Vandana Vadera is Head - Early Years at Shiv Nadar School Gurgaon. In 2012, Vandana joined the school as a founding member. She continues to bring innovative practices with diverse learning opportunities. With her calm and pleasant demeanour, the Early Years section is seen blossoming as a place where children explore the world around them with happiness and zeal.

She did her post-graduation in Dietetics from Lady Irwin College and served as a dietician in various hospitals. Driven by her inherent passion for children and a creative bend towards education, she completed her studies in Early Years education, and worked with Preschools of repute for five years. Her experience with children, innovative approach towards teaching, and ability to mentor other teachers made her rise to the role of a Senior Mentor.

A deep understanding of how teachers can become facilitators and how children learn in a congenial environment led her to take up the responsibility of the Pre-primary coordinator at the Shiv Nadar School. She was promoted as the Head of Early Years in 2016 with the vision to cultivate a safe and nurturing environment for children and teachers. She has continued to expand her knowledge in supporting young children through their emotional, social and academic development by undergoing training and through study tours, both within and outside India.

She believes in living in harmony with nature and has learnt decoupage art to transform her old furniture and restore them. During the pandemic, she conducted sessions on hygiene, safety, and literacy to engage neighbourhood children. She loves to spend time with her family and playing with her pet dog.

Sameer Arora is the Principal of Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon, with over 24 years of experience as a leader, collaborator, and educator. He is dedicated to helping children and those under his care achieve their goals and build meaningful futures.

He holds a Master’s degree in Commerce, a degree in Education, and certifications in leadership from Columbia Business School and the International Baccalaureate. A seasoned career counselor trained by The College Board and UCLA, Sameer has contributed to international organizations like the International Association for College Admission Counseling. He has also founded travel-based start-ups offering experiential education, visited top schools practicing Multiple Intelligences in the U.S., and volunteered at UK summer schools and has engaged with global educational influencers such as Howard Gardner. Sameer has led the “Unlock Hour” program for National Geographic Channel in India.

His dedication to excellence and service has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Distinguished Service Award from the Duke of Edinburgh Award Authority, India, and accolades from the Asian Regional Space Settlement Design Competition and Punarjyot, an organization fostering peace between India and Pakistan through cultural and academic exchange. In addition, Sameer has been honored with the Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction Award by the National Society of High School Scholars, USA, and the Inspirational Educator Award by the International Alliance of Counsellors & Educators.

He also volunteers his time with global initiatives such as Rise Projects and HundrED, where he reviews and supports youth-driven impact projects and scalable education innovations.

As a prolific speaker, he shares his expertise at platforms hosted by ed-tech companies, higher education institutes, and government trade commissions.

Sameer is driven by a mission to shape environmentally conscious, mindful, and curious individuals who can create a peaceful and better world. Inspired by human potential, he channels his energy into transforming the lives of students and educators.

In his downtime, he finds joy in travel, his dogs, books, and music—pursuing life's passions with the same zeal he brings to education.

Reena Pant, a founding member of the Shiv Nadar School Gurgaon, heads the Primary Years. With a passion for teaching and learning, she believes in creating a positive, fun, and challenging environment where learners are free to explore, question and express.

She holds a Bachelor in Science degree and a Bachelor in Education from the University of Rajasthan. She started her teaching career almost 20 years back and has had the opportunity to teach in different parts of the country.

She is driven by the belief that all learners must be provided with the best school experience which supports the improvement of their learning outcomes. The dynamic environment that we are living in further strengthens her purpose of empowering the learners with the habits of the mind, which will hold them in good stead in life. As an educator and a leader, she is on a lifelong journey of learning. These words by Alvin Toffler strongly resonate with her, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.”

To constantly engage and push the learners to reach their optimal, she feels it is equally important to keep learning and growing as an educator. She enjoys listening to music, reading books, and spending time with family.

Meenu Ohlyan has been part of the Shiv Nadar School family since 2016 and brings with her a rich teaching journey from across the country. As Head of Middle Years, she leads one of the most crucial phases in a child’s educational journey—the transition from childhood to adolescence—ensuring that learners are guided with empathy, purpose, and integrity.

She holds a PhD and MA in English, along with a BA (Honours) in Mathematics from the University of Delhi, combining analytical thinking with literary depth in her approach to teaching and leadership. A former national volleyball player, she embodies the values of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance, which she actively instills in her students.

Meenu believes that education must go beyond textbooks and classrooms, embracing holistic development that builds reflective, ethical, and adaptable global citizens. Guided by Shiv Nadar School’s core values, she remains deeply committed to humanizing education in an AI-driven world, ensuring empathy stays at the heart of all learning.

Outside her professional role, she finds balance in travel, yoga, music, and time with friends.

With over two decades of experience in teaching, curriculum planning, and school leadership, Sandeep Kamra brings both expertise and passion to his role as Head of Senior Years at Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon. He plays a pivotal role in guiding learners through their most transformative years, ensuring a balance of academic excellence and personal growth.

With a strong foundation in commerce education, Sandeep has taught across CBSE, ISC, and IB curricula, supporting students as they prepare for board as well as competitive examinations. His learner-centred approach is enriched by leadership training at IIM Ahmedabad and a certification in Instructional Leadership from I Am A Teacher (IAAT). A believer in design thinking, skill-based education, and collaborative learning, he was ranked #2 nationally in Business Studies at CENTA in 2023—a globally recognised teacher Olympiad celebrating excellence in education.

In addition to mentoring students, Sandeep leads critical academic operations including timetabling, assessments, resource planning, and people management. Known for his calm leadership and thoughtful problem-solving, he remains committed to fostering a vibrant, supportive, and future-focused learning environment for both students and teachers.

“Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” This timeless proverb reflects Sai Bhavya Prabhu’s philosophy of education—empowering learners with skills, understanding, and enduring learning that prepare them for life beyond the classroom.

As Head of International Curriculum at Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon, Bhavya champions concept-based teaching and learning, a framework that nurtures deep understanding, critical thinking, and transferable knowledge. Her leadership is defined by a belief that education must inspire agency, adaptability, and collaboration—values she sees as essential for thriving in a changing world.

Over the course of her career, Bhavya has held several key leadership roles—Accreditation Coordinator, ATL Coordinator, DP-MYP Coordinator, CAS Coordinator, Head of Sciences, and Grade Head—shaping diverse aspects of school development. She also contributes extensively to the global IB community as a team leader for IA moderation, IB examiner, consultant, and school authorisation team visitor across MYP, DP, and CP programmes. Her international engagements include serving as an IB Evaluation Team Chair, NEASC-CIE and NEASC-CIS accreditation visitor, COBIS visitor, and CIS evaluator. She continues to strengthen the IB ecosystem as a workshop leader, online facilitator, and resource developer.

Zoha Sayed is a dedicated international educator with over a decade of experience across IB and Cambridge curricula. As MYP Coordinator at Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon, she provides strategic leadership in curriculum development, faculty support, and student-centred learning.

Throughout her career, Zoha has held key roles including Head of Department, Assistant MYP Coordinator, and ATL Coordinator. She focuses on fostering inquiry-based classrooms, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and aligning academic practices with IB standards.

With a strong academic background in Chemistry and Education, Zoha has taught across IBDP, MYP, IGCSE, and A-Level programmes. She has also served as a TOK facilitator and examiner, as well as an examiner for IGCSE and International GCSE Chemistry (4CH1), reflecting her deep content expertise and understanding of global assessment frameworks.

Beyond her professional life, Zoha enjoys drawing, music, and experimenting with cuisines, bringing creativity, curiosity, and balance to her work with learners and colleagues.

With over 28 years of experience in education, Neeraj Taneja brings deep expertise and unwavering commitment to academic excellence and student-centred learning as IBDP Coordinator at Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon. She has taught across national and international curricula in leading schools across the NCR and is widely respected for her thoughtful leadership and dedication to student growth.

Neeraj holds an M.Phil in Physics from Kurukshetra University, with published research in solar cells. She has served as a Subject Matter Expert in designing middle school science curricula and conducted numerous workshops promoting experiential learning in Physics. Her impactful work as STEAM Coordinator earned recognition from students and educators alike.

Her journey with the IB Diploma Programme began at the school’s authorisation, and she has since played a pivotal role in shaping and strengthening the IBDP team. Having served as Extended Essay Coordinator and Deputy IBDP Coordinator, Neeraj fosters a culture of collaboration, reflection, and academic integrity. She believes in empowering students through andragogical methods that nurture responsibility, curiosity, and lifelong learning.

As IBDP Coordinator, Neeraj leads with clarity and vision, creating an environment that reflects the IB philosophy and prepares students to become principled, thoughtful, and globally minded individuals.

With over twenty-six years of experience in education, Ruchika Castelino brings deep expertise and a diverse perspective to her role as Head of the Career Guidance Centre at Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon. Her journey spans leadership positions in both the public and private sectors, including serving as Head of Education UK at the British Council and leading one of India’s largest study-abroad consultancies.

Guided by her enduring passion for working directly with young people, Ruchika transitioned from senior management roles to focus on counselling students and supporting them in discovering their aspirations. She has since guided learners at Pathways School, Gurgaon, and The British School, before joining Shiv Nadar School to further strengthen its vision for holistic student development.

A certified career coach, Ruchika completed the International Certified Career Coach Program through the Career Development Alliance, USA, and Mindler India. She holds a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Delhi and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Lady Shri Ram College, University of Delhi.

A graduate in History from St. Stephen’s College with a degree in Education, Pallavi Mahanta brings with her a unique blend of corporate and educational experience. Before joining the world of education, she worked with leading global banking institutions including Standard Chartered Bank, ABN AMRO Bank, and The Royal Bank of Scotland. Over two decades, she has built a reputation as a self-motivated and resilient professional who thrives on coordination, problem-solving, and meaningful engagement.

For more than a decade at Shiv Nadar School, Pallavi has contributed to the community in multiple capacities—as Homeroom In-charge, Form Coordinator, and Year Lead—taking on diverse leadership responsibilities with commitment and care. Her dual perspective as both a parent and staff member has deepened her appreciation for the school’s inclusive culture.

A lifelong learner, Pallavi earned a national rank of #9 in Early Childhood Education from CENTA and a Distinction in the Cambridge International Certificate in Teaching and Learning (Module 1). She exemplifies the balance of corporate discipline and educational empathy, both of which define her leadership.

Her guiding mantra is to “be true and loyal to yourself and others.” Outside of work, she enjoys travelling, reading, and spending time with her family.

Aditi Chopra leads the People and Culture team at Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon, and has been associated with the organisation since May 2016. She demonstrates her capabilities in managing overall HR Operations, Recruitment, Professional Development, Performance Management, and Employee Relations.

She brings 17 years of dynamic experience in handling various HR functions like Talent Acquisition, Employee Relations, Training and Development, and Employee Engagement. Aditi is proficient in implementing HR policies and procedures and handling day-to-day administrative functions.

Her experience forte spans several corporate groups including Quality Assurance Institute (QAI), Macmillan Publishing Solutions, Redington, and ALICO (UAE). In her last assignment, she worked with SpiceJet Ltd as Manager - Human Resources. Aditi is self-motivated, passionate, and enthusiastic about delivering high-quality output, ensuring 'commitment' as a core element.

Alongside her professional skills, she keeps herself engaged for a healthy life. Her main interests comprise travelling and listening to music. She is fond of food and even likes to try new recipes and cuisines.