Sharmla Chetty is the new chief executive officer of Duke Corporate Education. Chetty has served as president of global markets for North America, Europe and the United Kingdom, Asia, and Africa, at Duke Corporate Education since 2019. In her most recent role, Chetty drove strategic alignment for the organization globally and operations for its regional practices around the world. Prior to that, Chetty founded the Johannesburg, South Africa, office in 2007.
Duke Corporate Education spun out of Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business in 2000 to focus specifically on leadership development. The group offers ready-to-learn courses and virtual masterclasses that address current problems facing leaders. Organizations can access these courses for their leaders in digital or blended-solution formats. Duke Corporate Education also provides advisory services to clients to help them identify and implement strategies.
Dean of Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and Chairman of Duke CE’s Board Bill Boulding said, “Sharmla understands the transformational power of leadership and the role of leadership in driving positive societal change. Sharmla cares about and elevates others and is passionate about making those around her successful. She is the right person at the right time, as we embark on a period with an opportunity for substantial growth.”
“I’m incredibly grateful to our Board for the trust they’ve placed in me to lead this world-class organization as we enter a new chapter of change, challenge, and opportunity for our clients and for the world,” said Chetty. “Leadership is needed more than ever because the world’s organizations are facing new, emergent and complex challenges. People are now clearly looking to businesses to solve societal issues, instead of relying solely on government. We have an incredible opportunity to partner with our clients to reinvent education, coupling human-centered design and world-class educational experiences to shape leaders who can turn challenges into opportunities for a positive future.”
Chetty obtained an MBA from Henley Management Business School at the University of Reading in England. She also earned a master’s degree in management and executive coaching from Wits Business School in Johannesburg.