EdVance

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...

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...

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 ex...

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 leadershi...

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 v...

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...

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...

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 ca...

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...