Shaheen Mistri: The Social Entrepreneur Leading the Charge with Teach For India.

In a country where education often determines opportunity, Shaheen Mistri has emerged as one of India’s most influential changemakers. As the founder and CEO of Teach For India, she has dedicated her life to transforming the nation’s education system by empowering young leaders to bridge the gap between privilege and poverty. Her work stands as a beacon of hope, showing that lasting change begins when passionate individuals commit themselves to a collective vision of equality and empowerment.

Born in Mumbai, Shaheen Mistri grew up in an environment that exposed her to both privilege and disparity. Educated at the University of Mumbai and later at Tufts University in the United States, she returned to India with a deep sense of purpose. While volunteering during her college years, she was struck by the vast inequalities in access to education across the country. This realization led her to take the first step toward social entrepreneurship.

At just eighteen, she founded the Akanksha Foundation, an organization aimed at providing quality education to underprivileged children through after-school centers. What began as a small initiative with a few volunteers soon grew into a dynamic movement transforming lives across Mumbai and Pune. However, Shaheen’s vision extended beyond short-term interventions. She wanted to create a long-term, scalable model that would nurture leadership and drive systemic change in education.

This vision gave birth to Teach For India in 2009, inspired by the global Teach For All network. The program recruits outstanding graduates and professionals to teach in under-resourced schools for two years, equipping them with leadership skills while simultaneously improving the quality of education for thousands of children. Under Shaheen’s guidance, Teach For India has grown into one of the most respected social enterprises in the nation, with fellows and alumni impacting millions of students through schools, non-profits, and government partnerships.

Shaheen’s approach blends compassion with strategy. She believes in the power of collective leadership and community-driven solutions. Her work has earned her widespread recognition, including accolades such as the Ashoka Fellowship and the Forbes India Leadership Award for Social Entrepreneurship. Yet, despite her success, she remains grounded in her mission to reimagine education as a tool for social justice and empowerment.

Today, Teach For India continues to evolve as a movement, nurturing a new generation of educators, innovators, and policymakers committed to ensuring that every child in India receives an excellent education. Shaheen Mistri’s journey serves as a profound reminder that true leadership is not about authority but about service. Through her vision and unwavering commitment, she has redefined what it means to be an entrepreneur in the social sector.