The MindKind Team
FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR
SMITHA KULKARNI
Smitha brings a unique blend of experience in technology, music, mindfulness, and parenting to shape MindKind's philosophy. With a Master's in Information Systems and over a decade of data engineering experience at Amazon, PIMCO, and Accenture in the United States, she returned to India with her family to give her children a culturally rooted upbringing. Seeing that very few spaces combined gentle caregiving, emotional well-being, and meaningful childhood experiences, she founded MindKind Early Years (MKEY) - a nurturing preschool where children are met with calm, curiosity, creativity, and deep respect during their most formative years. Today, she leads the centre's daily operations, curriculum, parent partnerships, and team development, ensuring the MindKind philosophy shows up in every part of a child's experience.
ADVISORS & MENTORS
LAKSHMI RAMMOHAN
Advisor
Lakshmi is the co-founder of Earthlings Early Years, a nature preschool in Bengaluru, rooted in gentle caregiving and child-centered learning. Lakshmi brings a wealth of cross-industry leadership and entrepreneurial experience, having held key roles in marketing, event management, and business operations in IT. She brings extensive experience in early childhood education, parent guidance, storytelling, and creative expression, alongside her continued studies in child psychology and specialized learning needs. She is passionate about creating nurturing environments that respect each child's individuality and developmental needs.
ANURADHA NAMBIAR
Advisor
Anuradha is the co-founder of Earthlings Early Years. She brings extensive experience in researching and documenting living traditions and knowledge systems, alongside a deep interest in how young children learn and express themselves. She has explored diverse educational approaches, including Waldorf, Montessori, play-based learning, arts-based learning, and STEAM. She is passionate about creating inclusive, thoughtfully designed learning environments that respect each child's unique pace and encourage curiosity, exploration, and creative expression.
KATIE AISSIS
Mentor
Katie is the founder of Sprouting Tree Yoga in USA, and brings over a decade of experience in school counseling, children's yoga, mindfulness, and social-emotional learning. With a master’s degree in School Counseling and specialized training in early years yoga, she is passionate about nurturing children's emotional well-being through play, music, movement, and connection. As MKEY's Movement and Mindfulness Mentor, she supports educators in thoughtfully integrating mindful movement and awareness practices into everyday learning experiences.
FACILITATORS
Our little team is growing!
We’re thoughtfully bringing together a wonderful group of facilitators who are warm, curious, playful, and deeply passionate about the early years.
At MindKind, we believe the adults who surround a child play an important role in helping them feel safe, seen, heard, and free to be themselves. So we’re taking our time to find people who truly connect with our philosophy — people who will wonder alongside children, get their hands muddy, listen to their many stories, and bring kindness into the little everyday moments.
We can’t wait for you to meet them. Watch this space!