Executive Voice
Fiona Edat shares her entrepreneurial Journey with Pioneering Ed, Inc.

Fiona Edat is an experienced professional with a penchant for trying new things. She is motivated to offer the best methods and tools for underserved students because she has a passion for change. Her goal as the founder is to enable them to develop into tomorrow’s leaders. A non-profit organization called PioneeringEd is dedicated to assisting the underprivileged student population in areas of developing nations like India. The non-profit’s objective has been to enhance learning opportunities and academic success for those who are having difficulty learning since it was founded in 2016. The organization’s two main pillars are a donation drive for laptops and other devices for online learning and learning strategies to help students retain academic material. Several have been released by Fiona and her team.
Fiona Edat’s Journey and the Birth of PioneeringEd
Fiona describes herself as an experimenter, driven by a desire to find solutions to pressing issues. In 2016, she founded PioneeringEd with the goal of helping the underserved student population in countries like India. The organization started a donation drive during the COVID pandemic to provide struggling students with laptops or tablets, enabling them to attend virtual classes and continue their education.
A Personal Motivation
Fiona’s motivation to start PioneeringEd came from the personal experience of a close relative in India who was struggling with academic difficulties and showing signs of depression at just 11 years old. Discovering a lack of local resources offering learning strategies outside traditional tutoring, Fiona took matters into her own hands and created PioneeringEd to address the issue.
The Mission of PioneeringEd
PioneeringEd’s ongoing mission is to equip students with the tools they need to become tomorrow’s leaders. Through the provision of simple, effective strategies and methodologies, the program has already made a significant impact. After just one year, all participating schools reported increased student test scores.
Key Traits for Success
Fiona attributes her success to her high levels of intolerance and persistence in seeking change. This trait, likely inherited from her mother’s ability to take charge in difficult situations, has proven invaluable in her journey with PioneeringEd.
Staying Motivated in Tough Times
When times get tough, Fiona reminds herself that there is no rush, and that she has her entire life to achieve her goals. Embracing the idea that whatever happens is for our benefit, she takes comfort in the quote, “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”
The Ideal Employee
Fiona values employees who are tenacious in their arguments and rely on data-driven analysis. She looks for individuals who can anticipate problems and conceptualize workable solutions and holds herself accountable to these standards as well.
A Unique Approach to Business
Fiona’s unique approach to her non-profit organization lies in her personal philosophy of passing on her lifelong passion for pioneering education to the next generation.
Handling Disappointment
Working with institutions overseas can be challenging, but Fiona has learned that showing up in person makes a meaningful difference in securing participation and ensuring success.
Effective Marketing for PioneeringEd
For PioneeringEd, word-of-mouth advertising through social media platforms and communities has been the most effective marketing strategy.
Advice for Women Starting a Business
Fiona offers three pieces of advice for women starting a business:
- Don’t wait until you feel ready to begin.
- In the event of failure, keep pivoting until you succeed.
- Allow competition to motivate you.
With a clear mission, determination, and passion, Fiona Edat and her team at PioneeringEd are making a difference in the lives of underserved students, helping them unlock their full potential and creating a brighter future for countless young people.
