Mentor list / Mentor bio
Overview
Chad Holliday was CEO of DuPont from 1998 to 2008, a period during which he led the global chemical giant through a sweeping transformation—steering its shift from traditional petrochemicals to a science-led, sustainability-driven enterprise. Under his leadership, DuPont embraced innovative plant-based materials and raised its environmental ambitions, setting a precedent in corporate sustainability.
Chad was Chair of Royal Dutch Shell from 2010 – 2015, having earlier joined the board as a Non-Executive Director. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in steering Shell through the early stages of the energy transition, helping to embed low-carbon priorities and clean-energy strategy.
His was previously Chair of Bank of America, Lead Independent Director of Deere & Company, and an Independent Director of HCA Healthcare, underscoring his cross-sector leadership in finance, industrials, and healthcare.
He is currently Chair of the Global Federation of Councils on Competitiveness and Co-Chair of the Mission Possible Partnership, an industry coalition focused on accelerating net-zero transformation across hard-to-abate sectors. He is Lead Independent Director at Venterra Group plc, a Senior Advisor to Critical Resource Strategy & Analysis Limited, an Adviser to the US Government’s Department of Energy, and Executive in Residence at the Owen Graduate School of Management, Vanderbilt University.
He brings deep cross-sector expertise in:
• Sustainable energy & transition governance – leading board-level commitment to low-carbon frameworks at Shell and Mission Possible
• Industrial reinvention & innovation leadership – steering DuPont’s transformation from commodity chemical producer to science-based enterprise
• Corporate governance & board leadership – chairing major boards across energy, finance, agriculture, healthcare, and global competitiveness
• Global competitiveness & policy engagement – chairing global councils and elevating national and industrial sustainability standards
A licensed Professional Engineer, alumnus of the University of Tennessee, and member of both the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and the UK Royal Academy of Engineering, Chad is recognised for bridging technical depth, governance acumen, and long-term societal value. His career models how engineering discipline and strategic clarity can deliver systems-level transformation, from technical production to boardroom purpose.
PDF Profile
download pdf profileMajor Career Roles
Shell plc
Chair
Bank of America Corp.
Chair
DuPont de Nemours & Co.
Chair/CEO
US Department of Energy
Adviser
Venterra Group plc
Senior Non-Executive Director
Other Career Highlights
US Council on Competitiveness
Chair Emeritus
CH2M HILL Companies Ltd
Lead Independent Director
Analog Devices Inc.
Director
Dupont de Nemours & Co.
Various roles