Simran Jaiswal

Indian School of Business

“From classrooms to boardrooms – where passion for education meets strategy to drive meaningful change.”

Hometown: New Delhi, India

Fun Fact About Yourself: I collect elephant figurines from every city I visit

Undergraduate School and Major:

1. Bachelors in Elementary Education, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi
2. Master’s in development studies, Ambedkar University Delhi

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Lead, Strategic Projects (Founder’s Office), Centre for Teacher Accreditation (CENTA)

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of the Indian School of Business’ PGP programming that led you to choose this school, and why was it so important to you? What drew me to ISB was its rare combination of diversity, faculty excellence, and a fast-paced curriculum. The one-year program mirrors the intensity of real-world leadership, forcing you to learn, prioritise and adapt quickly. I found that invaluable, because I wanted an MBA that would stretch me beyond academics into decision-making under pressure.

Equally powerful is the diversity of the cohort. Every discussion gains richness from peers who are doctors, consultants, entrepreneurs and engineers, all bringing unique lenses to the same problem. Add to that ISB’s world-class global faculty, who balance cutting-edge research with India-relevant insights, and the program becomes truly transformative.

What has been your favorite course or extracurricular activity at the Indian School of Business? What has been the most important lesson that you have learned from it? My favorite extracurricular has been consistently hitting the gym and swimming with my friends. Amidst the intensity of ISB, these routines became my anchor. The biggest lesson I learned is that discipline is not just about deadlines, but about daily choices that build resilience.

What makes Hyderabad/Mohali such as great place to earn your PGP? The city is a fast-growing tech hub, yet it remains grounded and accessible, which allows you to immerse yourself in the ISB experience while also staying connected to the outside world. The presence of global corporates, thriving startups, and a rich ecosystem of healthcare, technology and education industries makes the learning contextual, not just academic. The cultural vibrancy of Hyderabad creates a sense of belonging and exploration that balances the rigour of the programme.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: At CENTA, I spearheaded the launch of “Teaching-as-a-Service”, a teacher-deployment model that not only generated ₹1.2 Cr+ revenue under 6 months, but also placed hundreds of teachers into classrooms where they were needed most. It was impactful because it blended commercial success with social good. CENTA further raised an additional $2.26M to further scale this business vertical.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as a PGP student so far: My biggest accomplishment at ISB has been being elected VP of the Spectrum Club, the LGBTQIA+ and allies network on campus. Along with a small team, I worked to rebuild its structure, re-establish its presence, and design policies and events that created safe spaces for dialogue. This experience taught me that leadership isn’t only about driving projects or numbers – it’s about listening, building trust, and shaping culture.

What is your class’s favorite hangout away from school? Why do you gather there? Our class’s favorite hangout has to be Rameshwaram Café. After long days packed with lectures, cases, and group work, nothing beats stepping out for a plate of hot dosas and filter coffee. The place has an energy of its own.

What makes it special isn’t just the food (though the ghee podi dosa is legendary), but the ritual: piling into cabs together, sharing bites across the table, and trading stories that had nothing to do with grades or placements.

What do you hope to do after graduation? After ISB, I aspire to join high-growth organisations, where the pace is fast, the challenges are unstructured, and the impact is immediate. I am particularly drawn to strategy leadership roles that sit at the intersection of problem-solving and execution. Having worked in education ventures before ISB, I know the thrill and responsibility of building something from the ground up. In the long term, I see myself leading or co-founding an organisation where I can combine my strategic toolkit with my passion for people and impact.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE INDIAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS PGP CLASS OF 2026

© Copyright 2026 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.