Tara Menon is a seasoned alumni relations professional with a rich multicultural background and over a decade of experience spanning education, communications, development, and global alumni engagement. Born in West Bengal, India, and raised in the tea gardens before migrating to Kenya, Tara’s early years were marked by cultural diversity and adaptability. Her formative education across India and East Africa—including time at the Lawrence School Lovedale and St. Andrew’s School Turi—instilled in her a deep appreciation for community, identity, and the transformative power of education.
After completing a triple honours degree in English Literature, Psychology, and Sociology from Christ University in Bangalore, Tara pursued two postgraduate degrees at the University of Edinburgh: an MSc in Literature and Modernity, and a second MSc in International Development and African Studies. These academic experiences cemented her commitment to development and global engagement.
Professionally, Tara has worked across East Africa, the Middle East, and India. Her early roles with the United Nations Development Programme in Kenya and USAID in Tanzania showcased her project management acumen and passion for empowering communities. This was followed by a stint in Dubai with a boutique advertising agency, where she led campaigns for global clients like HTC, Intel, and Hershey’s across the MEA region.
Tara returned to India in 2016 to join Woodstock School in Mussoorie as Alumni Relations Coordinator. There, she built Woodstock’s first comprehensive alumni programme from the ground up—launching a professional networking platform, running global alumni events, initiating mentoring programmes, and strengthening ties between alumni and the school. Her efforts culminated in a cleaner database of over 5,000 active alumni and more than 30 events held across five continents.
Since 2020, Tara has served as the Alumni Relations Coordinator for the Aga Khan Schools, a network of 186 schools across seven countries. In this role, she created and executed a global alumni relations strategy—collecting and managing alumni data, launching professional networking tools, coordinating regional and global events, and building a communications strategy that included newsletters, social media, and brand development. She also established the Aga Khan Schools Alumni Network and supported alumni engagement initiatives that connected graduates with current students through mentoring, career talks, and service opportunities. Her work has extended beyond India, contributing to global strategy from her base at the Aga Khan Academy in Hyderabad.
Tara’s multicultural upbringing and global professional journey allow her to bring a unique lens to alumni engagement—one that is inclusive, strategic, and deeply personal. Her belief in the power of connection, storytelling, and shared history has shaped every programme she has built. She continues to champion alumni involvement as a powerful force in strengthening institutions, building community, and inspiring the next generation.