For far too long, education professionals—especially those beyond traditional teaching roles—have operated in fragmented silos, with limited access to structured growth, meaningful networks, or strategic collaborations. The Outreach Collective (TOC) emerged as a game-changer, challenging outdated hierarchies and creating a thriving, inclusive ecosystem where education professionals across K-12 and higher education can learn, connect, and build together.
More than just a professional association, TOC has become a movement, ensuring that independent counselors, school leaders, university outreach professionals, and education entrepreneurs have a platform to engage, influence, and drive change.
“For years, the education sector in South Asia operated on outdated hierarchies. TOC is not just filling a gap—it’s tearing down barriers and rewriting the rules of engagement,” says Bhakti Shah, Founder of TOC.
A Leadership-Led Vision: Rewriting the Rules of Professional Development
TOC was built with a singular vision: to disrupt the status quo in education professional development. Unlike traditional models that prioritize institutional affiliations and seniority, TOC operates on a principle of radical inclusivity—ensuring that expertise, not titles, drives impact.
The leadership team at TOC has drawn on decades of experience in international education, university outreach, student recruitment, edtech, and career guidance to develop a first-of-its-kind professional community. Their approach is deeply collaborative, leveraging collective knowledge to build high-impact programs, events, and strategic partnerships.
“Professional growth in education shouldn’t be a privilege—it should be the standard. If we expect educators and industry leaders to shape the future, they need access to the same kind of learning, networking, and opportunities that other industries take for granted,” adds Bhakti Shah.
A Collective Response to Systemic Gaps
The founding team at TOC identified several deep-rooted issues in the education sector that demanded urgent intervention:
Lack of structured professional development for non-teaching and non-academic professionals.
Exclusion of independent professionals, particularly counselors, from major industry events and partnerships.
Limited access to market insights and meaningful networking, leaving professionals disconnected from critical opportunities.
The absence of South Asian representation in global education leadership spaces.
TOC was designed as an intentional counterpoint to these systemic gaps, ensuring that professionals across higher education, K-12 schools, edtech companies, and independent practices have access to the knowledge, resources, and networks necessary to build, grow, and lead.
“The education industry has long been structured to keep certain voices at the margins. TOC is about taking back space—ensuring that those shaping the future of education are actually part of the conversations that matter,” Namita Mehta, President, The Red Pen, Member, Executive Board, TOC
What Sets TOC Apart?
At its core, TOC is about access, collaboration, and business impact. Unlike legacy education organizations, TOC doesn’t gatekeep membership—it welcomes professionals from across the sector, whether they’re leading school outreach, managing university partnerships, running independent counseling practices, or launching education startups.
Key differentiators include:
Radical Inclusivity – If you work in education, you belong here. No institutional affiliations required.
Global Learning Standards – Structured professional development programs, industry-led panels, and immersive retreats designed to equip members with actionable insights.
High-Impact Leadership – A collective of South Asia’s most forward-thinking education professionals driving real change in the sector.
Business Acceleration – Directly improving business outcomes for education startups, forging stronger relationships between universities, schools, test prep providers, independent counselors, and edtech companies.
“TOC isn’t just another networking platform it’s a space where real business, real collaboration, and real change happen. We aren’t waiting for opportunities; we’re creating them,” Sagar Siddhanti, Member, Executive Board, TOC
Overcoming Challenges: Changing the Industry Mindset
The journey to establishing TOC wasn’t without its challenges.
Breaking the Culture of Competition – The education industry in South Asia has long been fragmented, with professionals viewing peers as competitors rather than collaborators. TOC has actively worked to shift this mindset, creating an environment where shared success takes precedence over individual gain.
Overcoming Biases Against Homegrown Initiatives – Many professionals initially hesitated to engage, believing that international associations held more credibility. TOC has proven otherwise, building a high-quality platform that rivals global counterparts.
Building a Committed Leadership Team – While many wanted a seat at the table, fewer were willing to put in the work. TOC has carefully cultivated leaders who believe in collective progress over personal recognition.
Sustaining Momentum – The real impact is seen in the everyday moments when a networking event leads to a game-changing partnership or when an independent counselor finds a new avenue for career growth through TOC connections.
“We were never interested in playing by the old rules. TOC is for those who are ready to build something bigger than themselves—because when one of us grows, the entire sector benefits,” says Bhakti Shah.
Milestones and Achievements: A Growing Impact
TOC’s steady rise as a professional development powerhouse is reflected in its key achievements:
Creating a dynamic, engaged community of education professionals across K-12 and higher education.
Hosting high-impact workshops, networking events, and retreats, where collaboration and learning fuel meaningful industry change.
Elevating independent counselors by positioning them at the forefront of professional platforms and university engagements.
Driving business outcomes for education startups, strengthening industry relationships between universities, schools, test prep providers, independent counselors, and edtech companies.
“Before TOC, many professionals like me worked in silos, with relationships that were purely transactional. Now, we have a real community—one where collaboration is genuine, and knowledge-sharing is the norm,” says Aashima Sethi, Coordinator- University & Guidance Counselling, Legacy School Bangalore, Chair- Impact Projects, TOC
The Road Ahead: A Global Future
TOC’s leadership envisions an ambitious roadmap for growth, with plans to:
Expand TOC’s footprint across South Asia, establishing it as the go-to platform for education professionals.
Enhance global access for members, ensuring they have representation in major international education forums.
Launch TOC member chapters in Africa, the GCC, and Southeast Asia, broadening its impact.
Set new industry standards for professional development, redefining how education professionals grow and thrive.
“This is just the beginning. TOC is not just a community it’s a movement. And we’re taking it global,” says Bhakti Shah.
Conclusion: A Collective Force of Change
The Outreach Collective is more than just an organization it is a testament to what’s possible when professionals come together to drive real, structural change in education. No more exclusion. No more isolated professionals struggling to navigate the sector alone. No more transactional relationships that lack depth and value.
“TOC isn’t about participation it’s about power. And when education professionals thrive, the entire ecosystem benefits,” says Bhakti Shah.
Call-to-Action: Join the Movement
Ready to be part of something bigger? Visit TOC’s website to become a member and follow them on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates.
