Board of Directors
J.C. Chaudhry
Chairman & Managing Director
Mr J. C. Chaudhry is the Chairman and Managing Director at Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL). He has been the Director of the Company from October 15, 2007 till March 2008 until designated as the Managing Director of the Company on April 1, 2008. Being one of the promoters, he has been shouldering the responsibility for the overall supervision, direction and management of the Company. After gaining a Bachelor’s degree in Science from Punjab University and a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Jammu, he earned a Master of Science degree in Botany from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, Rajasthan.
His vast experience in the education sector includes working as Principal at Government (Comp.) Model Senior Secondary School, Matiala, New Delhi and Government (Comp.) Model Co-Ed Senior Secondary School, Vikaspuri, New Delhi; as PGT (Biology) at Hansraj Model School, New Delhi; as lecturer at Vaish College, Bhiwani. Mr Chaudhry has received various awards for his contribution to education and society at large including the prestigious Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Memorial National Teachers Award 2002 for the services rendered to schools and community. In addition, he has received the Person of the Year Award 2015-16, the World’s Greatest Leaders- India 2015-16 and Life Time Achievement Award in 2017 by Asia One. He was also presented with Global Education Leaders Award 2018 for “Shaping the Dreams of Millions of Medical & Engineering Aspirants”, IEBF Excellence Award 2018 for “Transforming Lives through Education”, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Award 2019 for Excellence in Education, Healthcare, Motivational Speech & Writing, and Global Gandhi Award 2019 for ‘Revolutionizing India with a different league towards Education’ among other notable awards.
Aakash Chaudhry
Director & CEO
Mr Aakash Chaudhry is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Whole-Time Director at Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL). With extensive experience in business management, he leads the senior management team and is responsible for the overall supervision, direction and management of the company.
Before commencing his journey at AESL, he worked with top IT companies such as Infosys Technologies and Cognizant Technology Solutions. Passionate about addressing the needs of deserving students, he has been dedicatedly working towards providing focused and quality education across the nation through efficient delivery channels. With his dedication, commitment and futuristic vision, Mr Aakash has transformed Aakash into an established brand well-known for providing cutting-edge and niche educational services.
Putting new-age systems for flawless operations, highly skilled workforce, technological advancements, overall automation and agile marketing process in place, he has ensured that Aakash’s classroom services continue to evolve as the best ever offering in the industry. Mr Aakash Chaudhry is the driving force behind expanding the company's educational services portfolio to include IIT-JEE test preparatory services, Foundation coaching services as well as Digital learning programs. Mr Aakash is also the Founder and trustee at the Plaksha University (www.plaksha.org). In 2018, Mr Aakash was recognised as one of the disruptive leaders by Business World and was listed among the coveted "40 Under 40" young leaders list.
An alumnus of Harvard Business School, Mr Aakash is an engineer by profession with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Sciences and an MBA from the Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad.
Mrs. Kamla Chaudhry
Mrs Kamla Chaudhry is a non-executive Director at Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL) since October 15, 2007. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts from Punjab University and obtained a Diploma in Library Science from Punjab University.
Mr. Amit Dixit
Mr Amit Dixit is a Senior Managing Director and Head of Blackstone Private Equity in India, based in Mumbai. Since joining Blackstone in 2007, Mr Dixit has been involved with various investments and investment opportunities in India and South Asia.
He currently serves as a Director on the Board for several companies including Mphasis, Essel Propack, TaskUs, Comstar Automotive Tech, Sona BLW Precision Forgings, IBS Software, Jagran Prakashan, Mid-Day Infomedia and HPPPL. Mr Dixit was previously Director of Intelenet Global Services, Trans Maldivian Airways, Igarashi Motors India, S.H. Kelkar and Emcure Pharmaceuticals.
Prior to joining Blackstone, Mr. Dixit was a Principal at Warburg Pincus. He received an MBA from Harvard Business School, an MS in Engineering from Stanford University, and a B.Tech. from Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai where he was awarded the Director’s Silver Medal for graduating at the top of his program.
Mr. Amit Jain
Mr Amit Jain is a Managing Director in the Blackstone Private Equity Group and is based in Mumbai.
Before joining Blackstone in 2010, Mr Jain worked at McKinsey & Company focusing on infrastructure and financial projects in India. Prior to that, Mr Jain worked at Hindustan Unilever Limited (“HUL”) where he worked primarily in the manufacturing and supply chain area, setting up and operating manufacturing plants in HUL. Apart from that, he currently serves as a Director on the Board for Essel Propack, Comstar Automotive Tech, Sona BLW Precision Forgings and FINO Payments Bank.
Mr Jain received a B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur where he received the “Institute Silver Medal” and a P.G.P. (equivalent to an M.B.A.) from the Indian School of Business (“ISB”), Hyderabad where he was awarded the “ISB Scholar of Excellence.“
Dr. Pramath Raj Sinha
Dr Pramath Raj Sinha is an Independent Director at Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL) since January 12, 2018. He obtained his B.Tech in Metallurgical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur and a Master’s and PhD in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics from the University of Pennsylvania, USA. He has worked at McKinsey & Company, Inc., India and at ABP Private Limited as a Managing Director.
Ms. Deborah Quazzo
Ms Deborah Quazzo is the Founder and Managing Partner of GSV AcceleraTE, a venture capital fund investing in entrepreneurs and their companies in the learning and talent technology sector with investments in Coursera, Turnitin, Andela and CourseHero. Ms. Quazzo serves on the boards of Ascend Learning (Blackstone Portfolio Company), Degreed, The Educational Testing Service (ETS), Fairygodboss, Lightneer and Remind.
Ms. Quazzo serves on the Board of Dean’s Advisors at Harvard Business School, The Khan Academy Thought Leadership Council and The Board of Dean’s Advisory Council at Princeton University. She previously served on the board of a number of education organizations including The Chicago Board of Education (CPS) and KIPP: Chicago.
She has been awarded with the 2014 Arnold M. Berlin ’46 Distinguished Service to Princeton Award from the Princeton University Club of Chicago, the 2014 Visionary of the Year Award from CFY PowerMyLearning, the 2016 LEAP Innovator in Education “Champion” Award from LEAP Innovations, the 2016 Inaugural Impact Award from Golden Apple Foundation, and the 2017 Visionary Award from the Association of American Publishers (AAP).
Ms Quazzo graduated cum laude with a BA in history from Princeton University in 1982 and an MBA from Harvard University in 1987.
Ms. Quazzo has been Independent Director of the Company with effect from October 24, 2019.