Tanya Malik : Paving The Path Ahead For Holistic Education
Tanya Malik
Founder & CEO
One of these remarkable voices is Tanya Malik, the Founder and CEO of Mirai Minds, an educational platform in Japan that offers holistic learning experiences for children aged three to eighteen. Tanya’s story is not the typical business success tale. It is layered, thoughtful, and deeply human.
With a background in child psychology and a degree in Entrepreneurship from University College London, she brings together two powerful worlds: under standing people and building something meaningful from that understanding.
Tanya’s journey has taken her from the world of Indian media and youth culture to the heart of Japan’s education system. Each chapter added new depth to her understanding of people, systems, and what truly matters. The turning point came when she began working closely with children and educators.
It was here she discovered that real innovation doesn't start with technology or strategy. It begins with listening. Listening to what children feel, to the quiet hopes of parents, and to the often-unheard struggles of educators.
Through Mirai Minds, Tanya is building more than an educational platform. She is creating a space where empathy meets learning, and where cultural harmony is taught not in theory but in everyday experience. Let’s hear from Tanya in this one-on-one interaction.
You're now reshaping the educational landscape with Mirai Minds. What was the inspiration that first sparked
this vision?
It started with a simple yet powerful realization that traditional systems often suppress children’s natural curiosity in favor of compliance. I felt compelled to build something different, a space where curiosity thrives, empathy is valued, and creativity is encouraged.
That vision led to the birth of Mirai Minds, an educational platform designed to move beyond rigid, standardized models and instead focus on nurturing every child as a unique individual. A pivotal moment came during my pregnancy, which deepened my understanding of inter - dependence and the importance of community. It reaffirmed my commitment to a holistic, inclusive, and emotionally grounded approach to education.
What type of holistic learning experience are you creating for children, and how are you collaborating with educators and industry leaders to bring this vision to life?
We provide 21st-century skills education that helps children develop communication, creative problem solving, and emotional intelligence through project based and play-based learning. Our engagement with educators is ongoing and collaborative.
We design workshops together, offer regular training sessions, and create reflective spaces where best practices can be shared. We are also partnering with global education leaders and psychologists to incorporate research-based methods that support long-term cognitive and emotional growth in children.
What recent technological tools have you implemented to create innovative and engaging learning experiences for children? In what ways do you encourage and enhance their creativity?
We integrate interactive tools such as visual learning platforms, AR-driven storytelling, and digital maker kits to inspire creativity. Technology supports our larger goal, which is to foster divergent thinking through open-ended questions, collaborative challenges, and personal reflection. Our classrooms emphasize personalized, hands-on learning experiences. To support this, our team uses AI assisted analytics to tailor learning pathways for each child, while ensuring the process
It started with a simple yet powerful realization that traditional systems often suppress children’s natural curiosity in favor of compliance. I felt compelled to build something different, a space where curiosity thrives, empathy is valued, and creativity is encouraged.
That vision led to the birth of Mirai Minds, an educational platform designed to move beyond rigid, standardized models and instead focus on nurturing every child as a unique individual. A pivotal moment came during my pregnancy, which deepened my understanding of inter - dependence and the importance of community. It reaffirmed my commitment to a holistic, inclusive, and emotionally grounded approach to education.
We embrace the philosophy of 'Unfold, don’t mold', which reflects our belief that children should not be shaped into a fixed idea but encouraged to discover and develop their own unique strengths
What type of holistic learning experience are you creating for children, and how are you collaborating with educators and industry leaders to bring this vision to life?
We provide 21st-century skills education that helps children develop communication, creative problem solving, and emotional intelligence through project based and play-based learning. Our engagement with educators is ongoing and collaborative.
We design workshops together, offer regular training sessions, and create reflective spaces where best practices can be shared. We are also partnering with global education leaders and psychologists to incorporate research-based methods that support long-term cognitive and emotional growth in children.
What recent technological tools have you implemented to create innovative and engaging learning experiences for children? In what ways do you encourage and enhance their creativity?
We integrate interactive tools such as visual learning platforms, AR-driven storytelling, and digital maker kits to inspire creativity. Technology supports our larger goal, which is to foster divergent thinking through open-ended questions, collaborative challenges, and personal reflection. Our classrooms emphasize personalized, hands-on learning experiences. To support this, our team uses AI assisted analytics to tailor learning pathways for each child, while ensuring the process
remains grounded in human connection and emotional awareness.
What principles or methodo-logies do you follow that distinguish you from others in the field? How would you describe your approach to leadership?
We embrace the philosophy of 'Unfold, don’t mold', which reflects our belief that children should not be shaped into a fixed idea but encouraged to discover and develop their own unique strengths. As a leader, I focus on creating clarity through collaboration.
I aim to build a space where my team feels safe, motivated, and supported. I see educators as partners in creation rather than implementers. I lead with openness by celebrating successes and treating mistakes as valuable learning moments. My role is to facilitate a shared purpose, not to command.
What guiding principle defines your approach to success, and what plans do you envision for the future?
For me, success means creating something sustainable in terms of impact, relation ships, and emotional well-being. I have always believed in the power of collaboration, guided by the mantra 'If you want to go far, go together'. As we look to the future, Mirai Minds is expanding across Japan with the vision of building a global presence.
We are creating a strong network of empowered educators, launching a platform dedicated to parents, and working toward establishing Japan’s first empathy-based curriculum focused on real-world skill development and recognized at the national level.
Considering your extensive professional journey, what guidance would you offer to aspiring leaders in the industry?
Do not strive for perfection, strive for authenticity. The world needs leaders who are genuine, empathetic, and resilient rather than simply polished. Be open to the discomfort that comes with growth and take your time to build something meaningful and lasting. Above all, understand that leadership is not about having all the answers, but about asking thoughtful and impactful questions.
Tanya Malik, Founder & CEO, Mirai Minds
Founder and CEO of Mirai Minds, Tanya Malik is a child psychologist and UCL graduate in Entrepreneurship. She blends global experience with cultural insight to create holistic, future-ready learning experiences for children, empowering education through empathy, creativity, and innovation.
What principles or methodo-logies do you follow that distinguish you from others in the field? How would you describe your approach to leadership?
We embrace the philosophy of 'Unfold, don’t mold', which reflects our belief that children should not be shaped into a fixed idea but encouraged to discover and develop their own unique strengths. As a leader, I focus on creating clarity through collaboration.
I aim to build a space where my team feels safe, motivated, and supported. I see educators as partners in creation rather than implementers. I lead with openness by celebrating successes and treating mistakes as valuable learning moments. My role is to facilitate a shared purpose, not to command.
What guiding principle defines your approach to success, and what plans do you envision for the future?
For me, success means creating something sustainable in terms of impact, relation ships, and emotional well-being. I have always believed in the power of collaboration, guided by the mantra 'If you want to go far, go together'. As we look to the future, Mirai Minds is expanding across Japan with the vision of building a global presence.
We are creating a strong network of empowered educators, launching a platform dedicated to parents, and working toward establishing Japan’s first empathy-based curriculum focused on real-world skill development and recognized at the national level.
Considering your extensive professional journey, what guidance would you offer to aspiring leaders in the industry?
Do not strive for perfection, strive for authenticity. The world needs leaders who are genuine, empathetic, and resilient rather than simply polished. Be open to the discomfort that comes with growth and take your time to build something meaningful and lasting. Above all, understand that leadership is not about having all the answers, but about asking thoughtful and impactful questions.
Tanya Malik, Founder & CEO, Mirai Minds
Founder and CEO of Mirai Minds, Tanya Malik is a child psychologist and UCL graduate in Entrepreneurship. She blends global experience with cultural insight to create holistic, future-ready learning experiences for children, empowering education through empathy, creativity, and innovation.