EdVance

Growth is often celebrated in education businesses around the world, but only a few talk about the cost of growing too fast or without clear direction. Many leaders are under pressure to expand quickly, show results, and prove impact. But real progress is not just about reaching more people, it’s about doing it well, with purpose, structure, and care.

In this episode of the EdVance Podcast, Aakash Chaudhry, Founder & MD, Sparkl Edventure shares insight about what it truly means to scale in a way that is both responsible and sustainable. Drawing from decades of experience, Aakash reflects on how slow, steady, and thoughtful growth helped him build one of India’s most respected education organisations. He shares why strong systems and capable teams must come before expansion.

In this episode, Nick Grono, CEO of the Freedom Fund, shares how real leadership isn’t about control, it’s about creating space for honest conversations. From anonymous staff Q&As to bold leadership surveys, Nick reveals the habits that foster transparency, strengthen culture, and empower every voice in the room. Whether you're leading a small team or a global organisation, his insights offer a refreshing blueprint for building trust from the inside out.

In a world where expectations are rising and resources are stretched, how can education leaders lead with purpose, stay true to their values, and still deliver real impact? In this episode of the EdVance Podcast, Asheesh Advani, CEO of Junior Achievement Worldwide, shares insights about what it truly takes to lead in today’s complex world of work given the technological disruptions.

Asheesh shares honest lessons from his leadership journey, from setting clear but flexible priorities to managing expectations in every direction, and building a culture where appreciation drives high performance. For him, achievement is not the final goal, it’s the process of becoming better, together as a team.

This episode is a practical and thoughtful guide for education leaders, school heads, and system changemakers

What does it really take to build a workplace where people stay, grow, and thrive?

In this episode of Edvance, Bhushan Sethi, Partner at PwC US Consulting and Adjunct Professor at NYU Stern, joins us to unpack the realities of leading high-performing teams. From global boardrooms to the classroom, Bhushan brings a wealth of experience on what leaders often get wrong about hiring, training, and execution and what they need to do differently.

We explore why retention today is less about perks and more about trust, consistency, and culture. You’ll hear what it takes to turn strategy into action by focusing on the systems, behaviours, and people that bring it to life.

Whether you’re leading a school, a non-profit, or a growing team — this one’s for you. Because the future of work isn’t about trends. It’s about people.

For too long, education has been rich in purpose but poor in storytelling. While school leaders work tirelessly to improve outcomes and drive change, the real stories — of transformation, innovation, and impact — often remain untold.

In this episode of the Edvance Podcast, Andrew Jack, Global Education Editor at the Financial Times, explores the vital role storytelling plays in school leadership.

Together, we unpack why mastering storytelling isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s essential. When leaders fail to communicate clearly, passionately, and consistently, they risk losing trust, momentum, and support.

Storytelling builds community, secures buy-in, and rallies people around a shared mission. Done well, it doesn’t just describe the work — it amplifies its impact.

Is a university degree still the only path to success? In this episode of the EdVance Podcast, Dionisio “Nicho” Garza-Sada, Founder and CEO of Talisis, challenges the traditional narrative around education. He calls on global education leaders to reimagine a system that values purpose, passion, and practical skills—not just diplomas.

This isn’t about discarding the old. It’s about expanding the vision of what learning can be, so every young person has the chance to thrive—whether or not they throw a cap in the air.

What makes a school a place where people truly thrive? In this episode of EdVance, Aatif Hassan, founder of Dukes Education, shares what he's learned from leading schools that prioritise people over policies. From his early experiences as a student who didn’t fit the system to building one of the fastest-growing school groups, Aatif reflects on what it takes to create spaces where students and teachers can do their best work.

He challenges conventional ideas of school leadership, explains why culture is more than a mission statement, and shows how small, intentional decisions shape long-term success. This conversation is an honest look at the work of leading with purpose—and building schools that feel as open, alive, and meaningful as a playground built for growth.

What does it take to create a truly thriving school? In this episode, Professor Andy Hargreaves, a global expert on education and leadership, explores how culture, collaboration, and well-being shape high-performing schools.

Drawing on decades of research, Andy shares why excellence is about quality, not competition, and how the best schools attract and retain great teachers. He also challenges the idea that technology alone can transform education, highlighting the importance of strong leadership and human connection.

What makes a great school? In this episode, Kiran Bir Sethi, founder of The Riverside School and Design for Change, shares how brave leadership and student agency—not technology—create lasting impact. With her simple FIDS framework (Feel, Imagine, Do, Share), Kiran has helped over 2.2 million children across 60 countries believe they can make a difference. Discover how empathy, joy, and purpose can reshape education and why every child deserves the chance to say, “I can.”

For the launch of EdVance, Vikas Pota speaks to Jean-Claude Brizard, President and CEO of Digital Promise Global, a true leading light in education. With a career spanning transformative roles, from CEO of Chicago Public Schools to shaping global educational innovation, Jean-Claude shares the greatest lessons from his remarkable journey. 

In this episode, he explores why strategy execution is the cornerstone of success, how strategic agility empowers education systems to adapt in a rapidly changing world, and why culture and change management are essential to achieving and sustaining high performance. This conversation offers invaluable insights for anyone passionate about transforming education.