Associate Professor
Dr. Vidhya Darshan Thakkar is an Associate Professor in the School of Business and Law at Navrachana University. She is an accomplished academician and behavioral expert holding a Doctorate in Career Psychology and a master’s degree in management with a specialization in Human Resources Management. Her credentials as an academician are strengthened by a Diploma in Training and Development from ISTD, New Delhi, and a Diploma in Psychological Counselling from IBMS (AP). She is also recognized as a Certified Mental Health First Aider (MHFA, India) and a Certified Learning and Development Professional (GSDC).
With over two decades of robust experience traversing higher education, management institutes, and corporate training, Dr. Thakkar has built an exceptional track record of academic facilitation across prominent Indian cities like Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, and Surat. She most recently served as an Assistant Professor at the prestigious K J Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai, where she also demonstrated institutional leadership as the Admissions Chairperson for two consecutive terms. Beyond teaching excellence, Dr. Thakkar is a published author, active career counselor as the founder of CareerGenesys, and a corporate trainer who has successfully delivered Management Development Programmes (MDPs) for flagship public and private enterprises.
● Ph.D. in Career Psychology – Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat (2019)
● M.Phil. – Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat (2012)
● MBA in Personnel Management (First Class with Distinction – 76.7%) – University of Pune (1999)
● Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) – Kolkata University (1997)
● Certified Learning and Development Professional – Global Skill Development Council (GSDC)
● Certified Mental Health First Aider – MHFA, India
● Diploma in Training and Development – Indian Society for Training and Development (ISTD), New Delhi
● Diploma in Psychological Counselling – Institute of Behavioral and Management Sciences (IBMS, AP)
● Primary Areas: Organizational Behavior, Human Resource Management, Leadership Development, Personality Development.
● Secondary Areas: Career Motivation, Cross-Cultural Management, Talent Planning, Adolescent & Personal Counseling, Pedagogical Innovations.
● Assistant Professor | K J Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai (Jan 2022 – Present)
○ Facilitated specialized courses including OB, HRM, Leadership Development, and Cross-Cultural Management.
○ Appointed as Admissions Chairperson (June 2024 – April 2026), serving on the core leadership team.
○ Synchronised, the Collaborative Social Impact Project “We-Chemie” across multiple programme batches.
● Lecturer | Delhi Public School (June 2016 – March 2020)
○ Taught Psychology, Business Studies, and Accountancy while active as a career pathway mentor.
● Lecturer cum Counsellor | Holy Spirit School (May 2014 – March 2016)
● Visiting Faculty | ITM Business School (June 2013 – June 2014)
○ Handled Organization Development for second-year MBA cohorts.
● Assistant Professor | BRCM College of Business Administration (July 2007 – December 2012)
● Lecturer | SPB College of Business Administration (June 2006 – June 2007)
● Visiting Lecturer | Various Management Institutes (July 2001 – May 2006)
● Administrative Coordinator & Lecturer | Sinhgad Technical Education Society (August 1999 – April 2001)
Dr. Thakkar has curated and executed high-impact Management Development Programmes (MDPs) and tailored training workshops for several leading public and private organizations, including:
● Godrej
● Bank of India
● Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC)
● Hinduja Hospitals
● Motilal Oswal
Books:
● Co-author of the well-received book: “Vruddhi – A Journey towards personal growth” ISBN-13 978-8198625186
Selected Research Papers & Case Studies:
1. Case Study – Agri Search – Exceeding Farmers’ Expectation, Published in “Blueprints of Brilliance” by the Indian Micro Fertilizers Manufacturers Association (February 2026).
2. The efficacy of story boarding as an adjunctive tool for case analysis in management education – Towards Excellence, 15(2).
3. Communication patterns between adolescents and their parents – International Journal of Multidisciplinary and Current Research, 2(2), 965-971.
4. Inter-personal conflict – Hindrance to organizational development – AIMA Case Research Centre.
5. Managing organizational teams through spirituality – A qualitative approach – Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research, 9(3).
6. Succession Planning in Family Business Management – International Journal of Applied Management and Business Utility.
7. Career Motivation of high school teachers – International Journal of Research in Commerce, IT and Management, 5(5).
8. Self concept of women on a career break and their career indecisiveness – Journal of Innovative Research and Solutions.
Thought Leadership & Corporate Articles:
● Rise to the challenge: Cultivate wise leadership in a world of wicked problems – ETHR
● Career Management the Mahabharata way – ETHR
● Positive vibes only – Give me a break – ETHR
● Navigating layoffs in a disruptive world – HR Excellence
Dr. Thakkar stands out for her usage of creative and student-centered pedagogy, successfully bridging the gap between theoretical constructs and practical real-world organizational realities. Her classroom approach relies heavily on proactive discussion, critical analysis, and modern learning frameworks. This is matched by her continuous commitment to student mentorship, lifelong learning, and driving societal impact, as seen through her extensive pro-bono career counseling for youth and the management of collaborative social impact frameworks.
