CORE TEAM
Akanksha Bapna
Founder and CEO, Akanksha Bapna has worked extensively on K-12 Education, bridging the gap between policy, research and practice. In the past, Akanksha has worked with the Abdul Latif Jameel – Poverty Action Lab of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to build education research capacity for the Haryana State Government, Department of School Education, where she set up a large research team for in-house research by the Department. She was a Senior Research Fellow at India’s top Think Tank – Centre for Civil Society, where she led the organization’s education research agenda. Her focus has been the efficient use of public funds and increased equity and quality for education. Akanksha has extensive analytical and quantitative experience in experimental design, both in the field of science as well as in the social sciences. Akanksha holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Cambridge and a Masters' degree in International Education Policy from Harvard University.
Founder and CEO, Akanksha Bapna has worked extensively on K-12 Education, bridging the gap between policy, research and practice. In the past, Akanksha has worked with the Abdul Latif Jameel – Poverty Action Lab of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to build education research capacity for the Haryana State Government, Department of School Education, where she set up a large research team for in-house research by the Department. She was a Senior Research Fellow at India’s top Think Tank – Centre for Civil Society, where she led the organization’s education research agenda. Her focus has been the efficient use of public funds and increased equity and quality for education. Akanksha has extensive analytical and quantitative experience in experimental design, both in the field of science as well as in the social sciences. Akanksha holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Cambridge and a Masters' degree in International Education Policy from Harvard University.
Sunaina Kuhn
Sunaina grew up tinkering in her grandfather’s garage. Coming face to face with the education system during the Teach For India fellowship drives her work and passion in reimagining learning and learning spaces. From creating beautiful data codebooks to running research projects at Evaldesign for the past two years, she has seen the end-to-end of many projects. A lover of precision, she feels about dogs how others feel about family. Sunaina has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Purdue University.
Sunaina grew up tinkering in her grandfather’s garage. Coming face to face with the education system during the Teach For India fellowship drives her work and passion in reimagining learning and learning spaces. From creating beautiful data codebooks to running research projects at Evaldesign for the past two years, she has seen the end-to-end of many projects. A lover of precision, she feels about dogs how others feel about family. Sunaina has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Purdue University.
Namrata Sharma
Namrata now consults with Evaldesign. Namrata first challenged the education system as a Teach For India fellow in a classroom of 40+ students where she worked towards eliminating educational inequity in India. She has worked with Evaldesign for almost five years where her expertise in planning and designing made her an ace Research Manager and a foounding team member of ShoeBox Labs. Namrata has designed and built large sets for theatre productions, and is constantly on the look-out for walls to paint. Namrata has studied Sociology at Delhi University.
Namrata now consults with Evaldesign. Namrata first challenged the education system as a Teach For India fellow in a classroom of 40+ students where she worked towards eliminating educational inequity in India. She has worked with Evaldesign for almost five years where her expertise in planning and designing made her an ace Research Manager and a foounding team member of ShoeBox Labs. Namrata has designed and built large sets for theatre productions, and is constantly on the look-out for walls to paint. Namrata has studied Sociology at Delhi University.
Alumni
Aditi Parekh (Junior Associate)
Aditi Parekh wants to see education in India create engaged and empathetic learners. She has worked as the Programme Director of Student Think Tank for India, an organisation that builds critical thinking and civic engagement skills in high schools across India. Aditi graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences and Humanities from Ambedkar University, Delhi. At Evaldesign Aditi handled data and the implementation of programs. She is currently pursuing a Masters' degree in International Education Policy at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Aditi Parekh wants to see education in India create engaged and empathetic learners. She has worked as the Programme Director of Student Think Tank for India, an organisation that builds critical thinking and civic engagement skills in high schools across India. Aditi graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences and Humanities from Ambedkar University, Delhi. At Evaldesign Aditi handled data and the implementation of programs. She is currently pursuing a Masters' degree in International Education Policy at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Aabhas Chauhan (Evaluation Engineer)
Aabhas Chauhan completed his bachelors of technology in Mathematics and Computing from Delhi Technological University. He has a strong skill set in subjects of mathematical modelling, stochastic calculus, scientific computing and machine learning. His passion lies in developing mathematical and computational solutions to real world problems in multiple application areas. He is also a sports lover, theatre enthusiast and musician. Aabhas has worked at KPMG as a Market Risk Analyst in the past. At Evaldesign, he was involved in development of a unique network-based model of learning. Aabhas is now pursuing a Masters' degree in Computer Science from the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign.
Aabhas Chauhan completed his bachelors of technology in Mathematics and Computing from Delhi Technological University. He has a strong skill set in subjects of mathematical modelling, stochastic calculus, scientific computing and machine learning. His passion lies in developing mathematical and computational solutions to real world problems in multiple application areas. He is also a sports lover, theatre enthusiast and musician. Aabhas has worked at KPMG as a Market Risk Analyst in the past. At Evaldesign, he was involved in development of a unique network-based model of learning. Aabhas is now pursuing a Masters' degree in Computer Science from the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign.
Ambika Kaushik (Senior Associate)
Ambika Kaushik graduated with a Master’s in International Relations from New York University, where she focused on analysing key international development issues and community empowerment solutions. Ambika has experience with various non-profit organisations in India and in New York, and is passionate about strengthening the movement for educational equity through capacity building for non-profits. She has a background in stage design for theatre productions and loves spending her free time working on Do-It-Yourself crafts.
Ambika Kaushik graduated with a Master’s in International Relations from New York University, where she focused on analysing key international development issues and community empowerment solutions. Ambika has experience with various non-profit organisations in India and in New York, and is passionate about strengthening the movement for educational equity through capacity building for non-profits. She has a background in stage design for theatre productions and loves spending her free time working on Do-It-Yourself crafts.
Manavi Gupta (Intern)
Manavi Gupta has been a research analyst with 2 years of work experience in risk consulting. She has worked extensively on compliance solutions for multinational firms to help reduce their risk of federal investigations. She has co-developed anti-corruption frameworks and piloted projects for their implementation globally. Manavi has also been an active core CSR Team Member and organised innovative events in collaboration with various NGOs. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Hansraj College, Delhi University in Economics and hopes to pursue Development Economics in the future. She is passionate about debating and has participated in multiple inter-college parliamentary debates. She is currently pursuing a Masters' degree at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva.
Manavi Gupta has been a research analyst with 2 years of work experience in risk consulting. She has worked extensively on compliance solutions for multinational firms to help reduce their risk of federal investigations. She has co-developed anti-corruption frameworks and piloted projects for their implementation globally. Manavi has also been an active core CSR Team Member and organised innovative events in collaboration with various NGOs. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Hansraj College, Delhi University in Economics and hopes to pursue Development Economics in the future. She is passionate about debating and has participated in multiple inter-college parliamentary debates. She is currently pursuing a Masters' degree at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva.
Muhaymin Khan (Intern)
Muhaymin graduated with an M.Sc. in Theoretical Physics from The University of Edinburgh, UK and holds a Bachelors with honours in Mathematics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. His interests lie in innovation in scientific computing and data analysis and is proficient in simulation and modelling of phenomena using Python, MATLAB and C++. This is coupled with a desire to improve the education sector from the ground up.
Further, he has a deep passion for nature, loves trekking and mountaineering and has been doing expeditions in the Himalayas and the moors of Scotland.
Muhaymin graduated with an M.Sc. in Theoretical Physics from The University of Edinburgh, UK and holds a Bachelors with honours in Mathematics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. His interests lie in innovation in scientific computing and data analysis and is proficient in simulation and modelling of phenomena using Python, MATLAB and C++. This is coupled with a desire to improve the education sector from the ground up.
Further, he has a deep passion for nature, loves trekking and mountaineering and has been doing expeditions in the Himalayas and the moors of Scotland.
Lauren Robinson (Intern)
Lauren Robinson Graduated in History from St Stephens College and has developed a keen interest in the traditional functioning of society. In the past, Lauren has worked with the Caravan Magazine as a photo journalist. She is interested in global history and policy advocacy, research, writing, theatre and on-camera roles. Lauren is currently teaching English and Theatre at a private school in Himachal Pradesh, India.
Lauren Robinson Graduated in History from St Stephens College and has developed a keen interest in the traditional functioning of society. In the past, Lauren has worked with the Caravan Magazine as a photo journalist. She is interested in global history and policy advocacy, research, writing, theatre and on-camera roles. Lauren is currently teaching English and Theatre at a private school in Himachal Pradesh, India.
Divya Agrawal (Data Science Associate)
Divya Agrawal has completed her B.tech in Information Technology from Delhi Technological University. She is passionate about working in areas where she can apply her technical knowledge and skill set in order to give back to society. She loves listening to music and mystic Nepali beans!
Divya Agrawal has completed her B.tech in Information Technology from Delhi Technological University. She is passionate about working in areas where she can apply her technical knowledge and skill set in order to give back to society. She loves listening to music and mystic Nepali beans!
Arushi Kumar (Intern)
Arushi's interest in educational equity has informed much of her life choices. A graduate in journalism from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi and an alumnus of the Teach for India Fellowship, Arushi completed her Master's in Education from Azim Premji University, Bangalore. On her days off Arushi indulges in her desire to explore world cuisine, read fantasy fiction and play board games. She is currently the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager at 321 Education Foundation.
Arushi's interest in educational equity has informed much of her life choices. A graduate in journalism from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi and an alumnus of the Teach for India Fellowship, Arushi completed her Master's in Education from Azim Premji University, Bangalore. On her days off Arushi indulges in her desire to explore world cuisine, read fantasy fiction and play board games. She is currently the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager at 321 Education Foundation.
ADVISORY BOARD
Deepak Dogra
Deepak Dogra holds nearly a decade of experience in the Education sector. Deepak has worked extensively with Pratham, one of India’s largest and top education non-profits on various programs aimed at improving quality of education and increasing accountability in the sector through government and community involvement. With a background in management, development and leadership, and work experience across continents, Deepak lends a uniquely grounded perspective to evaluation. His most recent assignment as been with the World Bank, where he was involved in evaluating education sector plans for Pakistan and Rwanda, creating early grade reading trackers for member countries and wrote extensively on the management and logistics of large scale early grade reading programs and results-based financing of education. Deepak holds a degree in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Deepak Dogra holds nearly a decade of experience in the Education sector. Deepak has worked extensively with Pratham, one of India’s largest and top education non-profits on various programs aimed at improving quality of education and increasing accountability in the sector through government and community involvement. With a background in management, development and leadership, and work experience across continents, Deepak lends a uniquely grounded perspective to evaluation. His most recent assignment as been with the World Bank, where he was involved in evaluating education sector plans for Pakistan and Rwanda, creating early grade reading trackers for member countries and wrote extensively on the management and logistics of large scale early grade reading programs and results-based financing of education. Deepak holds a degree in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Isabel Sutcliffe
Isabel Sutcliffe is Pearson's International Standards & Quality Director, based in India.
She took up this position having completed her secondment as Interim Director of the Centre for Assessment, Evaluation & Research, a PPP venture between Pearson Foundation and CBSE.
Prior to taking up roles in India, Isabel held the post of Pearson/Edexcel's Regulation, Standards and Research Director, which included the role of Responsible Officer. In this role she was accountable for the integrity of Edexcel's awards made to individual learners and for the accreditation and licensing services offered to organisations – both UK-based and overseas. She has extensive experience in gathering, and using to best advantage, stakeholder intelligence and engagement activity which is directly related to regulatory and quasi-regulatory matters.
She joined Edexcel in October 2006 following a successful career with NCFE, a vocational awarding body, culminating in serving as its Chief Executive from 2001 to 2006. Prior to joining NCFE, Isabel worked for one of the many predecessor bodies now comprising AQA, the largest awarding body for academic and school-based qualifications in the UK. She has been a member of the UK's Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) Executive Committee for several years and was its Chair from 2009-2013. Isabel continues to work actively to raise the importance of awarding as the means to instil and maintain the quality and consistency of learning/training outcomes thereby meeting the needs of learners, employers and higher education.
Isabel Sutcliffe is Pearson's International Standards & Quality Director, based in India.
She took up this position having completed her secondment as Interim Director of the Centre for Assessment, Evaluation & Research, a PPP venture between Pearson Foundation and CBSE.
Prior to taking up roles in India, Isabel held the post of Pearson/Edexcel's Regulation, Standards and Research Director, which included the role of Responsible Officer. In this role she was accountable for the integrity of Edexcel's awards made to individual learners and for the accreditation and licensing services offered to organisations – both UK-based and overseas. She has extensive experience in gathering, and using to best advantage, stakeholder intelligence and engagement activity which is directly related to regulatory and quasi-regulatory matters.
She joined Edexcel in October 2006 following a successful career with NCFE, a vocational awarding body, culminating in serving as its Chief Executive from 2001 to 2006. Prior to joining NCFE, Isabel worked for one of the many predecessor bodies now comprising AQA, the largest awarding body for academic and school-based qualifications in the UK. She has been a member of the UK's Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) Executive Committee for several years and was its Chair from 2009-2013. Isabel continues to work actively to raise the importance of awarding as the means to instil and maintain the quality and consistency of learning/training outcomes thereby meeting the needs of learners, employers and higher education.
Linda Nathan
Dr. Nathan, Special Advisor to Superintendent at Boston Public Schools, is an internationally recognized leader in education reform. She is the founding headmaster of Boston Arts Academy, Boston’s first public high school for the visual and performing arts and has lectured and written widely on topics ranging from the importance of arts education to developing schools centered on equity to developing strong structures that support teachers and leaders. Her book, The Hardest Questions Aren’t on the Test: Lessons from an Innovative Urban School, was published in 2009, and her articles have appeared in numerous publications. She has won numerous awards, including the Excellence in School Administration Award from Arts/Learning (2012), Passion for Action Award from Wheelock College (2011); Morton R. Godine Medal for Service to the Community from Massachusetts College of Art and Design (2009); Barr Foundation Fellow (2007); Fidelity Inspire the Future Award (2006); and the Nadia Boulanger Award from the Longy School of Music (2004). In 2006, she presented to the first UNESCO World Conference on Arts Education in Lisbon, Portugal. Dr. Nathan has also consulted widely with school systems in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Puerto Rico and districts throughout the United States. In 2013-14, Linda joined the Superintendent's Office as his Special Advisor to lead a year-long research initiative on the role of school-based autonomy in improving student outcomes. Linda is currently faculty at Boston University School of Education leading the Institute for Creative Educational Leadership.
Dr. Nathan, Special Advisor to Superintendent at Boston Public Schools, is an internationally recognized leader in education reform. She is the founding headmaster of Boston Arts Academy, Boston’s first public high school for the visual and performing arts and has lectured and written widely on topics ranging from the importance of arts education to developing schools centered on equity to developing strong structures that support teachers and leaders. Her book, The Hardest Questions Aren’t on the Test: Lessons from an Innovative Urban School, was published in 2009, and her articles have appeared in numerous publications. She has won numerous awards, including the Excellence in School Administration Award from Arts/Learning (2012), Passion for Action Award from Wheelock College (2011); Morton R. Godine Medal for Service to the Community from Massachusetts College of Art and Design (2009); Barr Foundation Fellow (2007); Fidelity Inspire the Future Award (2006); and the Nadia Boulanger Award from the Longy School of Music (2004). In 2006, she presented to the first UNESCO World Conference on Arts Education in Lisbon, Portugal. Dr. Nathan has also consulted widely with school systems in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Puerto Rico and districts throughout the United States. In 2013-14, Linda joined the Superintendent's Office as his Special Advisor to lead a year-long research initiative on the role of school-based autonomy in improving student outcomes. Linda is currently faculty at Boston University School of Education leading the Institute for Creative Educational Leadership.
Manish Dugar
Manish Dugar is currently Vice President, Finance and Legal at InMobi. Previously, Manish was at RPG Enterprises, a leading Indian industrial conglomerate, where he served as Group CFO. Prior to RPG Enterprises, Dugar served in a variety of senior roles over a ten year period with Wipro Technologies, a 20 billion-dollar global IT company, where he was most recently CFO for the company’s IT Business and the CEO for its BPO business globally. Manish’s depth and breadth of financial, legal and operational expertise make him integral to business development at Evaldesign. In his spare time, Manish helps startups from his immense experience in the industry. He is an avid runner and averaged 4000 km last year. He aims to run the IronMan in the near future!
Manish Dugar is currently Vice President, Finance and Legal at InMobi. Previously, Manish was at RPG Enterprises, a leading Indian industrial conglomerate, where he served as Group CFO. Prior to RPG Enterprises, Dugar served in a variety of senior roles over a ten year period with Wipro Technologies, a 20 billion-dollar global IT company, where he was most recently CFO for the company’s IT Business and the CEO for its BPO business globally. Manish’s depth and breadth of financial, legal and operational expertise make him integral to business development at Evaldesign. In his spare time, Manish helps startups from his immense experience in the industry. He is an avid runner and averaged 4000 km last year. He aims to run the IronMan in the near future!