Life at CIS

Mr. Abhay Mathur brings over 28 years of rich and diverse experience in the field of education, spanning globally recognised curricula including the International Baccalaureate, Cambridge, and CBSE. With more than a decade of leadership experience as Head of School and Programme, he has consistently driven academic excellence, institutional growth, and innovation in teaching and learning. A recipient of the prestigious International Teacher of the Year Award by Pearson (2023), Mr. Mathur is also a respected voice in contemporary education, having delivered keynote addresses on 21st-century learning at international forums such as the Africa Education Summit in Tanzania.

Deeply engaged with global educational practices, he serves as a Theory of Knowledge Examiner and Trainer for the International Baccalaureate Organization, and has contributed as a CBSE School Inspector and ISO 9001 certified trainer. His advisory role with educational institutions in Tanzania further reflects his international outlook and commitment to shaping future-ready learning ecosystems. Beyond academics, Mr. Mathur is an avid enthusiast of sports and the performing arts, and brings a spirit of exploration and balance to his professional journey, qualities that strongly resonate with the holistic educational philosophy of Chowgule International School.

Vasundhara Sanghi is a seasoned school counsellor and therapist with deep expertise in adolescent guidance, behaviour management, and teacher support. She holds an M.A. in Social Work from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and has served as Senior School Counsellor, Head of Student Care services and Child Protection officer at Dhirubhai Ambani International School. In that role, she collaborated with educators to shape lesson planning, provided targeted student learning support, and helped foster emotionally secure classrooms. At CIS, her practical insights on student wellbeing and staff care will help build a nurturing, resilient, and healthy learning environment.

Ira Ghosh brings vibrant thought leadership and deep pedagogical expertise to CIS. As Primary School Principal and Director of Research & Learning at Victorious Kidss Educares (Pune), she has led curriculum innovation, teacher capacity building and play-based, inquiry-driven early-years experiences. An IB PYP workshop leader, programme leader and Senior Programme Evaluator for over 11 years, her global perspective and work across the Asia Pacific align seamlessly with CIS’s mission of nurturing lifelong learners who think rigorously and act compassionately. With 18+ years across India and abroad, she champions research, holistic pedagogy, distributed leadership and child-centric environments that help children thrive. Holding a Master’s in International Education and another in Indian and Western Philosophy, Ira’s work blends ancient Indian educational wisdom with contemporary global research. Her passion for youth empowerment has taken her to NYC, Rochester and Germany as a facilitator for UN teen camps and IB Student World Conferences.

Kaisar Dopaishi brings strategic leadership and global perspective to CIS through his distinguished roles in IB and international schooling. With over three decades of experience of which 17 years in head of school role in IB World Schools, he is recognised for his deep understanding of IB pedagogy, curriculum design, and school governance. 

As President of SAIBSA (South Asia IB Schools Association) and an active member of IB accreditation team and IB Workshop leader, he offers CIS direction in building an inquiry driven, inclusive, and future-ready school community. He also serves on other school Cambridge and IB advisory boards and has been recipient of prestigious awards for his leadership and direction. His belief in nurturing students who are globally aware, ethically grounded, and academically confident aligns seamlessly with CIS’s vision.

Lalit Saraswat blends entrepreneurial vision and educational passion to drive the future of learning. As Managing Director of Sancoale Technologies and former Chairman of CII Goa, he understands the interplay between
technology, business, and talent development. He is actively involved with the GCCI, education incubators, and the innovation ecosystem in Goa. 

His expertise in industry trends, start-ups, and technology enables CIS to build
meaningful partnerships, integrate hands-on learning, and shape a curriculum that prepares students for tomorrow’s challenges. His involvement ensures that CIS students graduate with not only knowledge, but with the skills, confidence, and networks to make a real impact. His artistic instincts and accomplishments bring in a breath of fresh air in every room that he traverses.

Parijat leads the diverse educational institutions of the Chowgule Education Society, bringing strategic clarity and a deep commitment to meaningful, future-focused learning. With extensive experience guiding reforms across schools, colleges, management institutions, and Industry Association in different parts of the country, he understands how strong systems and empowered teams shape thriving academic cultures.

A former Indian Navy officer, he brings discipline, integrity, and purpose to his work. As Director (Operations) at Chowgule International School, he helps build a progressive environment where empathy, inclusivity, global consciousness, and innovation guide every learner’s journey.

Aditya Chowgule stands as a pivotal force shaping the philosophy and forward-looking mission of Chowgule Education Society. In his role as President, he offers thoughtful strategic leadership across the society’s diverse educational institutions, ensuring they remain progressive, future-focused, and deeply rooted in excellence.

Beyond his contributions to education, Mr. Chowgule serves on the Boards of the group companies, where he plays a key role in shaping governance, strategic direction, and the long-term growth of the Group. His experience across sectors enriches his approach to school leadership, infusing it with clarity of vision, organizational discipline, and deep sensitivity to community needs.

As Founder Director, he brings a clear vision for a robust, multidisciplinary, and globally aligned academic framework. Chowgule International School (CIS) was established as an expression of this commitment to building world-class learning environments that empower every student.