Pankaj Sharma's journey began in the education sector by selling textbooks on a bicycle with his younger brother, an opportunity they crafted for themselves to earn money and experience. With an abundance of hard work and commitment, they familiarised themselves with the systems, intricacies and requirements of schools and education leaders through innumerable interactions over the years. In 1999, at great risk to the financial savings of the family, The Lexicon International School, Wagholi, was established in Pune. Starting with just 19 students, Sharma family's vision and perseverance have allowed Lexicon to expand to thousands of students across the multiple educational institutes under its umbrella.

Once the foundations and systems of The Lexicon Schools and Lexicon MILE were firmly established, Pankaj Sharma decided to further Lexicon's vision towards building a hotel management institute, where students would be able to receive innovative, applicable and industry-appropriate education as young leaders in the world of hospitality. He wanted to offer his students a wide network of experts, professionals and leaders, who would serve as mentors on a rigorous program designed to offer the best opportunities and placements to graduating students.

Today, Lexicon IHM is the only hotel management institute in the country to have a classroom owned by Marriott International, Accor India, Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Sarovar Hotels and Resorts. Under the tutelage of Sharma and his carefully selected team of professors and industry experts from the country, Lexicon IHM is one of the most premium institutions for hospitality studies in India, known for its distinctive approaches with practical training and industry placements.

Pankaj Sharma is the leader and educationist who has built a legacy by empowering his students and teams consisting of teachers, mentors, experts, administrators and the management; with an approach of collaboration through camaraderie, he has transformed The Lexicon Group from a single school to an ever-growing ecosystem of academic institutions, research centres, developmental centres and learning hubs where real, industrial training is offered to young students. Under his leadership, the company has undergone remarkable diversification, further offering newer opportunities to Lexicon students to explore a wide range of interests and refine their unique talents under the tutelage of master mentors.

Mr Sharma's success is grounded in his ideology, where community service and social welfare have always trumped commercial successes. His initiation of Lexicon was built upon the sole purpose of wanting to make high-quality education accessible to every member of the community, where every student can graduate with a new perspective based on information, innovation and experience. His emphasis on value education for students has enabled young learners to imbibe more than just textbook knowledge; they are students with strong personalities, compassionate hearts and curious minds. Mr Sharma has ensured that over the years, all the educational institutions under Lexicon continue to evolve by consciously adopting new-age technologies, innovative pedagogies, teaching methodologies and a zeal for experiential and hands-on learning. By creating a nurturing work environment for all the teachers and mentors, Mr Sharma has created a platform for excellence for all the stakeholders of his Lexicon family.

Across all his endeavours, Pankaj Sharma is driven by social welfare and community service. He has been able to lead multiple initiatives for the city through The Lexicon Group and Pune Times Mirror, where he has ensured active participation of Lexicon students and the citizens of Pune City. He has been able to herald a new era of change-making, where the youth have been given the knowledge, opportunity and skills to interact with the most reputable public figures of the city and bring about real change for the community. Whether these initiatives involve safer roads for our city, empowerment of women, or bridging the gaps between the people and the governing bodies, Pankaj Sharma continues to place his duties as an educator, leader and social change-maker before his role as a businessman.

Pankaj Sharma's journey over the last two decades is a testament to how resilience, commitment and passion can transform vision into victory. He continues to meet his students with the warmth of curiosity, where he seeks their new-age questions and ideas, always welcoming and encouraging the power of a young mind. His efforts as an educationist have touched thousands of students, ensuring they lead lives as responsible, capable and collaborative leaders of the 21st century.