SHRM has appointed media and entertainment executive Sandy Climan as chairman of its CEO Academy Advisory Board, adding industry expertise to the leadership development program for chief executives.
Climan, who currently serves as CEO of Entertainment Media Ventures, will guide the advisory board of the premier leadership forum that targets CEOs and senior executives. The appointment comes as businesses face mounting challenges from technological changes, workforce shifts and global economic pressures.
The CEO Academy, developed with the Wharton School’s Aresty Institute of Executive Education, provides executives with learning opportunities and peer discussions aimed at addressing modern leadership challenges. SHRM acquired the program in 2022 after it was established in 1999.
Industry veteran brings strategic experience
Climan has advised major organizations on business strategy, technology and innovation throughout his career in media and entertainment. His background includes work on partnerships and industry changes that SHRM says align with the Academy’s goals of preparing executives for future business demands.
“Sandy Climan’s leadership and visionary expertise make him an invaluable addition to CEO Academy. His extensive experience and forward-thinking approach perfectly align with our mission to equip CEOs and senior leaders with the tools, insights, and strategies needed to address today’s complex challenges and drive meaningful change,” said Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM’s president and CEO.
The appointment reflects SHRM’s focus on leadership development as companies navigate what executives describe as a particularly challenging business environment.
Addressing modern leadership challenges
Climan acknowledged the difficult conditions facing today’s chief executives as he accepted the role.
“CEOs are facing one of the most challenging periods of growth and opportunity amid an unprecedented technological shift, generational workforce evolution, and geopolitical realignment,” said Climan. “The CEO Academy is committed to delivering a curriculum that addresses these issues with quality and excellence of thought. I could not be more honored to join Johnny Taylor, Jr., the Advisory Board, and the leadership team of CEO Academy at this critically important time.”
The CEO Academy offers what it describes as exclusive access to learning programs and data-driven insights for executives and their senior teams. The curriculum addresses issues ranging from workforce management to strategic planning in an evolving business landscape.
Continuing board members
The advisory board includes several prominent business leaders who will continue in their roles alongside Climan:
Dr. Erika H. James serves as dean of The Wharton School, while former Vanguard Group chairman and CEO Bill McNabb remains on the board. SHRM’s Taylor continues his board participation, joined by DocuSign chairwoman Maggie Wilderotter and former Ford Motor Company chairman and CEO Alan Mulally.
The combination of board members represents experience across technology, financial services, automotive and education sectors.
SHRM, which has nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries, positions itself as an authority on workplace issues affecting more than 362 million workers globally. The organization focuses on research, advocacy and thought leadership around evolving workplace challenges.
The CEO Academy appointment comes as human resources professionals and business leaders grapple with questions around remote work policies, artificial intelligence adoption, and multi-generational workforce management.
