Meena Srinivasan

Meena Srinivasan is a leader in mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and social justice within education. With more than 20 years of experience, Srinivasan has worked as an educator-activist, advocating for the integration of mindfulness, social and emotional learning (SEL), and belonging in schools. She has practiced yoga and meditation for over 25 years, bringing expertise in mindfulness in education and SEL to her work. Her contributions have been recognized in Mindful Magazine and Educational Leadership Magazine for her insights into mindful leadership and wellbeing.

Srinivasan is the author of "Teach, Breathe, Learn: Mindfulness In and Out of the Classroom" and "SEL Every Day: Integrating SEL with Instruction in Secondary Classrooms." She contributed to "Planting Seeds: Practicing Mindfulness with Children" and "Happy Teachers Change the World: A Guide for Cultivating Mindfulness in Education." Her work has been acknowledged by the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley. Srinivasan also instructs graduate-level SEL courses at the UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare.

Her TEDx talk, "Unlocking the Secret Powers of Tenderness," explores her first encounter with Thich Nhat Hanh and has reached a wide audience. Srinivasan has presented alongside speakers such as Brené Brown and Dan Goleman, addressing topics including mindfulness, leadership, emotional intelligence, and wellness. She has led workshops, retreats, and keynotes for audiences ranging from small groups to more than 3,000 participants.

Srinivasan serves as executive director of Transformative Educational Leadership, a social venture project of the Tides Center. Through this role, she organizes an annual Mindfulness in Education conference in partnership with Omega Institute. She is also CEO of Karuna Consulting, a nationally certified minority business enterprise offering keynotes, professional learning, courses, coaching, and consulting services.

An ordained Zen Buddhist teacher (Dharmacharya) in the Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism under Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, Srinivasan serves on the board of the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation. Her spiritual practice informs her professional work, focusing on emotional intelligence and belonging to support organizations in cultivating compassionate, equitable, and resilient communities.