Leadership Team

Shahdokht Mudakavi, aka “Shy,” is the founder and CEO of Safari Kid Global Inc. Bringing over 20 years of experience in early childhood education, she demonstrates a profound commitment to fostering the healthy development of young minds. Shy’s leadership is marked by her hands-on approach to curriculum development, where she collaborates closely with her team to design engagements that stimulate children's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth. Her passion for providing a child-centric, engaging learning environment ensures that each Safari Kid center nurtures curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love for learning.

Shy began her career as a teacher and has continuously advanced her knowledge through various early childhood development courses, earning CEUs in early childhood education from the University of Oklahoma. Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in law, a bachelor of commerce, and a certification in web and internet system engineering, internet security, and e-commerce engineering from the University of Santa Cruz. Fluent in six languages, Shy’s multifaceted expertise and dedication to professional development have solidified her reputation as a leader in early childhood education. Her unique blend of skills ensures that Safari Kid provides an engaging and inclusive learning environment, preparing children for lifelong success.

As the Chief Financial Officer for Safari Kid Global Inc., Deepak Mudakavi drives the organization's financial success by overseeing financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting to ensure stability and growth. His strategic financial analysis supports informed decision-making and profitability, while robust internal controls mitigate risks and ensure compliance. Deepak collaborates with cross-functional teams to optimize resource allocation and drive operational excellence. His expertise in mergers and acquisitions includes evaluating opportunities, conducting due diligence, and integrating new entities into Safari Kid Global Inc.

Deepak began his career at BMC Software, dedicating 15 years before co-founding Safari Kid in 2005 with his wife, Shadokth Mudakavi. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business studies and law and computer science from the University of California, Berkeley. His diligent financial management and strategic guidance have positioned Safari Kid Global Inc. for sustained expansion. Deepak’s comprehensive financial reporting keeps stakeholders informed, and his work with franchisees aligns financial strategies with the company’s long-term goals.

As Chief Revenue Officer for Safari Kid Global, Inc., Arihant Jain assumes a crucial responsibility for overseeing sales and marketing, driving business growth and strategic expansion globally. His leadership empowers teams to execute impactful campaigns, build strong client relationships, and identify potential franchise partners who align with Safari Kid’s values. Arihant facilitates the establishment of new centers worldwide, ensuring the brand’s presence in key markets.

Arihant also focuses on in-center revenue growth, optimizing revenue streams through comprehensive strategies and market analysis. He enhances service offerings, improves customer experiences, and implements effective pricing strategies, increasing profitability. Arihant holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Shivaji University and brings over 25 years of diverse executive experience, having worked with early-stage startups and renowned public companies like Tata Communications and Akamai Technologies. His strategic acumen and dedication to expanding Safari Kid’s global reach solidify its position as a leader in early childhood education.

Aparna Parashar has been with Safari Kid since 2010, currently serving as Director of Safari Kid Newark and Director of Operations for Safari Kid Global Inc. As Head of Operations, she oversees administration, regulatory compliance, professional development, and location quality assurance. Additionally, she supports and guides franchise owners and directors in their day-to-day operations. By maintaining a role as Director of Safari Kid Newark, Aparna can relate well with the directors of all locations as she can anticipate the needs of their centers in real time.

Aparna brings over 16 years of experience in the childcare industry and more than 14 years of administrative experience. She holds a Director’s permit in Early Childhood Education and a Master of Arts degree. Aparna is passionate about fostering a nurturing and stimulating environment for children across all Safari Kid locations. Her extensive background and dedication are pivotal in maintaining the high standards and quality of Safari Kid Preschools nationally.

As Director of Marketing for Safari Kid Global Inc., Candace Gatewood collaborates closely with the Chief Revenue Officer and Director of Enrollment to develop and implement strategies to attract and retain new families and franchise investors. She facilitates and supports both Safari Kid Global Inc. and its franchisees through strategic planning, brand management, digital marketing, community engagement, and key performance indicator analysis. Candace’s role is pivotal in ensuring cohesive and effective marketing efforts across the entire organization.

With more than eight years of marketing and sales experience in the education sector, Candace previously excelled as Regional Marketing Manager for Charter Schools USA, a for-profit education management organization operating 87 schools across seven states, including 61 charter schools in Florida. She oversaw marketing and enrollment initiatives, implementation, and training for more than 13 locations in North and South Carolina. Candace also brings entrepreneurial experience in the behavioral health and restaurant industries, showcasing her versatility and business acumen. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master's in business administration. Candace’s blend of marketing expertise and a deep understanding of early childhood education drives her dedication to promoting Safari Kid’s mission of providing exceptional educational experiences to young learners globally.

Piroja Montgomery brings 23 years of dedicated experience in the field of education and has led curriculum design at Safari Kid since 2016. She drives the continuous enhancement of Safari Kid’s programs through rigorous research and ongoing professional development. Her career began as a public elementary teacher after earning her master’s in education in 2001. In 2007, she developed curricula for a private school in Orange County, CA, and a charter school in Los Angeles, CA. By 2010, Piroja joined Scantron Corporation, where she created web-based educational content for elementary school districts nationwide.

Piroja’s extensive experience and dedication to educational excellence uniquely position her to lead Sarari Kid’s curriculum design efforts. Over the course of 8 years, she has been instrumental in transforming Safari Kid’s curriculum initiatives by integrating research-driven, cutting-edge educational strategies and techniques, ensuring Safari Kid’s programs remain at the forefront of early childhood education.

As the Learning and Development Program Manager at Safari Kid Global Inc., Nima Kapoor plays a pivotal role in driving the organization's training, development, and system designing efforts. She collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to curate targeted initiatives to implement a comprehensive learning platform that supports the continuous growth and development of franchise owners, directors, and educators while upholding Safari Kid’s standards of excellence.

Nima holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Sales System Trainer certification from Ziglar Inc. Her past experiences as a Business Analyst at Wells Fargo Bank and Senior Learning Development Trainer at Hutchison 3 Global Services provided her with a solid foundation for her current responsibilities at Safari Kid. Dedicated to advancing best practices in early childhood education, Nima’s leadership and innovative strategies are integral to the ongoing success and growth of Safari Kid stakeholders, helping to maintain a well-trained, knowledgeable, and high-performing team across all learning centers.

Deepa Tarunkumar serves as Director of Enrollment Training and Revenue Enablement at Safari Kid Global Inc., where she leverages her extensive expertise to align national and local market dynamics. She is responsible for the comprehensive training and implementation of best practices for Safari Kid’s consumer relationship management and childcare management platforms, ensuring optimal efficiency and effectiveness.

Deepa Tarunkumar holds an MBA in Human Resources and an AA in Early Childhood Education. She brings over 12 years of experience in the early childhood education field, including four years of directional leadership at Safari Kid Union City. Driven by a passion for strategy development and enrollment transformation, Deepa focuses on maximizing the potential of each Safari Kid location. Her efforts are instrumental in driving enrollment initiatives forward, with a keen eye on both immediate and long-term revenue growth.