Seshni Jacobs, CEO of Hachette Learning, leads with passion and purpose, driving international expansion and developing innovative educational products that improve student outcomes. She fosters collaboration and transparency, shaping lasting change in global education.
Under her exemplary leadership, what was once a traditional UK textbook publisher is evolving into a global, digital-first education powerhouse. She’s not just transforming Hachette Learning, but reshaping the future of education itself. Driven by a mission to unlock every learner’s true potential, Seshni’s focus is on empowering those who teach them.
“Success to me is being confident enough to own your truth and share it with the world. I am confident in that what I am doing is right for myself, my family, for learners and teachers globally and hence for my business.”
Empowering Educators, Reforming Education
Hachette Learning is a global education business dedicated to helping every learner thrive by addressing their individual needs and empowering educators with the tools to deliver exceptional learning experiences. Aligned with parent company, Hachette Livre, the world’s third-largest publishing group which is home to over 200 imprints spanning all trade and educational segments, Hachette Learning leverages a rich history of educational impact to support teachers globally.
As part of its digital transformation, Hachette Learning recently launched two groundbreaking digital product suites – Hachette Learning Adaptive and Hachette Learning Academy. Seshni explains that these offerings represent the next step in Hachette Learning’s evolution towards delivering innovative, personalized educational solutions that meet the diverse needs of students and educators worldwide.
Hachette Learning Adaptive and Hachette Learning Academy will help learners and educators alike raise their game and reach their goals through cutting-edge adaptive technologies that deliver comprehensive personalization and outstanding results. According to Seshni, this represents a bold step forward in the business mission to revolutionize learning through adaptive technology.
“Every learner should have the opportunity to thrive, starting by recognizing individual needs.”
A Commitment for Education: How Family and Fate Shaped a Leader
Seshni’s journey from South Africa to the UK took her from traditional publishing to EdTech, where she positioned Hachette Learning as a leader in tech-enabled education. Raised in a South African Indian community of educators, with both parents and extended family as teachers, education was always her calling. “I loved teaching. It was my destiny,” she says. Transitioning to publishing allowed her to make a broader impact. “My goal was always to educate and make a difference.”
Her path as a mother has always influenced her career. Previously, it supported her work as an educator; now, it guides her leadership, enabling her to make well-informed, effective decisions. She still calls herself a mother first, an educator second, and then a businesswoman. “Before I fall asleep every night, I ask myself, ‘Has my journey as a mother and educator allowed me to make the best decisions as CEO of an education company, for learners everywhere, today? ‘ – and if the answer is ‘yes,’ then it has been a successful day. That’s what success looks like to me.”
Seshni leads with authenticity, embracing change and pushing boundaries. Under her guidance, Hachette Learning adapts to the digital age, shaping the future of education.
Seshni attributes her success in her career to her family – her parents who fostered in her the spirit of always striving to be the best at everything you do and never giving up until you reach your end goal; her husband and two sons, who are her pillar of strength and give her the time and space to focus on driving Hachette Learning to greatness; and finally her soul sister who she has on speed dial – who keeps her grounded.
At her core, Seshni is an educator and mother driven by devotion. Reflecting on past skepticism about her career choice, she says, “I am a teacher at heart, and I will always love it.” Now, she mentors others, believing, “Everything is achievable if we learn from life’s lessons.” Brown Skin Girl by Beyoncé reflects her parents’ lessons on self-worth. Her advice: “Knock on the door until someone opens. You are your best brand ambassador.”
Overcoming Challenges as a Woman Leader
Seshni’s leadership trajectory was shaped by the challenges of being a woman of color in a male-dominated industry. Breaking into the “old boys’ club” was tough. “It’s easier now, but when I first joined, the struggle was real,” she says.
Every day, she felt the pressure to prove her worth: “The challenge is proving you own your space and deserve to be here.” Balancing career and family raised questions about having it all. A quote from Melinda Gates resonates:
“A woman with a strong voice is a strong woman, but nobody knows how difficult the journey to get that strong voice was.”
She also grappled with balancing ambition and femininity. “How do you position yourself as an ambitious leader while staying true to your feminine qualities?” Despite the judgment, she remains focused on her vision.
The struggle extended beyond work: “There’s always some sort of guilt,” she admits, juggling business and family. “Yes, I’m building a great business, but I’m sacrificing my family while doing so…I’m never at home.”
Since joining Hachette Learning in 2023, Seshni has led a major breakthrough with a five-year plan to reshape the business. Adopting a startup mentality, she’s been hands-on in restructuring the business to align to the new strategy, mentoring her team and driving thought leadership both internally with Hachette Livre and externally in the education sector. In the office, she prioritizes face-to-face interactions to align the team with the company’s vision.
Seshni’s leadership extends globally. She regularly visits her global offices and her travel is focused on building new business opportunities through meetings with education ministries and large school groups.
Technology, Skills, and Adaptability Define Education’s Future
Technology is reshaping education, equipping students for the future. “Children today are born with an innate ability to use technology,” says Seshni, emphasizing the need for evolution. Modern learning must now integrate life skills to meet workforce demands.
“At Hachette Learning, we strive to look for the characteristics that makes each child different,” she says, “We owe it to the children to discover each one’s special characteristics so that we can help them develop a true sense of themselves. This is where technology supports the teaching and learning process.”
Reflecting on her experiences, Seshni emphasizes resilience: “Twenty years ago, I never imagined being in this role, but on reflection I realize that every one of my life’s experiences and challenges acted as a steppingstone towards this achievement.” Her advice to the next generation is “Embrace life’s challenges, remain steadfast in your drive towards your life goals and champion yourself.” Post-COVID, education focuses on well-being and social-emotional learning. With the rise of AI, Seshni emphasizes, “We can’t take three years to develop a strategy — the next wave of change is already here.” She also encourages parents to
“Embrace technology. Instead of fearing it, use it to connect, educate, and grow alongside your children.”
Advancement in Education Requires Vision, Determination, and Timely Action
Seshni’s 27-year career spans 13 years of teaching and 11 years of success in education publishing before becoming CEO of Hachette Learning. Tasked with the restructuring of a traditional print publishing company, she prioritized global expansion as the UK market slowed and pivoting to a digital product and services provider as the education ecosystem evolved.
Her experience in South Africa, Asia, and the Middle East prepared her for the challenge.
“Africa is a survival-of-the-fittest mindset; you do whatever it takes to survive – you see the red flags much sooner and fight for your piece of the pie daily. This is the mindset that I have brought into Hachette Learning, and what is needed for us to achieve success in the global education space,” she says.
Throughout this transformation, she credits the unwavering support of Hachette Book Group and Hachette UK CEO David Shelley, whose trust has helped her navigate every obstacle.
Seshni views competition as a driver of innovation. “You need to be comfortably uncomfortable,” she says, pushing her team to adapt in a rapidly evolving industry. With tech-savvy startups reshaping education, staying ahead demands constant innovation. “Without competition, there’d be no need to change.”
“You need to always strive to be comfortably uncomfortable… without competition, there’d be no need to change.”
Finding Balance in a Demanding Role
Hachette Learning follows a hybrid work model. On office days, Seshni arrives early and makes sure she is fully available to her team. “A CEO needs to be actively present, driving the vision, passion, and business culture daily. There is no real balance when you’re CEO – work has to always take priority,” she says.
For Seshni, work-life balance doesn’t exist. “There is no real balance when you’re a CEO — work has to always take priority,” she says. However, she plans a 60-40 split between work and family for the next three years, adjusting afterward. Her leadership starts early, with most of her admin and planning taking place between 2:00 and 5:00 a.m. when she’s most active. Despite her demanding schedule, Seshni ensures quality family time, working from home two days a week to drop off and pick up her son and she is proud to say that she has yet to miss a single key event in both her sons’ lives. “Where there is a will, there is always a way”, she says.
Fitness is essential for mental resets, with a personal trainer incorporated into her routine. Seshni fully disconnects only at Christmas, spending the week in pajamas, watching movies, and baking cookies with her kids. For her, work-life integration means being present when it matters most.
The Driving Force Behind Leadership and Success
Seshni leads with a clear vision. When asked to define herself, she says, “Passionate.” Her belief in the company’s mission motivates her team, even in challenging times. “From the day I interviewed, I had a plan, and I’ve never wavered,” she says.
Her leadership is characterized by honesty, resilience, and perseverance, with a style rooted in transparency and accessibility. “There isn’t a separate CEO office. She’s there sitting with us all,” says a colleague. “People sometimes say I am too blunt, but with me what you see is what you get,” shares Seshni.
Data-driven decisions guide her approach. “Every choice we make is backed by data,” she explains. Seshni stays flexible, always ready to pivot when needed. As the business evolves, so does her leadership. “I’m now stepping back to help my team become the leaders they’re capable of being, knowing I am always here to support them and to unblock any obstacles they are faced with.”
Resilience and certainty propel her forward. Inspired by leaders like Indra Nooyi, Seshni faces tough days with determination. “Challenges excite me. They are part and parcel of building a great business,” she says.
A Commitment to Education and Legacy
Seshni’s dream is for every child to embrace their uniqueness and pursue various paths to success. “Playing a musical instrument should be celebrated just as much as excelling in science,” she says, championing self-acceptance and confidence. Seshni’s favorite quote from Winnie the Pooh — “The things that make me different are the things that make me” — perfectly reflects her identity as both a leader and an individual.
“The things that make me different are the things that make me”
Looking to the future, Seshni seeks balance. “To succeed as a CEO, you must commit to a finite end in the organization. Although I hope to step away from corporate stress while I’m still young and spend time with my family, I am a fixer at heart and thrive on the excitement and adrenalin rush I get from transforming a business,” she shares. Retirement isn’t an option for her, “I want to leave a lasting legacy. I will always be in education. I’d happily go back to teaching as a form of semi-retirement,” she laughs.
A Call to Aspiring Education Leaders
Seshni views education as more than just a career — it’s a calling. She emphasizes the powerful impact educational leaders can have, saying, “Education gives you the ability to make a difference in every aspect of a child’s life.” Educators, she believes, hold the world’s knowledge in their hands.
Seshni encourages aspiring leaders to ensure that education is their true calling, not just a fallback.
“Education is a calling, not a career choice. If you are committed to making an impact, you will succeed in whatever path you choose within the education space.”
A Vision for Transforming Education
Seshni is on the verge of achieving her dreams. Her ultimate goal is to create educational products and services that deliver measurable outcomes for students.
With a dedicated team and expanding global presence, Seshni aspires to make a tangible impact in classrooms worldwide. “We’re almost there, watch the space,” she adds.
For her, success is not just about growth — it’s about evolution and visible change. “When I see in teachers’ and learners’ eyes the impact that we have made, that’s when I would have achieved all my goals,” she says.
Conclusion
Seshni Jacobs’ story is defined by purpose, commitment, and an unrelenting drive to shape the future of education. As she works towards a world where every learner’s potential is realized, her leadership serves as an inspiring reminder of the impact one dedicated individual can have on the world. Her vision for Hachette Learning is only beginning, and the future holds immense promise.
