Ann Mukherjee has joined the Booth School of Business of the University of Chicago as the program director for its Global CEO program, marking a significant transition for one of the most prominent Indian American executives in the consumer goods industry.
Mukherjee, most recently the chairperson and CEO of Pernod Ricard North America, will now spearhead an initiative designed to mentor current and aspiring chief executives. The 10-month program focuses on navigating high-stakes decision-making and driving organizational value in an increasingly volatile global market.
Born in Kolkata and a graduate of the University of Chicago herself, Mukherjee brings decades of C-suite experience to the role. Her career includes pivotal leadership positions at PepsiCo, SC Johnson, and Frito-Lay. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, she was notably selected as one of the few corporate leaders to advise the U.S. government on economic revival strategies.
In a statement on her new role, Mukherjee emphasized a shift in the philosophy of leadership. She noted that while past CEOs were often expected to be “all-knowing,” the modern landscape requires leaders who are “all-learning.”
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This perspective aligns with her long-standing reputation for “authentic leadership,” a concept she championed while managing billion-dollar brands by bringing her full, personal history to the boardroom.
The program arrives at a time when corporate leaders face “constant disruption,” ranging from technological shifts to geopolitical uncertainty. Mukherjee’s curriculum is expected to cover growth strategy, crisis management, and values-driven leadership. The cohort will engage in seven courses, culminating in a three-day intensive residency in Chicago.
Beyond her corporate achievements, Mukherjee is recognized for her advocacy within the South Asian community, particularly in Dallas, where she supports women in domestic abuse situations. This commitment to social impact is expected to influence her approach to “humanizing” the CEO role for program participants.
The leadership team for the program also features other notable Indian American experts, including futurist Rishad Tobaccowala and consultant Vish Sharma, signaling a strong emphasis on diverse, global perspectives in executive education.
For Mukherjee, the appointment is a homecoming of sorts. As an alumna who speaks Bengali at home and maintains deep ties to her heritage, she has often described herself as being “as Indian as I am American.” Her move to Chicago Booth represents a bridge between her professional legacy and the future of global business governance.