Founders, Leadership & Team

**Founders, Leadership & Team**

Our Story

Masterminds began as a profoundly personal journey. When our daughter Athena was born, we explored how the brain truly learns—seeking the best of neuroscience, global child development practices, and methods to spark a lifelong love of discovery.
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What we found changed our daughter’s path—and our life’s mission. Today, that same depth of research, care, and innovation shapes every child’s experience at Masterminds.

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Leadership

Stephen Lane

Senior Advisor, Accreditation & Experiential Learning

Accreditation expert and expeditionary education leader with 40+ years of experience

Stephen has served as Head of School at top institutions, including The Odyssey School, and has guided dozens of schools through successful accreditation and curriculum development. He has led expeditionary learning experiences around the world, from the Alps to Mount Fuji. At Masterminds, he supports the U.S. accreditation journey and the integration of real-world experiential learning across all campuses.

Shamail Siddiqi

Co-Founder & CEO

Education innovator with 20+ years of global experience in strategy, operations, education and EdTech.

Shamail left a career in equity trading at Goldman Sachs and strategy consulting at Booz & Co, inspired by the birth of his daughter, Athena, to reinvent education from the ground up. His vision blends cutting-edge neuroscience, deep parental insight, and innovative systems thinking. Today, he leads the strategic direction, fundraising, and global expansion of Masterminds, ensuring that every child receives the care and personalized education they deserve.

Tania Siddiqi

Co-Founder & Education Director

Learning specialist with 18+ years of experience leading global curriculum innovation.

Tania is the heart of the ATHENA+ curriculum framework and the architect of the Masterminds pillars of intellectual, physical, and social excellence. A devoted mother of three and respected leader in early education, she brings a powerful mix of global training and real-world parenting insights. Her leadership drives the quality and consistency of Masterminds’ curriculum across all programs worldwide.

Michael Finnegan

Head Of School (California)

STEM educator with 20+ years of curriculum innovation experience.

Michael is the former founder of QuantumCamp and has taught in a wide range of microschool settings. He is recognized for his hands-on, project-based approach to STEM education. At Masterminds, he is responsible for launching the California flagship microschool, shaping the offering, and leading daily operations. His background spans science education, teacher training, and experiential program development.

Meet our Extraordinary Teaching Team soon

“Every child deserves the chance to discover their unique genius—and the environment to thrive in it.”

Shamail & Tania Siddiqi

Co Founders

From Dubai to the bay area and beyond

Founded in Dubai, Masterminds has been recognized as the Best Early Education Provider for nine consecutive years. With micro-school campuses launching across the U.S. and Europe, families can now access a truly global educational journey.

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