Revitalised resource-deficient classrooms, making learning joyful.
InvokED 5.0: Mission to Movement
6-7th February, 2026
This milestone edition of InvokED will turn bold ideas into action. A space where diverse voices shape the dialogue to accelerate India’s public education transformation with their ideas, energy, and experiences. Together we’ll celebrate local leadership, systemic innovations, and collective action transforming learning for millions of children in India & Global South.
Over two days, 1000+ participants will experience the dialogue through unique formats like Leadership Spotlights, Bright Spots Showcases, Braindates, Experience Zones, Dialogue Corners and much more..
Agenda
Meeting & greeting over light breakfast
Setting the stage for two-day dialogue towards strengthening leadership for a billion learners
Co-founder, Infosys
Exploring evolving models of leadership and collaboration from across the globe


Independent Director on the Board,
Airtel Payments Bank
Recognising champion leaders who are driving equity and innovations in education ecosystem


President and CEO, SHEF
Exchanging thoughts on leadership for future readiness in our public schools


Networking over tea, coffee & savouries
Lightening talks showcasing stories of leadership and transformation from across the ecosystem

Exploring food for thought with food on plate
Immersing into the best practices, tech innovations, solutions that are helping local leaders transform ground reality of education system
Thematic open discussions curated by global institutions invoking curiosity, real stories, and meaningful connections
Focusing on technology-led innovation in education, from AI-powered solutions to scalable digital platforms. The track brings together experienced voices from the field to share learnings, celebrate breakthrough ideas, and highlight solutions delivering real, system-level change.
Speakers

Ministry of Education, Government of India


Project ECHO

Pratham International


Unbundling how evidence and storytelling shape belief, guide decisions, and sustain long-term systemic change
Speakers

Centre for Exponential Change

Understanding how financial, social, and intellectual capital can fuel movements when anchored in trust and partnership.
Speakers




Exploring need for intentional spaces of dialogue that build trust, align purpose, and turn fragmented efforts into collective momentum.
Speakers

Global Learning Lab,
Teach For All

Schwab Foundation for
Social Entrepreneurship

Unique space designed to facilitate one-on-one meaningful and in-depth interactions between participants and subject-matter experts
Networking over tea, coffee & savouries
A plenary-led launch moment highlighting India’s leadership in shaping education transformation for the Global South





Ending the day with a vibrant cultural evening & dinner
Moving from ideas to action: Showcase & celebration of Shikshagraha in action

Member of Parliament, Mysore

Centre for Exponential Change


Showcasing powerful impact stories of Samaaj-Sarkaar-Bazaar-Sanchaar collaboration from five states driving local innovation, leadership, and collective problem-solving
Networking over tea, coffee & savouries
Focused dialogues led by the anchor organisations — deep-diving into collective priorities and next steps.
Speakers


Speakers

Centre for Wildlife Studies

Speakers

Innovation Development Directorate,
Education Above All



Speakers





Wrapping up with reflections and shared commitments towards Shikshagraha followed by a hearty lunch
A photo moment to capture the collective spirit behind the movement.
About the Speaker
Alex Beard is Senior Director of the Global Learning Lab at Teach For All, where he leads global research, knowledge sharing, and learning partnerships across the network. Beginning his career as a teacher in London, he has dedicated himself to understanding how learning can be transformed for rapidly changing societies. His work focuses on identifying promising, locally rooted innovations and connecting educators and leaders across countries to strengthen collective learning. Alex is also a widely published writer and speaker on the future of learning, leadership in education, and the skills young people need to thrive. He brings a global systems lens to improving education outcomes at scale.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 4: From Dialogue to Momentum: Why Intentional Spaces Matter?
Exploring need for intentional spaces of dialogue that build trust, align purpose, and turn fragmented efforts into collective momentum
About the Speaker
Sophia Otoo is Programme and Community Lead at the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, part of the World Economic Forum, where she curates a global community of leading social innovators and their partners. Her work centres on designing programmes, peer-learning spaces, and platforms for collaboration that enable social entrepreneurs, public leaders, and businesses to co-create solutions and scale impact on systemic challenges worldwide.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 4: From Dialogue to Momentum: Why Intentional Spaces Matter?
Thematic open discussions curated by global institutions invoking curiosity, real stories, and meaningful connections
About the Speaker
Vikram Bhat is the Chief Executive Officer of Scale Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, where he works at the intersection of education reform, institutional capacity, and systems change. He brings a diverse blend of nonprofit and corporate experience across education, government, technology, and finance. Most recently, Vikram served as Director of the Bangalore International Centre. Earlier, he was part of the Education Task Force with the Government of Delhi, contributing to the transformation of government schools. He has also held leadership roles at Dream a Dream and Teach For India, and began his career in finance at Sanford Bernstein & Co..
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 4: From Dialogue to Momentum: Why Intentional Spaces Matter?
Exploring need for intentional spaces of dialogue that build trust, align purpose, and turn fragmented efforts into collective momentum
About the Speaker
Sophia Otoo is Programme and Community Lead at the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, part of the World Economic Forum, where she curates a global community of leading social innovators and their partners. Her work centres on designing programmes, peer-learning spaces, and platforms for collaboration that enable social entrepreneurs, public leaders, and businesses to co-create solutions and scale impact on systemic challenges worldwide.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 4: From Dialogue to Momentum: Why Intentional Spaces Matter?
Exploring need for intentional spaces of dialogue that build trust, align purpose, and turn fragmented efforts into collective momentum
Dr Subramanian Rangan
About the Speaker
Dr Subramanian “Subi” Rangan is Professor of Strategy and Management at INSEAD, where he also holds the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court Endowed Chair in Societal Progress. His work explores how leaders and institutions can integrate economic performance with social purpose, reimagining capitalism for an era of systemic challenges. A widely respected thinker, he founded the Society for Progress, a global community of scholars and practitioners examining the moral foundations of markets. His teaching and research span global strategy, sustainable development, and the evolution of leadership from transactional outcomes to transformational outlook. Dr Rangan is known for shaping conversations on responsible business and societal progress.
Sessions by speaker
Shikshagraha Awards
Recognising champion leaders who are driving equity and innovations in education ecosystem
About the Speaker
Ambika J is Director of Artificial Intelligence at Finastra, where she works on generative AI and advanced client solutions within global financial systems. A distinguished technologist with over two decades of experience, she has led development, quality, and release engineering across large-scale products, delivering more than 300 releases over her career. An Executive MBA graduate from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, Ambika has contributed to organisations including Yahoo! and Finastra. She is an IEEE Senior Member and leads initiatives such as the IEEE Computer Society Bangalore Chapter’s GirlGeeks programme, reflecting her commitment to inclusive, ethical, and future-ready technology leadership.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 1: Impact Ignited- AI Powered Ideas in Action
Focusing on technology-led innovation in education, from AI-powered solutions to scalable digital platforms. The track brings together experienced voices from the field to share learnings, celebrate breakthrough ideas, and highlight solutions delivering real, system-level change.
About the Speaker
Karishma Shanghvi is Director and Founder of Shikha Academy, a scalable school model providing high-quality, future-ready education to students from underserved backgrounds. She also leads Shikha Institute of Education and Shikha Labs, which focus on curriculum design and technology-enabled learning solutions. With academic training from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and advanced research in educational technology, she brings a research-driven lens to education reform. Karishma actively contributes to education and social impact networks and serves on boards advancing access, equity, and innovation in learning.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 1: Impact Ignited- AI Powered Ideas in Actiony
Focusing on technology-led innovation in education, from AI-powered solutions to scalable digital platforms. The track brings together experienced voices from the field to share learnings, celebrate breakthrough ideas, and highlight solutions delivering real, system-level change.
About the Speaker
Shabnam Sinha is an Independent Director on the Board of Airtel Payments Bank, where she chairs the Special Committee on Monitoring Frauds and serves on the Risk Management and IT Committees. With over three decades of experience, she has demonstrated leadership across development banking, investment and blended finance, public policy, and impact measurement. A former senior professional at the World Bank, she worked on governance, risk management, and results-based financing across South Asia, East Asia, and Africa. Her career spans senior roles in multilateral institutions, government, and the private sector, with sectoral expertise in MSMEs, skills and jobs, entrepreneurship, and technology-enabled education
Sessions by speaker
Shikshagraha Awards
Recognising champion leaders who are driving equity and innovations in education ecosystem
About the Speaker
Dr Urvashi Sahni is an educationist, social entrepreneur, and a leading voice in girls’ rights and feminist pedagogy in India. She is the President and CEO of the Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF), which delivers quality, rights-based education to thousands of girls from marginalised communities. As Co-founder of Catalyst 2030, she also helps convene global social innovators to accelerate systems change. Over four decades, her work has influenced national education policy, strengthened government partnerships, and advanced community-driven models of schooling. She is recognised internationally for developing scalable approaches that nurture agency, critical thinking, and leadership among girls, transforming both classrooms and communities.
Sessions by speaker
Shikshagraha Awards
Recognising champion leaders who are driving equity and innovations in education ecosystem
About the Speaker
Lakshmi Pattabi Raman is Chief of Fund Orchestration at the Centre for Exponential Change, where she designs collaborative funding ecosystems to support system orchestrators tackling complex social challenges in education, health, livelihoods, equity, and climate at scale. With over two decades in the social sector, including roles at Omidyar Network India and The/Nudge, she bridges philanthropy, impact investing, and innovation to enable long-term, exponential impact for social entrepreneurs navigating interconnected problems. Her work emphasises co-creation, shared leadership, and reducing barriers for transformative journeys, fostering networks that amplify voices and capabilities in the global social innovation space.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 3: Beyond Fundraising: Orchestrating Capital Flows for Systems Change
Understanding how financial, social, and intellectual capital can fuel movements when anchored in trust and partnership.
About the Speaker
Manisha Shah Nayyar is Philanthropy Partner (Asia) at Synergos, where she works with philanthropists and family offices to design collaborative, trust-based approaches that address complex social challenges across the region. Drawing on experience across private, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors, she supports members of the Global Philanthropists Circle to shift from project-based giving to long-term, ecosystem-strengthening investments rooted in local leadership and systems change.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 3: Beyond Fundraising: Orchestrating Capital Flows for Systems Change
Understanding how financial, social, and intellectual capital can fuel movements when anchored in trust and partnership.
About the Speaker
Dr Harry Bregazzi is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Government Outcomes Lab, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. His research examines how governments can design and deliver public services through outcomes-based partnerships, with a particular focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. He has contributed to global learning on evidence-driven policymaking, public service reform, and innovative financing models. Harry also works with international networks of scholars and practitioners exploring peacebuilding, governance, and public sector capability. With expertise spanning data analysis, social policy, and institutional design, he brings a rigorous academic perspective to understanding what enables effective, accountable, and citizen-centred service delivery.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 2: Evidence in Motion - Collectivising Knowledge for Impact
Unbundling how evidence and storytelling shape belief, guide decisions, and sustain long-term systemic change
S. D. Shibulal
Co-founder, Infosys
About the Speaker
S. D. Shibulal is Co-founder of Infosys and one of India’s most respected technology and business leaders. After serving as CEO and MD of Infosys, he expanded his focus to entrepreneurship, impact-driven investments, and philanthropy. As Founder of ShikshaLokam, he is committed to strengthening India’s public education system through leadership development and collective action. His work spans digital public goods, systems transformation, and enabling millions of education leaders to drive micro-improvements within schools. Through initiatives under the Shibulal Family Philanthropic Investments, he supports large-scale programmes in learning, skilling, and societal development. He continues to champion technology-enabled solutions for inclusive and equitable growth.
Sessions by speaker
Welcome Address
Setting the stage for two-day dialogue towards strengtheing leadership for a billion learners
About the Speaker
Wendy Kopp is the CEO and Co-founder of Teach For All, a global network of independent organisations working to expand educational opportunity in over 60 countries. She founded Teach For America in 1990, catalysing a new generation of leaders committed to addressing educational inequity in the United States. With Teach For All, she has extended this mission globally by supporting locally led organisations and cultivating a worldwide community of educators, social entrepreneurs, and systems leaders. Wendy’s work has shaped education reform for over three decades, emphasising collective leadership, community partnership, and long-term systemic change to ensure every child can fulfil their potential.
Sessions by speaker
Fireside Chat: Leadership in the New Age
Exploring evolving models of leadership and collaboration from across the globe
About the Speaker
Shabnam Sinha is an Independent Director on the Board of Airtel Payments Bank, where she chairs the Special Committee on Monitoring Frauds and serves on the Risk Management and IT Committees. With over three decades of experience, she has demonstrated leadership across development banking, investment and blended finance, public policy, and impact measurement. A former senior professional at the World Bank, she worked on governance, risk management, and results-based financing across South Asia, East Asia, and Africa. Her career spans senior roles in multilateral institutions, government, and the private sector, with sectoral expertise in MSMEs, skills and jobs, entrepreneurship, and technology-enabled education.
Sessions by speaker
Fireside Chat: Leadership in the New Age
Exploring evolving models of leadership and collaboration from across the globe
Shri Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar
Member of Parliament, Mysore
About the Speaker
Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar is an elected member of parliament, representing the Mysore constituency in Karnataka and the 27th Custodian of the Royal House of Mysore, a lineage that has played a central role in Karnataka’s cultural, educational, and social development for centuries. Educated in economics and English literature in the United States, he combines heritage stewardship with a modern, community-oriented outlook. He is actively involved in philanthropic initiatives, cultural preservation, youth engagement, and public outreach on issues of regional and national significance. Yaduveer continues to champion Mysuru’s rich traditions while promoting progressive development rooted in social responsibility, sustainability, and public service.
Sessions by speaker
Shikshagraha Utsav : Opening
Moving from ideas to action: Showcase & celebration of Shikshagraha in action
Sanjay Purohit
About the Speaker
Sanjay Purohit is the CEO and Chief Curator of the Centre for Exponential Change, where he advances “Societal Thinking” as an open approach to solving complex challenges at a population scale. With over three decades of experience across corporate and development sectors, he has worked with hundreds of change leaders in more than 20 countries on areas such as education, climate action, healthcare, gender equity, and livelihoods, helping them design for speed, scale, and sustainability. His work, captured in his “Think Books” and related writings, focuses on curating ideas, networks, and technology platforms that enable collaborative problem-solving, while he also mentors mission-driven organisations and co-founded apurva.ai to amplify collective wisdom through AI.
Sessions by speaker
Shikshagraha Utsav : Opening
Moving from ideas to action: Showcase & celebration of Shikshagraha in action
About the Speaker
Abhi Shah is a seasoned global leader with 20+ years of experience in AI, digital transformation, and corporate governance. He founded Clutch Group, an Inc. 5000-listed AI analytics firm that merged with a BlackRock-backed corporation. A member of the NYSE and NASDAQ Board Centres, Abhi Shah serves on the Boards of five multi-billion companies across fintech, energy, and infrastructure. Recognised as EY Entrepreneur of the Year, Visionary Global Leader and Business Icon of India, he has been featured in a Harvard case study. A Harvard MBA, Abhi Shah chairs Yuva Unstoppable, which has transformed 8,000 municipal schools and impacted 8 million underprivileged children, including providing scholarships to 7,400 students with 575 attending IITs.
Sessions by speaker
Shikshagraha Utsav : Opening
Moving from ideas to action: Showcase & celebration of Shikshagraha in action
About the Speaker
Shruti Shibulal is Executive Vice Chair of Tamara Leisure Experiences, a hospitality group known for its commitment to responsible tourism and sustainable luxury. She has helped shape Tamara’s portfolio of resorts and hotels in India and Europe, embedding environmental stewardship, renewable energy use, and local employment into the core business model. A strong advocate for inclusive growth, Shruti launched SAATHIYA, a hospitality skilling initiative that equips young people from disadvantaged backgrounds with industry-relevant skills and career pathways in hotels and restaurants. She also serves as a Trustee of the Advaith Foundation, SD Foundation, and ATREE, where she supports programmes in education, healthcare, and ecological conservation that enable communities to thrive alongside thriving enterprises.
Sessions by speaker
Shikshagraha Utsav : Opening
Moving from ideas to action: Showcase & celebration of Shikshagraha in action
About the Speaker
Shri Sanjay Kumar is Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India, leading the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 across the school system. A senior Indian Administrative Service officer, he brings decades of experience in governance and education, overseeing large-scale initiatives such as Samagra Shiksha, PM SHRI, and national efforts in foundational learning, digital education, and inclusion.
Sessions by speaker
Reflections
About the Speaker
Cynthia Rayner is a Senior Researcher and Adjunct Lecturer at the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business, and a Visiting Fellow at the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. Her research explores how organisations, governments, and communities work collectively to shape social systems, with a focus on practical methods that enable long-term, systemic social change. A former management consultant, she has worked across the corporate and nonprofit sectors, including roles with Generation Ubuntu, mothers2mothers, and the Starfish Greathearts Foundation, bringing strategy and systems thinking to issues of health, education, and child wellbeing in Southern Africa. Cynthia is co-author of “The Systems Work of Social Change” and is recognised internationally for bridging rigorous qualitative research with practitioner insight to strengthen movements for equity and collective leadership.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 2: Evidence in Motion - Collectivising Knowledge for Impact
Unbundling how evidence and storytelling shape belief, guide decisions, and sustain long-term systemic change
Shri Anandrao V. Patil
About the Speaker
Shri Anandrao V. Patil is the Additional Secretary in the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India, where he steers key portfolios including PM POSHAN, digital initiatives, and programme management. An Indian Administrative Service officer with extensive experience in education and public administration, he focuses on using data, technology, and centre–state coordination to strengthen school nutrition, improve learning conditions, and advance the goals of the National Education Policy 2020.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 1: Impact Ignited- AI Powered Ideas in Action
Focusing on technology-led innovation in education, from AI-powered solutions to scalable digital platforms. The track brings together experienced voices from the field to share learnings, celebrate breakthrough ideas, and highlight solutions delivering real, system-level change.
About the Speaker
Rucha Pande is the Founder of CoLab Global, a learning and collaboration space that brings together education practitioners, researchers, and system leaders to explore how complex change happens in public education systems. Through her experience as Chief Operating Officer at Mantra4Change, she has helped build programmes and partnerships across multiple states, strengthening leadership development, collective action, and ecosystem collaborations such as the Punjab Education Collective. With a decade of work in the education sector and an MA in Education from Azim Premji University, she specialises in designing for scale, nurturing communities of practice, and translating field insights into practical tools for systems change.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 2: Evidence in Motion - Collectivising Knowledge for Impact
Unbundling how evidence and storytelling shape belief, guide decisions, and sustain long-term systemic change
About the Speaker
Aaradhana Dalmia is a Trustee of her family’s philanthropic foundations, including the Dalmia Charitable Trust, where she supports initiatives in education, environment, and community development. She serves as Chairperson of YFLO Delhi, the Young FICCI Ladies Organisation chapter, leading programmes that promote women’s leadership, entrepreneurship, and social impact, while also mentoring young social entrepreneurs. Alongside her philanthropy, Aaradhana’s work and research engage with sustainability, crafts, and the relationship between cities and rivers, informing a cross-disciplinary approach to inclusive and environmentally conscious development.
Sessions by speaker
Reflections
About the Speaker
Dr Pratibha Narayanan is Co-founder of Involve, a non-profit social enterprise that nurtures agency in students by enabling peer teaching and student-led learning in schools across India. A neuroscientist turned educationist and an Acumen Fellow, she brings classroom experience and research training to reimagine how young people take ownership of their learning, designing programmes and tools that help students become self-reliant, collaborative problem-solvers.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 2: Evidence in Motion - Collectivising Knowledge for Impact
Unbundling how evidence and storytelling shape belief, guide decisions, and sustain long-term systemic change
About the Speaker
Vyjayanthi Mala is Chief of the Open Learning Network at the Centre for Exponential Change, where she works on making “Societal Thinking” practices accessible to change leaders through open resources, communities, and learning experiences. A climate action enthusiast with a background in community building and communications, she curates stories, tools, and peer spaces that help practitioners across sectors design for scale, resilience, and shared ownership in their work.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 2: Evidence in Motion - Collectivising Knowledge for Impact
Unbundling how evidence and storytelling shape belief, guide decisions, and sustain long-term systemic change
Camille Massey
About the Speaker
Camille Massey is the President and CEO of Synergos, a global organisation dedicated to solving complex problems through trust-building, collaboration, and systems leadership. With a career spanning human rights, international development, philanthropy, and social innovation, she is known for bringing cross-sector partners together to create equitable and lasting change. Prior to Synergos, she held senior roles at the Council on Foreign Relations, Human Rights First, and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. Camille champions “bridging leadership” and community-centred approaches that strengthen social cohesion and unlock collective potential. She is deeply committed to advancing equity, peace, and wellbeing for vulnerable communities around the world.
Sessions by speaker
Painting a Vision for a Billion Futures: Learning’s from the Global South
A plenary-led launch, highlighting India’s leadership in shaping education transformation for the Global South
Smt. Archana Sharma Awasthi
About the Speaker
Smt. Archana Sharma Awasthi is Joint Secretary (SS-I & Adult Education Bureau) in the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India. She leads portfolios spanning adult education, literacy, gender and equity, adolescent education, and support to voluntary agencies, working to strengthen flagship initiatives such as ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram and make school and adult education more inclusive and effective.
Sessions by speaker
Painting a Vision for a Billion Futures: Learning’s from the Global South
A plenary-led launch, highlighting India’s leadership in shaping education transformation for the Global South
About the Speaker
Meenakshi Ramesh is CEO Designate of Pratham Education Foundation, one of India’s largest education nonprofits, marking a meaningful return to the organisation where she began her social sector journey as a volunteer 25 years ago. With more than two decades of leadership across education, civic engagement, and media, including co-founding Oorvani Foundation, she brings deep experience in building scalable social impact initiatives that improve learning at population scale. In her new role, she will help steer Pratham’s next phase of innovation and partnerships while upholding its mission of ensuring every child is in school and learning well.
Sessions by speaker
Painting a Vision for a Billion Futures: Learning’s from the Global South
A plenary-led launch moment highlighting India’s leadership in shaping education transformation for the Global South
About the Speaker
Erica Arya is India Head of Project Tech4Dev, a global initiative empowering nonprofits with open-source technology, data tools, and fractional CxO services to drive efficiency, scale, and impact across the social sector. With over two decades of experience as a creator and innovator, she has designed digital transformation solutions for nonprofits, focusing on cost-effectiveness, speed, and quality while building teams and partnerships in India. Through Tech4Dev's platforms like Glific and Dalgo, cohorts, and sprints, she supports organisations in education, health, and livelihoods to integrate technology that amplifies their missions and reaches underserved communities.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 1: Impact Ignited- AI Powered Ideas in Action
Focusing on technology-led innovation in education, from AI-powered solutions to scalable digital platforms. The track brings together experienced voices from the field to share learnings, celebrate breakthrough ideas, and highlight solutions delivering real, system-level change.
About the Speaker
Dr Pia Rebello Britto is Global Director of Education and Adolescent Development at UNICEF, providing strategic leadership on global education policy, early childhood development, and adolescent empowerment. A developmental psychologist with a PhD from Columbia University and former Yale faculty, she has shaped national early childhood systems in over 40 countries, integrating neuroscience into policy and championing SDG 4.2 for quality ECD to build equity, peace, and sustainable development. Her pioneering work on nurturing care, governance, finance, and climate-resilient education addresses the global learning crisis affecting millions, while advancing evidence-based interventions for foundational learning and social cohesion.
Sessions by speaker
Painting a Vision for a Billion Futures: Learning’s from the Global South
A plenary-led launch moment highlighting India’s leadership in shaping education transformation for the Global South
About the Speaker
Camila Pereira is CEO of Global School Leaders, an international non-profit that develops and supports school leaders across the Global South to improve teaching and learning for children in under-resourced communities. A social impact leader with extensive experience in education and leadership development, she previously served as Chief Impact Officer at the Lemann Foundation in Brazil, where she led large-scale initiatives to strengthen school leadership and education systems. She continues to champion school leaders as the crucial bridge between policy and classroom practice, shaping strategies, partnerships, and networks that enable them to drive equitable, systemic change in education.
Sessions by speaker
Painting a Vision for a Billion Futures: Learning’s from the Global South
A plenary-led launch moment highlighting India’s leadership in shaping education transformation for the Global South
About the Speaker
Dr Aditya Vishwanath is Co-founder of MakerGhat, a network of makerspaces and innovation labs that enables young people from low-income communities to learn through making, experimentation, and problem-solving. A researcher and technologist who also co-founded the XR learning company Inspirit, he works at the intersection of education, immersive technology, and social entrepreneurship to build 21st-century skills and inform systemic change in how classrooms prepare learners for the future.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 1: Impact Ignited- AI Powered Ideas in Action
Focusing on technology-led innovation in education, from AI-powered solutions to scalable digital platforms. The track brings together experienced voices from the field to share learnings, celebrate breakthrough ideas, and highlight solutions delivering real, system-level change.
About the Speaker
Dr Aditya Vishwanath is Co-founder of MakerGhat, a network of makerspaces and innovation labs that enables young people from low-income communities to learn through making, experimentation, and problem-solving. A researcher and technologist who also co-founded the XR learning company Inspirit, he works at the intersection of education, immersive technology, and social entrepreneurship to build 21st-century skills and inform systemic change in how classrooms prepare learners for the future.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 1: Growing Questions in STEM and Responsible AI
Exploring how science and mathematics can move beyond content coverage to spark curiosity, inquiry, and problem solving through meaningful classroom practices
About the Speaker
Dr Krithi K. Karanth is CEO and Chief Conservation Scientist at the Centre for Wildlife Studies, a leading conservation organisation that integrates rigorous science, policy engagement, and community partnerships to protect wildlife and habitats in India. A conservation biologist with degrees from the University of Florida, Yale University, and Duke University, she has led pioneering work on human–wildlife interactions and designed flagship programmes such as Wild Seve, Wild Shaale, and Wild Surakshe to support coexistence between people and wildlife.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Dates with Anchor Organisations
Thematic discussions curated by anchor organisations deep-diving into collective priorities and next steps
About the Speaker
Sonali Saini is Founder and Executive Director of Sol’s ARC (Sol’s Assessment and Remedial Centre), a nonprofit advancing inclusive education and better learning outcomes for children and youth from marginalised and vulnerable communities. A special educator and social entrepreneur, she has developed inclusive curricula, assessment tools, and technology-enabled models that support diverse learners, including children with disabilities, and partners with governments and NGOs to embed these approaches into mainstream education and skilling systems.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 4: In Their Shoes: Rethinking Childhood Through Inclusion
Through a future readiness lens, examine how education systems can truly enable all children to thrive, highlighting unseen voices, current practices and the systemic shifts needed for real, meaningful inclusion
About the Speaker
Chetan Kapoor is CEO of Tech Mahindra Foundation, leading a portfolio of education and skilling initiatives across 11 cities that empower millions of young people from underprivileged backgrounds. With over two decades in the development sector, he conceptualised the Foundation’s flagship SMART (Skills-for-Market Training) programme—one of India’s largest CSR-led urban skilling efforts—and previously led operations at Agrasar, American India Foundation, Bharti Foundation, and Pratham. An MBA from IIFT, he drives the vision of “Empowerment through Education” by blending innovation, scale, and the Mahindra ethos of rising for an equal world.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 4: In Their Shoes: Rethinking Childhood Through Inclusion
Through a future readiness lens, examine how education systems can truly enable all children to thrive, highlighting unseen voices, current practices and the systemic shifts needed for real, meaningful inclusion
About the Speaker
Dr Urvashi Sahni is an educationist, social entrepreneur, and a leading voice in girls’ rights and feminist pedagogy in India. She is the President and CEO of the Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF), which delivers quality, rights-based education to thousands of girls from marginalised communities. As Co-founder of Catalyst 2030, she also helps convene global social innovators to accelerate systems change. Over four decades, her work has influenced national education policy, strengthened government partnerships, and advanced community-driven models of schooling. She is recognised internationally for developing scalable approaches that nurture agency, critical thinking, and leadership among girls, transforming both classrooms and communities.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 4: In Their Shoes: Rethinking Childhood Through Inclusion
Through a future readiness lens, examine how education systems can truly enable all children to thrive, highlighting unseen voices, current practices and the systemic shifts needed for real, meaningful inclusion
About the Speaker
Aashish Shrivastava is Co-Founder and CEO of Shiksharth, a grassroots organisation working to ensure positive childhood experiences for children growing up in crisis, conflict, and fragile geographies. After an early career in corporate IT with Infosys and NIIT, he joined the first cohort of Teach For India and went on to spend over a decade working in conflict-affected regions of Bastar and Sukma. His work focuses on restoring learning, safety, and belonging in communities where schooling has been disrupted by violence and instability. Aashish brings a deeply collaborative, systems-oriented approach to strengthening classrooms, communities, and local education ecosystems.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 4: In Their Shoes: Rethinking Childhood Through Inclusion
Through a future readiness lens, examine how education systems can truly enable all children to thrive, highlighting unseen voices, current practices and the systemic shifts needed for real, meaningful inclusion
About the Speaker
Vidhya Meenambal is Director of the School Leadership Development Programme at Vidhya Vidhai Foundation, where she leads work to strengthen leadership, organisational capacity, and school culture in K–12 schools. The SLDP initiative partners with educators and school leaders to embed child-centred practices and sustained organisational improvement across diverse learning environments. A seasoned educationist and advocate for equitable learning systems, Vidhya brings deep experience in facilitating change, professional learning, and collaborative practice within school communities. She engages with practitioners, leaders, and sector partners to scale effective leadership models that support improved outcomes for children and their school ecosystems.rt diverse learners, including children with disabilities, and partners with governments and NGOs to embed these approaches into mainstream education and skilling systems.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 4: In Their Shoes: Rethinking Childhood Through Inclusion
Through a future readiness lens, examine how education systems can truly enable all children to thrive, highlighting unseen voices, current practices and the systemic shifts needed for real, meaningful inclusion
About the Speaker
Anshu Gupta is the Founder of Goonj and Gram Swabhimaan, and a Ramon Magsaysay Award laureate widely known as the “Clothing Man” for transforming urban surplus material into a powerful resource for rural development and dignity-first disaster response across India. Leaving a corporate communication career in 1999, he built Goonj into a nationwide movement that channels urban discard to catalyse community-led work on issues such as water, sanitation, education, and livelihoods, while reshaping the culture of giving and redefining development through the lens of dignity.
Sessions by speaker
Shikshagraha Awards
Recognising champion leaders who are driving equity and innovations in education ecosystem
About the Speaker
Kartik Dhar is the Global Chief Technology Officer at Project ECHO, overseeing the organisation’s technology vision and the development of iECHO, a population-scale digital platform that powers knowledge-sharing and capacity-building for healthcare providers in more than 200 countries and areas. Drawing on experience in consulting and startups, he leads the design of federated, microservices-based infrastructure that supports large public-health programmes—from India’s National TB and mental health programmes to global training initiatives—aimed at reaching millions of practitioners.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 1: Impact Ignited- AI Powered Ideas in Actiony
Focusing on technology-led innovation in education, from AI-powered solutions to scalable digital platforms. The track brings together experienced voices from the field to share learnings, celebrate breakthrough ideas, and highlight solutions delivering real, system-level change.
About the Speaker
Karishma Galani is Co-Lead of the PraDigi Innovation Centre at Pratham International, where she builds generative AI-based education products and digital learning experiences for children across rural India and the Global South. With a decade in edtech, a Master’s in Education from Harvard University, and experience founding AI-based learning startups, she brings together learning science, product design, and technology to create playful, personalised tools that strengthen foundational skills at scale.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 1: Impact Ignited- AI Powered Ideas in Actiony
Focusing on technology-led innovation in education, from AI-powered solutions to scalable digital platforms. The track brings together experienced voices from the field to share learnings, celebrate breakthrough ideas, and highlight solutions delivering real, system-level change.
Jency Jacob
About the Speaker
Jency Jacob is the Managing Editor of BOOM and has worked as a reporter and editor across Zee News, CNN-IBN, NDTV and Business Standard over the last 25 years. At BOOM, he set-up India’s first fact checking newsroom in 2016 and now manages a team of 25 enterprising fact checkers across India, Myanmar and Bangladesh. He also runs a daily business newsletter product called The Core. Jency is also a regular speaker at various national and international conferences, speaking about the importance of battling misinformation and the media’s role in countering them with credible and factual news stories. He has a bachelor’s degree in statistics and a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the Bombay College of JournalismCore, a digital business news platform, and has been recognised as a McNulty Prize Laureate and BMW Responsible Leader for his public-interest journalism ventures.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 2: Evidence in Motion - Collectivising Knowledge for Impact
Unbundling how evidence and storytelling shape belief, guide decisions, and sustain long-term systemic change
About the Speaker
Nikunj Jhaveri is the Chairman and Founder of Systems Plus Group of Companies, which he established over four decades ago with a focus on building enduring, values-driven enterprises. Under his leadership, Systems Plus was an early adopter of the Global Capability Centre (GCC) model for mid-sized global companies, enabling access to India’s talent while preserving agility, culture, and control. He has built long-term partnerships with global enterprises grounded in trust and consistent delivery. Beyond business, Nikunj is committed to social impact through Systems Plus Cares, supporting grassroots work in education, health, and livelihoods, and mentoring young founders and students.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 3: Beyond Fundraising: Orchestrating Capital Flows for Systems Change
Understanding how financial, social, and intellectual capital can fuel movements when anchored in trust and partnership.
Bharath Visweswariah
About the Speaker
Bharath Visweswariah is Executive Director, India, at the British Asian Trust, leading the organisation's work across education, livelihoods, and social finance in India. With over 20 years in development and management consulting from roles at McKinsey, CEB, the University of Chicago Center in Delhi, Antara Foundation, and Omidyar Network—where he directed investments in governance, civic tech, media, and citizen engagement—he co-founded a startup focused on youth employability before joining the Trust in 2023. An IIT Madras engineering graduate and IIM Calcutta MBA alumnus based in Delhi, he drives locally-led solutions that align with India's ambitions for inclusive growth and resilience.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 3: Beyond Fundraising: Orchestrating Capital Flows for Systems Change
Understanding how financial, social, and intellectual capital can fuel movements when anchored in trust and partnership.
About the Speaker
Medha Krishnan is Co-Founder and CEO of a STEM learning enterprise that runs Natkhat STEM Labs, creating hands-on, inquiry-based science experiences that help children become problem-solvers and critical thinkers. With a background in public policy and management and experience working at the intersection of education and innovation, she focuses on making high-quality STEM learning accessible to children in under-resourced settings through contextual, activity-based programmes.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 1: Growing Questions in STEM and Responsible AI
Exploring how science and mathematics can move beyond content coverage to spark curiosity, inquiry, and problem solving through meaningful classroom practices
About the Speaker
Sahil Pimpale is Senior Program Manager at the Centre for Wildlife Studies, where he works as a conservation educator and programme lead, engaging communities and young people in wildlife conservation and coexistence. Passionate about connecting people and nature, he supports field programmes, outreach, and learning initiatives that build awareness, stewardship, and pro-conservation behaviour across landscapes where people and wildlife share space.
Sessions by speaker
Growing Environmental Consciousness Through Collective Action
Positioning environmental consciousness at the heart of learning, explore how classrooms and systems can respond to children’s climate realities while fostering values, agency, and collective responsibility
About the Speaker
Saidevi (Sai) Sanjeeviraja is the Founder and CEO of Thicket Tales, a nature-based education initiative that reconnects children, families, and communities with the natural world through experiential, place-based learning. Growing up in the foothills of the Western Ghats shaped her belief that curiosity and inquiry are best nurtured through direct engagement with nature. Through programmes such as Learn Around Nature and Backyard Study Retreats, Thicket Tales has created immersive learning experiences for children across Bengaluru, integrating science, geography, and civic responsibility. Her work is grounded in inclusion, partnering with schools, communities, and public institutions to make nature-based learning accessible in urban contexts.
Sessions by speaker
Growing Environmental Consciousness Through Collective Action
Positioning environmental consciousness at the heart of learning, explore how classrooms and systems can respond to children’s climate realities while fostering values, agency, and collective responsibility
About the Speaker
Vaibhav Pandey is a Core Team Member at Piramal School of Leadership, Piramal Foundation, where he drives leadership development and organisational change initiatives with government education systems across multiple Indian states. An alumnus of Hindu College, Xavier Institute of Management, and the first cohort of the Gandhi Fellowship, he has worked with states and national institutions to strengthen last-mile leadership and personal transformation as a foundation for more equitable public systems.
Sessions by speaker
Braindate 3: Student Agency and 21st Century Skills
Janhvi Maheshwari Kanoria
Innovation Development Directorate,
Education Above All
About the Speaker
Janhvi Maheshwari Kanoria is Executive Director of the Innovation Development Directorate at Education Above All, where she designs and scales innovative solutions to expand quality learning for the world’s most marginalised children across 50+ countries. With experience spanning government policy, higher education, and K–12 schooling, she leads work on digital schools, literacy and numeracy programmes, and future-ready school models, using education as a pathway to social equity and resilience.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 3 - Nurturing Student Agency and 21st Century Skills in Classroom
Exploring how learning experiences can enable students to drive their own learning, with a focus on practices that develop critical thinking, collaboration, and problem solving, key skills for the 21st century
Janhvi Maheshwari Kanoria
Innovation Development Directorate,
Education Above All
About the Speaker
Janhvi Maheshwari Kanoria is Executive Director of the Innovation Development Directorate at Education Above All, where she designs and scales innovative solutions to expand quality learning for the world’s most marginalised children across 50+ countries. With experience spanning government policy, higher education, and K–12 schooling, she leads work on digital schools, literacy and numeracy programmes, and future-ready school models, using education as a pathway to social equity and resilience.
Sessions by speaker
Leadership Spotlights
Lightning talks showcasing stories of leadership and transformation from across the ecosystem
About the Speaker
Raj Gilda is Co-Founder and Vice President of Lend A Hand India, a unique organisation integrating vocational education into the secondary school curriculum in partnership with 23 state governments across India. A banker-turned-social entrepreneur who previously worked with Citibank and Deloitte across the USA, UK, and India, he leads government relations, resource mobilisation, and international operations while managing programmes that reach 0.8 million students in 8500+ schools. Appointed to India's National Skill Development Agency, Raj continues to advocate for policy and execution alignment to transform education and employability for rural youth. , she leads work on digital schools, literacy and numeracy programmes, and future-ready school models, using education as a pathway to social equity and resilience.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 3 - Nurturing Student Agency and 21st Century Skills in Classroom
Exploring how learning experiences can enable students to drive their own learning, with a focus on practices that develop critical thinking, collaboration, and problem solving, key skills for the 21st century
About the Speaker
Dr Pratibha Narayanan is Co-founder of Involve, a non-profit social enterprise that nurtures agency in students by enabling peer teaching and student-led learning in schools across India. A neuroscientist turned educationist and an Acumen Fellow, she brings classroom experience and research training to reimagine how young people take ownership of their learning, designing programmes and tools that help students become self-reliant, collaborative problem-solvers. she leads work on digital schools, literacy and numeracy programmes, and future-ready school models, using education as a pathway to social equity and resilience.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 3 - Nurturing Student Agency and 21st Century Skills in Classroom
Exploring how learning experiences can enable students to drive their own learning, with a focus on practices that develop critical thinking, collaboration, and problem solving, key skills for the 21st century
About the Speaker
Jayshree Oberoi is Senior Director at The Akanksha Foundation, where she leads the Multiply Initiative, partnering with government systems to scale effective school transformation practices and improve learning outcomes. In this role, she works closely with government officials on advocacy, policy implementation, and building sustainable models for school development. With over three decades of experience, Jayshree brings a diverse background spanning school leadership, socio-emotional learning, environmental conservation, and people development. Prior to Akanksha, she worked with organisations including the Wildlife Institute of India, WWF-India, and the New England Aquarium. A teacher at heart, she is deeply committed to creating joyful, equitable learning spaces and empowering educators to lead change.g, she leads work on digital schools, literacy and numeracy programmes, and future-ready school models, using education as a pathway to social equity and resilience.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 3 - Nurturing Student Agency and 21st Century Skills in Classroom
Exploring how learning experiences can enable students to drive their own learning, with a focus on practices that develop critical thinking, collaboration, and problem solving, key skills for the 21st century
Speakers
Aaradhana Dalmia
Trustee, Dalmia Charitable Trust Chairperson, YFLO Delhi
Aashish Shrivastava
Co-Founder, Shiksharth
Abhi Shah
Board Member, STV & Ulteig
Dr Aditya Vishwanath
Co-Founder, MakerGhat
Alex Beard
Senior Director, Global Learning Lab, Teach For All
Ambika J
Director, Artificial Intelligence, Finastra
Shri Anandrao V. Patil
Additional Secretary, DoSEL, Ministry of Education, Government of India
Smt. Archana Sharma Awasthi
Joint Secretary (SS-l & AE Bureau), Ministry of Education, Government of India
Camila Pereira
CEO, Global School Leaders
Camille Massey
President and CEO, Synergos
Chetan Kapoor
CEO, Tech Mahindra Foundation
Cynthia Rayner
Senior Researcher & Adjunct Lecturer, Bertha Centre for Social Innovation
Erica Arya
India Head - Project Tech4Dev
Harry Bregazzi
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Blavatnik School of Government
Janhvi Maheshwari Kanoria
Executive Director, Innovation Development Directorate, Education Above All
Jayshree Oberoi
Senior Director, The Akanksha Foundation
Jency Jacob
Managing Editor, BOOM
Karishma Galani
Co-Lead,
PraDigi Innovation Centre,
Pratham International
Karishma Shanghvi
Director, Shikha Academy
Kartik Dhar
Chief Technology Officer,
Project ECHO
Kumari Shibulal
Founder & Chairperson, The Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives
Lakshmi Pattabi Raman
Chief of Fund Orchestration, Centre for Exponential Change
Manisha Shah Nayyar
Philanthropy Partner (Asia), Synergos
Medha Krishnan
Co-Founder and CEO
Meenakshi Ramesh
CEO Designate, Pratham Education Foundation
Nikunj Jhaveri
Chairman & Founder, Systems Plus Group of Companies
Dr Pia Ribello Britto
Global Director Education & Adolescent Development, UNICEF
Dr Pratibha Narayanan
Co-founder, Involve
Raj Gilda
Co-Founder and VP, Lend A Hand India
Rucha Pande
Founder, CoLab
Sahil Pimpale
Senior Program Manager,
Centre for Wildlife Studies
Shri Sanjay Kumar
Secretary, DoSEL, Ministry of Education, Government of India
Sanjay Purohit
CEO & Chief Curator, Centre for Exponential Change
Dr Santhosh Mathew
Country Lead Public Policy and Finance, Gates Foundation
SD Shibulal
Founder, ShikshaLokam
Co-founder, Infosys
Shruti Shibulal
Executive Vice Chair, Tamara Leisure Experiences
Sonali Saini
Founder, Sol's ARC
Sophia Otoo
Programme and Community Lead, Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship
Dr Subramanian Rangan
Professor, Strategy and Management, INSEAD
Dr Urvashi Sahni
Co-founder, Catalyst 2030
President and CEO, SHEF
Vyjayanthi Mala
Chief, Open Learning Network, Centre for Exponential Change
Wendy Kopp
CEO & Co-founder, Teach For All
Shri Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar
Royal House, Mysore
Member of Parliament, Mysore
Saidevi Sanjeeviraja
Founder, Thicket Tales
Shabnam Sinha
Former World Bank Alumnus Independent Director on the Board, Airtel Payments Bank
Vidhya Meenambal
Director SLDP, Vidhya Vidhai
Vikram Bhat
CEO, Scale Infrastructure Pvt Ltd
About the Speaker
Aaradhana Dalmia is a Trustee of her family’s philanthropic foundations, including the Dalmia Charitable Trust, where she supports initiatives in education, environment, and community development. She serves as Chairperson of YFLO Delhi, the Young FICCI Ladies Organisation chapter, leading programmes that promote women’s leadership, entrepreneurship, and social impact, while also mentoring young social entrepreneurs. Alongside her philanthropy, Aaradhana’s work and research engage with sustainability, crafts, and the relationship between cities and rivers, informing a cross-disciplinary approach to inclusive and environmentally conscious development.
Sessions by speaker
Reflections
Exchanging thoughts on leadership for future readiness in our public schools
About the Speaker
Aashish Shrivastava is Co-Founder and CEO of Shiksharth, a grassroots organisation working to ensure positive childhood experiences for children growing up in crisis, conflict, and fragile geographies. After an early career in corporate IT with Infosys and NIIT, he joined the first cohort of Teach For India and went on to spend over a decade working in conflict-affected regions of Bastar and Sukma. His work focuses on restoring learning, safety, and belonging in communities where schooling has been disrupted by violence and instability. Aashish brings a deeply collaborative, systems-oriented approach to strengthening classrooms, communities, and local education ecosystems.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 4: In Their Shoes: Rethinking Childhood Through Inclusion
Through a future readiness lens, examine how education systems can truly enable all children to thrive, highlighting unseen voices, current practices and the systemic shifts needed for real, meaningful inclusion
About the Speaker
Abhi Shah is a seasoned global leader with 20+ years of experience in AI, digital transformation, and corporate governance. He founded Clutch Group, an Inc. 5000-listed AI analytics firm that merged with a BlackRock-backed corporation. A member of the NYSE and NASDAQ Board Centres, Abhi Shah serves on the Boards of five multi-billion companies across fintech, energy, and infrastructure. Recognised as EY Entrepreneur of the Year, Visionary Global Leader and Business Icon of India, he has been featured in a Harvard case study. A Harvard MBA, Abhi Shah chairs Yuva Unstoppable, which has transformed 8,000 municipal schools and impacted 8 million underprivileged children, including providing scholarships to 7,400 students with 575 attending IITs.
Sessions by speaker
Entrepreneur, CEO, Board Member & Philanthropist
Moving from ideas to action: Showcase & celebration of Shikshagraha in action
About the Speaker
Dr Aditya Vishwanath is Co-founder of MakerGhat, a network of makerspaces and innovation labs that enables young people from low-income communities to learn through making, experimentation, and problem-solving. A researcher and technologist who also co-founded the XR learning company Inspirit, he works at the intersection of education, immersive technology, and social entrepreneurship to build 21st-century skills and inform systemic change in how classrooms prepare learners for the future.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 1: Technology
Brain Date 1: Growing Questions in STEM and Responsible AI
Exploring how enabling platforms, infrastructure, and emerging technologies—including AI—can amplify agency and drive system-level change in education. Showcasing innovations powering education equity, and concludes by recognising the hackathon winners turning ideas into action.
About the Speaker
Alex Beard is Senior Director of the Global Learning Lab at Teach For All, where he leads global research, knowledge sharing, and learning partnerships across the network. Beginning his career as a teacher in London, he has dedicated himself to understanding how learning can be transformed for rapidly changing societies. His work focuses on identifying promising, locally rooted innovations and connecting educators and leaders across countries to strengthen collective learning. Alex is also a widely published writer and speaker on the future of learning, leadership in education, and the skills young people need to thrive. He brings a global systems lens to improving education outcomes at scale.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 4: From Dialogue to Momentum: Why Intentional Spaces Matter?
Exploring how enabling platforms, infrastructure, and emerging technologies—including AI—can amplify agency and drive system-level change in education. Showcasing innovations powering education equity, and concludes by recognising the hackathon winners turning ideas into action.
About the Speaker
Ambika J is Director of Artificial Intelligence at Finastra, where she works on generative AI and advanced client solutions within global financial systems. A distinguished technologist with over two decades of experience, she has led development, quality, and release engineering across large-scale products, delivering more than 300 releases over her career. An Executive MBA graduate from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, Ambika has contributed to organisations including Yahoo! and Finastra. She is an IEEE Senior Member and leads initiatives such as the IEEE Computer Society Bangalore Chapter’s GirlGeeks programme, reflecting her commitment to inclusive, ethical, and future-ready technology leadership.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 1: Technology
Focusing on technology-led innovation in education, from AI-powered solutions to scalable digital platforms. The track brings together experienced voices from the field to share learnings, celebrate breakthrough ideas, and highlight solutions delivering real, system-level change.
Shri Anandrao V. Patil
About the Speaker
Shri Anandrao V. Patil is the Additional Secretary in the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India, where he steers key portfolios including PM POSHAN, digital initiatives, and programme management. An Indian Administrative Service officer with extensive experience in education and public administration, he focuses on using data, technology, and centre–state coordination to strengthen school nutrition, improve learning conditions, and advance the goals of the National Education Policy 2020.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Dates
Thematic open discussions curated by global institutions invoking curiosity, real stories, and meaningful connections
Smt. Archana Sharma Awasthi
About the Speaker
Smt. Archana Sharma Awasthi is Joint Secretary (SS-I & Adult Education Bureau) in the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India. She leads portfolios spanning adult education, literacy, gender and equity, adolescent education, and support to voluntary agencies, working to strengthen flagship initiatives such as ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram and make school and adult education more inclusive and effective.
Sessions by speaker
Painting a Vision for a Billion Futures: Learning’s from the Global South
A plenary-led launch, highlighting India’s leadership in shaping education transformation for the Global South
About the Speaker
Camila Pereira is CEO of Global School Leaders, an international non-profit that develops and supports school leaders across the Global South to improve teaching and learning for children in under-resourced communities. A social impact leader with extensive experience in education and leadership development, she previously served as Chief Impact Officer at the Lemann Foundation in Brazil, where she led large-scale initiatives to strengthen school leadership and education systems. She continues to champion school leaders as the crucial bridge between policy and classroom practice, shaping strategies, partnerships, and networks that enable them to drive equitable, systemic change in education.
Sessions by speaker
Painting a Vision for a Billion Futures: Learning’s from the Global South
A plenary-led launch, highlighting India’s leadership in shaping education transformation for the Global South
About the Speaker
Camille Massey is the President and CEO of Synergos, a global organisation dedicated to solving complex problems through trust-building, collaboration, and systems leadership. With a career spanning human rights, international development, philanthropy, and social innovation, she is known for bringing cross-sector partners together to create equitable and lasting change. Prior to Synergos, she held senior roles at the Council on Foreign Relations, Human Rights First, and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. Camille champions “bridging leadership” and community-centred approaches that strengthen social cohesion and unlock collective potential. She is deeply committed to advancing equity, peace, and wellbeing for vulnerable communities around the world.
Sessions by speaker
Painting a Vision for a Billion Futures: Learning’s from the Global South
A plenary-led launch, highlighting India’s leadership in shaping education transformation for the Global South
About the Speaker
Chetan Kapoor is CEO of Tech Mahindra Foundation, leading a portfolio of education and skilling initiatives across 11 cities that empower millions of young people from underprivileged backgrounds. With over two decades in the development sector, he conceptualised the Foundation’s flagship SMART (Skills-for-Market Training) programme—one of India’s largest CSR-led urban skilling efforts—and previously led operations at Agrasar, American India Foundation, Bharti Foundation, and Pratham. An MBA from IIFT, he drives the vision of “Empowerment through Education” by blending innovation, scale, and the Mahindra ethos of rising for an equal world.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 4: In Their Shoes: Rethinking Childhood Through Inclusion
Through a future readiness lens, examine how education systems can truly enable all children to thrive, highlighting unseen voices, current practices and the systemic shifts needed for real, meaningful inclusion
About the Speaker
Cynthia Rayner is a Senior Researcher and Adjunct Lecturer at the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business, and a Visiting Fellow at the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. Her research explores how organisations, governments, and communities work collectively to shape social systems, with a focus on practical methods that enable long-term, systemic social change. A former management consultant, she has worked across the corporate and nonprofit sectors, including roles with Generation Ubuntu, mothers2mothers, and the Starfish Greathearts Foundation, bringing strategy and systems thinking to issues of health, education, and child wellbeing in Southern Africa. Cynthia is co-author of “The Systems Work of Social Change” and is recognised internationally for bridging rigorous qualitative research with practitioner insight to strengthen movements for equity and collective leadership.
Sessions by speaker
Braindate 2 : Evidence in Motion - Collectivising Knowledge for Impact
Unbundling how evidence and storytelling shape belief, guide decisions, and sustain long-term systemic change
About the Speaker
Erica Arya is India Head of Project Tech4Dev, a global initiative empowering nonprofits with open-source technology, data tools, and fractional CxO services to drive efficiency, scale, and impact across the social sector. With over two decades of experience as a creator and innovator, she has designed digital transformation solutions for nonprofits, focusing on cost-effectiveness, speed, and quality while building teams and partnerships in India. Through Tech4Dev’s platforms like Glific and Dalgo, cohorts, and sprints, she supports organisations in education, health, and livelihoods to integrate technology that amplifies their missions and reaches underserved communities.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 4: Technology and Infrastructure
Exploring how enabling platforms, infrastructure, and emerging technologies—including AI—can amplify agency and drive system-level change in education. Showcasing innovations powering education equity, and concludes by recognising the hackathon winners turning ideas into action.
About the Speaker
Dr Harry Bregazzi is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Government Outcomes Lab, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. His research examines how governments can design and deliver public services through outcomes-based partnerships, with a particular focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. He has contributed to global learning on evidence-driven policymaking, public service reform, and innovative financing models. Harry also works with international networks of scholars and practitioners exploring peacebuilding, governance, and public sector capability. With expertise spanning data analysis, social policy, and institutional design, he brings a rigorous academic perspective to understanding what enables effective, accountable, and citizen-centred service delivery.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 2 : Evidence in Motion - Collectivising Knowledge for Impact
Unbundling how evidence and storytelling shape belief, guide decisions, and sustain long-term systemic change
Janhvi Maheshwari Kanoria
About the Speaker
Janhvi Maheshwari Kanoria is Executive Director of the Innovation Development Directorate at Education Above All, where she designs and scales innovative solutions to expand quality learning for the world’s most marginalised children across 50+ countries. With experience spanning government policy, higher education, and K–12 schooling, she leads work on digital schools, literacy and numeracy programmes, and future-ready school models, using education as a pathway to social equity and resilience.
Sessions by speaker
Leadership Spotlights &,
Brain Date 3: Nurturing Student Agency and 21st Century Skills in Classroom
First session: Understanding how financial, social, and intellectual capital can fuel movements when anchored in trust and partnership.
Second session: Exploring how learning experiences can enable students to drive their own learning, with a focus on practices that develop critical thinking, collaboration, and problem solving, key skills for the 21st century
About the Speaker
Jayshree Oberoi is Senior Director at The Akanksha Foundation, where she leads the Multiply Initiative, partnering with government systems to scale effective school transformation practices and improve learning outcomes. In this role, she works closely with government officials on advocacy, policy implementation, and building sustainable models for school development. With over three decades of experience, Jayshree brings a diverse background spanning school leadership, socio-emotional learning, environmental conservation, and people development. Prior to Akanksha, she worked with organisations including the Wildlife Institute of India, WWF-India, and the New England Aquarium. A teacher at heart, she is deeply committed to creating joyful, equitable learning spaces and empowering educators to lead change.g, she leads work on digital schools, literacy and numeracy programmes, and future-ready school models, using education as a pathway to social equity and resilience.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 3: Nurturing Student Agency and 21st Century Skills in Classroom
Jayshree Oberoi
About the Speaker
Jency Jacob is the Managing Editor of BOOM and has worked as a reporter and editor across Zee News, CNN-IBN, NDTV and Business Standard over the last 25 years. At BOOM, he set-up India’s first fact checking newsroom in 2016 and now manages a team of 25 enterprising fact checkers across India, Myanmar and Bangladesh. He also runs a daily business newsletter product called The Core. Jency is also a regular speaker at various national and international conferences, speaking about the importance of battling misinformation and the media’s role in countering them with credible and factual news stories. He has a bachelor’s degree in statistics and a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the Bombay College of Journalism
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 2: Evidence in Motion - Collectivising Knowledge for Impact
Unbundling how evidence and storytelling shape belief, guide decisions, and sustain long-term systemic change
About the Speaker
Karishma Galani is Co-Lead of the PraDigi Innovation Centre at Pratham International, where she builds generative AI-based education products and digital learning experiences for children across rural India and the Global South. With a decade in edtech, a Master’s in Education from Harvard University, and experience founding AI-based learning startups, she brings together learning science, product design, and technology to create playful, personalised tools that strengthen foundational skills at scale.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 1: Technology
Thematic open discussions curated by global institutions invoking curiosity, real stories, and meaningful connections
About the Speaker
Karishma Shanghvi is Director and Founder of Shikha Academy, a scalable school model providing high-quality, future-ready education to students from underserved backgrounds. She also leads Shikha Institute of Education and Shikha Labs, which focus on curriculum design and technology-enabled learning solutions. With academic training from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and advanced research in educational technology, she brings a research-driven lens to education reform. Karishma actively contributes to education and social impact networks and serves on boards advancing access, equity, and innovation in learning.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 1: Technology
Focusing on technology-led innovation in education, from AI-powered solutions to scalable digital platforms. The track brings together experienced voices from the field to share learnings, celebrate breakthrough ideas, and highlight solutions delivering real, system-level change.
About the Speaker
Kartik Dhar is the Global Chief Technology Officer at Project ECHO, overseeing the organisation’s technology vision and the development of iECHO, a population-scale digital platform that powers knowledge-sharing and capacity-building for healthcare providers in more than 200 countries and areas. Drawing on experience in consulting and startups, he leads the design of federated, microservices-based infrastructure that supports large public-health programmes—from India’s National TB and mental health programmes to global training initiatives—aimed at reaching millions of practitioners.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 1: Technology
Thematic open discussions curated by global institutions invoking curiosity, real stories, and meaningful connections
About the Speaker
Kumari Shibulal is the Founder and Chairperson of The Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives (SFPI), under which she has led a 25-year journey focused on transforming lives through education, healthcare, organic farming, and social welfare. Anchored in her belief that education is the cornerstone of nation-building, she has nurtured programmes such as Vidyadhan, Ankur, Vidyarakshak, The Samhita Academy, and ShikshaLokam, which expand access to quality learning and leadership development for students and school communities across India. Recognised among India’s most generous women philanthropists, Kumari continues to champion holistic, long-term investments that empower underserved families and build ecosystems of opportunity and dignity.
Sessions by speaker
About the Speaker
Lakshmi Pattabi Raman is Chief of Fund Orchestration at the Centre for Exponential Change, where she designs collaborative funding ecosystems to support system orchestrators tackling complex social challenges in education, health, livelihoods, equity, and climate at scale. With over two decades in the social sector, including roles at Omidyar Network India and The/Nudge, she bridges philanthropy, impact investing, and innovation to enable long-term, exponential impact for social entrepreneurs navigating interconnected problems. Her work emphasises co-creation, shared leadership, and reducing barriers for transformative journeys, fostering networks that amplify voices and capabilities in the global social innovation space.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 3 : Beyond Fundraising: Orchestrating Capital Flows for Systems Change
Understanding how financial, social, and intellectual capital can fuel movements when anchored in trust and partnership.
About the Speaker
Manisha Shah Nayyar is Philanthropy Partner (Asia) at Synergos, where she works with philanthropists and family offices to design collaborative, trust-based approaches that address complex social challenges across the region. Drawing on experience across private, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors, she supports members of the Global Philanthropists Circle to shift from project-based giving to long-term, ecosystem-strengthening investments rooted in local leadership and systems change.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 3 : Beyond Fundraising: Orchestrating Capital Flows for Systems Change
Understanding how financial, social, and intellectual capital can fuel movements when anchored in trust and partnership.
About the Speaker
Medha Krishnan is Co-Founder and CEO of a STEM learning enterprise that runs Natkhat STEM Labs, creating hands-on, inquiry-based science experiences that help children become problem-solvers and critical thinkers. With a background in public policy and management and experience working at the intersection of education and innovation, she focuses on making high-quality STEM learning accessible to children in under-resourced settings through contextual, activity-based programmes.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 1: Growing Questions in STEM and Responsible AI
Thematic discussions curated by anchor organisations deep-diving into collective priorities and next steps
About the Speaker
Meenakshi Ramesh is CEO Designate of Pratham Education Foundation, one of India’s largest education nonprofits, marking a meaningful return to the organisation where she began her social sector journey as a volunteer 25 years ago. With more than two decades of leadership across education, civic engagement, and media, including co-founding Oorvani Foundation, she brings deep experience in building scalable social impact initiatives that improve learning at population scale. In her new role, she will help steer Pratham’s next phase of innovation and partnerships while upholding its mission of ensuring every child is in school and learning well.
Sessions by speaker
Painting a Vision for a Billion Futures: Learning’s from the Global South
A plenary-led launch, highlighting India’s leadership in shaping education transformation for the Global South
About the Speaker
Nikunj Jhaveri is the Chairman and Founder of Systems Plus Group of Companies, which he established over four decades ago with a focus on building enduring, values-driven enterprises. Under his leadership, Systems Plus was an early adopter of the Global Capability Centre (GCC) model for mid-sized global companies, enabling access to India’s talent while preserving agility, culture, and control. He has built long-term partnerships with global enterprises grounded in trust and consistent delivery. Beyond business, Nikunj is committed to social impact through Systems Plus Cares, supporting grassroots work in education, health, and livelihoods, and mentoring young founders and students.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 3: Beyond Fundraising: Orchestrating Capital Flows for Systems Change
Understanding how financial, social, and intellectual capital can fuel movements when anchored in trust and partnership.
About the Speaker
Dr Pia Rebello Britto is Global Director of Education and Adolescent Development at UNICEF, providing strategic leadership on global education policy, early childhood development, and adolescent empowerment. A developmental psychologist with a PhD from Columbia University and former Yale faculty, she has shaped national early childhood systems in over 40 countries, integrating neuroscience into policy and championing SDG 4.2 for quality ECD to build equity, peace, and sustainable development. Her pioneering work on nurturing care, governance, finance, and climate-resilient education addresses the global learning crisis affecting millions, while advancing evidence-based interventions for foundational learning and social cohesion.
Sessions by speaker
Painting a Vision for a Billion Futures: Learning’s from the Global South
A plenary-led launch moment highlighting India’s leadership in shaping education transformation for the Global South
About the Speaker
Dr Pratibha Narayanan is Co-founder of Involve, a non-profit social enterprise that nurtures agency in students by enabling peer teaching and student-led learning in schools across India. A neuroscientist turned educationist and an Acumen Fellow, she brings classroom experience and research training to reimagine how young people take ownership of their learning, designing programmes and tools that help students become self-reliant, collaborative problem-solvers.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 2 : Evidence in Motion - Collectivising Knowledge for Impact
Brain Date 3: Nurturing Student Agency and 21st Century Skills in Classroom
Unbundling how evidence and storytelling shape belief, guide decisions, and sustain long-term systemic change
About the Speaker
Raj Gilda is Co-Founder and Vice President of Lend A Hand India, a unique organisation integrating vocational education into the secondary school curriculum in partnership with 23 state governments across India. A banker-turned-social entrepreneur who previously worked with Citibank and Deloitte across the USA, UK, and India, he leads government relations, resource mobilisation, and international operations while managing programmes that reach 0.8 million students in 8500+ schools. Appointed to India’s National Skill Development Agency, Raj continues to advocate for policy and execution alignment to transform education and employability for rural youth. , she leads work on digital schools, literacy and numeracy programmes, and future-ready school models, using education as a pathway to social equity and resilience.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 3: Nurturing Student Agency and 21st Century Skills in Classroom
Exploring how learning experiences can enable students to drive their own learning, with a focus on practices that develop critical thinking, collaboration, and problem solving, key skills for the 21st century
About the Speaker
Rucha Pande is the Founder of CoLab Global, a learning and collaboration space that brings together education practitioners, researchers, and system leaders to explore how complex change happens in public education systems. Through her experience as Chief Operating Officer at Mantra4Change, she has helped build programmes and partnerships across multiple states, strengthening leadership development, collective action, and ecosystem collaborations such as the Punjab Education Collective. With a decade of work in the education sector and an MA in Education from Azim Premji University, she specialises in designing for scale, nurturing communities of practice, and translating field insights into practical tools for systems change.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 2 : Evidence in Motion - Collectivising Knowledge for Impact
Unbundling how evidence and storytelling shape belief, guide decisions, and sustain long-term systemic change
About the Speaker
Sahil Pimpale is Senior Program Manager at the Centre for Wildlife Studies, where he works as a conservation educator and programme lead, engaging communities and young people in wildlife conservation and coexistence. Passionate about connecting people and nature, he supports field programmes, outreach, and learning initiatives that build awareness, stewardship, and pro-conservation behaviour across landscapes where people and wildlife share space.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 2: Growing Environmental Consciousness Through Collective Action
About the Speaker
Shri Sanjay Kumar is Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India, leading the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 across the school system. A senior Indian Administrative Service officer, he brings decades of experience in governance and education, overseeing large-scale initiatives such as Samagra Shiksha, PM SHRI, and national efforts in foundational learning, digital education, and inclusion.
Sessions by speaker
Reflections
About the Speaker
Sanjay Purohit is the CEO and Chief Curator of the Centre for Exponential Change, where he advances “Societal Thinking” as an open approach to solving complex challenges at a population scale. With over three decades of experience across corporate and development sectors, he has worked with hundreds of change leaders in more than 20 countries on areas such as education, climate action, healthcare, gender equity, and livelihoods, helping them design for speed, scale, and sustainability. His work, captured in his “Think Books” and related writings, focuses on curating ideas, networks, and technology platforms that enable collaborative problem-solving, while he also mentors mission-driven organisations and co-founded apurva.ai to amplify collective wisdom through AI.
Sessions by speaker
Shikshagraha Utsav : Opening
Moving from ideas to action: Showcase & celebration of Shikshagraha in action
About the Speaker
Dr Santhosh Mathew is the India Country Lead for Public Policy and Finance at the Gates Foundation, where he leads work on state capacity, public finance, health systems design, and philanthropic partnerships. A political economist and former Indian Administrative Service officer of the Bihar cadre, he served for over three decades in senior roles including Additional Chief Secretary, Chair of the National Council for Teacher Education, and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development. His work has spanned rural development, skills and employment, and education reform, combining policy design with on-the-ground implementation across Indian states. Dr Mathew continues to contribute to national and global development debates through board roles and advisory positions, advancing evidence-informed governance and investments that improve outcomes for low-income communities.
Sessions by speaker
SD Shibulal
Co-founder, Infosys
About the Speaker
S. D. Shibulal is Co-founder of Infosys and one of India’s most respected technology and business leaders. After serving as CEO and MD of Infosys, he expanded his focus to entrepreneurship, impact-driven investments, and philanthropy. As Founder of ShikshaLokam, he is committed to strengthening India’s public education system through leadership development and collective action. His work spans digital public goods, systems transformation, and enabling millions of education leaders to drive micro-improvements within schools. Through initiatives under the Shibulal Family Philanthropic Investments, he supports large-scale programmes in learning, skilling, and societal development. He continues to champion technology-enabled solutions for inclusive and equitable growth.
Sessions by speaker
Welcome Address
Setting the stage for two-day dialogue towards strengtheing leadership for a billion learners
About the Speaker
Shruti Shibulal is Executive Vice Chair of Tamara Leisure Experiences, a hospitality group known for its commitment to responsible tourism and sustainable luxury. She has helped shape Tamara’s portfolio of resorts and hotels in India and Europe, embedding environmental stewardship, renewable energy use, and local employment into the core business model. A strong advocate for inclusive growth, Shruti launched SAATHIYA, a hospitality skilling initiative that equips young people from disadvantaged backgrounds with industry-relevant skills and career pathways in hotels and restaurants. She also serves as a Trustee of the Advaith Foundation, SD Foundation, and ATREE, where she supports programmes in education, healthcare, and ecological conservation that enable communities to thrive alongside thriving enterprises.
Sessions by speaker
Shikshagraha Utsav : Opening
Moving from ideas to action: Showcase & celebration of Shikshagraha in action
About the Speaker
Sonali Saini is Founder and Executive Director of Sol’s ARC (Sol’s Assessment and Remedial Centre), a nonprofit advancing inclusive education and better learning outcomes for children and youth from marginalised and vulnerable communities. A special educator and social entrepreneur, she has developed inclusive curricula, assessment tools, and technology-enabled models that support diverse learners, including children with disabilities, and partners with governments and NGOs to embed these approaches into mainstream education and skilling systems.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 4: In Their Shoes: Rethinking Childhood Through Inclusion
Thematic invite-only discussions curated by anchor organisations deep-diving into collective priorities and next steps
About the Speaker
Sophia Otoo is Programme and Community Lead at the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, part of the World Economic Forum, where she curates a global community of leading social innovators and their partners. Her work centres on designing programmes, peer-learning spaces, and platforms for collaboration that enable social entrepreneurs, public leaders, and businesses to co-create solutions and scale impact on systemic challenges worldwide.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 4: From Dialogue to Momentum: Why Intentional Spaces Matter?
Thematic open discussions curated by global institutions invoking curiosity, real stories, and meaningful connections
Dr Subramanian Rangan
About the Speaker
Dr Subramanian “Subi” Rangan is Professor of Strategy and Management at INSEAD, where he also holds the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court Endowed Chair in Societal Progress. His work explores how leaders and institutions can integrate economic performance with social purpose, reimagining capitalism for an era of systemic challenges. A widely respected thinker, he founded the Society for Progress, a global community of scholars and practitioners examining the moral foundations of markets. His teaching and research span global strategy, sustainable development, and the evolution of leadership from transactional outcomes to transformational outlook. Dr Rangan is known for shaping conversations on responsible business and societal progress.
Sessions by speaker
Shikshagraha Awards
Recognising champion leaders who are driving equity and innovations in education ecosystem
About the Speaker
Dr Urvashi Sahni is an educationist, social entrepreneur, and a leading voice in girls’ rights and feminist pedagogy in India. She is the President and CEO of the Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF), which delivers quality, rights-based education to thousands of girls from marginalised communities. As Co-founder of Catalyst 2030, she also helps convene global social innovators to accelerate systems change. Over four decades, her work has influenced national education policy, strengthened government partnerships, and advanced community-driven models of schooling. She is recognised internationally for developing scalable approaches that nurture agency, critical thinking, and leadership among girls, transforming both classrooms and communities.
Sessions by speaker
Shikshagraha Awards
Recognising champion leaders who are driving equity and innovations in education ecosystem
About the Speaker
Vyjayanthi Mala is Chief of the Open Learning Network at the Centre for Exponential Change, where she works on making “Societal Thinking” practices accessible to change leaders through open resources, communities, and learning experiences. A climate action enthusiast with a background in community building and communications, she curates stories, tools, and peer spaces that help practitioners across sectors design for scale, resilience, and shared ownership in their work.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 2 : Evidence in Motion - Collectivising Knowledge for Impact
Unbundling how evidence and storytelling shape belief, guide decisions, and sustain long-term systemic change
About the Speaker
Wendy Kopp is the CEO and Co-founder of Teach For All, a global network of independent organisations working to expand educational opportunity in over 60 countries. She founded Teach For America in 1990, catalysing a new generation of leaders committed to addressing educational inequity in the United States. With Teach For All, she has extended this mission globally by supporting locally led organisations and cultivating a worldwide community of educators, social entrepreneurs, and systems leaders. Wendy’s work has shaped education reform for over three decades, emphasising collective leadership, community partnership, and long-term systemic change to ensure every child can fulfil their potential.
Sessions by speaker
Fireside Chat: Leadership in the New Age
Exploring evolving models of leadership and collaboration from across the globe
Shri Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar
Member of Parliament, Mysore
About the Speaker
Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar is an elected member of parliament, representing the Mysore constituency in Karnataka and the 27th Custodian of the Royal House of Mysore, a lineage that has played a central role in Karnataka’s cultural, educational, and social development for centuries. Educated in economics and English literature in the United States, he combines heritage stewardship with a modern, community-oriented outlook. He is actively involved in philanthropic initiatives, cultural preservation, youth engagement, and public outreach on issues of regional and national significance. Yaduveer continues to champion Mysuru’s rich traditions while promoting progressive development rooted in social responsibility, sustainability, and public service.
Sessions by speaker
Shikshagraha Utsav : Opening
Moving from ideas to action: Showcase & celebration of Shikshagraha in action
About the Speaker
Saidevi (Sai) Sanjeeviraja is the Founder and CEO of Thicket Tales, a nature-based education initiative that reconnects children, families, and communities with the natural world through experiential, place-based learning. Growing up in the foothills of the Western Ghats shaped her belief that curiosity and inquiry are best nurtured through direct engagement with nature. Through programmes such as Learn Around Nature and Backyard Study Retreats, Thicket Tales has created immersive learning experiences for children across Bengaluru, integrating science, geography, and civic responsibility. Her work is grounded in inclusion, partnering with schools, communities, and public institutions to make nature-based learning accessible in urban contexts.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 2: Growing Environmental Consciousness Through Collective Action
Positioning environmental consciousness at the heart of learning, explore how classrooms and systems can respond to children’s climate realities while fostering values, agency, and collective responsibility
About the Speaker
Shabnam Sinha is an Independent Director on the Board of Airtel Payments Bank, where she chairs the Special Committee on Monitoring Frauds and serves on the Risk Management and IT Committees. With over three decades of experience, she has demonstrated leadership across development banking, investment and blended finance, public policy, and impact measurement. A former senior professional at the World Bank, she worked on governance, risk management, and results-based financing across South Asia, East Asia, and Africa. Her career spans senior roles in multilateral institutions, government, and the private sector, with sectoral expertise in MSMEs, skills and jobs, entrepreneurship, and technology-enabled education.
Sessions by speaker
Shikshagraha Awards
Recognising champion leaders who are driving equity and innovations in education ecosystem
About the Speaker
Vidhya Meenambal is Director of the School Leadership Development Programme at Vidhya Vidhai Foundation, where she leads work to strengthen leadership, organisational capacity, and school culture in K–12 schools. The SLDP initiative partners with educators and school leaders to embed child-centred practices and sustained organisational improvement across diverse learning environments. A seasoned educationist and advocate for equitable learning systems, Vidhya brings deep experience in facilitating change, professional learning, and collaborative practice within school communities. She engages with practitioners, leaders, and sector partners to scale effective leadership models that support improved outcomes for children and their school ecosystems.rt diverse learners, including children with disabilities, and partners with governments and NGOs to embed these approaches into mainstream education and skilling systems.
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 4: Inclusion
Through a future readiness lens, examine how education systems can truly enable all children to thrive, highlighting unseen voices, current practices and the systemic shifts needed for real, meaningful inclusion
About the Speaker
Vikram Bhat is the Chief Executive Officer of Scale Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, where he works at the intersection of education reform, institutional capacity, and systems change. He brings a diverse blend of nonprofit and corporate experience across education, government, technology, and finance. Most recently, Vikram served as Director of the Bangalore International Centre. Earlier, he was part of the Education Task Force with the Government of Delhi, contributing to the transformation of government schools. He has also held leadership roles at Dream a Dream and Teach For India, and began his career in finance at Sanford Bernstein & Co..
Sessions by speaker
Brain Date 4: Convenings and Dialogues
Exploring need for intentional spaces of dialogue that build trust, align purpose, and turn fragmented efforts into collective momentum
Shikshagraha Awards
Celebrating Leadership in Education Equity
Launched in 2025, The Shikshagraha Awards, instituted by The Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives, celebrate leaders who go beyond their roles to create an equitable and inclusive education ecosystem. Every year at InvokED, we honour these unsung heroes selected by a jury chair who make the vision of an equitable future a reality by driving systemic change in their communities.
Watch the impact story of past awardees:
Rajan Kumar
Rajitha N
Championed inclusivity in early childhood education for marginalised children.
Xavier Chandra Kumar
Created a safe, inclusive school environment, tackling caste discrimination.
Muskan (Special Mention)
Created an enriching learning space for young readers with ‘Kitabi Masti’, a community-driven library initiative.
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Why Attend
Shape a Better Future for Children
Build an understanding of how to ensure that all our children exercise their right to dream, learn and succeed, and know why we need an education movement for it.
Hear Stories and Get Inspired
Deep dive into the art of movement orchestration, explore visionary leadership in education, and envision the transformative 2030 roadmap for education in India.
Meet, Listen and Exchange Ideas
Meet peers, experts, influencers, philanthropists and storytellers. Exchange ideas with others and takeback learnings to boost your organisation’s programs.
If you are interested in co-creating the space with us or have any questions/feedback,
write to Shwetha Kamath, Head- Ecosystem Development at shwetha@shikshalokam.org