Education
Weekend Unwind with: ReachIvy founder & chief education officer Vibha Kagzi
Mumbai: With another weekend upon us, it is time to unwind with the latest Q&A edition of Indiantelevision.com’s Weekend Unwind – a series of informal chats that peek into the minds of business executives through a fun lens in an attempt to get to know the person behind the title a little better.
In this week’s session, we have ReachIvy founder & chief education officer Vibha Kagzi.
ReachIvy.com is a premium online education and careers advisory for students founded by Vibha Kagzi who holds MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Science degree from Carnegie Mellon University.
She founded ReachIvy.com with the objective of providing intensive guidance on study abroad and careers from experts who have first-hand knowledge of what it means to earn a degree from a top school and lead initiatives at prestigious companies/organisations.
So, without further ado, here it goes…
Your mantra for life
“Empower Your Path: Break Barriers, Ignite Dreams”
So, picture this: my life in a nutshell, all wrapped up in this little phrase. It’s like a reminder to tackle challenges head-on, grab those chances with both hands and nurture those big dreams like they’re precious little seedlings. My own story of rocking the education and career game? Yep, that’s my pep talk right there. And you know what’s the real juice? Guiding and pumping up the youth with a glimmer of hopes and dreams in their eyes – it’s like my life’s mission in a nutshell. So go on, let’s keep hustling, learning, and dreaming big.
A book you are currently reading or plan to read
I plan on reading “The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment” by Eckhart Tolle, a popular self-help and spiritual book that focuses on the concept of mindfulness and present-moment awareness, and “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead” by Sheryl Sandberg is a book that addresses issues related to women in the workplace, leadership, and gender equality.
Your fitness mantra, especially during the pandemic
When the pandemic hit, I rolled with the punches and crafted a fitness routine that jived with my values and crazy schedule. Tough times, huh? But my motto was my guiding light: “Adapt, Strengthen, Thrive: Nurturing Body and Mind.”
And you know what that’s all about? Embracing the curveballs, shaking hands with change, and giving my body and mind some much-needed TLC. It’s like a harmony of sweat sessions and zen vibes that kept me rocking even in the stormiest of times.
Your comfort food
My comfort food leans towards the flavours of South Indian cuisine. Absolutely delicious!
A quote or philosophy that keeps you going when the chips are down
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
This quote reflects the idea that setbacks and challenges are a natural part of any journey, and what truly matters is the determination to persevere in the face of adversity. It aligns with my proactive and resilient approach to my career and life’s pursuits.
Your guilty pleasure
Indulging in my hobbies is my delightful guilty pleasure. I am all for deep-sea diving too!
The last time you tried something new
Every day, I embrace the thrill of experimenting with fresh approaches to everyday tasks.
A life lesson you learned the hard way
In my playbook, tough times? They’re like the universe serving up a challenge and me saying, “Challenge accepted!” I’m all about turning adversity into a launchpad for growth. Yup, you heard that right. Every bump in the road? It’s my golden ticket to upping my game, both personally and professionally.
And you know what? It jives with my education mission and helping students tackle obstacles like champs on their way to nailing those goals. It might sound like a motivational poster, but it’s real stuff. Challenges? Meet my stepping stones to success.
What gets you excited about life
Life’s my playground of excitement, powered by my passion for education and career guidance. Seeing students shine and evolve, shaping their tomorrows? That’s my buzz. Committees, boards, and events? They fire me up for sharing knowledge and lighting up young minds. And then there’s my yoga, diving, and wanderlust for new cultures – pure zest! Growth? It’s my life’s fuel, keeping everything vibrant and alive.
What’s on top of your bucket list
Central to my aspirations is a profound goal: to expand the boundaries of primary education, extend my company’s footprint to new nations and uplift young minds. It’s a vision that resonates with empowering the next generation and cultivating positive transformation on a global canvas.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be
Hey, there Vibha! Don’t think, don’t worry too much about the future, just embrace the journey as every challenge is a chance to grow, and anything you enjoy doing, do it with passion and will be fruitful. You got this!
One thing you would most like to change about the world
One aspect I’d earnestly consider refining in our world is ensuring universal access to top-tier education, irrespective of background or circumstances. The concept echoes my deep-rooted commitment to mentoring students and propelling them toward their aspirations. The symphony of these ideals harmonises perfectly with my fervent desire to leave a meaningful imprint on the tapestry of young minds.
An activity that keeps you motivated and charged during tough times
Jumping into a mentorship or getting up on that speaking stage – those are my jams! I get to dish out my knowledge, light up some inspiration, and who knows, maybe sprinkle some positive vibes into people’s lives (fingers crossed, and a bit of a hopeful chuckle). Guiding and supporting others through the tough stuff? That’s my secret sauce for a turbocharged sense of purpose and the oomph to tackle anything head-on.
What lifts your spirits when life gets you down
When life decides to throw me a curveball, I find my spirits soaring by connecting with awesome students and seeing their triumphs. And hey, a change of scenery does wonders too – exploring new places, soaking in different cultures – it’s like a soul recharge! Oh, and yoga, my trusty sidekick, helps me find my zen when things get crazy. Life’s a ride, and I’m here for the adventure!
Your go-to stress buster
When stress starts knocking, my trusty sidekick is yoga. Yep, I’m a certified yoga trainer, and hitting the mat is like pressing the reset button for me. It’s my go-to for shaking off the craziness and finding that inner zen. Life’s too short to stress, right?
Education
Scaler appoints new heads for its online and offline businesses
Amar Srivastava becomes chief executive of the online business and group chief product officer; Vidit Jain takes charge of the offline schools
BENGALURU: Scaler is shuffling its top deck as the AI skilling race heats up. The Bengaluru-based tech education company has elevated two senior executives to lead its online and offline businesses, signalling a sharper push into an AI-driven market.
Amar Srivastava, previously senior vice president for product and business, has been appointed chief executive of the online business and group chief product officer. Vidit Jain has been elevated to senior vice president and head of Scaler School, taking charge of the company’s offline education units, the Scaler School of Business and the Scaler School of Technology.
The company has also recently appointed Ratnakar Reddy as head of enterprise for India and the Middle East and North Africa, with a brief to drive partnerships with governments and enterprises for AI-led skilling programmes.
Abhimanyu Saxena, co-founder of Scaler, said the promotions reflect the company’s confidence in both leaders and the direction it is heading. “Amar and Vidit have been central to Scaler’s journey, and their elevations reflect our conviction in their leadership and the direction we are shaping as a company,” he said. “With leadership now in place across the business, we remain focused on building engineers the world’s best companies want to hire. In an AI-first economy, that mission is more urgent and more achievable than ever. Our next chapter is centred on building an AI-native workforce from India, equipped to compete in a technology-driven global economy.”
Srivastava brings over a decade of experience building education-focused ventures. He previously founded Intellify and was part of the early team at Doubtnut. At Scaler, he will lead the online business with a focus on growth, profitability and expansion into new segments, while strengthening the product ecosystem across the group. He is blunt about what the AI economy actually needs. “The AI economy does not have a shortage of tools. It has a shortage of engineers who can think clearly, build reliably, and keep learning as the ground shifts. That is what we are building toward,” he said.
Jain brings more than 15 years of experience across startups and consulting, including stints at MPL and McKinsey and Company. He will oversee growth and profitability of Scaler’s offline business. His priorities are immediate and unambiguous. “The offline experience is where depth gets built, and that depth is critical in the AI era. Over the next 12 months, our focus will be on consistent growth, stronger unit economics, and delivering outcomes for students while building long-term employer partnerships,” he said.
Founded in 2019, Scaler is valued at $710 million and backed by Peak XV Partners, Tiger Global and Lightrock India. Its parent firm, InterviewBit, has featured on the Financial Times’ Asia Pacific High Growth Companies rankings every year from 2021 to 2025. On average, Scaler’s learners see a 4.5x return on investment and a salary increase of around 126 per cent.
With leadership locked in across every business unit, Scaler is betting that the next wave of global tech hiring will be won or lost on the quality of engineers coming out of India. It is a big bet. But the numbers, and the promotions, suggest the company is in no mood to hedge.
