Educational Impact
At the heart of Divya Gokulnath’s is the conviction that a curious mind exists and learns through questioning, critical thinking and must embrace life-long learning. Raising her head above the commonplace practices of rote, she has emerged as a champion of individualized, interactive learning that enables students to experiment and discover and excel in a world constantly changing.
70 million students worldwide
13.5 million new users in just four months
Interactive methods adopted
Her contribution is not only quantifiable today but also in the form of the confidence of students who do not fear the process of learning. With Innovation, empathy, and accessibility, Divya is still making education a means of empowerment that goes across geography and generations.
Parenting Influence
Beyond classrooms and boardrooms, Divya’s influence extends into homes as a role model for working parents. Her openness about the challenges of balancing family and career has resonated with countless parents, particularly mothers, striving to pursue both professional and personal growth.
“As a mother of two, I’ve realized that parenting and leadership are deeply connected. Every day, I learn lessons in patience, empathy, and adaptability from my children—lessons that shape how I guide teams and make decisions at BYJU’S. Balancing work and family is not about perfection; it’s about presence, intention, and being able to show up fully in both roles.
I openly share my experiences—the joys, the challenges, the occasional chaos—because I want other parents, especially mothers, to know that it’s possible to pursue your professional ambitions without feeling guilty about your personal commitments. By fostering conversations about supportive workplaces, shared responsibilities, and community-driven parenting, I hope to inspire a culture where parents can thrive both at home and in their careers. For me, the values I nurture at home—resilience, curiosity, and empathy—are the same ones I carry into my work, shaping a leadership style that is compassionate, inclusive, and grounded in real-life experience.”
Business & Leadership Impact
Divya’s entrepreneurial impact is inseparable from the growth of BYJU’S into a great global edtech leader. Since its inception in 2011 to the present position of being one of the most valued education companies in the world, her contribution has contributed greatly not only to business performance but also to organizational culture and industry standards.
Her leadership combines vision with empathy. She has built and guided teams that prioritize innovation, resilience, and purpose. During the pandemic, she spearheaded initiatives that balanced rapid scaling with student-first values, ensuring the company grew without losing sight of its mission.
Divya’s impact also extends to the broader edtech ecosystem. As a Chair of the FICCI EdTech Taskforce, she has led policies that promote both access, equity and quality in education. The fact that she has appeared on international platforms and has been featured in such business magazines as Forbes and Fortune only emphasizes her role as a business leader who is shaping the future of learning.
Her story demonstrates that leadership is not about titles but about empowering people, ideas, and industries to thrive.
Initiative Showcases
Free Learning Program (Pandemic Response)
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to close, millions of students risked losing months of learning, with those from underserved communities most affected. Recognizing this urgent challenge, Divya Gokulnath spearheaded an initiative to make BYJU’S premium content freely accessible to all students.
- Problem: Millions of students risked losing learning continuity during school closures.
- Solution: Divya led the effort to make BYJU’S premium content available free to all students.
- Impact: 13.5M new users joined in 4 months; 70M+ total students reached.
Testimonial: “These resources kept my child engaged and confident when schools shut down.” — Parent
Women in STEM Advocacy
Despite the educational progress, women still experience underrepresentation in STEM, and many are commonly exposed to systemic prejudices and inadequate support in the form of mentorship. Divya has proactively filled this gap by writing, offering mentorship services, and speaking to more young women to help them feel confident about taking up STEM professions.
- Problem: Gender imbalance and underrepresentation in STEM careers.
- Solution: Through writing, mentorship, and speaking engagements, Divya advocates for stronger inclusion of women in STEM.
- Impact: Thousands inspired through campaigns, articles, and talks; growing dialogue on pay equity.
Testimonial: “Her words encouraged me to pursue engineering without hesitation.” — Student
Success Stories
“Divya mam’s lessons made math exciting again. I am grateful to be taught by her” — Riya, Student, Age 14
“Her leadership proves balance is possible.” — Anjali, Working Mother
“At BYJU’S, I feel heard and valued. The meetings always felt like interesting discussions where all thoughts were analysed but valued at the same time.” — Arjun, Team Member
Global Reach & Recognition (Minimal Micro-Copy)
Global Reach
- 70M+ learners across 20+ countries
- Content adapted into multiple languages
- Partnerships with global educational institutions
Recognition Wall (Awards)
- Fortune India – Most Powerful Women in Business (2020, 2021)
- Forbes Asia – Power Businesswomen (2020)
- LinkedIn Top Voices: India (2019, 2020)
ExpressAWE Award – The Indian Express (2022)
