Tanja Schjellerup, CEO at Skolen Online, began her educational leadership journey with a desire to make learning more accessible and impactful for all. Tanja has always believed education is a key driver of change and innovation. Her work in project management and business development and involvement with platforms like Skolen Online have allowed her to combine her passion for education with her skills in strategy. This has inspired Tanja to lead initiatives that rethink how education can be delivered, especially in a digital age where flexibility and access are paramount.
Qualities of a leader
“In the educational field, a leader must be visionary, empathetic, and adaptable. Vision is crucial for driving innovation and anticipating the future needs of learners. Empathy helps in understanding the diverse challenges students and educators face, especially as the world shifts more toward digital learning environments,” added Tanja.
Leaders must have a forward-thinking mindset, not only anticipating the needs of education today or tomorrow but also for the long term. This allows them to implement adaptability effectively. Adaptability is key to navigating the rapid technological advancements that are transforming education, from how it designs curricula to engage learners.
About Skolen Online
Skolen Online is an innovative platform that operates in the educational technology sector. Skolen Online functions both as a Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS), providing tools for both educators and students to enhance the learning experience. The platform focuses on making education accessible through technology, particularly for K12 students and up till the age of 24.
“At Skolen Online, we serve a diverse community of students, ranging from those who experience challenges in traditional classroom settings to international learners and homeschoolers. Our focus is on providing flexible, tailored learning opportunities through online classes, ensuring that each student can learn at their own pace and in an environment that fosters both academic success and personal well-being. We offer live, interactive classes as well as self-study options, giving students access to high-quality education regardless of their location or individual needs,” adds Tanja.
An unforgettable legacy
Tanja hopes to leave a legacy that goes beyond just being a female leader in education and entrepreneurship. Tanja’s message to future generations is that success stems from dedication, vision, and the courage to pursue innovation not gender. She wants to inspire others to see themselves as entrepreneurs first, driven by their love for what they do, rather than letting gender define their path. “Ultimately, I believe that true progress will come when we move the conversation from gender to passion, innovation, and creating meaningful impact in the fields we are committed to,” adds Tanja.
Beating the odds
One of the hardest challenges Tanja faced as a leader was the first time she had to fire someone she had personally hired. Tanja says It’s an incredibly tough position to be in, especially when you’ve invested time and energy into building that relationship.
However, she realized that being a leader sometimes requires making difficult decisions for the greater good of the team and the business. It was a moment where she had to learn to “own it, move on” accept responsibility, make the decision with confidence, and keep moving forward. That experience taught her the importance of balancing empathy with decisiveness, and have carried that lesson with her ever since.
Leveraging technology
With Skolen Online, Tanja has focused on using technology to solve real-world educational challenges. One of the key innovations has been making learning platforms more flexible and customizable for both students and educators. Her role has involved driving the use of tools that allow educators to easily integrate their curricula into digital platforms while ensuring that students have access to high-quality, interactive learning experiences.
The gap the business world must bridge
The business world must evolve beyond the idea of simply “supporting women” as a separate initiative and start integrating women into leadership as a natural and necessary part of business growth. First, businesses should focus on creating equal opportunities for all entrepreneurs and leaders, regardless of gender. This can be achieved by building inclusive mentorship networks, ensuring access to capital for female entrepreneurs, and implementing policies that support work-life balance for all leaders, not just women.
Moreover, it’s important to break away from the notion that women need to “fit” into male-dominated environments. Instead, businesses should foster a culture that values diverse leadership styles and creates environments where innovation thrives, no matter who is at the helm. Lastly, representation matters. Ensuring that women are visible in all leadership areas, from boards to executive roles, will inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs to pursue their passions without limitations based on gender.
Advise to the aspiring women leaders
“If you want to make a real and significant change, the first and most important step is to have passion for what you do. Passion fuels persistence and creativity, which are essential when facing challenges or pushing boundaries in your field. Without genuine passion and commitment, it’s difficult to stay committed when the road gets tough or when you need to navigate uncharted territory. Leaders who truly care about their work inspire others to join them, creating momentum for change.”
Future roadmap
Tanja says, “Looking ahead, my roadmap is focused on further expanding Skolen Online into a global educational platform that serves a wide range of students, from those who thrive in non-traditional learning environments to those needing more personalised paths to success. I envision growing our offerings, incorporating more languages and curricula to support learners worldwide.”
Tanja’s goal is to continue developing innovative learning environments that empower students to learn at their own pace while maintaining a strong connection to the educators and resources that guide them. In addition to scaling Skolen Online, she aims to leverage my experience to mentor individuals passionate about making a difference in their fields. Whether through mentoring, advisory roles, or being a board member, she wants to support entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators who are dedicated to driving change. As long as the field aligns with her passions and knowledge, Tanja is committed to providing guidance and sharing insights to help others succeed.
- Visit Tanja Schjellerup – LinkedIn Profile
- Visit Skolen Online – Company Website
