Hi, I’m Yan Mei, but most people call me Mei —and I’m so glad you’re here.
I’m a certified executive function coach and the founder of The PathWithin Coaching, where I support preteens and teens in building the skills they need to navigate school, transitions, and everyday life with more confidence and less overwhelm.
As a mother of two bilingual kids, I understand how complex major school transitions and adolescence can be—for both kids and parents. Organization, planning, focus, emotional regulation, and responsibilities don’t always come easily. The good news? These executive function skills can be learned, and with the right support, kids can grow in ways that truly stick.
My work is shaped by a blend of research, education, and hands-on experience. I’ve worked in higher education and research environments at Stanford University, the University of Nottingham, and the University of Westminster. I’ve also worked directly with students as a reading tutor at Reading Partners in New York City and as a writing tutor at 826 Valencia in San Francisco, where I have helped young people get started on assignments, break big tasks into manageable steps, see problems with different perspectives, and find creative solutions.
My journey to executive function coaching is also personal. Moving across continents and living in the United States, Switzerland, the UK, and China required daily planning, organization, emotional stability, and adaptability. Later, researching a book on Alibaba—shortlisted for the Financial Times Business Book of the Year Award in 2016—reinforced how essential skills like responsibilities, focus, time management, resilience are in real life. These experiences showed me that executive function skills are critical life skills, and that young people benefit most when they are intentionally taught and supported.
Bringing all of this together to help young people in ways that fit their real lives, routines, and learning styles is deeply meaningful to me. I look forward to getting to know your family and supporting your child as they strengthen their executive function skills and make headway on their own path.
Education & Certification
MA in International Journalism, City, University of London (now City St. George’s)
Certified Executive Function Coach, The Executive Function Coaching Academy