With over 28 years of rich academic and administrative experience, Padmini Sambasivam has made an indelible mark as an educator and leader. She has successfully steered some of the most prestigious institutions in India and abroad, combining vision with transformative action. A Zoology graduate from Stella Maris College, she holds advanced degrees in Environmental Toxicology, Genetics, and Education, reflecting her deep commitment to interdisciplinary learning and excellence.

Padmini’s illustrious career includes pivotal roles at renowned organisations such as The Krishnamurthi Foundation, Bala Vidya Mandir, Arsha Vidya Mandir, The Peevees Group (KSA), and The Welham Girls’ School, Dehradun. As a forward-thinking instructional leader, she has consistently championed innovative pedagogies, holistic education, and the integration of arts and sports into mainstream academics. Her expertise lies in 21st-century education practices, child welfare, and mental well-being.

A staunch advocate for experiential learning, Padmini is currently the founding principal of Shiv Nadar School, Chennai, where she is involved in setting up an IB school where learning through inquiry forms the foundation of academic and personal growth. She believes in nurturing education “by design rather than by default,” creating environments where students thrive academically, creatively, and emotionally.

Beyond academics, Padmini’s interests are vast and inspiring. As a former NCC Air Wing cadet and trained solo pilot, she represented Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry in Republic Day celebrations. Her adventurous spirit has seen her trek the Himalayas and Mount Kailash, raft the Ganges, and explore the African wilderness. A passionate debater and public speaker, she also has a love for performing arts and community service, which she embraced wholeheartedly as a student and continues to champion today.

Padmini’s dedication to education and leadership has been widely recognised with awards such as the ‘School Leader of the Year,’ ‘Distinguished Service Award,’ ‘Exemplary Leadership Award,’ and ‘Best Teacher Award.’ Guided by the philosophy of “thriving, not just surviving,” she approaches challenges as opportunities to push boundaries, unlock potential, and inspire excellence in herself and others.

Rahul has a B.Sc. in Naval Science and Operational Studies from Goa University along with a B.Tech. in Electrical & Electronic from JNU, Delhi. As part of continuous development, he has further pursued courses on Strategic Management from The Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania and Micromasters in Business Management from IIM, Bengaluru. He recently completed an Executive Program in Business Management from IIFT, New Delhi.

Rahul joins us directly from the Indian Navy after serving the nation for over 20 years with assignments across Vishakhapatnam, Jamnagar and Mumbai. In 2 decades with the Indian Navy, he has worked in various roles such as Manager of Operations, Joint Director Projects, Joint Director of Ship Maintenance, Director of Business Development and most recently as the Director of Technical Operations at Mumbai.

Born in Chennai, Rahul completed his high school and higher education in Delhi followed by stints across India with the Navy. An avid reader, he usually spends his free time playing guitar and singing.

Manveen Chadha has been a Montessorian and Special Educator for over two decades and is Certified in Early Education Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education's Saul Zaentz Early Education Initiative.

She believes that children are naturally intuitive scientists and philosophers who never stop astonishing us with their amazing discoveries and understanding of the world around them. A true educator is a compass that activates the magnets of curiosity, knowledge, and wisdom. Her purpose is to help children discover their voice, recognize their skills, and be their best.

In 1995, Manveen commenced her journey as a teacher at Sishya School, Chennai. Moulding the young minds and ensuring they were provided with the right support wherever needed. For the next decade, she worked as Centre Head at Indus Early Learning Centre, Chennai; Principal – Early Years at Velammal World Academy; and Head – Early Childhood Education at Edubba – Velammal Group; and as Design Lead – Early Years at Akshar Arbol International School.

Through her experience of 17 years, her young learners have taught her what it means to be resilient, open-minded and achieve perfection by never giving up.

Manveen encourages educators, parents, and caregivers to observe and enjoy a child’s transformation in their early years. This is the intrinsic joy that underlies her role as an educator.

Sandeep Kaur is an accomplished educator and international school leader with over a decade of experience across India and abroad. Currently leading the Junior School at Shiv Nadar School Chennai, she brings a deep understanding of the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), school accreditations, and culturally responsive leadership.

With more than a decade in IB schools in various leadership roles, Sandeep has served as a PYP Coordinator, CIS and NEASC Accreditation Manager, and curriculum lead in institutions across Tokyo, Delhi, Gurgaon, and Noida. She has played pivotal roles in guiding schools through PYP authorization, program evaluation, and global accreditation processes. In her previous assignment at Shinagawa International School, Tokyo, she led a multicultural team of educators representing over 40 nationalities—an experience that profoundly shaped her inclusive and collaborative leadership approach.

Sandeep has contributed her expertise to a range of reputed educational institutions, including, Shinagawa International School (Tokyo, Japan), K.R. Mangalam Global School (New Delhi), Heritage Xperiential Learning School (Gurugram) and Pathways School (Noida)

She has also worked as a consultant with SAAR Education, supported the Delhi Board of School Education (DBSE) in implementing PYP practices across public schools, and remains an active contributor to the IB Educator Network (IBEN) as a workshop leader, consultant, programme leader and school visiting team member.

Sandeep holds a master’s in education from the University of the People (USA) and is also a certified Microsoft Innovative Educator. A passionate advocate for student agency, inclusive education, and teacher empowerment, Sandeep’s leadership is grounded in reflective practice, emotional intelligence, and building strong, future-focused school communities.

Beyond her professional commitments, she is a lifelong learner who finds joy in music, mindfulness, and family time. Her multicultural journey and deep-rooted belief in the transformative power of education make her a valuable addition to the Shiv Nadar School community.

Rizwana is an alumna of Ethiraj College, Chennai with a bachelor’s in plant biology and plant biotechnology, Rizwana also holds a master’s in education. In 2020, she completed a certification in Making Learning Visible from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Massachusetts, USA and brings a rich experience of over 10 years as an educator and educational leader with reputed schools in Chennai, Hong Kong, Bangalore, and California.

Rizwana'’s journey as an educator began in 2007 and she has worked with many leading schools such as KR Montford School, Hiranandani School, Kidsciences & English School Foundation (ESF), Hong Kong and Sharanya Narayani International School, Bangalore.  Prior to joining Shiv Nadar School she was a Grade Level Leader & PYP Exhibition Coordinator with Silicon Valley International School, California.  In this role she was responsible for supporting and mentoring new educators and assisting them with strategies that facilitate improved student achievement along with planning, preparing and organizing the PYP Exhibition.

An avid traveler, Rizwana was born and raised in Thanjavur. In her free time, you could find her reading a book or drawing a mandala. She finds cooking therapeutic and enjoys dancing.

Sumit Mandhwani returns to Shiv Nadar School, stepping into an exciting second innings as the MYP Coordinator. With extensive expertise as an educator, coordinator, and consultant, he brings over a decade of experience in the IB MYP/DP and Cambridge frameworks. Sumit has previously held key roles at institutions such as Delhi Public School International, Legacy School Bangalore, Shiv Nadar School Noida, and Prometheus School Noida.

A seasoned IB practitioner, Sumit is an IB examiner, workshop leader, and IBEN MYP/DP Programme Leader, working closely with the International Baccalaureate (IB) to uphold and elevate academic standards. His contributions include presenting at the IB Global Conference twice and actively engaging with the IB Exchange platform. Sumit also serves as a NEASC CLP visitor and CIS evaluator, guiding schools toward achieving prestigious international accreditations.

Sumit’s academic journey is a testament to his commitment to learning and leadership. He holds a B.A. (Hons) in Economics from Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, and an M.A. in Sociology from Ambedkar University, Delhi. He is currently pursuing an M.A. in Education (Educational Leadership and Management) from the University of Bath and holds a PTC International Teacher Leader Certificate.

In his role as MYP Coordinator, Sumit aims to develop dynamic, concept-driven curricula that foster meaningful student engagement and collaborative learning communities. He firmly believes that students excel when they feel supported and connected within their educational environment.

Outside his professional endeavors, Sumit is a New Delhi native who thrives on thoughtful discussions and diverse perspectives, thanks to his lifelong passion for debating. His interest in psychology, sparked during a transformative two-year therapy journey, continues to shape his worldview. A passionate traveler and food enthusiast, he cherishes exploring new cultures and cuisines, alongside spending quality time with his two nephews.

As Sumit rejoins the Shiv Nadar School family, he brings his wealth of experience, a fresh perspective, and a deep commitment to advancing the MYP framework, ensuring the school continues to deliver exceptional learning experiences.

An alumna of Ethiraj College for Women Chennai with a bachelor’s in business administration, Archana has always had a strong inclination towards education and human resources which further led her to pursue a master’s in human resource and organizational development from the Madras School of Social Work. She also holds a Postgraduate diploma in Training & Development from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.

With nearly a decade of professional experience, Archana has seamlessly woven her expertise as both an educator and a human resources professional.  She started her professional journey as a fellow at Teach for India at Chennai wherein she truly immersed herself in the sphere of education for 2 years with the motive to leave every student with seeds of hope. After the successful completion of her TFI fellowship, she joined the Talent Acquisition team at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Chennai to garner a larger understanding of the space of Human Resources. Over the next 6 years at TCS, she was a key contributor to the talent acquisition, induction, and onboarding team. With her calling in the sphere of education and human resources, Archana then joined the Teach for India Corporate, Chennai as a Manager – Human Resources wherein she was primarily responsible for talent acquisition and management, talent engagement, and culture building during the last 2 years.

Born into a family of Rajasthani roots, Archana has spent majority of her life in Chennai and currently resides there. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her plants, paint, watch movies and occasionally enjoys playing badminton and board games.

Neelavani Dhas brings over 15 years of rich experience in various fields such as education, information technology, training, and R&D in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion sector. In the last seven years, she has had the opportunity to engage with various curricula in both national and international schools. Her diverse skill set complements her current role of building a nurturing parent and school community at Shiv Nadar School, Chennai.

Her foray into education was with GEMS, Our Own Indian School (Dubai). With her newfound passion, she studied further at UCL and TNTEU.

She considers that all great educators believe in their students and that good education can bring hope to a child. In the same spirit, she actively volunteers with Project Puthri, an initiative to develop ‘Career Intentionality’ among underprivileged girl students in Tamil Nadu.

She owes her “Never Say Die” spirit to Mumbai, where she spent her childhood. As an amateur guitarist, she can be found strumming to YouTube tutorials of old Hindi songs during her leisure time.

Dasha is an alumnus of Fiji National University with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Primary Education. He holds a Diploma in IT Networks from TAFE NSW, Australia and Major diploma in Primary Education. He carries a rich experience of almost a decade as an educator and educational leader with reputed schools in Fiji and Chennai.  

Dasha started his journey with the Nabua Sanatan Primary School in Fiji Islands as an educator. He then joined the International School of Suva, Fiji Islands as a PYP Homeroom Teacher where over the course of 6 years, he managed multiple roles along with teaching. In 2019, Dasha moved to Chennai for his next assignment with the International Village School Chennai where he spent the last 3 years as PYP Homeroom Teacher and PYP Coordinator being an active part of the Leadership Team and providing feedback about the progress and development of the PYP, developing PYP transdisciplinary curriculum with the teaching team and coordinating PYP authorization of the school. 

Born and raised in Fiji Islands, Dasha loves playing soccer, badminton, and volleyball. He spends a lot of his free time on his personal flight simulator at home and has recently learnt surfing at Chennai. 

An alumna of SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai with a bachelor’s in Child Development & Sociology, Varsha brings to Shiv Nadar School a rich experience of over 27 years as an educator and educational leader in early childhood education with schools in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.  

Varsha started her education journey with TVS Academy, Hosur as Primary Years educator. In the subsequent years, she was associated with schools such as Cambridge School - Bangalore, Nutan School – Ahmedabad, Anand Niketan – Ahmedabad as educator in early and primary years. In 2003, she joined The School at Noida as the Academic Coordinator for the Pre-school and Primary. For the last 17 years, Varsha has been leading the Mother and toddler program at Toddler’s Den (Early years IB school) at Ahmedabad.  

Born and raised in Mumbai, Varsha has lived in various states of India during her professional journey. She loves art and craft and has had experience with running a cloud kitchen from her residence in Ahmedabad.