The Marketing Academy has unveiled the first cohort of its highly anticipated 2026 Global Fellowship Program, marking a significant evolution from its previous regional structure to a truly international platform. The program, designed to equip top-tier Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) with the skills to transition into CEO and broader C-suite roles, has selected 30 marketing leaders from across the globe for its inaugural Class of 2026.
Sherilyn Shackell, Founder & Global CEO of The Marketing Academy said –“The response to the 2026 Global Fellowship Program has been extraordinary in both volume and calibre. We saw an unprecedented number of applications from exceptional CMOs, making the selection process both a privilege and a responsibility. Being selected is a significant achievement, but more importantly, it’s an invitation into a global community where leaders can learn, across industries, borders & cultures, together. We are thrilled and deeply honoured to welcome this exceptional group as they help shape the future of boardrooms globally.”
Prominent among the selected Fellows are two distinguished Indian marketing leaders: Shubhranshu Singh, Marketing Advisor & Columnist and Global Board Member of the Effie Lions Foundation, and Sumit Virmani, Global Chief Marketing Officer of Infosys Limited. Their selection underscores the growing influence of Indian marketing leadership on the global stage.
Shubhranshu Singh brings over two decades of experience building global brands and categories. He currently serves on the inaugural board of the Effie Lions Foundation, a non-profit established by Effie Worldwide and LIONS to empower underrepresented communities in marketing. Singh has previously held leadership roles at major corporations including Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, Royal Enfield, Unilever, and Diageo. His appointment to the Fellowship recognizes his extensive contributions to the industry, including his advisory role with the Indian government’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and his involvement in promoting major sports leagues.
Sumit Virmani, as the Global CMO of Infosys, has played a pivotal role in positioning the IT services giant among the world’s top 100 brands. With over 25 years of experience, Virmani champions the convergence of brand purpose and performance, driving Infosys to become the fastest-growing IT services brand globally. He has also been recognized by Forbes as one of the world’s most influential CMOs.
The 2026 Global Fellowship Program represents a major shift for The Marketing Academy. Previously operating separate cohorts for EMEA, the US, and APAC, the new global format consolidates these into two international cohorts. This change is designed to facilitate deeper cross-cultural learning and peer-to-peer exchange among leaders from diverse markets and industries.
The curriculum, developed in partnership with McKinsey & Company, covers critical areas of board stewardship, including corporate finance, organizational health, and leading transformational change. Fellows will benefit from mentoring by seasoned board members and one-on-one executive coaching.
The program is sponsored globally by Salesforce, The Brandtech Group, TikTok, and Omnicom. The first cohort includes diverse leaders from major global organizations such as Nissan Motor Corporation, Unilever, PepsiCo, British Airways, and Tesco Mobile. Applications for the second cohort of 2026 remain open until March 30, 2026.
