Rizwana Shujathali
PYP Coordinator
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.
Neelavani Dhas
Parent Partnership Officer
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.
Manveen Chadha
Head - Early Years Programme
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.
Padmini Sambasivam
Principal
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.
Shilpa Khadse
Vice Principal - International Curriculum
Shilpa Khadse, is the vice principal - International curriculum at Shiv Nadar International school, Faridabad. An ardent professional with more than 18 years of teaching experience, she believes that Education of mind and heart in tandem plays a crucial role in transforming individuals in a constantly changing world.
With a Masters degree in science majoring in Zoology and Oceanography and a Post Graduate Diploma in Management of Education, she began her career as an education officer with BNHS Mumbai, designing and implementing Wildlife and Sustainability education in the informal sector.
She then steered into mainstream education bringing her field experience into school education. In her journey through National and International schools, she was instrumental in building curriculum, systems and processes and leading schools through critical Authorization and Accreditation processes.
Being cheerful, open-minded and approachable she easily connects with people. Willing to teach and ready to learn, her motto is " Convince or get convinced". Being an inquirer and inquisitive learner, Shilpa considers herself a lifelong student of life. She loves to engage in art, wildlife photography, travelling and exploring new horizons, cultures and lifestyles with her husband, daughter.
Sameer Arora
Principal- Shiv Nadar School Gurgaon
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.
Sabina Rodrick
Lead - People & Culture
Sabina Rodrick leads the People and Culture team at Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad, and has been associated with the organisation since February 2019.
An accomplished professional with 16+ years of experience in spearheading comprehensive HR functions, her background lies in successfully directing organizational planning and performance through strategic processes and employee development. Throughout her career, she has expertise in day to day department functioning, Talent Acquisition, Performance Management, Employee Relations and Training & Development along with managing policies & procedures for organizational & individual development.
Prior to joining Shiv Nadar School, she was associated with Exhibitions India Group and has worked with corporates like Greenply Industries & Kelly Services.
In her free time, she likes watching movies, travelling with family and relishes good food.
Deblina Chakraborty
Principal - Shiv Nadar School Faridabad
A passionate educator with over 2 decades of exploring and learning in the education space, she believes that the classroom and the surrounding world is an experience that has to be lived to understand.
A graduate with a B.Ed. from Calcutta University, she has taught English and Humanities for many years. Her academic experiences range from sustained classroom teaching on national and international platforms to supporting schools in their journey with understanding diagnostic testing. In a former engagement, she led a team of professionals through the School Quality Assessment and Accreditation process of the CBSE. Chairing the domain of Student Learning and Wellbeing during the process of Council of International Schools Accreditation was another enriching experience.
Since joining Shiv Nadar School Faridabad in 2020 as an Academic Coordinator, Mrs. Chakraborty has contributed significantly to the school’s growth, including setting up the IGCSE curriculum, supporting educators, and leading parent orientations. She also held leadership roles at Shiv Nadar School Noida, where she implemented the IG, IBDP, and MYP curricula as the Head of International Curriculum. A seasoned educator with over 27 years of experience, Mrs. Chakraborty has held leadership positions in renowned institutions and is a recipient of the prestigious IC3 "Counsellor of the Year" Award 2017.
An extremely bright scholar, with a special expertise in the area of assessments, she brings with her a rich experience with stints at Notre Dame Academy (Pune), Educational Initiatives Pvt Ltd, and Pathways School (Noida) amongst others.
From being a loved educator to a respected Head of Department, her journey has brought immense learning along the way. Deblina continues to share her experiences and learn from her colleagues and students. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with friends and family, and spending hours with senior family members and neighbours, listening to their stories of wisdom.
Reena Pant
Head - Primary Years
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.
Anju Soni
Principal - Shiv Nadar School Noida
Ms. Anju Soni, Principal of Shiv Nadar School, Noida, follows a ‘learner-centred’ approach. She also looks after the High School students as the Senior School Head. The expanse of her horizons ensures that her students fare favourably both within and beyond the confines of the school.
She comes with a deep understanding of the National Curriculum Framework and supports the school management and Leadership in building the School on goals of academic rigour, creativity, and community service by ensuring the implementation of the Academic Calendar. She is also an integral part of the assessment team that ensures the efficacy of the teaching-learning process.
Ms. Soni holds a Master Degree in English Literature and Bachelor’s degree in Education. She is a learning pedagogue with over 20 years of rich experience in imparting education and training in the English Language. She enables students to become independent, lifelong learners and promotes intercultural awareness to foster tolerance, respect, and empathy. Ms. Soni plays an active role in supporting the management in school review and improvement framework to develop future strategic planning and accountability while establishing trust among the team for the required changes.
She drives pastoral initiatives to promote Student Leadership Structures by closely working with and mentoring the student leaders who are a part of the student council. Ms. Soni regularly engages with all the stakeholders (parents, students, staff, leadership team) and conducts initial interviews for prospective students and new staff members.