Arjun Chowdri, a member of the PGA of America staff since 2012, serves in the newly-created position of Chief Innovation Officer. Chowdri is responsible for fostering a culture of innovation, idea generation and free thinking at the Association and throughout the game of golf.
This includes identifying and executing against new growth areas and opportunities across the Association, such as the development of best practices and research platforms; guiding the development of new initiatives and services; encouraging and nurturing entrepreneurship both internally and externally; leading international expansion; and directing PGA investments and funding for the benefit of the Association and industry as whole.
Chowdri was previously the Senior Director of Global & Corporate Strategy for the PGA of America (2015-18), where he was responsible for the Association’s strategic planning process, research and global initiatives. During this time, Chowdri developed an international strategy for the PGA, which included the launch of a new joint venture that is creating a series of youth development centers in China, as well as led a comprehensive bidding process for PGA Headquarters with various cities across the country, which produced the announced relocation of the PGA’s headquarters to Frisco, Texas.
Previously, he led the PGA’s Marketing & Communications Department (2012-15), which included creative, public relations, digital, production and communications across all the Association’s initiatives and events.
After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Chicago and MBA at the University of Oregon, Chowdri started his career in sponsorship consulting, representing such Fortune 500 companies as Visa, ConAgra Foods, and PepsiCo. He then moved to India, taking on a role as the GM of New Business for DNA Entertainment LTD, where he primarily supported the launch of the Indian Premier League and implemented the first sports e-ticketing system in the country. Upon his return from India and prior to joining the PGA, he took on a role at Glaceau, which was then a newly-acquired division of Coca-Cola, where he led the sports and entertainment marketing efforts behind brands that included POWERADE, vitaminwater and NOS Energy.
Chowdri and his wife, Prathyusha, have two sons, Abhinav, and Kesav.