The Team
Meet the dedicated professionals driving excellence in every aspect of our program.
Our team is composed of experienced professionals with a shared passion for transforming schools. Each member brings unique expertise in leadership, operations, academic development, and strategic planning, ensuring that every school we work with receives tailored solutions that deliver real, lasting impact. Together, we are committed to empowering schools, fostering academic growth, and building strong educational systems that thrive.
Academic Experts
(Expert in Education and Financial Literacy)
Mr. Jaydeb Kar is a distinguished educator and Financial Literacy Ambassador, dedicated to advancing the quality of education through a wide range of initiatives. His work with organizations like SEBI, NCFE, and various other educational bodies showcases his commitment to enhancing educational standards and promoting financial literacy. As a CBSE Helpline Counsellor and Master Trainer, Mr. Kar offers expert guidance to educators and students, helping them navigate academic and personal challenges.
Certified as a School Accreditation Assessor by NABET (QCI), Mr. Kar plays a crucial role in ensuring educational institutions meet high standards of quality. He is also a Curriculum Content Advisor at Futurristic Systech Pvt. Ltd. and Startup@School, where he advocates for the integration of entrepreneurial skills in education. His role as a Microsoft Innovative Educator enables him to incorporate technology seamlessly into teaching practices, making learning more interactive and effective.
Mr. Kar has served as a Resource Person for NIPCCD and as the Chief Education Advisor for I-Infinity Inc. (I3), where he has worked to enhance and innovate educational methodologies. His professional journey includes collaborations with prestigious organizations such as the Reliance Education Foundation, Adani (SEZ), Tata, and the Calorx Research Education Foundation. He has also held the position of Academic Head for the Vidya Bhavan Group of Schools in Indore.
An alumnus of RIE-Bhubaneswar (NCERT) and IIM Calcutta, Mr. Kar has more than 22 years of combined experience in education and corporate sectors. He has trained over 1,400 teachers and 250 principals, reinforcing his dedication to fostering excellence at all levels of education. As a prolific columnist for The Times of India NIE Edition, Rajasthan Patrika, and Dainik Bhaskar, Mr. Kar also actively contributes to mental health initiatives in education through his involvement in Manodarpan (MoE). Mr. Kar’s extensive experience and commitment to education make him an invaluable asset to the School Excellence Program, where his expertise guides schools toward achieving academic and operational excellence.
(A Visionary Leader in Education)
Mrs. Nupoora N. Kulkarni is a distinguished academician with over 33 years of experience in the field of education. Known for her exceptional leadership and transformative approach, she has held pivotal roles as the head of several renowned schools across central India, impacting educational institutions with her visionary guidance. Throughout her career, Mrs. Kulkarni has built a strong reputation as an expert in educational leadership, administration, and corporate training, influencing not only students and teachers but also parents, creating a holistic learning environment.
Her approach to education is built on the philosophy of “Empower, Evolve, and Excel,” which emphasizes the importance of empowering individuals to reach their full potential, evolving with changing educational demands, and striving for continuous excellence. Mrs. Kulkarni’s leadership is deeply rooted in integrity, ethics, and a commitment to fostering sustainable excellence in schools. Her work is characterized by a focus on improving academic performance, enhancing operational efficiency, and developing strong leadership frameworks that empower school communities to thrive.
As a corporate trainer, Mrs. Kulkarni has designed and implemented impactful training programs for teachers, students, and parents, ensuring that all stakeholders in the educational ecosystem are equipped to support the development of future generations. Her commitment to excellence is further reflected in her ability to rapidly identify challenges within institutions and guide them toward lasting solutions.
Under her leadership at the School Excellence Program, Mrs. Kulkarni fosters an environment of trust, collaboration, and sustainable success, helping schools build legacies of excellence that extend beyond immediate results. Her work not only transforms institutions but also nurtures a deep sense of responsibility toward shaping the future of education. Through her mentorship and guidance, Mrs. Kulkarni is helping educational institutions reach new heights and establish a culture of excellence that will endure for years to come.
Training Experts
(Training Expert at School Excellence Program)
Mrs. Ronika Gagneja Valecha is a highly respected Educationist, Trainer, and Motivational Speaker with over 25 years of experience in the field of school education. She has made a significant impact by training thousands of teachers, principals, students, and parents across Madhya Pradesh and nationwide through online training programs. As a Master Trainer for CBSE and a Resource Person for various Teacher Training programs conducted by the CBSE Centres of Excellence (COE) in Pune, Ajmer, and Bhopal, she brings immense expertise in educational development.
In addition to her work in education, Mrs. Valecha is a corporate trainer, an Art of Living Faculty, and an accomplished artist and fashion designer. Her multifaceted skills enable her to address a wide range of topics in her training sessions, focusing on personal development, leadership, and holistic well-being.
Mrs. Valecha’s contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the ‘Utkrisht Shikshak Sammaan’ in 2015, ‘Best Teacher Award’ in 2016, ‘Rashtriya Shikshak Sammaan’ in 2018, ‘Principal Par Excellence’ Award in 2022, and the ‘Swami Vivekananda National Principals Award’ in 2024. She is also an ambassador for the ‘School Health and Wellness Program’ initiated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with CBSE, NCERT, and UNESCO.
Her expertise and passion for education make Mrs. Valecha a key figure in the School Excellence Program. Her approach to training inspires educational leaders and educators to embrace excellence, fostering environments that nurture the growth of both students and teachers alike.
(An expert of trainings)
Mr. Mani Chawla is a seasoned educator with a diverse academic background, holding a B.Com in Tax, M.Com in Applied Economics, PGDM in Finance, MBA in HR, B.Ed, and multiple MA degrees in Economics, Psychology, and English. Currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Psychology, Mr. Chawla brings over 13 years of experience in education, including 5 years as a School Principal.
As a Principal, Mr. Chawla has demonstrated exceptional leadership in supervising large student groups, promoting student engagement, and enhancing the overall learning experience. Additionally, as a school psychologist, Mr. Chawla provides counselling on various student issues, integrating emotional and mental well-being into the educational environment.
Mr. Chawla is also a highly experienced trainer and CBSE Resource Person, having conducted over 40 training sessions and workshops for educators. With a focus on empowering teachers and creating a positive school culture, Mr. Chawla brings valuable insights into school management, instructional leadership, and professional development.
As an expert with the School Excellence Program, Mr. Chawla is committed to supporting schools in achieving their goals of excellence through targeted training, strategic leadership, and fostering continuous improvement within the educational system. With a passion for creativity and productivity, Mr. Chawla is dedicated to enhancing both teaching and administrative practices in schools across India.
Audit Experts
(Expert in School Audit and Educational Excellence)
Dr. Hepesh Shepherd is a distinguished educator with over three decades of experience in both Higher and School education. As an expert in school audits, Dr. Shepherd has successfully led numerous initiatives to assess, evaluate, and enhance the quality of educational institutions. His profound understanding of educational systems, combined with his expertise in implementing operational and strategic improvements, positions him as a key figure in educational audits within the School Excellence Program.
Dr. Shepherd has a proven track record of conducting comprehensive audits that evaluate key aspects of school operations, from academic performance and curriculum effectiveness to student well-being and stakeholder engagement. His approach is holistic, focusing not only on the academic outcomes but also on the infrastructure, leadership, and community relationships that contribute to a school’s overall success.
With a keen eye for detail, Dr. Shepherd has developed standard operating procedures (SOPs), updated curricula, and formulated strategies to enhance both the educational environment and pastoral care for students. He has also been instrumental in driving school rebranding initiatives, ensuring that schools align with best practices and maintain a strong reputation in the community.
His commitment to educational excellence and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ensures that his audits lead to actionable insights that foster long-term success. Dr. Shepherd’s expertise goes beyond traditional audits by incorporating modern educational trends, 21st-century skills, and the growing need for sustainability in school operations.
Through his work with the School Excellence Program, Dr. Shepherd continues to lead educational audits that help schools achieve their goals of excellence. His leadership in this area helps schools not only meet but exceed expectations, providing a roadmap for continuous improvement and sustainable success in education.
Expert Administration
(A keen learner of Administration)
Wg Cdr SK Khanuja (Retd.), with over 23 years of distinguished service in the Indian Air Force, is an expert in administration, leadership, Human Resource and organizational management. He was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1997 and served in the Administration branch, holding key positions, including Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (Dy C Adm O) at one of the largest air bases in India and Joint Director Personal Officer (JDPO-3E) at the Integrated Headquarter of Ministry of Defence, Vayu Bhawan (Air Headquarters), New Delhi.
Throughout his career, Wg Cdr SK Khanuja (Retd.) has been recognized for his exceptional service, receiving a Commendation from the Chief of the Air Staff and medals such as ‘Operation Vijay’ and ‘Operation Vijay Star’ for his contributions during the Kargil War. After retiring in 2021, he transitioned to a General Manager role, overseeing the overall administration, HR management, and financial operations of an educational institution. His strategic leadership and expertise in organizational management make him a valuable asset to the School Excellence Program. His focus on optimizing school administration, enhancing HR systems, and ensuring financial efficiency provides critical insights for fostering operational excellence in educational institutions. His approach enables schools to streamline operations, improve productivity, and create sustainable systems for long-term success. He claims himself to be a learner/ student of the Administration and HR management as these fields are dynamic, hence requires quick understanding and swift adaption.