Bringing Clarity and Confidence Back to Learning – Exclusive Interview with Amirah Gilani
- Brainz Magazine
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
Amirah Gilani is the founder of AG Consulting, an educational consulting firm focused on helping students and families navigate academic challenges with clarity and confidence. Her work centers on personalized learning evaluations, academic planning, and long-term support across elementary, secondary, and post-secondary education.
Amirah Gilani, Education Consultant
Who is Amirah Gilani? Introduce yourself, your hobbies, your favorites, and tell us something interesting about yourself.
I’m Amirah Gilani, the founder of AG Consulting. I work in education, supporting students and families as they navigate academic systems and regain confidence in their learning. My approach is centered on clarity, structure, and helping people feel less overwhelmed by the process.
Outside of work, I enjoy long drives, journaling, and spending time reading. Reading has always been a big part of my life, and something people often find interesting is that I can read a book in a single day when I’m fully immersed. It’s how I unwind, learn, and stay curious. I’ve also had the opportunity to work across different education systems in Canada and the United States, which has shaped how I think about learning, access, and student support.
What motivated you to start your consulting firm, and what drives you to keep going?
I started my consulting firm on the belief that quality education should not be a privilege, but a right. Over time, I saw how access to clear guidance, appropriate support, and informed decision-making often depended on resources or insider knowledge rather than student potential. Many capable students were falling behind simply because they did not have the support needed to navigate the system.
What continues to drive me is the opportunity to help close that gap. By providing structure, clarity, and personalized guidance, I aim to make education more accessible and less overwhelming for students and families. Seeing learners regain confidence and families feel empowered to advocate effectively reinforces why this work matters and why I continue to do it.
How do you help your clients achieve success, and what makes your approach unique?
I help my clients achieve success by starting with a deep understanding of how each student actually functions, not just how they perform academically. Every engagement begins with a detailed evaluation that looks beyond grades and subjects to examine learning habits, executive functioning, strengths, challenges, and environmental factors that impact performance. This allows me to identify the root causes of difficulty rather than treating surface-level symptoms.
What makes my approach unique is the level of personalization involved. I do not focus solely on subject mastery. I look at how a student organizes their work, manages time, processes information, handles pressure, and responds to expectations. From there, I design clear, realistic plans that align with how the student learns best. By addressing both academic and non-academic factors, students build skills that extend beyond individual subjects and support long-term success.
Can you share an example of a client who saw significant transformation working with you?
I worked with a student who was Deaf and hard of hearing and had begun to disengage from school due to ongoing academic frustration. While the student was capable, their needs were not being fully understood or supported within the classroom environment. Through a comprehensive evaluation, I looked beyond academic performance to understand communication access, learning preferences, executive functioning, and emotional well-being.
By adjusting strategies, advocating for appropriate supports, and building routines that aligned with how the student processed information, the student gradually became more confident and engaged. Academic progress followed, but the most significant change was the student’s renewed sense of agency and belonging in their learning environment. That shift, from feeling overlooked to feeling capable and understood, was the most meaningful outcome.
What are some common misconceptions people have about consulting and how do you address them?
A common misconception is that consulting offers quick fixes or one-size-fits-all solutions. Many people expect immediate results without recognizing that meaningful change takes time and collaboration. In education especially, progress is rarely linear and cannot be reduced to simple strategies or checklists.
I address this by being transparent from the beginning. I take time to explain the process, set realistic expectations, and emphasize that consulting is a partnership rather than a service done in isolation. By focusing on understanding the root causes of challenges and building sustainable systems, clients gain clarity and long-term tools rather than temporary solutions.
How do you stay ahead in your field, and what strategies do you implement to ensure success?
I stay ahead in my field by committing to continuous learning and reflective practice.
I regularly engage with research, follow developments across different education systems, and learn from both formal training and lived experience working closely with students and families. Exposure to multiple educational contexts allows me to adapt rather than rely on rigid models.
To ensure success, I prioritize structure and intentionality in my work. I rely on clear systems, detailed documentation, and thoughtful planning to maintain consistency and quality. I also place strong emphasis on boundaries and sustainability, recognizing that effective support depends on being focused, present, and able to adapt as needs evolve.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is witnessing students grow more confident in themselves as learners. When students move from feeling discouraged or misunderstood to feeling capable, the change extends far beyond academics.
Equally meaningful is when students become comfortable enough to open up and share their experiences, challenges, and concerns. That level of trust allows for more honest support and deeper progress. Being able to create a space where students feel understood and supported, while helping families gain clarity and reassurance, is what makes this work truly rewarding.
How do you balance personal life and running a successful business?
I balance personal life and running a business through structure, boundaries, and genuine enjoyment of the work itself. The work I do is deeply aligned with my values, so it often feels less like an obligation and more like a long-term passion project. That sense of purpose makes it easier to stay engaged without burning out.
At the same time, I am intentional about protecting my time and energy. I plan carefully, set clear limits, and prioritize rest and reflection. This balance allows me to remain present, thoughtful, and consistent in both my professional and personal life.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone looking to work with a consultant like yourself?
My advice would be to approach the process with openness and honesty. Consulting works best when there is trust, clear communication, and a willingness to reflect and adjust along the way. The goal is not quick fixes, but meaningful progress built on understanding and collaboration.
When clients are engaged and transparent about their goals and challenges, the work becomes far more effective and sustainable.
Where do you see your business in the next five years, and what are your plans for growth?
In the next five years, I see my business growing in a way that is intentional and sustainable. My focus is not on rapid expansion, but on deepening impact through thoughtful partnerships, scalable resources, and continued refinement of my evaluation and support processes.
I plan to expand access to high-quality, personalized educational support while maintaining the level of care and precision that defines my work. Growth, for me, means reaching more students and families without compromising values, quality, or the individualized approach that is central to AG Consulting.
For families seeking clarity around learning needs, executive functioning, or academic planning, educational evaluations through AG Consulting provide a personalized starting point. These evaluations are designed to understand how a student functions as a learner and to create a clear, actionable path forward. More information about my work and evaluation process can be found through AG Consulting.
Read more from Amirah Gilani
