SA Woman Appointed Global CEO Of Duke Corporate Education

Duke CE has been consistently ranked as one of the leading executive education companies in the world by the Financial Times of London and is the custom executive education arm of Duke University in the United States.

Chetty is a former banking executive and has experience working in driving transformational change through leadership in a range of industries including financial services, healthcare, mining, energy, and manufacturing.

In 2007 she launched Duke CE in Johannesburg and grew it into the preeminent custom executive education provider on the African continent.

“I am honoured to be appointed to the post during a time of fundamental change and transformation in business across the globe,” says Chetty.

Chetty believes corporations must adapt at speed to the digital disruption to old business models, while also recognizing the importance of cultural and societal change and the role leadership plays.

“Leadership is needed more than ever because the world’s organisations 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,” she says.

Chetty says achieving sustainable outcomes in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) are non-negotiables in the world of global business today.

Previously Chetty served as President of Global Markets, North America, UK & Europe, Asia, and Africa at Duke CE since 2019, working with clients in 80 countries.

She holds a range of qualifications in management, business and human resources from Wits University, the University of Johannesburg and Henley Business School.

Chetty becomes only the fifth CEO of the company since it was founded 21 years ago. She replaces Michael Chavez who chose to step down as CEO after five years at the helm.

Chavez will continue to lead his work with clients in the role of Global Managing Director.

“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,” says Chetty.

“It’s an honor to build on Michael Chavez’s legacy of transformation and expansion of digital capabilities. As a firm, we will continue to support clients and global leaders in solving their most important and complex problems, to help leaders become force multipliers for positive change in their organizations and the world.”

Vishal Patel, the Global Managing Director of North America, will replace Chetty in the role of President of Global Markets at Duke CE.