World's Most Influential Women in EdTech, 2022

LeadersofFourthIndustrialRevolution

Womenhavebeeninvolvedinschoolsandtheeducation systemasawholeformanyyears.Women'sparticipation asinstructors,mentors,andprincipalshasonlyincreased overtime;theflexibilitythatEdTechprovidesthroughthe useoftechnologyanddigitaltoolshasmadeitevenmore appealingtowomenwhowanttoworkfromhomeorin flexibleemployment;andfinally,women’spredisposition fornurturingtheyouth,empathy,willingnesstomentor, andhigherEQhavebeendocumentedanecdotallyandin variousstudies,makingthemexcellenthiresintheEdTech space.

Withtheemergenceofstartupsandtheevolutionof EdTechbusinessmodels,theneedforadaptableand curiouspersonnelisimportant.It’scriticalfortheEdTech sectortoreachouttowomen,whoarestillfightingfor equalrightsandareunderrepresentedintheworkforce. TechnologyhastheabilitytousherinasuccessfulFourth IndustrialRevolution,andasaresult,itshouldbeableto attractmorefemales.Asaresult,theorganizationswillbe abletoexpandinabalancedmanner.

Ourresearchandexpertisehaveledustowomanleaders whoareworkingtoadvanceeducationsystemwhile maintainingtheirvisioninlinewiththeircorevalues.Inits mostrecentedition, “World’s Most Influential Women in EdTech, 2022,”World’sLeadersrecognizedthemost renownedleadersbasedontheirvisionandsuccess.

ThecoverfeaturesTanjaSchjellerupwhohasworkedin educationformanyyearsandhaswitnessedpupils“falling intothegreyzone,”riskingbecomingdrop-outstudents, mostlybecausetheydonotflourishinstandardschool limitsand,atthesametime,donotbelonginaschoolfor childrenwithspecialneeds.

Editorial Note

World's Most Influential Women in EdTech, 2022

Tanjahadbeenbrainstormingideasforasolutionforthese studentssince2016,andin2019,shesloweddownher workinhersoleproprietarycompanyandshiftedfocusto thepreparationsforanewbusinesstocome.Skolen Onlinebecamepublicinthefallof2019andestablished itselfasDenmark’smostcreativeonlineschool,wherethe Skolenteamcombinesonlinetechnologywithoffline reality;anonlineenvironmentthatprovidesonline learningopportunitiesnotjustforthestudentsdescribed above,butalsoforstudentslivingabroad,homeschoolers, andanybodyelsewhoneedsaflexiblepaththroughthe educationalsystem.

Inthisspecialissue,we’llsharesimilar,inspirationaltales andinterviewswithmanyofthesededicatedleadersto raiseawarenessabouttheireffortstomaketheworkplace anabodeimprovementandgrowth.Also,whileyouflip throughthepages,don’tforgettoreadthearticlescreated byourin-houseeditorialstaffandindustryexperts.

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EDITOR IN CHIEF STEVE SANCHEZ

ART

& DESIGN DIRECTOR JACK ANDERSON SALES MANAGER KATE ANDERSON, MIA OLIVER

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER GRACE NELSON, ANNA CARTER

FOR EDITORIAL ENQUIRES | info@worldsleaders.com

Founder & CEO

TANJA SCHJELLERUP TANJA SCHJELLERUP

Modifying the Traditional Educational Model by Making Education Available to All

"To learn, develop skills and boost your knowledge doesn't only belong in traditional classrooms," saysTanja Schjellerup.Shebelievesthat everyoneshouldlearnthe fundamentalskills,butshealso thinksthatinsteadof"equal curricula"andexpectations thateveryoneshouldlearn"the same,"everyoneshouldfocus onincreasingindividual competencies.Shegoesonto saythatthewholeeducational sectorandsystemmaybenefit frommoreflexiblelearning opportunities,beginningata youngage.

Tanjahasworkedineducation formanyyearsandhas witnessedpupils"fallinginto thegreyzone,"risking becomingdrop-outstudents, mostlybecausetheydonot flourishinstandardschool limitsand,atthesametime,do notbelonginaschoolfor childrenwithspecialneeds.

TTanjahadbeenbrainstorming ideasforasolutionforthese studentssince2016,andin 2019,shesloweddownher workinhersoleproprietary companyandshiftedfocusto thepreparationsforanew businesstocome.Skolen

Onlinebecamepublicinthe fallof2019andestablished itselfasDenmark'smost creativeonlineschool,where theSkolenteamcombines onlinetechnologywithoffline reality;anonlineenvironment thatprovidesonlinelearning opportunitiesnotjustforthe studentsdescribedabove,but alsoforstudentslivingabroad, homeschoolers,andanybody elsewhoneedsaflexiblepath throughtheeducational system.

Tanjaspentherearlytwenties intheprivatemarketasa salesperson,aswellas6years inthelogisticsindustryfor DHL,initiallywithcustomer serviceinLjusdal,Sweden, operationsandlogisticsin Aberdeen,Scotland,andasa keyaccountmanagerin Albertslundasuburbto Copenhagen,Denmark.In 2005,shemadethedecisionto exploreanewprospective careerrouteandbeganher studiesasateacherwhilealso workingasasubstituteteacher

andattendingherclasses.She receivedherdiplomainthe summerof2009.

Tanjabeganherstudiesat DPU,whichispartofthe UniversityofAarhusin Denmark,inthefallof2009. Becauseshehadtwosons between2011and2012,her finalexaminationswere postponed,andshefinishedin 2014withaMasterofArts (Education)inPhilosophyof Education.Shehasalso followedandfinishedtwo singleacademiccoursesat CopenhagenBusinessSchool onlineviaSmartLearning,one inProjectManagement 2018/2019andonein ExperienceEconomyin2019.

InDecember2019,Tanjawas certifiedasanEducation Diplomat-5LLeadervia ChildhoodEducation International.Currently,Tanja isfinishinghercapstone projectandisexpectingto graduateinspring2022from myEMBAstudiesatQuantic SchoolofBusiness& Technology.

Tanjahasbeenabusiness ownersince2010,butthiswas onlyacoupleofdaysperweek nexttoherstudiesandworking asateacher,atgradeschoolas

wellas,atonepoint,teachingaclassinphilosophyfor adults.Sheisrunningherfirstbusinessasasole proprietorship–firstasaconsultantarrangingmeetings forotherbusinessesandthentransformingitinto 'Philosophies,' aplaceforcompaniesandorganisations tobookspeakersandconsultants.Sherecalls, "It was while searching for an online solution during spring 2019 that I found the solution which turned into Skolen Online, which was founded as and is being run as a limited liability company.”

'Being a Leader'

Anentrepreneurbyheartandmindwithaninnovative andflexibleworkingstyle,Tanjaenjoysbeingwith peoplebutprefersworkinginherownspaceprimarily.

"People tell me that I'm quite the same inside and outside of the workplace," saysTanja.SheneedsaWHY forwhatshedoesandapurposeforwhyshedoesit,be itwithintheworkplaceorthemoreprivateareasofher life.Tanjaisthriving,beingproactiveandavisionary, searchingforpossibilities,needsforimprovementand ideas.Shesays, "Confident in my abilities, self-reliant and trust that I'm able to handle anything that comes my way. I'm a logician and a debater with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, and I have a hard time resisting an intellectual challenge." Alsoshestatesafirmtrustin surroundingherselfwithpeopleshetrustwilldothejob thatisneededtobedone.

Tanjastrivesforrecognitionforheractionsaswellas fortheentireteam,withoutwhomshewouldnotbeable tofunction-andsheishumblewhenshehasreceived awardsandnominations,aswellaswhenshehasbeen invitedabroadtoattendaconferenceandarecognition sessiontoreceiveanawardas'OutstandingLeader.' Outsideofwork,sheattemptstospendtimewiththose whomeanthemosttoher,herfamilyandclosefriends. Shestates, "When I need to slow my mind, I prefer a

walk in the woods or by the ocean. Sometimes with my best mates—either together or online via mobile. Other times I tend to listen to music or watch sci- fior fantasy.”

PushingOwnLimits

Therehasbeenashiftin elementaryeducationtoward anunderstandingthatpupilsof thisagemaylearnthrough onlineclassesandtasks.Tanja

makesconnections,expands thenetwork,andseeksout possibleco-operational partnerstokeepthefirmsteady andgrowing.Shemakes certainthattheteamthrivesas muchaspossible.Shealso delegatedresponsibilityto teammemberswhowerebetter suitedforthejobthansheis. Sheopines, "The happiest part must be the check up and work with our future delighters—especially the innovative part that adds value and new thoughts to something old.”

Tanjaconcentrateson expandingherownknowledge andabilitiesbyquestioning andstudyingmaterial,andshe recognisesthatshewillnever knoweverything,whichisOK becausesheissurroundedby thosewhodo.

Tobeaneffectiveleader,you mustbeabletoadaptto unexpecteddevelopments. Tanjabelievesthataleader shouldnotbescaredtoask questionssuchas"howcanwe bestgetthetaskdone?"rather thantrytofigureitallouton theirown.Shesaysthatyou listentothethoughtsandideas ofyourteammembersand encouragethemtobe inventive.Sheadds, "Actively

search for people brighter than yourself and trust in their ability to make it work. Being able to admit mistakes and use it as opportunities to learn; Stand by decisions and still be flexible to enhance coordinations to make it possible for a goal to be reached."

Tanjaobservesasmany hurdlesasshemayexpecton herpathtoachievement.She believesthatthemostcrucial mustbesomeofthepre-handconclusionsshehas encounteredovertheyears, thatbecausesheisafemale, shemustrequiremore assistanceinsketchingand launchingconceptsandideas, aswellasestablishingthefirm.

Tanja'sadvicetoallaspiring leadersistobelieveintheir ideasandlearntoviewfailure asafriendwhocanhelpthem findthebestanswers.She asserts, "Do not stand on the shoulders of other female leaders (only) but stand on the shoulders of those entrepreneurs and leaders that laid the steps for anybody to take on the role of a leader –no matter their gender. Find your core talents, trust them, and use them to boost your role as a leader.”

lesserquality.Wearecurrently consideringdifferentstrategiesthat rangefromsocialfranchisingto openingheadquartersinother cities/countries,andevenpiloting someofthemtofindoutwhatthe rightfitisforustoensureeconomic sustainabilitywhilemaximizing impact.

Inparallel,wealsoneedtoestablish long-termrelationshipswithresearch institutionstoproperlyand scientificallytrackourlong-term impact.

Insummary,weneedtofindtheright scalingmodelthatensuresboth financialsustainabilityoftheproject andhighqualitydelivery,resultingin thedesiredkindofimpactonour beneficiaries.

Haveyoubeenexposedto competitionintheindustry?Ifso, telluswhatmakesthecompany differentfromitscompetitors?

Toourknowledge,nootherventure offershigh-quality,field-tested materialsforeducatorstoteach STEMinSpanishwithaninquirybasedmethodologylikeus.

Elesapiens(elesapiens.com)isa venturethatoffersamethodologyto teachSTEMbasedononline materials,andalignedwiththe curriculum,butitdoesn'thavea practical,experimentalfocus.Intheir approach,studentsarepassive

receptorsofinformation,whereaswe trainteachersandprovidethemwith accesstoresourcesthatallowthemto easilyimplementhands-onscientific activitiesinaclassroomsetting, usingdailymaterialsobtainedata veryreducedcost.

Morethan18,000studentswhohave experiencedouractivitiesinperson havebenefitedfromourmethodology andresources.

Tellusaboutyourvisionforthe company.Howdoyouensurea cultureofintegrityandinnovation inthecompany?

OurlatestinnovationistheEscuelab platform,whichgiveseasyaccessto onlinematerialsthatarethe digitalizedversionofourproven methodologytoteachinquiry-based scienceinprimaryschool.

Theinnovationherereliesongiving teachersaccesstoourhighquality, field-testedlearningmaterials.These areveryeasytoimplementinthe classroom,sincetheyincludelesson plans,studentworksheets, experimentvideos,step-by-step instructions,andsuggestionsfor additionalactivities,testing,etc. Theyrequireeasy-to-obtain, affordablematerials.Overall,ittakes teachersasmuchtimeandeffortto implementourinquiry-based methodologyasitdoestoteacha "regular"class.

Wearenotawareoftheexistenceof otheronlineteacher-training platformsorlesson-planrepositories offeringthistypeoftestedcontent.

Moreover,ourplatformhasalsobeen provenusefulinsupportingteachers inensuringpedagogicalcontinuityof STEMlearningwithpupilsstudying onlinefromhomeormaintaining socialdistancingduringtheCOVID19pandemic.

Weenvisionusingthisplatformasa meanstoreachallSpanish-speaking

childrenintheworld,ensuringthey getaccesstoahigh-qualitySTEM educationregardlessoftheirsocioeconomicbackground.

What'sthegreatestriskyou've takenasaprofessional?

ThefoundingofEscuelab,whenI wasfinishingmyPhDwithvery goodpublicationsandtheprospects ofstartingasuccessfulresearch career,butinsteadIdecidedtogive theprojectashotanddevote1year toworkingfulltimeonit.Therisk wasworthitand,8yearslater,the businessisstillup,runningand growinginsizeandimpactdespite thepandemic.

Howdoyoubalanceworkandlife responsibilities?

Imustadmit,beingthefounderofa stilldevelopingbusinessmeansthe balancetipsmoreoftenthannot towardswork.However,Itryto scheduleofftimetoexerciseandbe withmyfamily,andfriends,andI makeitapointtotakeatleasttwo fullweeksoffinAugust(our"low" season).

Whatadvicewouldyougiveto emergingentrepreneursand enthusiastsconsideringacareerin anindustry?

Iwouldadvisethemtoidentifytheir weakpointsandsurroundthemselves withteammemberswhoarestronger thantheminthoseareas.Iwouldalso tellthemtokeeptheireyesandears openandarewillingtoconstantly

Mariza Fotiou

A Social Entrepreneur and Digital Professional

Founder CuriousIQ

HighlyaccomplishedandmultifacetedenergeticleaderMariza FotiouisthefounderofCuriousIQ, aDigitallearningresourcesand employmentsupportforpeoplein need.Shehasover14yearsof experienceinfinancialservicesand digitalenergycombined,anda proventrackrecordofdirecting global,complex,strategic transformationinitiativesinvolving organizational,investmentproducts, process,andtechnologychangesas wellasimplementingcost managementandrevenue enhancementinitiatives.

Belowarehighlightsoftheinterview conductedbetweenWorld'sLeaders andMarizaFotiou:

Briefouraudienceaboutyour journeyasabusinessleader.Tellus aboutyourbackgroundandwhat didyoudobeforeyou started/joinedtheCuriousIQ?

MycareerstartedintheUS,whereI movedaftergraduatingfrommy bachelorsinGreece.Ithenpursueda MastersinFinance,whichI graduatedin2009fromBaruch CollegeinNewYork.After graduating,IjoinedHSBCPrivate Bankandworkedthereforabout10 years.Imovedalotwithinthebank andhadsomeamazingrolesthatkept megrowingprofessionally.Ialso

Hgainedexposurefromworkingintwo continents:NY,USandLondon,UK, eventuallyleavingasChief OperatingOfficeindigital.Thisrole exposedmetothetechnicalaspectof productcreation.Ipossessedthe necessaryskillsandcouldapply themtoanyindustry AsCOO,I receivedacompletelydifferent perspectiveonallfacetsofrunninga digitalorganisation.In2020,I decidedtochangeindustriesand joinedBP.HereIleadthe organisation'sspecialiseddigital productdevelopmentteamsto efficientlyconstructnewdigital services.Digitalisoneofthemost vitalskillstohaveifyouwantto makeadifferenceintoday'sworld.

Whatwastheideabehindstarting CuriousIQ?

Socialmobilityisarealissueofour time.Withalltheincreasing geopoliticalunrest,moreandmore peoplewillbeinneedofintegration. Thesecondthingisthatdigitalskills willonlycontinuetodrivedemand fortechtalentintheyearstocome. Thesetwoparameters,andmystrong drivetohelpthoseinneed,ledmeto createCuriousIQ.Istronglybelieve thatsocialentrepreneurshipbrings theevolutiontheworldneedsand boostsinclusion.So,Ifoundawayto combineandapplymyskillstomake adifference.CuriousIQwasfounded inresponsetoanunjustandongoing situationinGreece,acountrywith enormouspotential.Forevery marginalisedpersonwholivesonthe edgesofsociety.Thegoalisto upskillunderprivilegedpeoplein digitalskillsandadvancetheir employabilitybyhelpingthemfinda jobinthemarket.

AsaFounderofCuriousIQ,what areyourmajorrolesand responsibilities?

Myrolecanbedividedintothree mainthemes:teamleadership, strategicmanagement,and partnerships.Eachonehasitsown setofchallenges.Icreateactive citizeninvolvementandfavourably impacttherateandreachofour objectives.Itransformthevisioninto actionthroughtheidentificationof therightpartnershipsthatcanhelpus meetourgoalsandexpandourreach. Fundraisingisabigpartofmyrole, somethingthatIfindcriticalforthe successfulexecutionoftheprogram. Itwouldbereallydifficulttoachieve resultswithoutstabilityofresources. However,afounder,besidesbeinga visionary,shouldalsobeself-aware andcapableoflearningandselfdeveloping.AndthisisthepartI enjoythemostaboutmywork,asit helpsmetocontinuetogrowasa person.

Howdoyoubalanceworkandlife responsibilities?

Iprioritisemymentalhealthbecause itmakesmeabetterpersonand betteratmywork.Also,exerciseis veryimportantforme.Ineedtokeep moving,otherwiseIlosemyenergy Icanfititinnomatterwhat.Iknow thatifIdon't,Iwillnotbeashappy andasproductiveasIwanttobe. Lastly,Imaketimeformyfriends andfamily.Itisveryeasyformeto getlostinmyworkbecauseIgeta lotofsatisfactionwhenthings progress.ButImakeaconscious efforttostopandspendtimewith peopleIlovebecauseitisvery important.

Tellusaboutyourvisionforthe company.Howdoyouensurea cultureofintegrityandinnovation inthecompany?

CuriousIQ'svisionistoimprovethe livesofthosewholivein underservedcommunitieswhilealso

involvingtheminthedesign, implementation,andexecutionofits projects.Asaresult,wenotonly haveareliable,in-depth understandingoftheneeds,butwe alsoensurethatthecommunitiesare preparedtotakeonfutureinitiatives ontheirown.Theworldiscurrently undergoinganethicalrevolution. Manytimesinmycarrierandmost recentlyasafounderIhaveopenly addresseddiscrimination.Itistrue thatwedonotliveinanequalworld. InCuriousIQequality,transparency, integrityandinclusivityarepartof ourmoralcompass,partofthe culture.Iapproachtheteamasequal playersbyalwayslisteningtotheir ideas,concepts,andfutureplans. Basedonmyprofessional experience,thesehumblebeginnings serveasthecornerstoneforasolid foundation,wheretheteamquickly learnstheprinciplesof experimentation,innovationand empowermentwhicharethen positionedasthefundamentalpillars ofourculture.

Whatadvicewouldyougivetothe emergingentrepreneursand enthusiastsconsideringacareerin anindustry?

Myadviceistoremindthemselves dailyoftheir''why''.Why-theydo whattheydo.Ifwhatyoudoisyour purposeinlifeorwhatpeoplecall your''calling'',youhavemore strengthtokeepgoingandmore chancestosucceed.Weallknowthat startingabusinessishard.Thatit takesemotional,psychologicaland financialstrengthtogetthrough.And bybeingafounderyoustretch(and sometimesbrake)allthree.So believinginwhatyoudowillhelp younotthroughhardshipand eventuallyshineandsucceed.

Professor University of Birmingham

POLA GOLDBERG OPPENHEIMER

Engineeringisaninterestingarea withmanydifferentoptions,andit hasaninfluenceoneverythinginour dailyliveswithunlimitedpotential andchallenges.Itiscontinuallyin needoffreshinnovativemindsto tacklebothpresentandforthcoming issuesinthecontemporaryworld.

Theneedfordeveloping technologies,aswellasthetechnical improvementsbeingmadeonadaily basis,makesengineeringaviableand ever-changingprofessionaloption. Technologicaladvancementswill necessitatemoreinthefuture, implyingagrowthinthedemandfor varioussortsofengineers.Significant advancesareonthehorizonina varietyofareas,includingenergy, medical,andtransportation,and engineeringwillplayacriticalrolein reinventingtheseindustries.

Realizingthatcriticalchallengesof increasingcomplexitymustbe addressedinthefieldof microengineeringandthatsystems thatcanself-assemble,self-regulate, andself-structurewillhaveamajor impactonfuturetechnologies,Pola GoldbergOppenheimerhas pioneeredahighlysuccessful approachtounconventional nanostructuringandopenednovel meanstobuild-upappliedmaterials. PolaGoldbergOppenheimerisa ProfessorofMicro-Engineeringand Bio-NanotechnologyintheSchoolof

ChemicalEngineeringandthe HealthcareTechnologiesInstitute,as wellasaRoyalAcademyof EngineeringResearchFellow

Shehasalargeinternational collaborativenetworkand partnershipswithindustry,suchas BAE-Systems,P&G,andDstl, whileleadinghighlyinterdisciplinary researchwithuniquediscoveriesthat haveintroducedinnovativeconcepts inlithographicallybuilding-up appliedchemicalsystemsthathave influencedtheworkofmanyresearch groupsworldwide.

ProfessorOppenheimeristhe directorofaninterdisciplinary researchgroupattheUniversityof Birmingham,whereshecollaborates closelywithclinicalteamsatthe QueenElizabethHospitaland BirminghamEnterprise,the University'stechnologytransfer specialists.Hergroup'sresearchaims topushtheboundariesofmicroto nanomaterialsengineeringby bridgingthegapbetweennano-tomacroscopic-levelunderstandingand implementationsofnovelhybridand nanocompositematerialsand submicronstructuresforminiaturised functionaldevicesforadvanced healthcareapplications.Professor Oppenheimerisworkingoncuttingedgeengineeringsolutionstocritical medicalissues.

ProfessorOppenheimer'sresearch interestsincludetheformationof nanoandsubmicronstructuresat surfacesandinthinfilms(pleasesee theANMSAgroupwebsite: AdvancedNano-Materials, Structures,andApplications),aswell asthepotentialuseofhierarchical electrohydrodynamicallygenerated functionalstructurestodevelopnovel polymer-basednano-detection devices.Shebringsextensive experienceincreatingandaligninga widerangeofnanostructuresin

polymers,carbonnanotube-based nanocomposites,crystalline materials,andasharedinterestin biometrics,includingtheuseof polymerswith10nmmorphologies astemplatestocreateinorganic functionaldevices.

RecognitionofExcellence

ProfessorOppenheimerreceivedher PhDinPhysicsfromtheUniversity ofCambridgein2012,alongwith scientifichonours.In2013,shewas chosenasahighlycompetitive BirminghamFellowattheUniversity ofBirmingham.Numeroushonours, esteemmarks,elevationtoProfessor inMicroengineeringandBionanotechnology,andthevery distinguishedRoyalAcademyof Engineering(RAEng)Fellowship haverecognisedthesignificanceof herrevolutionaryscientific achievementsandinternational stature.

Herresearchisrecognisedasworldleading,asevidencedbyher publications,whichhaveallbeen publishedinhigh-quality,prestigious journals(e.g.,AdvancedMaterials, NatureBiomedicalEngineering),and herhighdemandtolectureatthe world'smostprestigiousconferences (48+keynote/invitedaddresses).She hasmorethan75independent publicationsandroutinelyproduces scientificallyrigorousworkinpeerreviewedjournals.Sheauthoreda book,tenbookchapters,andfiled fourpatents.Theimportanceofher excitingscientificdiscoveriesandthe transformativenatureofherresearch havebeenrecognisedwithover £18Minfundingportfolioandthe highlyprestigiousRAEng Fellowship,aswellasbeingfeatured inmanypress-releases,BBCnews, andradiointerviewsandselectedfor CaseStudies,commissionedbythe EPSRCandtheRAEng.

Shehasbeentherecipientofseveral prestigiousawardsandmarkersof esteematnationalandinternational level,includingthe,RAEngPrize, WomenTech100,andCarl-Zeiss Awards.Shewasanenvoyinthe HouseofCommonsScience& TechnologyCommitteeatthe'Voice oftheFuture'withgovernment MinistersofStateforScience, Research,andInnovation,featuredin the'BirminghamHeroesin HealthcareTechnologies'Campaign, andselectedforthe'Parliamentary EngineeringGroup'attheHouseof Lords.

RevolutionizingtheFieldof IntelligentNanostructuring

ProfessorOppenheimerpioneered ElectrohydrodynamicLithography, whichopenedupanewavenueof

researchinintelligentnanostructuring ofmaterialsforpracticaldevicesin ChemicalEngineering.She discoveredthatcreatinginterfacial instabilitiesinhomogeneousnanofilmswithanelectricfieldprovides tuneablenanostructuresattheatomic level.Whileinstabilitiesare undesirableinnature,shehasshown inanunusualwaythattheycanbe harnessedtoformmorphologiesby carefullymanipulatingthenanocapacitiveinterface,alteringthe characteristicsofnumerous applicablematerials.Shehassince achievedsimultaneouspatterningof multilayermaterialsystems,resulting inhierarchicalnanoarchitectureswith uniquefunctions,andshehas producednewcomposite nanostructuredmaterialswith outstandingsyntheticadherenceto roughsurfacesand

superhydrophobicity.Herrecent inventionofasmartnanoplasmonicoptofluidicgadgetpreparedthepath fortacklingthemostpressingissues relatedtothetimelyidentificationof traumaticbraindamage(TBI).TBI,a primarycauseofmorbidityand mortalityacrosstheworld,is notoriouslydifficulttodetectatthe pointoftreatment,resultinginapoor prognosis,reducedbrainfunction, anddeath.Herinnovativeresearch programme,whichisbasedon fundamentalchemicalprinciplesfor controllingelectrostaticnano-forces, hashadasignificantsocioeconomic impactbydevelopingoptofluidic nanoengineeredgold-architectured substratesforsensitive,label-free spectroscopicdetectionoftrace-level concentrationsofTBI-biomarkersin blood,enablingrapiddiagnosticsat thepoint-of-careleadingtothe

possibilityofsavingmanylives.

DirectorofEngineering&Physical SciencesCollegeGraduateSchool

ProfessorOppenheimer,asthe DirectoroftheCollegeGraduate School,isresponsibleforleadingand managingallmattersrelatingtothe postgraduateresearchstudent experienceintheCollegeof EngineeringandPhysicalSciencesat theUniversityofBirmingham,with exposureatthecollegeand Universitylevelsinakeyareaofthe College'sbusiness.Her responsibilitiesincludeactingasa conduitforPGRmatters/data betweentheUniversityGraduate SchoolManagementBoardandthe EPSSchools,coordinatingcollege responsestoconsultationsand requestsforinformation,proposing changestotrainingneedsanalysis, reportingonthebusinessofthe CollegeGraduateSchoolCommittee totheCollegeResearchand KnowledgeTransferCommittee,the CollegeEducationCommittee,and theCollegeEquality,Diversity,and InclusionCommittee,asappropriate, Leadingthesubmissionofthe DoctoralTrainingAccountannual reporttoresearchcouncils,aswellas othersimilarreportstootherexternal fundersofPGRs,coordinatingPGR recruitmentandmonitoringand reportingPGRadmissionstothe college,Liaisingwithschoolsandthe relevantuniversityunitsonPGR induction,training,monitoring, mentoringandsupervision,liaising withtheCollegeDirectorof Educationonrelevantissues,suchas PGRtraining,DTC/EngD applicationsforprogrammeapproval, etc.

Throughthepostgraduatestudents, ProfessorOppenheimeraimstobring afreshperspectiveandhelpthe universitygrowthroughthetalent developmentoftheprofessors.Sheis

passionateaboutthepostgraduate researchstudentexperienceand aspirestomakeapositive contributionbyengaging collaborativelywithcolleaguesand relevantuniversityprocessesto continuouslyimprovethis experience.

SharingThoughtsonWomen's Empowerment

Accordingtoresearch,organisations withmorewomeninleadershiproles aremorelucrative,socially responsible,anddeliversafer,higherqualityexperiences,amongother advantages.Womenexecutivesdo wellinleadershiprolesbecause"they challengemore,havemore discussionanddebate,andthatleads tobetterdecision-making."When womenbecomeleaders,theybring withthemauniquemixofabilities, creativeviews,and,mostcrucially, structuralandculturaldistinctions thatdriveeffectivesolutions.Anew levelofawarenesswillemergeasa resultofbringingacreative perspectivetoexplorethetiny aspectsthatmaygounnoticedbythe nakedeye.ProfessorOppenheimer feelsthatwomenmaycontributea freshviewpointtothefieldof engineering.Shesays, "If you are enthusiastic about it, go for it. It will be challenging, exciting, and very rewarding.”

ProfessorOppenheimerhasalways thoughtthatifsheworkshardandis enthusiasticandpassionateabouther work,shewouldadvanceinher careerregardlessofgender disparities,andthishasshowntobe true.Asafemaleleader,sheis encouragingandsupervisesmore femalePhDstudentsand postgraduateresearcherspursuing demandingbutrewardingacademic careersinthebroadsubjectof engineering,inspiringthenext generationofleaders.

ImprovingasaLeaderandMentor

Asaleader,ProfessorOppenheimer isconstantlyhoningherproblemsolvingabilities,improvingher communicationskills,herabilityto workwithanddelegatetosuccessful teams,gainingglobalknowledge,a solidunderstandingoftheimpactof sustainabilityoninnovation,and technicalexpertisetocreatefutureproofproductsandservices. Furthermore,shefeelsthathaving thecapacitytoovercomeobstacles andremainresilientinanyscenario, aswellastakingthetimetoimprove heremotionalintelligenceisthekey tobeingastrongerleaderand colleague.

ProfessorOppenheimerbelievesthat learninghowtoofferandreceive appropriatefeedbackisessentialfor growingasamanagerandeducator. Herfacilitationoftwo-wayfeedback amongherteammembersisanother criticalaspectinherdevelopmentas asuccessfulandprofessionalleader. Sheasserts, "I encourage feedback, positive traits, and opportunities for improvement via an open dialogue and establishing trust.”

According to Professor Oppenheimer, a leader's role is to push forward, and strong leaders should always be thinking about how to make tomorrow more efficient and productive than today, as exemplified by Elon Musk's vision of the future. She says, "If a leader is not focused on the future and demonstrating a clear plan for how to continuously improve, progress is unlikely to happen. The best leaders take accountability when things go wrong and give credit to others when things go right. This motivates a workforce to succeed.”

Dean & Executive Director Hult International Business School

Dr.SelinaNeriistheDeanand ExecutiveDirectorofHult InternationalBusinessSchool DubaicampusandaProfessorof ManagementandCorporate Governance.In2021and2020Dr SelinawontheProfessorofthe YearAwardforHultDubaiand Londoncampuses.In2020shewon theHultFacultyoftheYearglobal awardforexcellenceinteaching andresearch.Forover26yearsshe hasworkedinglobalexecutive managementinthetechnology industryandmorerecentlyinthe luxuryindustry.Shehasservedas Non-ExecutiveDirectorinthe travelindustryandisasenior advisorincorporategovernance.In 2016hernamemadethelistofThe FemaleFTSEBoardReport2016: 100WomentoWatch,publishedby FinancialTimesandCranfield SchoolofManagementfortheUK Government(LordDavies Review),inrecognitionforher servicestocorporategovernance.

Hultisthefirsttripleaccredited businessschool(AACSB,AMBA andEQUIS)intheUSA,with campusesinSanFrancisco,Boston, LondonandDubai.Hultisaplace likenoother,aplaceofinnovation, oftryingoutnewthingsandof profoundself-discovery.Dr.Neri

states, "We strive for relevance: relevance to business, relevance to personal development, relevance to society, relevance to teaching and research, life-long relevance to our students and alumni. Developing the human is one of our top priorities, beside developing competence in the domains of business and at the edge of knowledge and possibilities."

Belowarehighlightsofthe interviewconductedbetween World'sLeadersandDr.Selina Neri:

Briefouraudienceaboutyour journeyasawomenleader.What challengesyouhadtofaceto reachwhereyouaretoday?

Myjourneyisoneofsurvivaland grit.Itisalsooneofpersonal discovery.Ihavesurvivedphysical disabilityataveryyoungage,a familybackgroundthatgavemea springboardintoeducationandyet triedtopullmebackintothe versionofmethatmyfamily desired.Isurvivednaturaldisasters andIsurvivedillnesses.I developedgritandtenacity.Inthe firstyearsofmycareer,inthe USA,Isurvivedanobnoxious, sexistandracistbosswhodida wonderfuljobatignitinginmethe abilitytoshowmytruecolors.The morehetriedtodemeanme,the higherIrose,emotionally, intellectuallyandhierarchically.I startedmyeducationintheliberal arts,wentontoEconomicsandan MBA.Workedforover26yearsin technologyandeventuallycrafted fourindustrychanges.Isaton boardofdirectorsoflisted companiesandfeltonmyskin

whatcorporatepowermeansand howitcanservesocietyorselfinterest.IwasawardedaPhDin Businessattheageof52afterthree yearsofdoctoralstudiesforwhich Isacrificedeverything.Ifellinlove attheageof39withthemanwho eventuallybecamemyhusband,my trueloveandmynumberonefan club.Mineisastorywhosetexture isepicandfilledwithdiscoveries ofwhoIreallyamdeepinside, whatIstandfor,inwhosecompany Ifeelcomfortableandwhatdoes notbelongtowhoIam.Iamstill searchingbutIhavelearnedtobe comfortablyvulnerableandtobe me,whateverittakes.

Enlightenusonhowyouhave madeanimpactinthisindustry throughyourexpertiseinthe industry?

Iamabusinesspersonwhocame toacademialateinlifeandIthink thisgivesmecredibility,deepand vastsocialcapital,theabilityto connectthedotsformyselfandfor ourstudents,whetherincorporate oralumnirelations,insecuringtop facultyforourcoursesandthebest mindstheworldhastoofferintheir respectiveresearchdomains.I bringenergy,optimism,comfortin functioningastheprimaryspoke personforthecampus,dynamism, visionandahealthydegreeoffun andspontaneity.Idoletmyhair down!OurstakeholderssaythatI amaninfluencerandaninitiatorof the"new":Itakethisasa compliment.AsfacultyIbring competence,funandanexciting learningjourneytomystudents.As dean,Ibuildopportunitiesfor growth,boldideasandtheability towinpeopleoverandthinkoffmy

feet:atHultwearemastersin pivoting!

Whatarethechallengesyouand yourteamatHultInternational BusinessSchoolcomeacrossin yourday-to-dayoperations?

Wefaceavarietyofchallangesthat commandourabilitytopivotandto beintrapreneurial:fromtheCovid pandemicandensuringthehealth andsafetyofourcommunity,to beingabletofunctionasastrong, Inclusiveanddiversesupport systemforstaffandstudentswho facepersonal,professionalandlife crisisandchallenges.Weface challengeswheretheworldwould likeustobend:bendtherules, bendyourethicalstandardsand bendyourmorality Westandfor something:ifyoudonotstandfor somethingyou'llfallfor everything.Wecannotanddonot wanttoaffordit.Westandfora liberaleducationandforwhat educationmeansinahumanlife. Westandforprofessionalconduct inandoutsideofcampus,westand foraninclusivecommunitywhere eachofusisfreetobeandvalued forwhoweare.Westandfor studentswhocannotaffordtheir postgraduateeducationbuthave talentandmerit,sowehavea comprehensivescholarship programtosupportthem.Itis becauseofourstrongvaluesthat weovercomeday-to-day challenges,fromfindinglast minutefacultytoreplacea colleaguewhocannotteachto pivotingawholecoursearounda greatideastudentsmighthave,to deliveringbigeventswithlimited budgetsandfindingsponsorsfor ourmostinnovativeactivities.

Describeindetailthevaluesand theworkculturethatdrivesHult InternationalBusinessSchool.

Nothingisimpossible, entrepreneurialthinking,student centricity,costconsciousnessand teamwork.Thesearethe foundationsofhowweoperate. Hultwentfromadisruptorin highereducationtoatriple accreditedbusinessschoolthat playsinthetopleagueofitsgame. Thesevaluesignitemeandspeak tome;otherwiseIcouldnotbethe deanoftheDubaicampusora faculty Westandforaplacewhere weallfeelthatwebelong.Wearea familyandgotogetherthrough thickandthin.Weshareaprofound respectforourstudents,their families,theirprofessionaland personaljourney.AsdeanIam preparedtogothroughfireformy teamandmystudents.Thisisalso whatauthenticleadershipisall about.

Wheredoyouenvisionyourself tobeinthelongrunandwhat areyourfuturegoalsforHult InternationalBusinessSchool?

IcancomfortablysaythatIhave foundmypurposeinaleadership positioninhighereducationinan institutionIrespectandwithpeople Icareabout.Thisisveryrare,andI amgratefultobehere,inthis moment,inthisplace.Ilikethe personalityofhighereducationand thetruecoloursofleadership.Itis exhaustingandattimessolitary,but itiswhoIamandwhatIdo.Iam atajunctureinmylifewhereI choosewhatIdoandsofarIhave learntmanylessons.Wearetaking Hulttoitsnextera:atimefilled

withflexibility(demandedby students),cuttingedge specialisationsandprograms, pervasiveeco-systemsof education,governmentsand businesswhereourstudentsare introducedtoC-levelexecutives andorganisationsthatshapethe futureofhumanity Weare exploringtheedgeofbusiness topics,whetherfinance3.0, emergingtech,dataanalyticsorthe humanities(muchneededto developtheleadersofthefuturein thehumaneconomy).Weare addingnewvaluetoouralumni whoformthebackboneofwhowe are.

Whatwouldbeyouradviceto buddingWomenLeaders?

Youmustblossomandyoumust learntoknowyourself.Theancient Greekcivilisationusetosaythat knowingourselvesisthegoalof life.Icouldnotagreemore.35 yearsagoIthoughtIknewwhoI ambutnowIknowthatwasa fabricatedversionofme:the texturewasn'tme,thepersona wasn'tme.IthinkIwasashamed andscaredofdiscoveringmytrue selfasIwasraisedinthebeliefthat likeabilityiskey.Itisimportantbut itistheresultofbeingcomfortable inyourownskin,notagoalin itself.

A EMBLEM OF WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN CREATIVE AND TECH SPACE

Chief Innovation Ofcer

Miami Ad School Europe

Chief Executive Ofcer Innity Campus

INA BEHRENDT

InaBehrendt'sjourneyasa businessleadergrewabsolutely progressively.Whileshe passionatelyandsuccessfullyworked andledteamsasanaward-winning, integratedCreativeDirectorandHead ofDesignindigitaladvertising, traditionalagenciesandforclients worldwideforover15years,Inawas alwaysfollowinghervisionandnever stoppedlearning,discovering&most importantly:collaborating.Sheopines, “Hold your vision and go with the flow while growing organically – trust the process.”

Inaco-foundedthe1stinternational Non-Conference,calledFUTURE SUMMITSERIES–THE100,where 100rebels,pioneersandtroublemakersinthefieldofinnovationwere broughttogethertoshare,ideate& createthefutureoneye-level.

Theseexperiencesmadeherathoughtleaderandexpertinthefieldofdigital transformationwithastrongfocuson creativemarketing&innovationand forthepast7years,anentrepreneur andleaderintheeducationalsectorand isnowafrequentspeakerat internationaltech&innovation conferencesandsummits.

InatrulybelievesthatWomenbelong inallplaceswheredecisionsarebeing madeaswellasmenandgender neutralpeoplenomatterwhich background,raceororientation.We needthisdiversityingeneral,tobe together,livetogether,learnfromeach other,worktogetherandshapethe futureofourworldforthebetter–TOGETHER.

Inasupportswomen,wherevershecan inallsortsofaspects,butshelooksat peopletoworkwith,learnfrom,be together,getinspiredby,etc:as HUMANS,whereeveryonedeservesto betreatedequally.

‘‘

InaninterviewwithWorld'sLeaders, InaBehrendtsharedherjourneyto becomingarenownedwomanintech.

Belowarethehighlightsofthe interview:

DescribetheMiamiAdSchool Europe's&InfinityCampus' offeringsthataddresstheneedsof yourcustomers.

MiamiAdSchoolEuropeisoneofthe bestandmostsuccessful,creativeand innovativeschoolsinhighereducation intheworld.Withits2-yearportfolio diplomaprogramofArtDirection/ DigitalDesign,CreativeConception/ Copywriting&Storytellingand CreativeTechnology,MiamiAdSchool Europeunitesmanydifferentschoolsin one.Thestudentsgainworld-class roomexperienceandbusiness knowledge,including3international internshipstochooseoutofhundreds oflocationsaroundtheglobe.Their graduatesworkforthebestcreative agencies,innovationcompaniesand techbrandsworldwide.It'sknownas: Theplacewhereyougoto,tobecome whoyouaremeanttobe.Anditispart ofaworld-widenetworkof15schools.

InfinityCampus.

Asatransformationandinnovation expertinthisfield,Inaalsodeveloped theprofessionalprogramorarmof

MiamiAdSchoolEuropefurtherand transferredittothenextlevel.Firstand foremost,sheredevelopedandbrought theadvancedtrainingandcourses online–collaboratedwithexpertsand developedformatsthatdidnotyet exist.Thisstrucksuchachordthatit becameverysuccessfulandisnow officiallyco-foundedasanindependent start-up,whereInaactsasCEO–togetherwithher2businesspartners, SabineGeorg(COOofInfinity Campus&CEOofMiamiAdSchool Europe)&PhilipWogart(CTOof InfinityCampus&CreativeTech AdvisoratMiamiAdSchoolEurope) andincollaborationwithMiamiAd SchoolEurope.

Weaimtoestablishauniqueplatform fortheirspecialcourses,trainings, summitsandbootcampsmadeupof ourexpansivenetworkofmentors–availableonlineregardlessofone's physicallocationbymixingevenmore technologyintotheircreative bloodstream.InfinityCampusmeans Transformation–meansMovement–a Developmentofyourself,your KnowledgeandyourCreativity.It means,topulsate,tomove,topush boundariesandyourselftothenext level.Itmeanstotransform!

“Be yourself and express your power through knowledge, inspiration, intuition, collaboration and creativity.”

We help to enable creative minds to have outstanding ideas throughout constant change and transformation. Re-imagine the unpredictable.

Enlightenusonhowyouhavemadeanimpactinthis industrythroughyourexpertiseintheindustry?

Inspirethenextgenerationthroughcollaborativecreative working&eventsinaverydiverseenvironmentandmore fromaprototypeangleapproachunderacertaintimeframe,to comeupwithideastogethertocreateinnovationsand solutions.

THEIMPACT

Tofostersustainablechangeandleadthewayinanon-going, evertransformingenvironment–especiallyintheeducational field,forInaitisimportanttoencourage:

a)Listening,observing&learningandusedatatoinform strategicdecisionmaking;actuallysee,understand&think

b)Inspirationandfosteracultureofcreativityand prototypingtoactuallydoandmake.

c)Collaboration&networkingtogainmorediversityinevery kindofaspecttoactuallycare!

ThisguidedIna'sstrategicapproachfortheschool'sDigital Transformation,hereshechangedthefutureprofileof creatives,throughshiftingitfromverytraditionaltomore digital,socialmedia-centrictomorefuturesustainable; T-SHAPEDmethodology.

WhatarethechallengesyouandyourteamatMiamiAd SchoolEurope&InfinityCampuscomeacrossinyour day-to-dayoperations?

Withotherprofessionalpartnersandexpertsinthefield,the leadershipteamsharesacommonvisiontocontinuetofoster closerrelationshipswithstudentsandbuildanetworkfor creativity,marketing,technologyandinnovationonthatall canaccess.

ItwasandisnecessarytousethelearningfromtheCOVID19crisistoestablishtheInfinityCampusasarobustand innovativenewe-learningplatformbasedonthefoundation ofINNOVATION,DIVERSITY&MINDSETtocreate uniquecoursesandexpansivenetworks,independentof physicallocationsbymixingevenmoretechnologyintothe creativebloodstream.

Thepandemicindeedacceleratedandamplifiedmanythings onmanylevels.MiamiAdSchoolEuropealsohadtochange, inventandinnovateevenmoreandevenfaster!Thishasled

tomanychanges,suchasthenewFactoryBerlinlocation,in additiontonewcollaborations.Itreflectswhattheschool standsfor:aprogramthatisfitforthefuture,inan environmentthatisfullofpossibilities.Astate-of-the-art infrastructurewithfastdigitalaccessandhumanconnectionsenrichingandinspiring.TheyfindallofthisinBerlinwiththe FactoryBerlinPartnership,whichoffersavibrantcommunity andastrongcontextforitsstudents.Withstart-upsand creativetechcompaniesnextdoor,alibrary,in-housecafés, artists-in-residenceandplentyofco-workingspacesand 'sandboxes'todevelopaward-winningideas.

Whatpeople,whatbooks,whatlifefactorshave influencedandimpactedyou?

AsalreadyanchoredinherDNAandtobecradledbyher father,Inaisanentrepreneurial,creativespirit.'Youarethe masterofyourmind&thecaptainofyourpassion–navigate yourway!Thisanswercanonlybemulti-faceted,because overtheyears,manydifferentpeoplehavesomehowstepped intotheroleofeitherbecomingawonderfulmentororan inspiringadvisoror-quitesimply,arealrolemodelforIna.

Yes,Inalovesbooks,too–like'ReadyPlayerOne','The Swarm','WholeFoodCookingeveryDay'byAmyChaplin, 'Norules'andallsortsofdifferentTed-Talks,too!

Wheredoyouenvisionyourselftobeinthelongrunand whatareyourfuturegoalsforMiamiAdSchoolEurope& InfinityCampus?

Notjustneuroscienceresultsshowcasethat,thewaywelearn andengagedoesn'talwaysmatchupwiththewayweget taught.Tostaycompetitiveinanacademically,economical, andtechnologicalway-weneedtorethinkourunderstanding ofintelligence,re-evaluateoureducationalsystem,and reinvigorateourcommitmenttolearning.Inotherwords,we needdisruptiveinnovation.”

“We'll see where my passion, drive and vision takes me. We'll move on inventing new ways in the field of ' INNOVATION IN EDUCATION FOR THE NEXT GENERATION of CREATIVES ' to stay at the forefront of contemporary education. ”

HOW ARE LEADING WOMEN EDTECH SECTOR

DespitethefactthattheEdTech businessisstilldominatedbymen, womenaresqueezingtheirwayinto obtainapieceofthepie.According toonesurvey,atleastonewomanis onthefoundingteamof30%of educationstartups,whichisroughly doubletherateoffirmsfoundedby womeninotherdigitalindustries.

EdTechhasprogressedfrombeing onlyanalternativemodeof instructiontobeingmainstream!The pandemicusheredforthaslewof changesacrosssectorsand businesses.Technologyhasbecome vitalinremotelocations.Technology adoptionhasbecomecriticalforall organizations,allowingthemto sustainoperationswhileremaining competitiveinthemarket.

Theeducationsectorisnodifferent, andithasembraceddigitalchange quickly.Despitetheepidemicand remotelocations,thisiscurrentlythe mostessentialfeatureofthe"newage"learningsolution,andithasalso aidedstudents'learningand developmentprocesses.

"Themoresimilartheinvestment partners,theweakertheir investments'success,"accordingtoa HarvardBusinessSchoolanalysison themale-dominatedventurecapital business.Infact,companiesthat increasedtheirshareoffemale partnersby10%witnesseda1.5 percentincreaseintotalfundreturns and9.7%morelucrativeexitson averageeachyear!Thisislinkedto theconceptthat"differentteams makebetterjudgments.”

AnotherstudybyMcKinsey& Companydiscoveredthatforevery 10%increaseingenderdiversity, earningsbeforeinterestandtaxes increasedby3.5percent.

Wemaydeducefromthisdatathat womenexecutiveshaveasignificant measurableinfluenceonacompany's bottomline!

There'snodenyingthatsocietyis evolvingtowardgenderequality, withwomenhavingaccesstosame professionalpossibilitiesastheir malecounterparts.Atthesametime, wecan'tdenythatwomenare expectedtowearnumeroushats whilepursuingtheirprofessional aspirations.Theyarerequiredto managetheirfamilyandtakecareof avarietyofhouseholdduties.This aidsintheircapacitytoswiftlyadjust tonewsettingsandtoaddressreallifeissuesandobstaclesmore successfully

Accordingtoarecentstudy conductedbyTheOpenUniversityin collaborationwiththeIndianITtrade associationNASSCOM,Indiaranks firstinthelistofwomeninIT,witha higherpercentageofwomenintech (35%)thantheirfemalecounterparts intheUnitedKingdom(17%)and theUnitedStates(20%)!The findingsalsosuggestthatIndia'sIT industryisattractingandkeeping morewomen,aswellasgivingthem greaterleadershipopportunities. AccordingtoNASSCOM,women makeup20%oftheC-suiteinover 60%ofIndianITcompanies.

EdTechcompanieshavealarge

numberoffemalefounders.Lynda Weinmanco-foundedLynda.com (nowLinkedInLearning),which LinkedInpurchasedfor$1.5billion in2015.Byju's,co-foundedbyDivya Gokulnath,istheworld'smost valuableEdTechbusiness,according toarecentTechCrunchanalysis, valuedatover$18billion.Inarecent $300millionfundraisinground,it wasalsodubbedIndia'smost valuablebusiness(surpassingPaytm forthetopposition).DaphneMoller co-foundedCoursera,oneofthe earliestEdTechstartups,andGSV, oneofthetopEdTechVCfirms,is alsorunbyawoman,Deborah Quazzo.

Traditionalsectordistinctionshave blurredastechnologyhasgrown pervasive.Organizationsthatstickto outdatedarchitecturewillbeleft behind.Women'scapacityto empathizeandseekamiddleground becomesagreatadvantageatthis juncture.Iftechnologyistobeused effectively,majorchoicesmustbe takenwithabalancedviewpoint.

WORLD'S TOP WOMEN EDTECH LEADERS

FutureEdTechleadersshould concentrateonhowtogetmillionsof youngpeoplethroughouttheworld, rangingfrominfantstoteensand businessprofessionals,backon coursewiththeireducationfollowing thepreviousyear'sdisruption.

FemaleEdTechexecutiveswith classroomexperience,apreference forempathy-drivenleadership,and theabilitytomakequickdecisions shouldberecognizedbyinvestors.In ordertopavethewayformore innovativeandforward-thinking EdTechbusinesses,asuccessful EdTechfirmmustpositionits productsattheforefrontofsocietal concerns.

Fivewomenwhoarebreakingthe glassceilingandalteringthefaceof EdTecharelistedbelow

SusieSeaton–Co-founderof Twinkl

SusieSeatonisthewomanbehind Twinkl,theholygrailofonline teachingresources.Susiestruggledto acquireadequateteachingtoolsto makeherclassroomssparklewhile workingasaprimaryschoolteacher.

DaphneKoller–Co-founderof Coursera

WhenStanfordUniversityprofessor andfemaleEdTechpioneerDaphne KollerestablishedCourserain2012, shechangedtheworldofonline learningforever.Withhernew educationplatformEngageli,she hopestodoitalloveragain.

Engageliisapurpose-madeplatform thatpromisestorevolutionizethe worldofEdTech.Itwasdeveloped fromthegrounduptocompetewith theoldlockdown-faithfulsZoomand GoogleMeet.

Twinklhasreceivedanumberof accolades,includingTheQueen's AwardforEnterpriseforInnovation 2020.DuringtheCoronavirus outbreak,theyalsobecamethehero ofhomeschoolingbymakingallof theirmaterialsavailabletoparents andinstructorsallacrosstheworld.

CindiMi–CEOandCofounderof VIPKid

Cindiusedtospendherlunchmoney onperiodicalsandaudiocasettesto teachherselfEnglish,havinglearned thevalueofeducationearlyinlife. Afterafewyears,shehascompletely transformedthewayyoungsterslearn English.

CindiMiistheCEOandCofounder ofVIPKid,anonlineeducation platformthatconnectsnativeEnglish teacherswithChinesekidsaged5to 12.

Cindinoticedtheuntappedpotential ofonlinelearningandchoseto establishherownplatformafterher Englishteachingexperienceatthe ageof15.VIPKidisnowvaluedat $3billion,havingsuccessfully received$200millioninfunding. ThismakesitChina'smarketleading EdTechstartup.

SiobhainArcher–Founderof Teachit

SiobhainArchergottheideafor EdTechcompanyTeachitfroma sharedcardboardboxinthe staffroom.Siobhainrealizedthe importanceofinstructorsassisting otherteachersasasecondaryschool teacher.Thefirmnowhas480,000 userswhosourceandtraderesources online.

“AnysuccessfulEdTechfirmmust putteachersatthecenter.”Too

frequently,thetechtakesthelead, whichimplies“techforthesakeof tech,”accordingtoSiobhain.

PriyaLakhani–CEOand FounderofCENTURYTech

PriyaLakhaniresignedteachingafter becomingamemberoftheSecretary ofState’sadvisorycouncilduetoher frustrationwithgradingand administrativechores.Shewasso takenabackbytheworryingnumber ofunderachievingchildreninthe UnitedKingdomthatshedecidedto launchherownEdTechfirmto addresstheproblem.

Priya’sfirm,CENTURYTech, employsAI-poweredtechnologyin theclassroomtohelpwith individualizedlearningand differentiation.Itiscurrentlyutilized inhundredsofschoolsthroughout theworld,rangingfromindependent BritishschoolstoLebaneseschools withalargerefugeepopulation. They’realsoputtingforthalotof efforttodealwiththeeducational disruptioncreatedbylockdownand theepidemic.

Dr. Shauli Mukherjee

Led the Charge in Developing a Personalized, Engaging, and Stress-FreeCurriculum for Children of All Ages

Director - School of Education Adamas University India

Former Founder Principal Adamas World School STEM World School

Withapurposefulcareerinthe educationspacespanningmorethan20 years,Dr.ShauliMukherjeehas dedicatedherlifetothepromotionof child-centricandactivity-oriented education.Dr.Mukherjeewasthe founderprincipalofAdamasWorld SchoolandSTEMWorldSchool,West Bengal'sfirstSTEMschool.Heisa dedicatededucatorandthoughtleader withexperiencefoundingandrunning newgenerationK-12schools.STEMis flourishingunderherinspired leadership.WorldSchoolwasranked andawardedasthe2ndbest internationaldayschoolinWest BengalbyEducationWorld.

Belowarehighlightsoftheinterview conductedbetweenWorld'sLeaders andDrShauliMukherjee:

Describewhoyouareasaperson, insideandoutsideoftheworkplace.

Iamapersonwhothrivesonintrinsic motivationtotouch,impact,inspire andcreateavisibleandtangible differenceinpeople’slivesthroughthe transformativeandlife-changing powerofeducation.Iwoulddefine myselfasanextremelypassionateand purpose-drivenacademicwhohasbeen relentlesslyworkingintheeducation sectorformorethantwodecadesto

Whoneandnurturethecreativeand innovativegeniusandtheunique talentsandcapabilitiesofyoung learners.Ibelievethatmyprimary responsibilityasaneducationistis tohelpenableyounglearnersto evolveintomoreconfident, competent,dynamic,andauthentic versionsofthemselveswhoare holisticallyequippedtoaddressthe constantlyemergingglobal complexitiesofthe21stcentury VUCAworld.

Describeyourbackgroundand whatdidyoudobeforeyou joinedthepresentorganization?

Withapurposefulcareerinthe educationspacespanningmore than20years,Ihavededicatedmy lifetothepromotionofchildcentricandactivity-oriented education.IhavebeentheFounder PrincipalofAdamasWorldSchool andSTEMWorldSchool,thefirst STEMschoolinWestBengal. Undermyleadership,STEMWorld Schoolhasbeenrankedand awardedasthe2ndbest internationaldayschoolinWest BengalbyEducationWorld.Ialso heldsenioracademicand administrativepositionsinsomeof thereputedcollegesinWest Bengal.

Throughoutmycareerineducation, Ihavebeenactivelycontributingto andspearheadingtheprocessof creatingapersonalized,engaging, andstress-freecurriculumfor learnersofallagegroups.Ihave beentherecipientofnumerous awardsandaccolades,includingthe NationalQualityExcellenceAward, theGEMofIndiaAward,the

SarvepaliRadhakrishnanAward, theNationalEducationLeadership Awardinthecategoryof commitmenttoexcellencein education,(tonameafew),andthe WorldPeaceAward.TheAcademic CouncilofULektzalsorecognized measoneofINDIA'STOP50 WOMENLEADERSINTHE EDUCATIONINDUSTRYand TOP20REVOLUTIONARY EDUCATION

LEADERS.Additionally,Iam associatedwithpremiere educationalorganizationsacross Indiaaswellasgloballyinasenior advisorycapacity.Ihavealsobeen recognizedamongthe99WOMEN ACHIEVERSOFINDIAFOR THEYEAR2021.

Asaninternationallyacclaimed inspirationalspeaker,Iamregularly invitedtonumerousnationaland internationalconferences, universities,summits,conclaves, andeventstosharemyinsightson thefuturisticandtransformative roleofeducation.Iamcurrently workingastheDirectorofthe SchoolofEducationatAdamas University,India.

Tellusabouttheinceptionof yourorganization.Howdiditall start?

AdamasUniversityisratedtheBest PrivateUniversityinEasternIndia andwasestablishedwiththe intentionofprovidingasolutionto alleducationalneedsunderone roof.Itaimstocreatean environmentforstudentsthatwill notjustarmthemwiththeright kindofknowledge,butalso developthemaswell-rounded

membersofsociety.

Whathasmadeyousuccessful? Whatdoyouvalue?

Iamaconsciousandardent believerintheconceptofIKIGAI–thereasonforbeing.Intermsofmy professionalcareerasanacademic, therehasbeenaconsciousand fortunateintersectionbetweenwhat IwasgoodatandwhatIloved doing.Iamapersonwhohas actuallyturnedherpassionintoher professionand,throughher profession,hasactuallyfoundher IKIGAI–thesolereasonforbeing. Whenthere'saculminationof passionandpurpose,onetendsto workwithanelevatedsenseof convictionandcommitment,and there'sabsolutelynoneedforany externalstimulustokeephim/her motivatedorinspired,sinceboth inspirationandmotivationare intrinsicforapersonwhois purposedriven.Allthroughmy career,Ihavestronglyvalued passion,purpose,andintegrity

Whatobstaclesdidyouovercome togettowhereyouaretoday?

Ibelievethatalmostallpotential andgreatopportunitiesinlifeoften comedisguisedaschallengesand obstacles.Thoughtherehavebeen numerouschallengesinmy professionaljourney,especially sinceIhavebeencommittedto bringingaboutavisibleand tangibledifferenceinpeople's mindsconcerningtherealessence ofeducation,whichwasdefinitely notaneasytask,Ihavenever viewedthoseobstaclesas stumblingblocksinmylife,ratherI

haveconsideredthemasessential steppingstoneswhichhadhelped enablemetoevolveintoabetter, stronger,andmoreconfident versionofmyself.

Whatareyourresponsibilitiesas theDirectoroftheUniversity? Whatisthehappiestpartofyour dailyroutine?

Ifirmlyupholdthebeliefthatthe purposeofmeaningfuleducationis todeveloplifelonglearners, creativethinkers,andresponsible globalcitizenswhoareconfidently equippedtofacethechallengesof anuncertainandconstantly unfoldingfuture.Inmycurrentrole astheDirectoroftheSchoolof Educationatoneofthepremiere universitiesinIndia,Iam committedtodevelopingand nurturingthefuturegenerationof teachersandresearcherswhowill beendowedwiththeabilityto inspireandimpactthelivesof manypeoplearoundthemthrough theennoblingpowerofeducation.

Thehappiestpartofmydaily routineisbeingwithmy students—insideoroutsidethe classroom—beingabletointeract withthemandconnectwiththemat adeeperlevel.

Whatareyourcurrentstruggles andyourfuturegoals?

Thereisanurgentandpressing needtoreimagineandredefine educationtomeettheneedsand demandsofavolatile,uncertain, complex,andambiguousworldthat isconstantlychangingand unfolding.Acompletemind-set

shiftisrequiredtore-imagine educationandlearningthatwill essentiallysuitthelearningneeds anddemandsofourcurrent generationofyouth.Ourcurrent educationsystemstillcontinuesto promoteaone-size-fits-all educationalstructure,whichneeds acompletetransformation.Asa futuristicandprogressiveeducator, Iamcommittedtopositively contributingtofacilitatinga paradigmshiftfromanovertly structuredandrigidframeworkof educationtoamorepersonalized, stress-free,fulfilling,happy,and productiveeducationalecosystem.

Whatadvicewouldyougive someonegoingintoaleadership positionforthefirsttime?

Istronglybelievethatatrueleader isonewhoknowstheway,shows thewayandmostimportantly,goes theway Aleadertakespeople wheretheywanttogobutagreat leadertakespeoplewherethey don’twanttogobutoughttobe going.Therealroleofleadership, especiallyinthesphereof Educationshouldneverbeoneof commandandcontrol;ratherit shouldbeoneofclimatecontrol–thatis,creatingasuitableclimateof infinitepossibilitiesandimmense potentialitieswherethepeople wouldcontinuetoevolveintothe highest,truestandtheverybest versionsofthem.