Shweta Wahi

Shweta Wahi - Managing Director - Operations | People & Culture

Shweta Wahi, a former fashion entrepreneur and education leader, serves as Director at CMA Investment Holdings – a family investment vehicle with businesses in Media, Information Technology, and Education – with presence in over 15 countries. She is the Vice Chairman and Managing Director – Operations at Transnational Academic Group ME (TAG ME), which owns and operates Curtin University Dubai. In addition to this, she also serves on the Advisory Board of Lancaster University Ghana.

In 2013, Shweta took on an operational leadership role at TAG, focusing on marketing and project development. She has since played a pivotal role in launching Curtin University Dubai’s campus brand and engaging with regional stakeholders to establish it as one of the top-ranked academic institutions in the MENA region. Currently her portfolio spans all non-academic operations of the University which include HR, Admissions, Marketing, Student Onboarding, Student Life and Engagement, Careers and Employability, Events, and Community Outreach. She also provides strategic operational oversight to Lancaster University Ghana.

As a passionate advocate of careers education for the youth, she co-created a school outreach program that provides complimentary workshops to students in several areas, equipping them with knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their future education as well as careers. She is also leading the development of a professional leadership program for the Curtin University Dubai Student Council, designed to strengthen students’ leadership capabilities and professional skills.

Shweta serves on Curtin University’s Global Reference Group under the Gender Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, contributing to initiatives that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion across the university. Under her leadership, the Dubai campus also launched the Return-to-Work Program, an incubation initiative that supports mothers returning to the workforce after career breaks to raise their families, providing them with a structured, supportive pathway back into employment.

Shweta’s interests continue to lie within the creative space. As a former artist and illustrator, she has completed a course in special education needs and is working on a project to create a sensory diet using the arts, to roll out to orphanages that may not have access to the right kind of support for their children.

Prior to joining the Group, Shweta spent over a decade in the fashion industry as a stylist and designer through her own label, which gained international recognition with showcases at prominent fashion events including Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week South Africa and India Fashion Week Dubai. Aligned with her passion for the industry, she funded several scholarships for students to complete their fashion design studies. Shweta served as an advisor to the Mauritius Design Council in 2011-12 and concluded her work in fashion in 2016.

Shweta graduated from York University, Toronto with an Honors degree in Visual Arts. She has also completed courses in Art, Design and Fashion Styling from Central St Martins and the London College of Fashion. She is certified in Image Consulting as well in Google Ads and digital marketing and regularly mentors students on personal branding, leadership and digital presence.

Education – 

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts (Honors) – York University, Canada
  • Postgraduate Certificate in International Education – University of Nottingham, UK
  • Certificate in Digital Transformation on Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things and Blockchain – MIT Professional Education
  • Certifications in Implicit Bias and Effective Communication – Harvard Online
  • Certification in Company Direction (currently pursuing) – Institute of Directors, UK

 Awards – 

  • Women Who Thrive Community Award for ‘Recognition’ – 2025
  • Khaleej Times 150 List of Changemakers – Education – 2025
  • Leading Woman in the Middle East Award – World Women Leadership Congress (2024)
  • Sherley Varkey Award for Integrity and Service – 2008

Committees and Memberships – 

  • Global Reference Group, Gender Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee – Curtin University
  • Curtin University – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee – Dubai representative
  • Institute of Directors, UK – Member
  • Curtin University Dubai Student Council – Mentor
  • Local Advisory Board, Our Own English High School (Boys) Al Warqa – Former Member
  • UAE Careers Community – Former Leadership Team Member
  • Design Council of Mauritius – Former Advisor
  • Association of Image Consultants International – Former Member