Sunny Varkey is an education entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the founder and executive chairman of the GEMS Education Group, which has a network of over 80 schools in over a dozen countries. Believing in the power of education to reduce poverty, prejudice, and conflict worldwide, Varkey has introduced new solutions to education challenges and forged partnerships with the World Economic Forum, Microsoft, UNESCO, and The Clinton Global Initiative.

He founded the Varkey Foundation, the philanthropic arm of GEMS Education, to impact 100 impoverished children for every child enrolled at GEMS schools. He was also named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education Partnerships.