Shalinee Sharma

Shalinee Sharma is the CEO and co-founder of Zearn, the nonprofit behind the top-rated K–8 math learning platform Zearn Math. Rated Strong (Tier 1) by Evidence for ESSA for demonstrating causal impact, Zearn Math is used by 1 in 4 elementary-school and more than 1 million middle-school students nationwide. She has shared her ideas on making math rigorous and accessible for all kids in numerous keynote talks, including her TED Talk, “4 Steps to Unlock Your Kid’s Math Potential.”

In addition to her role at Zearn, she authored the national bestseller, Math Mind: The Simple Path to Loving Math. Drawing on learning science, classroom research, and her own journey from math self-doubt to expertise, Shalinee dismantles the myth that math ability is innate and shows why numeracy is as essential as literacy for opening doors in life. The book offers practical, accessible approaches for building confidence, persistence, and joy in math—for kids and adults alike. Angela Duckworth, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Grit, says that “Math Mind will convince you that math is a language anyone can learn when properly taught, and a joy that’s never too late or too early to discover.”

Shalinee also serves on the Braven Board of Directors, is a Pahara-Aspen Fellow and serves as co-chair of the Brown University Advisory Council for the College. Before co-founding Zearn in 2012, Shalinee spent more than a decade at the management consulting firm Bain & Co., leading work for clients in various sectors including technology and education. She has a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Arts from Brown University. As a mom of twins, Shalinee is passionate about universal access to an excellent education.