The resolve behind the brand of education we have built at Shiv Nadar School is based on the premise that we have a part to play in shaping the future.
Our model of education requires cohesion and understanding between every stakeholder to be truly effective. Our philosophy is supported by value-led action. A child and his world of unending possibilities and imaginations is our constant inspiration. Giving him an advantage, helping him change from a place of strength is our goal.
The School Management, Teachers and Parents are partners in achieving excellence, as well as mentors throughout the child’s unending yet joyful road of knowledge delivery and construction. Our intent of imparting a superlative education experience becomes real only because of the thoughtful support and diligence of all stakeholders, whom we seek to introduce to you in this section.
Arti has been an integral part of Shiv Nadar School’s journey since inception, with an incredible journey of growth and leadership within the Shiv Nadar School. Over the years, she has exemplified a deep commitment to nurturing and fostering a progressive educational environment and driving organizational growth.With a degree in Commerce from Delhi University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management and Computer Applications, Arti began her career in advertising before finding her AHA! in the world of Human Resources. She had exciting stints at Ogilvy and Mather, NIIT Ltd. and Motherson Sumi Infotech & Designs Ltd.Arti, a versatile professional, joined HCL Technologies in 2007 and later founded the People & Culture team at Shiv Nadar School in 2011. Over the past 12 years, she has led team building, onboarding, and middle leadership development, contributing to exceptional processes, a positive work culture, and assembled a team of over 1,100 committed educators. Her team’s sustained efforts led to Shiv Nadar School’s recognition as a Great Place to Work (GPTW) for five consecutive years.From 2019 to 2024, as COO, she played a vital role in organizational development, school operations, and strategic growth, ensuring seamless governance across all campuses. In January 2024, she took on the role of Deputy CEO, working closely with central and school leadership, gaining a deep understanding of our schools' aspirations and strengths while preparing for this transition.With her deep-rooted experience of over 25 years and long-standing association with Shiv Nadar School, Arti as the CEO brings continuity and a strong commitment of our values and vision of ‘Education for Life’.Known for her infectious joie de vivre and energy, her mantra in life is that excellence is not an act but a habit. She enjoys travelling and exploring new places with her husband and daughter in her spare time.
With over 30 years of experience in education, Mrs. Wal has been a visionary leader and a passionate advocate for progressive learning. As the Founding Principal of Shiv Nadar School Faridabad, Mrs. Wal has been instrumental in establishing the school as a beacon of academic excellence and holistic education. She played a key role in setting up the school's operational and academic frameworks, introducing robust processes to ensure quality teaching and learning. Her strategic vision led to the successful implementation of progressive curriculums enriching the academic journey for students. Under her stewardship, the Faridabad campus has consistently achieved outstanding results, built strong parent and community partnerships, and fostered a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity.In recognition of her exceptional leadership, Mrs. Wal was recently honored with the Pearson International School Leader of the Year 2024 Award for the Asia Region, further cementing her reputation as a trailblazer in education. Her unwavering dedication and inspiring leadership have created a thriving learning ecosystem, leaving an indelible mark on the Shiv Nadar School community.As the Director of Education, she leads the academic and education vertical of Shiv Nadar School and oversees the academic strategy, pedagogical framework, and holistic development initiatives across all Shiv Nadar School campuses, driving excellence in education and shaping the future of learning at our institutions.
Ms. Anju Soni, Principal of Shiv Nadar School, Noida, follows a ‘learner-centred’ approach. She also looks after the High School students as the Senior School Head. The expanse of her horizons ensures that her students fare favourably both within and beyond the confines of the school.She comes with a deep understanding of the National Curriculum Framework and supports the school management and Leadership in building the School on goals of academic rigour, creativity, and community service by ensuring the implementation of the Academic Calendar. She is also an integral part of the assessment team that ensures the efficacy of the teaching-learning process.Ms. Soni holds a Master Degree in English Literature and Bachelor’s degree in Education. She is a learning pedagogue with over 20 years of rich experience in imparting education and training in the English Language. She enables students to become independent, lifelong learners and promotes intercultural awareness to foster tolerance, respect, and empathy. Ms. Soni plays an active role in supporting the management in school review and improvement framework to develop future strategic planning and accountability while establishing trust among the team for the required changes. She drives pastoral initiatives to promote Student Leadership Structures by closely working with and mentoring the student leaders who are a part of the student council. Ms. Soni regularly engages with all the stakeholders (parents, students, staff, leadership team) and conducts initial interviews for prospective students and new staff members.
With over 28 years of rich academic and administrative experience, Padmini Sambasivam has made an indelible mark as an educator and leader. She has successfully steered some of the most prestigious institutions in India and abroad, combining vision with transformative action. A Zoology graduate from Stella Maris College, she holds advanced degrees in Environmental Toxicology, Genetics, and Education, reflecting her deep commitment to interdisciplinary learning and excellence.Padmini’s illustrious career includes pivotal roles at renowned organisations such as The Krishnamurthi Foundation, Bala Vidya Mandir, Arsha Vidya Mandir, The Peevees Group (KSA), and The Welham Girls’ School, Dehradun. As a forward-thinking instructional leader, she has consistently championed innovative pedagogies, holistic education, and the integration of arts and sports into mainstream academics. Her expertise lies in 21st-century education practices, child welfare, and mental well-being.A staunch advocate for experiential learning, Padmini is currently the founding principal of Shiv Nadar School, Chennai, where she is involved in setting up an IB school where learning through inquiry forms the foundation of academic and personal growth. She believes in nurturing education “by design rather than by default,” creating environments where students thrive academically, creatively, and emotionally.Beyond academics, Padmini’s interests are vast and inspiring. As a former NCC Air Wing cadet and trained solo pilot, she represented Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry in Republic Day celebrations. Her adventurous spirit has seen her trek the Himalayas and Mount Kailash, raft the Ganges, and explore the African wilderness. A passionate debater and public speaker, she also has a love for performing arts and community service, which she embraced wholeheartedly as a student and continues to champion today.Padmini’s dedication to education and leadership has been widely recognised with awards such as the ‘School Leader of the Year,’ ‘Distinguished Service Award,’ ‘Exemplary Leadership Award,’ and ‘Best Teacher Award.’ Guided by the philosophy of “thriving, not just surviving,” she approaches challenges as opportunities to push boundaries, unlock potential, and inspire excellence in herself and others.
A passionate educator with over 2 decades of exploring and learning in the education space, she believes that the classroom and the surrounding world is an experience that has to be lived to understand.A graduate with a B.Ed. from Calcutta University, she has taught English and Humanities for many years. Her academic experiences range from sustained classroom teaching on national and international platforms to supporting schools in their journey with understanding diagnostic testing. In a former engagement, she led a team of professionals through the School Quality Assessment and Accreditation process of the CBSE. Chairing the domain of Student Learning and Wellbeing during the process of Council of International Schools Accreditation was another enriching experience.Since joining Shiv Nadar School Faridabad in 2020 as an Academic Coordinator, Mrs. Chakraborty has contributed significantly to the school’s growth, including setting up the IGCSE curriculum, supporting educators, and leading parent orientations. She also held leadership roles at Shiv Nadar School Noida, where she implemented the IG, IBDP, and MYP curricula as the Head of International Curriculum. A seasoned educator with over 27 years of experience, Mrs. Chakraborty has held leadership positions in renowned institutions and is a recipient of the prestigious IC3 "Counsellor of the Year" Award 2017.An extremely bright scholar, with a special expertise in the area of assessments, she brings with her a rich experience with stints at Notre Dame Academy (Pune), Educational Initiatives Pvt Ltd, and Pathways School (Noida) amongst others.From being a loved educator to a respected Head of Department, her journey has brought immense learning along the way. Deblina continues to share her experiences and learn from her colleagues and students. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with friends and family, and spending hours with senior family members and neighbours, listening to their stories of wisdom.
Sameer Arora is the Principal of Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon, with over 24 years of experience as a leader, collaborator, and educator. He is dedicated to helping children and those under his care achieve their goals and build meaningful futures.He holds a Master’s degree in Commerce, a degree in Education, and certifications in leadership from Columbia Business School and the International Baccalaureate. A seasoned career counselor trained by The College Board and UCLA, Sameer has contributed to international organizations like the International Association for College Admission Counseling. He has also founded travel-based start-ups offering experiential education, visited top schools practicing Multiple Intelligences in the U.S., and volunteered at UK summer schools and has engaged with global educational influencers such as Howard Gardner. Sameer has led the “Unlock Hour” program for National Geographic Channel in India.His dedication to excellence and service has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Distinguished Service Award from the Duke of Edinburgh Award Authority, India, and accolades from the Asian Regional Space Settlement Design Competition and Punarjyot, an organization fostering peace between India and Pakistan through cultural and academic exchange. In addition, Sameer has been honored with the Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction Award by the National Society of High School Scholars, USA, and the Inspirational Educator Award by the International Alliance of Counsellors & Educators.He also volunteers his time with global initiatives such as Rise Projects and HundrED, where he reviews and supports youth-driven impact projects and scalable education innovations.As a prolific speaker, he shares his expertise at platforms hosted by ed-tech companies, higher education institutes, and government trade commissions.Sameer is driven by a mission to shape environmentally conscious, mindful, and curious individuals who can create a peaceful and better world. Inspired by human potential, he channels his energy into transforming the lives of students and educators.In his downtime, he finds joy in travel, his dogs, books, and music—pursuing life's passions with the same zeal he brings to education.
An alumna of Fisher College of Business, The Ohio State University (USA) with a Post Graduate Degree in Business Management, Vandana also has a Doctorate in Management – Digital Learning. A gold medallist Master’s in science from the University of Bombay and an Executive Alumnus of IIM, Lucknow, she carries a rich global experience of over 20 years in the EdTech domain with expertise in Product Positioning and Strategy, Business Expansion, and Market Entry Strategies, Digital & Organic Marketing, Marketing Automation, Product Development, Reporting & Analytics Tools, Strategic Alliances, and Partnerships.Vandana has worked in global setups and has been associated with the education space for the past ten years with K-12, EdTech and Training organisations. Soon after her MBA, she worked with global organizations such as International Techne Group Inc. (Cincinnati, USA) and Virtusa (Fremont, USA). She was also the Founder and Promoter of Going2USA.com (an Internet Start-up based in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA) for five years.After moving to India, she joined Hindustan Times as Head - Product Management & Business Alliances, followed by a stint with GEMS Education as General Manager - Business Strategy and Operations. Vandana was later associated with The Princeton Review (Manya Group) as Vice President - Product Strategy, Global Partnerships, and Marketing. She was also the Director - Products with the Global University System (GUS), where she played a crucial role in enhancing the online portfolio across all product lines. She led the Product division for the company defining the long-term product roadmap based on market research, competition mapping, data analytics, market evaluation, and organization strategy.Vandana enjoys travelling and spends her free time painting rocks and bottles, singing, creating music albums, and creating fusion-themed home décor items with a mix of ceramics, quilling, pebbles, and acrylic paint. She strongly believes in the power of will, congruency, and the right attitude.
Lt Col Sandeep Singh (Retired) holds the position of Director – Administration & Operations, Shiv Nadar School. He is responsible for providing administrative leadership and overseeing the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of all campuses centrally which includes verticals such as infrastructure & facilities management, school operations management, regulatory and statutory compliances, legal and new projects. A veteran officer, he joined the Shiv Nadar School Gurgaon leadership team in 2021 as the Head - Administration & Operations, with a classical operational and administrative background after a military career spanning twenty-two years. Col Sandeep has been an educator par excellence and has taught officers of foreign armies at Military Intelligence School, Pune. He considers his tenure as an educator as the singular high point of his career. During his tenure in the Indian Armed forces, he performed challenging assignments at high altitude and on an active line of control. According to Col Sandeep, his last assignment as ‘Director Operations & Admin’ Delhi Cantonment was arguably the most challenging one, where he oversaw several big-ticket infrastructure projects. A business management postgraduate and an avid reader, Col Sandeep is also a keen traveller and a Formula 1 enthusiast. Equally at ease while discussing equities, spirituality, and realpolitik, he hopes to find his ‘AHA’ at Shiv Nadar School amongst creative minds.
With over 12 years of transformative HR management experience in the dynamic sectors of Media and Education, Amit Heads our People and Culture function with a deep passion for human transformational initiatives. As the Head of People and Culture, he collaborates closely with our leadership team to champion innovative people practices, foster a vibrant and inclusive culture, and ensure the well-being and growth of every employee. He firmly believes that our people remain at the heart of everything we do and that our workplace continues to be a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive environment.Amit's journey with Shiv Nadar School began in 2015 as a People and Culture Partner at the Noida campus, eventually leading to his promotion as People and Culture Lead in 2017. By 2021, Amit had transitioned to the Core Team, where he now plays a pivotal role in overseeing and enhancing people and culture practices across our six dynamic campuses, including our Corporate Team.Certified as a Great Place to Work® Professional by the Great Place to Work® Institute, India, his pursuit of enhancing organizational culture demonstrates his commitment to excellence.He holds a postgraduate degree in Human Resources Management from Amity Business School, Noida, and a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Karunya University, Coimbatore.Raised amidst the serene beauty of the Andaman Islands, Amit is an avid reader, a two-time Table Tennis school games champion, and an enthusiastic follower of Formula 1 and Football.
With more than 12 years of experience in Corporate Finance, Ankit Gupta Heads the Finance vertical at Shiv Nadar School, ensuring financial health and sustainability. As the Head of Finance, he oversees Financial Strategy and Planning, Budget Management, Financial Reporting and Analysis, Audit and Compliance, Revenue Management, and the development of Financial Policies and Procedures. Ankit's journey with our group began in 2015 at HCL Corporation, the holding company of HCL Technologies. During his tenure at HCL, he gained extensive experience in budgeting and forecasting, FP&A, monitoring and controls, financial operations, and financial modelling. In 2018, Ankit transitioned to the Shiv Nadar School Corporate team, quickly rising through the ranks to become the Head of Finance. Ankit is a qualified Chartered Accountant from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and holds a bachelor's degree in Commerce from Meerut University. Beyond his professional achievements, Ankit is passionate about travelling and cricket, bringing a well-rounded perspective to his role.
Payal Kapur is the Executive Head of Coaching & Mentoring at Shiv Nadar School. A passionate and innovative educator, with close to 30 years of experience, she has a deep understanding of children's educational needs. She joined the Shiv Nadar School team in 2013.A student of English and an alumna of Kolkata University, Payal began her career as a member of the senior school English faculty at The Shri Ram School, Moulsari. She went on to be appointed Principal, senior school of The Shri Ram School, Aravali. She later joined Step by Step, Noida as founding Principal.At Shiv Nadar School, in collaboration with the school teams, she has put into place specialized development programs which have afforded members of staff numerous opportunities to enhance their professional knowledge, skills and effectiveness. Payal strongly believes that in today’s VUCA world, ethics must form the very foundation of the education system. She is an avid reader and a film enthusiast; she also likes travelling and acting. She finds inspiration in nature and music, and enjoys nothing more than having a good laugh.
Executive Head – Middle & International Programmes
Paul Derek Hetherington
Executive Head – Middle & International Programmes
Paul Hetherington is the Executive Head – Middle & International Programmes at Shiv Nadar School. As a Specialist Leader of Education (SLE) Paul has worked with many schools to coach and mentor school leaders. He has over 25 years of teaching and leadership experience.Paul has completed the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) and National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) qualifications. His leadership roles include six years as a Head of Department, eight years as an Assistant Head, and four years as a Head Teacher.As a classroom teacher, he taught GCSE and A-Level Chemistry. He designed and delivered training courses for Middle Leaders as a Lead Practitioner for the local authority. As an accredited Cambridge Programme Leader, Paul designs and delivers Cambridge Professional Development Qualifications in Teaching and Learning, and Educational Leadership.Working for AQA, Paul designed and delivered national training courses for teaching outstanding lessons. During his twelve years as a Senior Assessor for OCR and AQA, Paul developed considerable expertise in assessment and completed a post-graduate course on the Principles and Practice of Assessment at Cambridge University. Paul also assesses national professional development qualifications for Head Teachers in the UK.
A founding member of Shiv Nadar School, Nitina has been instrumental in establishing the Career Guidance Centre (CGC) and helping students across curricula in gaining admission to leading global universities, securing scholarships, and accessing valuable mentorships. As the Head of the CGC at Shiv Nadar School, Noida, she played a pivotal role in achieving these goals.Nitina, with over 15 years of experience and prestigious certifications from Columbia University and UCLA, is dedicated to lifelong learning and staying at the forefront of education and career counseling. Her diverse background includes valuable experience in education, technology, and recruitment, gained through her work with Career Launcher, Brainlab (a German multinational), and Elixir Consulting before joining Shiv Nadar School in 2012.Beyond her work at Shiv Nadar School, Nitina is an active speaker and thought leader on career readiness and education. She has contributed to conferences and panels on the subject and played a key role in developing the Electoral Literacy curriculum with the Election Commission of India. Her work has been featured in esteemed publications such as Business World, The Pioneer, and India Today. Additionally, she is a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). Nitina’s contributions have been recognized with the Chairman Award at Shiv Nadar School, and she has been nominated twice for the IC3 Counselor of the Year Award. In 2022, Shiv Nadar School was honored with the School for Transformative Counseling Award.In this role, Nitina collaborates closely with our leadership team and oversees and leads career development initiatives, providing strategic guidance to CGC teams at our campuses as they navigate the evolving landscape of higher education, and expanding opportunities for mentorship and scholarships. Additionally, she contributes to the development of comprehensive frameworks for student success and establish strong partnerships with parents and educational institutions globally.
Raspreet Sidhu is the Head of Sports at Shiv Nadar School, and the former Captain of the Indian Women’s National Basketball team. She is also a Federation International Basketball Association (FIBA) Level 1 certified Coach.Raspreet comes with over 15 years of experience as a national basketball player. Raspreet is the only player in the history of men and women Basketball to represent India in 3 consecutive Asian Games (2010, 2014 and 2018) and Commonwealth Games (2018). She has been instrumental in bagging several medals for the nation during her illustrious playing career. She was an Assistant Professor (Guest) of Physical Education at Miranda House, University of Delhi. She has also worked as an Assistant Professor of Physical Education (ADHOC) in Mata Sundri College for Women, University of Delhi.She has authored several articles related to sports, wellbeing, obesity in children, and fitness during the Pandemic. Several research papers have also been co-authored by her, focusing on physical fitness in students, sports injuries, gender bias, and training practices. A gold medallist from Delhi University in Masters of Physical Education, and a graduate from St. Stephen’s College in English Literature, Raspreet has received several awards for her contribution to the upliftment of physical education and sports training in India.When she’s not on a tour, playing a match, or training students, Raspreet likes to spend time with kids and listen to music. She cites Lebron James and Roger Federer as her inspiration.
