Getting to Know Bennett’s Consultants: Meet Aamynah Nagji

Meet Aamynah Nagji, one of the education consultants bringing Bennett’s expertise to families in the UAE and across the region.

As Bennett International expands our support for families navigating academic challenges across the globe, we are spotlighting the consultants who make that work possible. Aamynah is one of our Global Team Leads, and she has been instrumental in supporting families across the Middle East and Asia. Her background combines financial analysis, child development and deep cultural understanding, which gives her a distinctive perspective on helping families find the right education pathways.

Could you tell us about your education and professional background?

Aamynah Nagji: I studied economics at Saint Xavier’s College in Mumbai, where I enjoyed a well-rounded education that included psychology and sociology alongside my economics major. I pursued the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program and completed Level 1, which gave me a strong analytical foundation that I find incredibly valuable in education consulting.

What drew me to working with children was a combination of personal and professional inspiration. As I watched my own children grow, I became curious about how guidance shapes young people during key transitions. That curiosity deepened when I completed Girls Circle, a mentorship program focused on supporting teenage girls. It opened my eyes to the difference you can make at pivotal moments. That led me to UCLA’s College Counseling Certificate, which gave me a solid foundation in education guidance and confirmed this was the work I truly wanted to do.

How did you come to join Bennett International?

Aamynah: At the time I was working in youth leadership and development, and I found myself increasingly drawn to making a deeper impact. I began exploring global education trends, subscribing to industry publications to stay informed. That is when I came across a posting from Bennett International, then School Choice, for an education consultant, and it immediately resonated. It was one of those rare roles where everything aligned: my background in research and analysis, my cross-cultural experience, and my desire to support families through meaningful transitions.

It felt like a natural next step, a space where I could bring both structure and empathy to the table. It has been a perfect fit ever since.

What is it about the Bennett community that resonates with you?

Aamynah: What stands out most is how deeply collaborative it is. No matter the complexity of a case or the time zone you are working in, there is always someone ready to share insight, lend a hand, or just listen.

Everyone brings their own strengths, but it is never about individual recognition. It is a shared commitment to getting it right for the families we support. Our leadership sets the tone. Elizabeth Sawyer and Jayne Gandy lead with humility and heart, and that spirit carries across the entire team. It is a culture of kindness, professionalism and shared dedication, like one big family where we are all committed to supporting each other and, ultimately, the families we serve.

What makes the school search in Dubai so difficult for families?

Aamynah: For families relocating to Dubai, the school search can feel like a maze. Between KHDA ratings, parent reviews, glossy brochures and online forums, the sheer volume of information can be more overwhelming than helpful. What is often missing is context. What do these ratings really mean? What questions should families be asking? And what kind of school environment will truly support their child?

Beyond the confusion, there is the pressure of limited availability in certain year groups or curricula. That is why I work closely with families to bring structure to the process, guiding them step by step so they feel supported, informed and confident in the decisions they are making.

One of the most meaningful shifts we help families make is reframing the question from “which is the best school?” to “which is the best fit for our child?” That change in perspective opens up a whole new way of thinking. By understanding the family’s values, their child’s learning profile and long-term goals, we can build a clear, tailored roadmap. That kind of thoughtful, strategic support is at the heart of what we do.

What is your favourite aspect of working with relocating families?

Aamynah: When I first connect with a relocating parent, they are often navigating a whirlwind of decisions and there is anxiety about choosing the “right” school. But as we move through the process together, that uncertainty gradually gives way to clarity. Families become more confident and assured in their choices. It is a powerful shift, helping them step into a new chapter of life with a sense of direction.

What is especially meaningful is when families return to work with us again. I have had the privilege of supporting the same family through three different transitions. Being entrusted with that continued journey is incredibly rewarding, and a true testament to the relationships we build.

Many families begin unsure of how to communicate their child’s needs. Through the process, they develop the advocacy skills to truly champion their child. That empowerment stays with them, and knowing our support helped lay that foundation is one of the greatest rewards.

Tell us about your role as a Global Team Lead

Aamynah: I love each person on our team. When we have our team meetings, I often think of us as a fruit salad where each person adds a different flavour, and together we create something vibrant and well-balanced. As a Global Team Lead, one of the most fulfilling aspects of my role is connecting those individual strengths. When someone faces a challenge, I connect them with a colleague who has walked a similar path or brings relevant insight. It is not about having all the answers myself. It is about knowing how to unlock the collective wisdom within the team.

What kind of fruit would you be in that fruit salad?

Aamynah: [Laughing] I think I would be a tangy tangerine, sometimes sweet, sometimes with a bit of zing, but hopefully always adding something distinctive to the mix. Or maybe I would be that little sprig of mint that brings out the flavours of everyone else and adds a fresh perspective.

What have you learned working across the Middle East and Asia?

Aamynah: Living in the Middle East and leading work across the APAC region, I have had the privilege of supporting families relocating to cities such as Tokyo, Mumbai, Lahore, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh. It is a region that is both geographically expansive and constantly evolving, shaped by a wide spectrum of education systems, cultural expectations and changing regulation.

What I have come to appreciate is that while each location presents its own challenges, the core needs of families remain remarkably consistent. They want the best possible education for their children, and they need trusted, informed guidance to navigate unfamiliar systems. That is where Bennett’s approach shines, combining deep research and structure with a personalised, child-centred lens.

How have you grown as a consultant?

Aamynah: The biggest shift has been in my confidence and comfort handling complexity. In the beginning I relied heavily on Bennett’s tried and tested framework, which gave me a strong foundation. Over time I have developed the ability to read situations more intuitively, to pick up on what a family is not saying, or to spot red flags early and help them pivot before something becomes a problem.

I have also grown in my ability to work collaboratively across our global team. The Education Research and Analysis team, for instance, lets us work together on larger, more complex projects and cover areas remotely that require specialised expertise. I often reach out to colleagues around the world for local insight to bring added clarity to a family’s relocation.

What has not changed is the heart of the work: being present for families during moments of uncertainty and helping them move forward with clarity and confidence. That still brings me just as much joy today as it did on day one.

How a Bennett consultant helps

Aamynah’s combination of analytical expertise, cultural understanding and genuine care for families makes her a valued member of Bennett’s UAE special education needs support team. Her experience across the region, alongside Bennett’s three decades of global work, means families receive guidance that is both culturally grounded and practically useful.

If you are in the UAE seeking support for a child with additional education needs, or planning a relocation and wanting your child’s education to continue smoothly, our consultants work with relocating families every day on exactly this.

Get in touch with a consultant who knows Dubai schools first-hand, for an hour of clarity →