Sonali Parekh

Sonali Parekh is the founder and director of Harmony Montessori International (HMI), Mumbai's first Elementary Montessori school, established as a sister concern to Harmony Montessori, where she also serves as Vice Principal. She joined Harmony in 2012, bringing with her an interdisciplinary background and a deep curiosity about the human mind, development, and the relationship between individuals and their environments.

With a degree in Mass Media, studies in psychology, and training in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and hypnotherapy, Sonali spent six years working as a therapist with adults. Her exploration of human behaviour also extended to contemporary dance, yoga, and Bach Flower therapy. 

This vision led her to establish Harmony Montessori International, which she also calls Collective Consciousness. The name reflects her belief that education is not simply an individual pursuit, but a shared human experience. She envisioned a community of children, parents, and educators who learn from one another, develop a sense of responsibility towards each other, and grow together. At its heart is the understanding that the consciousness of a community is shaped by the individuals within it, just as each individual is shaped by the community.

Sonali holds AMI Montessori diplomas at all three developmental levels: 0–3, 3–6, and 6–12, and has additionally completed an orientation course in adolescent education. After six years of teaching in the Elementary environment, she transitioned into leadership, where she continues to work closely with teachers, guide parents, and support the development of the school community.

Following her 0–3 Montessori training, she also founded Conscious Nesting, a programme designed to support parents in understanding early childhood development, neuropsychology, and the importance of conscious parenting.

Her interest in the relationship between human health and the natural world has also led her to study whole-food, plant-based nutrition, including a certificate from Cornell University's nutrition education programme. She brings this knowledge into her work with Elementary children through food studies, exploring the origins of food, nutrition, food systems, and the ecological consequences of our choices. 

Beyond education, Sonali's interests span Ayurveda, wildlife photography, wildlife studies, ecology, yoga, and contemporary dance.

At Harmony, her work remains rooted in relationships: with children, with the adults who guide them, and with the families who place their trust in the school. She sees education not just as preparation for life, but as an opportunity to build a community that participates consciously in shaping it.