Lessons from the Hills: Schauna Chauhan’s Path to Purpose and Leadership

For Schauna Chauhan (Class of 1995), CEO of Parle Agro, the journey from the hills of Kodaikanal to leading one of India’s most iconic beverage companies has been shaped as much by professional ambition as by the early lessons she absorbed during her years at KIS.

Looking back, she describes attending Kodaikanal International School as “one of the best decisions made for me,” even though she didn’t fully grasp at the time how deeply it would influence her life.

What she remembers most vividly are the simple, unexpected moments, friendships that became like family, long peaceful hours in the library flipping through encyclopedias and magazines, and the thrill of discovering sides of herself she didn’t know existed. She performed the lead role in HMS Pinafore, realised she had an athletic streak, tried and failed repeatedly to love hiking, and even once managed to sneak a television into her dorm room before being caught while trying to sneak it out. She remembers orange candies tucked into paper snack bags after long walks, and she remembers tenderness, too standing in the phone booth on Sundays, crying quietly as she waited for a call from home during those early years of homesickness. Field Day was her favourite time of the year, when the entire school walked together, competed together, and shared a meal on banana leaves around the field. Those memories stayed with her so strongly that in 2024, she returned to KIS for Field Day with her son, Jahaan, who she was thrilled to introduce to the place where she grew up. He made new friends instantly, and seeing him experience a glimpse of her childhood felt like a circle completing itself.

Throughout her school years, it was the people around her who quietly shaped her outlook. One dorm parent, she recalls, taught her some of life’s most important values through small, everyday actions, responsibility, kindness, sharing, and the importance of simply being there for others. The friendships she built in boarding school became the foundation of her emotional world.

There is something undeniably unique about boarding school friendships, she says; they become your support system, your daily companions, and relationships that last far beyond adolescence.

KIS also played an unmistakable role in shaping her confidence, resilience, and leadership. Being away from home pushed her to grow independent early. She learned to trust herself even when things felt unfamiliar. School placed her in situations that demanded courage, whether performing on stage, striving academically, or navigating the ebb and flow of dorm life. Every challenge became an opportunity to problem-solve, adapt, and build character. Those lessons stayed with her long after she left: the ability to work with people from different backgrounds, the value of discipline and consistency, and the habit of picking herself up and moving forward, even when the moment felt overwhelming.

After completing a bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Schauna returned home and joined the family business, Parle Agro. Her leadership journey since then has been marked by transformation, innovation, and a clear vision for building Indian capability. One of the defining achievements of her tenure has been Parle Agro’s ability to source 96% of its materials domestically, a milestone that reflects both operational strategy and a deeper commitment to strengthening the Indian economy. The company has embraced cutting-edge technologies that have significantly improved efficiency, reduced costs, and modernised operations, from smart manufacturing to robotics. Under her guidance, Parle Agro has also accomplished its targets for waste reduction, successfully recycling 100% of its plastic waste in partnership with various agencies, an achievement she views not just as corporate responsibility but as cultural responsibility.

Though often asked about being a woman in leadership, Schauna explains that she never viewed her challenges through the lens of gender. She focused on the work itself rather than on gender dynamics, choosing not to interpret obstacles as gender-related unless they explicitly were. What has guided her consistently is her belief that businesses are fundamentally built on people. Employees who drive vision, vendors who invest in your success, customers who shape loyalty, and infrastructure that enables growth all of it is held together, she says, by respect and trust. Ethical practices, transparency, and long-term relationships form the foundation upon which sustainable enterprises are built.

Her definition of success has remained unchanged since the early days of her career. Success, to her, is measured by whether she is still learning. The moment the learning curve stops, she believes, is the moment one should worry. For current KIS students who aspire to leadership roles whether in business or in other fields her advice is straightforward and powerful: trust your instincts, don’t be afraid to challenge the norm, and never let doubt slow you down. The world will always have opinions, but staying true to your vision is what ultimately shapes your journey.

Balancing personal passions, family, and a demanding career is something she approaches with intentionality. Rather than trying to strictly separate work and life, she focuses on harmonising them so that neither feels like a burden. Time, she says, is the most valuable currency. Being disciplined about how she invests it thoughtfully but not rigidly allows her to remain present in each part of her life. Structure matters, but so does adaptability. This philosophy helps her navigate the pace of leading a fast-growing company while also ensuring she prioritises what matters most.

As Parle Agro continues to rise, Schauna is excited about deepening the “Make in India” ecosystem, entering new beverage segments, supporting Indian agriculture, and building brands that resonate not just across the country but around the world. She smiles when she recalls a Kodai friend in Canada sending her a photo of a Frooti bottle with the caption “Home.” Parle Agro’s reach, she reflects, now extends far beyond borders, and with it, a sense of Indian identity travels too. Looking ahead, she feels grateful for how far the company has come, for the people who continue to make it possible, and for her own journey of evolving as a leader and as a person.

From the slopes of Kodaikanal to the helm of one of India’s most dynamic companies, Schauna Chauhan’s story is one of curiosity, courage, learning, and the enduring impact of the communities that shape us.

It is a journey rooted in early lessons from KIS and carried forward by a commitment to build, innovate, and uplift, both people and the nation she serves.