Education, when approached as a dynamic and creative force, has the power to ignite the potential of every individual. It moves beyond traditional learning and shifts towards an environment where problem-solving becomes a tool for innovation. Here, creativity isn’t just an add-on—it’s a core principle that guides how students engage with the world and develop their skills.
This vision of education is at the heart of Nagalakshmi Vignesh Kumar’s work. As the Founder of Thyai Foundation, she has pioneered initiatives that transform education into an experiential journey, where creativity and design thinking take center stage.
Nagalakshmi stands as a thought leader, educator, and mentor whose work in life skills development, creative education, and design thinking is reshaping how individuals approach problem-solving, innovation, and leadership. Her journey is a testament to the power of creativity, innovation, and holistic growth in fostering leadership that transcends traditional boundaries. With a commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders, Nagalakshmi’s work spans across educational ventures, mentorship roles, and national movements. Her contributions have made a lasting impact on both individuals and the broader community, empowering countless youth and professionals to reach their full potential.
As the Founder of Thyai Foundation, Nagalakshmi has pioneered a non-formal, progressive school, The Learner’s Farm, dedicated to fostering creativity, innovation, and the principles of design thinking. The foundation’s mission is to create a transformative educational environment that blends artistic expression, cultural understanding, and the world of work. In a landscape where traditional education often falls short of addressing real-world challenges, Thyai Foundation stands as a beacon of innovation, providing students with an opportunity to engage in a creative learning process that goes beyond rote learning.
Thyai Foundation challenges the conventional education system by introducing students to the power of design thinking— a transformative methodology that fosters empathy, sparks creative ideation, and enables practical problem-solving. The foundation nurtures critical thinking and problem-solving skills while fostering a deep sense of self-expression. Students are encouraged to explore their creativity and apply it to tangible projects, all while developing an understanding of the interconnectedness between art, culture, and professional life. By integrating these elements, Thyai Foundation provides a unique platform for students to experience education in its most holistic form.
Through her leadership, Nagalakshmi has created an ecosystem where individuals are not only taught academic concepts but are also guided in becoming changemakers who can innovate and think critically. By challenging students to step outside their comfort zones, Thyai Foundation empowers them to think divergently and work collaboratively, skills that are crucial in the modern world.
Nagalakshmi’s role as a Regional Mentor at Young Indians (Yi), an initiative under the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), aligns perfectly with her passion for nurturing leadership among the youth. Yi was established in 2002 as a pan-India platform aimed at empowering young Indians to contribute to the nation’s development. By fostering youth leadership, promoting nation-building activities, and facilitating thought leadership, Yi serves as a bridge between young minds and the critical societal issues that need urgent attention.
As a mentor at Yi, Nagalakshmi plays a key role in helping young members develop their leadership skills, encouraging them to take on significant roles that influence India’s future. Her mentorship enables youth to investigate opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship —skills that are indispensable for addressing India’s most pressing issues. Through this platform, Nagalakshmi assists members in cultivating a sense of accountability, responsibility, and the motivation to effect change in their communities and industries.
Yi is not just about leadership development—it also serves as a vibrant community of young individuals who are passionate about nation-building. Nagalakshmi’s mentorship allows young people to explore diverse fields, ranging from entrepreneurship and innovation to community service and policy-making. The organization has also broadened its global influence by implementing initiatives such as the Commonwealth Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs – Asia Pacific (CAYE-Asia Pacific) and the G20 Young Entrepreneurs Alliance (G20 YEA). Yi’s initiatives provide young Indians with exposure to international best practices, global networking opportunities, and cross-cultural collaborations, all of which contribute to the further development of their leadership capabilities.
The work Yi does resonates deeply with Nagalakshmi’s belief in the power of young leaders to shape a better future. By mentoring them through various programs, she equips them with the skills needed to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities in both the professional and personal spheres.
Nagalakshmi’s expertise extends beyond education and mentorship. She is also an accomplished professional speaker, known for her ability to inspire and motivate audiences. As a member of the Professional Speakers Association India (PSAI), she actively contributes to building a thriving community of Indian speakers. PSAI provides a platform for speakers to enhance their skills, share their knowledge, and impact global audiences. Through her involvement, Nagalakshmi plays an integral role in helping emergent Indian speakers develop their careers and expand their influence internationally.
Public speaking is a powerful tool for communicating ideas and inspiring action, and Nagalakshmi has mastered this craft. Her speaking engagements often focus on topics such as leadership, change management, creative growth strategy, power of purpose, and the future of education. Drawing on her diverse experiences in education and mentorship, she uses her platform to challenge conventional thinking and inspire individuals to take bold steps toward their goals. Her approach to public speaking is rooted in authenticity, empathy, and storytelling, ensuring that her messages resonate deeply with her audiences.
Moreover, Nagalakshmi’s membership in Toastmasters International further enriches her speaking journey. Toastmasters, a global organization focused on communication and leadership development, has a community of 270,000 members who meet regularly to improve their public speaking and leadership skills. Through her involvement, Nagalakshmi not only enhances her speaking abilities but also contributes to the growth of others who seek to become effective communicators and leaders. Her role in Toastmasters reflects her commitment to creating a supportive environment where individuals can hone their leadership and speaking skills.
As a Mentor of Change at Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), Nagalakshmi is at the forefront of a government initiative aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across India. AIM, launched by the Government of India’s NITI Aayog, is dedicated to creating an ecosystem of innovation that encourages individuals of all ages to bring disruptive ideas to life. Through AIM, Nagalakshmi provides guidance to aspiring innovators, helping them navigate the complexities of turning their ideas into viable enterprises.
Her work as a Mentor of Change emphasizes the importance of design thinking in innovation. Nagalakshmi helps individuals—whether students, entrepreneurs, or professionals—adopt design thinking principles to better understand their target audiences, develop solutions that meet real-world needs, and bring their innovations to fruition. AIM’s diverse ecosystem, which includes incubators, accelerators, and funding opportunities, provides the resources needed to transform ideas into successful ventures. Nagalakshmi’s mentorship ensures that these resources are effectively utilized to drive impactful innovation.
AIM’s vision of empowering innovators aligns closely with Nagalakshmi’s own philosophy of nurturing creativity and leadership. Her role in this initiative strengthens her belief in the potential of young minds to create meaningful change, and she is dedicated to helping them realize that potential through structured guidance, mentorship, and support.
Throughout her career, Nagalakshmi has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to reshaping the way education and leadership are approached in India. Her belief in the power of creativity, innovation, and holistic learning drives her to break down traditional educational barriers and create opportunities for individuals to thrive. Whether through her work at Thyai Foundation, her mentorship roles at Yi and AIM, or her public speaking engagements, Nagalakshmi has made a profound impact on how people perceive their potential.
Her holistic approach to education and leadership emphasizes not only academic excellence but also personal growth, emotional intelligence, and practical problem-solving skills. By nurturing these attributes, Nagalakshmi equips individuals to become effective leaders, creative thinkers, and innovators who can contribute meaningfully to society.
Nagalakshmi Vignesh Kumar’s work extends far beyond traditional teaching or mentoring. It is a lifelong dedication to transforming how individuals engage with education, leadership, and creativity. Through her roles in Thyai Foundation, Young Indians, Atal Innovation Mission, and Toastmasters, Nagalakshmi continues to inspire and empower others to pursue their passions, solve complex problems, and lead with purpose.
Her impact is not measured solely in the number of individuals she has mentored or the projects she has led but in the lasting changes she has made in the way people think, act, and lead. Nagalakshmi’s vision for a world where creativity and leadership flourish in every individual is one that continues to drive her work, and her legacy as a changemaker will undoubtedly influence generations to come.
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