When I was named one of the Top 10 Women Leaders of the Year from Asia in 2024, I had a moment of realisation. Every late night spent refining our programs, every student call before an exam, every strategy session with my team—it all led me to understand that my role would never be singular. Instead, it would always be a seamless blend of being both a CEO and an educator.
The moment I step into a class, my corporate responsibilities fade into the background. In that space, I am not just Sunita Sharma, CEO of Young Scholarz—I am a mentor, a guide, and a teacher. Yet, I have never seen these roles as separate. My journey has never been about choosing between running a business and teaching; it has been about embracing both with equal dedication.
A Journey Shaped by Passion
My path to education and entrepreneurship was far from conventional. Beginning in Biochemistry, my career eventually led me to the world of teaching and business. Being featured in the Women Entrepreneurs Review was an honour, but my true pride lies in seeing my students succeed.
Leading a team of passionate educators while personally mentoring students in English, Business Studies, Economics, and IB Theory of Knowledge across curricula such as IGCSE, IB, AP, Edexcel, and ICSE has been both a privilege and a challenge. Balancing these demands isn’t always easy, but I navigate them daily with a deep sense of purpose.
A Defining Moment
A few years ago, I found myself in a situation that perfectly encapsulated my dual role of a CEO and a teacher. It was a Monday morning packed with meetings: interviewing a marketing manager, speaking with a potential investor, addressing an irate parent, briefing my team, and conducting a last-minute class for an IGCSE English student. Just when I thought my schedule was full, an IB English Literature student panicked over his upcoming mock exam.
Logically, I could have prioritized my business commitments. But education is not just business—it’s about people. I quickly scheduled a morning session with him, spent an hour analysing Margaret Atwood’s writing style and themes, and then transitioned into CEO mode for the rest of the day.
That moment reaffirmed my belief—I don’t have to choose between being a leader and an educator. Embracing both makes me better at each.
Teaching: My Constant Commitment
Teaching has never been a stepping stone to business for me—it has always been my passion. Over the years, my experience with different curricula has shaped my understanding of student needs:
- IGCSE encourages analytical thinking through structured essay writing and literature studies.
- IB fosters critical thinking and interdisciplinary learning.
- AP challenges students with university-level content and depth of subject knowledge.
- Edexcel emphasizes strong academic foundations while promoting independent thought.
Understanding these frameworks has helped me develop a targeted methodology at Young Scholarz, such as BOUNCE™, to personalize learning for every student.
Leadership in Education: Beyond Strategy
Running an education company is not just about business metrics; it’s about fostering a culture of learning—for students and teachers alike.
One of my biggest challenges is ensuring that business growth never compromises educational integrity. Expansion is enticing—more locations, more students, more courses—but my priority remains quality over quantity.
At Young Scholarz, every decision—whether hiring a tutor, designing a curriculum, or selecting digital tools—is guided by a simple question: How does this benefit our students? How are we helping them achieve success?
The Challenges of Wearing Two Hats
Balancing these roles often feels like walking a tightrope. Some days, administrative responsibilities take over—meetings, financial planning, team training. Yet, no matter how packed my schedule is, I always make time for teaching.
Maintaining this personal connection with students keeps me attuned to their needs, while staying engaged with my team ensures they feel supported and valued. Creating an environment where both students and educators thrive is my ultimate goal.
The Best of Both Worlds
People often ask me, “How do you balance being a CEO and an educator?”
The truth? It’s not about balance—it’s about integration. These two roles don’t compete; they complement each other.
Being a leader allows me to shape an organisation dedicated to learning. Being a teacher keeps me grounded in the reason we do it all—the students. Their successes are my successes, as are the growth and achievements of my team.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: leadership in education isn’t about choosing between business and teaching—it’s about ensuring that every decision serves the people who matter most—our students.
Because no matter how far Young Scholarz grows, my greatest achievement will always be when a student reaches out with words like these:
“I just wanted to let you know that I got into Emory ED2! I couldn’t have done it without your help for Lang and my personal essay, so I just wanted to say a big thank you!”
And in that moment, I am reminded—this is why I do what I do.