Yershen Pillay

CEO | Industrial Skills & Innovation Strategist | Public-Private Partnership Builder | Board Director

Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

About

A transformational CEO who delivers innovation-led, people-powered results. With 17+ years of executive leadership across public and private sectors, I have spearheaded national strategies, driven digital transformation, and built award-winning organisations. As CEO of CHIETA, I led an innovation strategy that delivered new growth areas in green hydrogen, clean audits, 100% KPI performance, and R435M+ in new grants — while launching SMART Skills Centres that empowered over 70 000 people in poor and rural communities. I specialise in building future-fit institutions through digital transformation, ethical governance, and strategic partnerships. My leadership has been recognised by Forbes Afrique and Institut Choiseul as one of Africa’s Top 100 Economic Leaders. I lead with clarity, collaborate to transform, and innovate to serve. Let’s connect if you believe leadership is about impact — not just position.

Experience

  • Chief Executive Officer at CHIETA - The Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority
    Nov 2020 - Present · 5 yrs 8 mos

    CHIETA is a public entity responsible for skills development, education, training, and broader development programmes in the chemical industries of South Africa.

  • International Advisory Board and Visiting Faculty at NOVA BUSINESS SCHOOL AFRICA
    May 2025 - Present · 1 yr 2 mos

  • Advisory Board Member - African Energy Leadership Centre at Wits Business School
    Sep 2021 - Present · 4 yrs 10 mos

  • Non Executive Director at Airports Company South Africa
    Sep 2018 - Mar 2026 · 7 yrs 7 mos

    Chairperson of the Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) Committee. Member of the Human Resource and Remunerations Committee. Member of the Audit and Risk Committee. Member of the Social and Ethics Committee. Member of the Bid Investment Committee.

  • Non Executive Director at South African Forestry Company (SAFCOL)
    Oct 2018 - Apr 2025 · 6 yrs 7 mos

    Member of the Audit and Risk Committee Member of the Human Resources and Remuneration Committee Member of the Finance Committee