Shefali Varma Extends Support to Kochi Biennale Foundation as a Platinum Benefactor

The Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) has welcomed Shefali Varma, Chairperson of The Ardee Foundation and Centre for Culture and Art (CCA) by the Ardee Foundation, as a Platinum Benefactor. An accomplished entrepreneur whose leadership spans real estate, education, sports, and the arts, Varma joins a distinguished group of KBF Platinum Benefactors, which includes Kiran Nadar, Mariam Ram, Shabana Faizal, Sangita Jindal and Adeeb Ahmed.

Shefali Varma is a visionary leader and philanthropist whose journey weaves together real estate development, education, sports, and the arts into a legacy that continues to shape India. As Chairperson of The Ardee Group and The Ardee Schools, she has transformed a family enterprise into a multi-dimensional institution, building landmark townships, nurturing progressive schools, launching sports centres, and creating cultural platforms that endure across generations.

Her entrepreneurial path began at just 18, working alongside her father, the late Shri Ashok Varma, on projects that would become part of New Delhi’s skyline. While pursuing her education in Delhi and later at Parsons School of Design, New York, she cultivated both creative and strategic acumen. In 2003, Shefali expanded her vision into education with the founding of The Ardee Schools in Delhi—now thriving campuses across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, and Goa, celebrated for pioneering Montessori and international K-12 learning. In 2023, she extended this ethos to sports with the launch of the Ardee Racquet Club and Ardee Active, reinforcing her belief in community well-being.

A passionate collector and patron of the arts, Shefali Varma is spearheading the revival of her father’s legacy through the Centre for Culture and Art (CCA) in Lutyens’ Delhi. Relaunched in 2025, CCA is envisioned as a pioneering, invitation-only members’ circle that will bring together distinguished leaders, collectors, and patrons of the arts. The inaugural chapter is set to open in New Delhi by mid-2026, with a long-term vision of expanding chapters across India over the next decade—building a nationwide community dedicated to shaping the future of culture and the arts. In supporting Kochi-Muziris Biennale, she is able to create a continuum of learning, creativity and cultural exchange.

As a part of the Ardee Foundation, Shefali is deeply committed to social impact. She has initiated crèches for children of construction workers, partnered with NGOs to empower women and children, and co-founded the #myrighttoobreathe campaign for environmental awareness. Through the Ashok Ardee Achievement Award and Nirmal Hem Bal Shiksha Initiative, she continues to open doors of opportunity for underprivileged students.

Her guiding principle—Vision + Execution = Success—is evident in every endeavour. For Shefali, success is not only measured in architectural landmarks but in communities built, students empowered, and heritage preserved. With active roles across institutions such as FORE School of Management, IIM Lucknow, FICCI Arise and FICA, she stands as a powerful advocate for a stronger, greener, and more inclusive India.

About the Ardee Foundation
Established in 1997, the Ardee Foundation, led by Shefali Varma, is a philanthropic organisation dedicated to advancing education, culture, and social welfare in India. Its initiatives include The Ardee Schools, providing progressive Montessori and K-12 education across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, and Goa, and the Centre for Culture and Art (CCA) in Lutyens’ Delhi, a platform for artistic expression, cultural dialogue, and interdisciplinary creativity. Through these efforts, the Foundation fosters learning, innovation, and the preservation of India’s cultural heritage.