EdVance

When Leticia Lyle opened Camino School in São Paulo, she was not just starting a school. She was building a path - one where relationships, values and learning all held equal weight. In this episode of the EdVance Podcast, Leticia reflects on what the world can learn from Brazil’s classrooms. Her story is as much about courage as it is about design. From opening Camino just days before the pandemi...

What does it take to build a movement that opens the school gates for millions of girls? In this episode, we are joined by Lucy Lake, Director of Global Engagement, Yidan Prize Foundation. For more than 30 years, Lucy has worked to remove the barriers that keep girls out of school and to support young women to step into leadership. She shares her journey from starting as a volunteer in Zimbab...

What does real inclusion look like in schools, beyond slogans and surface changes? In this episode of the EdVance Podcast, we are honoured to host Vijita Patel , Executive Director for Special Educational Needs at the Qatar Foundation and one of the UK’s most respected voices on neurodiversity. With more than 20 years of experience in education, including leading the Swiss Cottage School in London...

What does it take to build schools that work for every child, not just a few? In this episode, Vikas speaks with Stacey Brewer, the founder and chair of SPARK Schools in South Africa. She started with one school in 2013. Today, SPARK Schools has grown to 26 schools, serving over 17,000 children. It’s a story of persistence, strong values, and the belief that every child can succeed. Stacey shares...

In this episode of The EdVance Podcast , we’re joined by Rebecca Winthrop , Director of the Center for Universal Education at Brookings. Rebecca challenges us to rethink how we lead in education reminding us that we can’t keep doing the same things and expect different results. Real change takes reflection, bold choices, and approaches that truly serve students and communities. She highlights the...

Leadership can be deeply rewarding, but it can also be exhausting, especially when you are aiming high, supporting others, and trying to stay grounded all at once. So, how do you keep showing up with clarity and care, without burning out along the way? In this episode of the EdVance Podcast, we welcome Dr Nina Rawal, Partner and Co-Head, Ventures at Trill Impact. She speaks about what it means to...

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, A...

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...