ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP
Jess Komanapalli is an educator, author, and ministry leader whose life’s work is centered on forming Christ-centered learners and future leaders. As a founding leader of Lioncrest, she brings a deep commitment to academic excellence, spiritual formation, and visionary school leadership, shaping educational environments where students grow in both knowledge and character.
Jessica also co-founded Lioncrest Academy (our physical campus) in Visakhapatnam, India in 2017, establishing the school with a clear mission: to develop future leaders through high-quality education grounded in Christian values. From launching the school’s first programs to guiding its growth and culture, she has played a central role in building a learning community defined by excellence, service, integrity, and strong relationships.
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Her leadership spans every level of school development. As the founding Principal of Lioncrest Academy, she helped establish the school’s systems, recruit and train staff, develop programs, and grow enrollment in its earliest years. She later served as Academic Director across our physical school campuses of Lioncrest Academy, Paramjyoti School and Miriam School, overseeing curriculum design, teacher training, and academic standards. Her work included implementing Inquiry based Learning (Elementary), the Cambridge curriculum (Grades 6+), launching literacy advancement initiatives, developing ESL and remedial programs, and helping establish Lioncrest Online Academy during the pandemic to ensure continuity and quality in student learning.
Jess Komanapalli
Principal & Co-founder
M.Ed Educational Leadership
Jessica also brings extensive ministry leadership experience. She served in pastoral ministry for several years, teaching, discipling leaders, guiding curriculum development for children and youth, and building strong faith-centered community programs. Her heart for people and spiritual formation continues to shape her approach to education and leadership. Jessica is also a speaker and known to impact many through her strong ability to connect and develop individuals.
Before entering full-time Christian Education, Jessica built a successful career in journalism and communications while living in London, UK where she was born. She is a published author and former senior features writer for major UK publications, bringing professional expertise in storytelling, communication, and content development that now strengthens her work in educational leadership and vision casting.
Jessica has completed her Master of Education in Educational Leadership at South Eastern University, Florida. This has equipped her to lead this new endeavor with excellence, wisdom, and strategic vision. Her academic focus includes curriculum design, instruction, organizational leadership, educational law, and school finance, with a key focus on being a lifelong learner.
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At Lioncrest Online Academy, Jessica is passionate about building safe and caring online learning environments where students are known, nurtured, and challenged to pursue their God-given potential. She is committed to raising a generation marked by strong faith, intellectual rigor, and servant leadership — students prepared not only for academic success, but for meaningful impact in the world.