About | Extensive Minds L&D Platform

About Extensive Minds

Extensive Minds was founded in 2010 by Pranay, an experienced corporate trainer, facilitator and qualified coach with a clear vision: to transform how people learn, grow and show up in the world. What began as a mission to respond to the training needs of individuals and organisations has evolved into a broader, global commitment to more inclusive, thoughtful and impactful learning.

Over the past 15 years, Pranay has delivered transformative learning experiences across the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Nepal, India and Uganda, as well as virtual 1:1 coaching sessions for learners in Australia, Canada, China and Mexico. These encounters, across different cultures, sectors and contexts, have shaped the way Extensive Minds understands both the power of learning and the realities people face when trying to change and transform their lives ; personal and professional.

Today, Extensive Minds is a diverse, mission‑driven team that carries this work forward. We bridge gaps of geography, culture, gender, race, ability and sexuality by creating learning opportunities where a wide range of experiences and identities are not only acknowledged, but actively valued. Grounded in our core values of integrity, inclusion and collaboration, we design and deliver development that supports people and organisations to explore with curiosity, innovate with courage and excel with purpose.

If you are looking to make a positive change in your personal life, your organisation or your wider community, we invite you to connect with us and become part of this ongoing, transformative journey.

ExM L&D

Meet the Team

Dedication | Expertise | Purpose

At Extensive Minds, our impact is delivered through a small, focused team with a wide reach. We bring together visionary thinking and disciplined execution, combining psychological insight, facilitation expertise and real‑world organisational experience.

Each of us is driven by a shared commitment to designing learning that matters. Every conversation, workshop and coaching session is held with care, clarity and intent, balancing challenge with support, and reflection with practical action.

Rooted in our values of integrity, inclusion and collaboration, we work alongside individuals and organisations to spark growth, shape culture and make learning a genuine lever for lasting change.

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Learning and Development Consultant | Personal Development Coach

PRANAY RAJ SHAKYA

Pranay is the founder of Extensive Minds and the driving force behind its vision to treat learning as a serious lever for change. With more than 15 years’ experience as a corporate trainer, facilitator and coach, he has designed and delivered programmes for leaders and teams across the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Nepal, India and Uganda, as well as virtual coaching and development for learners in Australia, Canada, and China.

His work sits at the intersection of leadership, culture, psychological safety and inclusion. Drawing on psychological insight, lived experience and a deep understanding of organisational dynamics, Pranay creates learning spaces that are thoughtful, grounded and challenging in the best possible sense, where people can think well together, speak honestly and translate reflection into action.

Pranay is particularly focused on strategic, outcome‑driven development; learning that is clearly aligned with organisational priorities and measures of success, and that stands up to scrutiny at senior levels. Whether he is working with established leaders, emerging talent or cross‑functional teams, his aim is consistent to support people and organisations to move towards better versions of themselves, in ways that are both human and sustainable.

Events Manager (Int'l)

MERINA RAI

Merina is an MBA graduate from Liverpool Hope Business School, bringing more than twelve years’ experience in events management and learning and development, alongside four years in higher education in the UK. She is a backbone of Extensive Minds’ events and programmes, ensuring that every learning experience is designed and delivered with care, precision and impact.

Alongside her work in L&D and higher education, Merina has spent over ten years in the charity and INGO sector as an award‑winning community leader. She has led community initiatives, professional development and international service programmes, as well as fundraising for global projects. Across this work, she has successfully led and managed a range of impact‑driven, national award‑winning projects linked to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, youth development and learner engagement.

Her track record reflects a consistent focus on creating spaces and experiences that are not only expertly executed, but also meaningful and memorable for participants. She is known for bringing calm, meticulous coordination to complex programmes, from initial concept through to delivery, while keeping people, purpose and impact at the centre.

More about ExM

Extensive Minds designs learning as a strategic asset, not an afterthought.

We create outcome‑driven programmes, workshops and coaching that align directly with your priorities; leadership, collaboration, culture and inclusion and leave a measurable imprint on how your organisation thinks, decides and performs.

L&D solutions| TRAINING | WORKSHOPS |COACHING|