Her Story
About Jaya
Ms. Jaya Bhavnani is the Executive Director of Dwight Global Online School and a founding leader of the program, which is now ranked the #1 online high school in the United States by Niche. With over four decades of experience in international education across three continents, she brings deep expertise and a global perspective to her work. A former founding leader at Dwight School Dubai, she has been an active contributor to the International Baccalaureate community and serves as an evaluator for the Council of International Schools (CIS). Recognized with the GESS Award for Outstanding Contribution in Education (2019), GFEL Top 100 Leaders in Education (2020), and the EdTech Leadership Award (2021), she is committed to fostering intercultural understanding and compassionate, respectful relationships through education.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jaya
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to my maternal grandmother. After the 1947 partition of India and Pakistan, she moved to India with her children and, despite having little formal education, showed extraordinary resilience, warmth, and compassion while caring for her family. Watching her face every challenge with the belief that there is always a solution shaped my own values and made me a deeply solution-oriented person.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be open to taking thoughtful risks and don’t let hesitation or overthinking hold you back from trying something meaningful. If you feel drawn to an opportunity, pursue it with confidence. At the same time, choose paths that contribute positively to your community, remembering that true success includes making a difference beyond yourself.
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