine the modern workplace, great leadership is more important than ever,” Glassdoor said. “The Top 50 CEOs don’t just manage day-to-day operations — they empower their employees and build cultures rooted in authenticity.”

Glassdoor brought back its Best CEOs list this year following a five-year hiatus. The ranking focuses on CEO and executive leadership, as well as the impact those leaders have on employee experience and company reputation. NVIDIA was also ranked No. 1 in Glassdoor’s Best-Led Companies list in 2025.

Glassdoor also publishes industry-specific workplace rankings. In January, NVIDIA ranked No. 1 among the Best Places to Work in Technology and AI. Approximately 28 of the 50 winners on the 2026 Best CEOs list also appeared on Glassdoor’s 2026 Best Places to Work list. The overlap underscores the connection between effective CEO leadership, employee trust and a strong workplace culture.

Glassdoor’s 2026 Best CEOs list highlights trusted leadership

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

Glassdoor analyzes employee ratings and reviews to identify leaders with the highest levels of employee approval and trust. The company said the award recognizes CEOs who lead with “empathy, clarity and purpose” during a period of continued uncertainty in the job market.

“Trust in leadership is being undermined at the exact time employees need it most,” Daniel Chao, Glassdoor’s chief economist, said in a statement. “Our data shows that senior leader ratings are at their lowest level in nearly a decade. As such, the CEOs on this list stand out by doing just the opposite: communicating clearly, staying grounded in their company’s mission and earning real trust from the people they lead.”

Technology CEOs lead the 2026 rankings

The 2026 Best CEOs list spans a range of industries, but technology leaders make up the largest group. Nine technology CEOs are featured in the top 50, led by NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang. Other highly represented sectors include real estate, financial services and manufacturing.

When employees submit a company review on Glassdoor, they are asked to evaluate several aspects of their workplace experience, including the performance of the CEO and senior management. Employees can also share feedback about company culture through anonymous reviews.

Here are several recent employee comments about Jensen Huang and NVIDIA’s leadership:

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

Employees also shared positive feedback about NVIDIA’s workplace culture:

• “This is the best place I’ve ever worked. The engineering culture, people-first leadership and freedom to do things your way are hard to find anywhere else.”
• “This is a rare company that encourages collaboration between teams. First-principles thinking is encouraged from the top.”
• “You can work on the latest AI technology at a company that is at the heart of a new technology revolution.”
• “The opportunity to develop a career path that aligns with my interests and talents, along with a supportive culture. The employee benefits are second to none.”

Glassdoor’s 2026 Best CEOs rankings were based on reviews submitted by U.S. employees between May 16, 2025, and May 15, 2026.

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