‘School is a safe space to explore who you are’

Apeejay School, Saket alumna Bhavya Dhankani (Batch of 2015) has built an impressive career in consulting and corporate strategy, currently working as Assistant Manager – Corporate Strategy at Hero Enterprise. Having started her academic journey at Apeejay from nursery, she has moved from EY to KPMG, and now into a hybrid strategic role that combines consulting and implementation. In this conversation, Bhavya shares valuable industry insights and career learnings, rooted in a foundation of confidence and curiosity built during her school years.

How did your consulting journey begin, and what made you stay in this domain?

After completing my B.Com from Gargi College, I began my career at EY through campus placements and then moved to KPMG. The consulting world fascinated me, every day brings a new challenge. It’s fast-paced, demanding, and requires you to stay on your toes constantly. What kept me going was the steep learning curve. You’re often expected to work with industry leaders, even without prior expertise. So, you dig deep, research intensively, and by the end of the project, you come out knowing more than any textbook could teach.

How is your current role in corporate strategy different from traditional consulting?

At Hero Enterprise, I’m part of the CEO’s office. It’s no longer about just advising; it’s about executing those strategies in-house. The work is a mix of consulting and hands-on implementation. You’re not just presenting solutions, you’re ensuring they work on the ground, which brings a whole new level of ownership and responsibility.

What foundational skills helped you succeed in such a dynamic industry?

Confidence, communication, and critical thinking. These were rooted in my Apeejay years – thanks to my then English teacher & principal. Whether it was participating in debating clubs, basketball matches, or inter-school folk dances, I was encouraged to explore everything. That helped me understand leadership, collaboration, and most importantly, how to experiment fearlessly.

Any advice for students interested in management consulting?

Don’t rush into thinking about careers just yet. School is a safe space to explore who you are. Join clubs, take up exchange programs, try new hobbies, from robotics to pottery. Those experiences will eventually shape your problem-solving mindset and interpersonal skills, which are the real assets in consulting and beyond.