Florham Park-based Conduent Incorporated announced a major leadership shakeup on Monday, appointing Board Chairman Harsha Agadi as its new chief executive officer, effective immediately.
Agadi succeeds Cliff Skelton, who is stepping down from his roles as president, CEO, and board member after six years at the helm. In a simultaneous move, the company has appointed Margarita Paláu-Hernández as independent chair of the board, filling the vacancy left by Agadi as he transitions into the executive suite.
Agadi is a veteran executive with over 35 years of leadership experience. Having served as CEO for six different companies over the last quarter-century, he brings a deep background in multi-sector corporate governance to the Florham Park-based technology firm.
Agadi joined Conduent’s board in 2025 and previously served as chairman of the Audit Committee. In his new role, he expressed a focus on accelerating growth and leveraging the company’s digital interaction technologies.
“I am honored to take on this role and grateful for the trust of my fellow Board members,” Agadi said. “I look forward to working closely with the Conduent team to leverage the company’s unique strengths and deliver long-term value for our clients and shareholders.”
The appointment of Paláu-Hernández as independent chair marks a significant milestone for the company’s governance. A board member since 2019, Paláu-Hernández is the founder and CEO of Hernández Ventures and has a distinguished resume that includes serving as a U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations General Assembly in 2018.
Departing CEO Cliff Skelton described the move as a natural transition for the company’s next phase of development. “With the Company well-positioned for the future, this is the right time to begin the transition to a new CEO with the requisite skills and experience,” Skelton said in a statement.
