Lead from within with empathy, resilience and purpose
I’m Leela Bassi
I am a keynote speaker, consultant, and facilitator whose work bridges polar exploration, personal transformation, and inclusive leadership. From trekking across the Arctic Circle to preparing for Everest and Kilimanjaro, I draw on real-life experience to help others lead with courage, clarity, and connection.
I have worked with global organisations to spark meaningful change, guiding leaders and teams through uncertainty, bias, and reinvention. My speaking blends vivid storytelling with grounded insights, empowering people to rise through challenge and rediscover their voice in life and at work.
I am also the author of Beyond the Ice, a powerful exploration of resilience, identity, and the journey home to self. My work has been described as “reflective, real, and quietly revolutionary.”
TRUSTED BY
From the Arctic to the boardroom, I guide leaders and teams through complexity with clarity. Through lived experience and practical tools, I help people lead with intention, empathy and resilience, whatever the setting or size of their work.
SPEAKER
I deliver keynote talks that invite reflection, spark connection, and open up new ways of thinking. Each talk is designed to inspire people to lead with empathy, intention, and clarity.
Topics include:
• Building resilience
• Turning failure into growth
• Embracing a growth mindset
• Leading through inclusion
Author
My writing is shaped by real-world journeys, from the Arctic to global boardrooms, where I challenged the status quo and led powerful conversations about belonging, allyship, and what it means to lead with identity and impact. My book is an extension of this work, offering readers a path to lead with empathy, purpose and authenticity.
WORKSHOPS
I design practical, personalised workshops that help individuals and teams to:
- Build resilience with a sense of accomplishment
- Create cultures that support learning from failure
- Identify opportunity in challenge
- Lead with boldness and inclusion
ADVENTURE
In 2015, I joined an all-female team on a 100km Arctic ski expedition in –42°C across Baffin Island. The journey challenged perceptions of diversity and inclusion and proved what is possible when we push beyond fear, comfort, and expectation.
Later this year, I will trek to Everest Base Camp, followed by Kilimanjaro in 2026. These are not just physical challenges, but personal commitments to growth, courage, and discipline.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT LEELA
“Over the years, Leela has delivered training sessions for us with global fluency and lived insight. Whether working with senior executives or diverse teams, she creates powerful, inclusive learning environments where people feel seen, challenged, and equipped to lead. Each session supports stronger leadership, deeper connection, and lasting cultural change. She’s one of the few we trust to get it right every time.”
“Leela Bassi is a captivating keynote speaker who brings authenticity, courage, and deep lived insight to every stage. Whether sharing stories of resilience or unpacking the hidden layers of diversity and leadership, she connects with audiences in ways that move hearts and shift thinking. Her presence leaves a lasting imprint — colleagues talk about her message for weeks. Leela doesn’t just inspire, she equips people to lead with purpose and clarity, no matter the setting.”
“Leela is a powerful speaker who connects with any audience: senior leaders, emerging talent, and everyone in between. Her ability to bring deep insight through storytelling, lived experience, and practical leadership tools makes her stand out. She has spoken at leadership events across regions including APAC, EMEA, and North America, consistently leaving people inspired and better equipped to lead through complexity and change.”
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Leela on several projects, and she always brings professionalism, care, and real impact. She is deeply committed to delivering value to teams at every level, from managers to C-suite leaders. Whether working with individuals or large groups, Leela connects on a human level, creating space for reflection, relevance, and practical growth. Her ability to deliver high-quality learning in multiple languages was a huge asset to our global teams. If I ever need a partner again, Leela will be the first person I call.
“Leela’s ability to blend deep expertise with personal storytelling made her Diversity and Inclusion talk truly stand out. She engaged with our guests before her session even began, creating genuine connection in the room. Her delivery balanced research, insight, and lived experience in a way that resonated with both DEI specialists and senior HR leaders. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a speaker who can teach, inspire, and truly shift perspectives.”
“Leela’s talk left our team genuinely inspired. The feedback during and after the event spoke volumes, people felt energised, encouraged, and deeply connected to her message. One comment stood out: ‘I really liked how grounded and authentic Leela seemed. She wasn’t trying to be perfect, just real , and still chose to push herself toward something extraordinary. It made me believe I could do the same.’”
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Leela on multiple projects across Europe, from keynote talks and webinar series to written content. She always brings energy, warmth, and a strong commitment to quality. Her talks consistently leave audiences motivated and equipped with real, practical insight. If you are looking for a collaborative partner who inspires, empowers, and delivers, Leela is the one.”
Leela was the opening speaker for our Women’s Global Leadership Summit. Her energy, warmth, and insight set the tone beautifully. She spoke about personal resilience and the hidden factors behind success, encouraging us to think differently and reframe how we approach challenges. An inspiring and energetic start to the day.
Leela joined us as a speaker for our Women in Finance event and delivered a powerful and engaging talk in Italian. Her ability to connect with the audience was exceptional. She brought warmth, clarity, and presence to a topic that resonated deeply with everyone in the room. Speaking on resilience and the fear of failure, she offered insights that were both practical and inspiring. Leela’s confident delivery, strong stage presence, and natural ability to engage made a lasting impact. I would highly recommend her to any organisation looking to build motivation, connection, and confidence within their teams.
“Over the years, Leela has delivered training sessions for us with global fluency and lived insight. Whether working with senior executives or diverse teams, she creates powerful, inclusive learning environments where people feel seen, challenged, and equipped to lead. Each session supports stronger leadership, deeper connection, and lasting cultural change. She’s one of the few we trust to get it right every time.”
“Leela Bassi is a captivating keynote speaker who brings authenticity, courage, and deep lived insight to every stage. Whether sharing stories of resilience or unpacking the hidden layers of diversity and leadership, she connects with audiences in ways that move hearts and shift thinking. Her presence leaves a lasting imprint — colleagues talk about her message for weeks. Leela doesn’t just inspire, she equips people to lead with purpose and clarity, no matter the setting.”
“Leela is a powerful speaker who connects with any audience: senior leaders, emerging talent, and everyone in between. Her ability to bring deep insight through storytelling, lived experience, and practical leadership tools makes her stand out. She has spoken at leadership events across regions including APAC, EMEA, and North America, consistently leaving people inspired and better equipped to lead through complexity and change.”
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Leela on several projects, and she always brings professionalism, care, and real impact. She is deeply committed to delivering value to teams at every level, from managers to C-suite leaders. Whether working with individuals or large groups, Leela connects on a human level, creating space for reflection, relevance, and practical growth. Her ability to deliver high-quality learning in multiple languages was a huge asset to our global teams. If I ever need a partner again, Leela will be the first person I call.
“Leela’s ability to blend deep expertise with personal storytelling made her Diversity and Inclusion talk truly stand out. She engaged with our guests before her session even began, creating genuine connection in the room. Her delivery balanced research, insight, and lived experience in a way that resonated with both DEI specialists and senior HR leaders. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a speaker who can teach, inspire, and truly shift perspectives.”
“Leela’s talk left our team genuinely inspired. The feedback during and after the event spoke volumes, people felt energised, encouraged, and deeply connected to her message. One comment stood out: ‘I really liked how grounded and authentic Leela seemed. She wasn’t trying to be perfect, just real , and still chose to push herself toward something extraordinary. It made me believe I could do the same.’”
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Leela on multiple projects across Europe, from keynote talks and webinar series to written content. She always brings energy, warmth, and a strong commitment to quality. Her talks consistently leave audiences motivated and equipped with real, practical insight. If you are looking for a collaborative partner who inspires, empowers, and delivers, Leela is the one.”
Leela was the opening speaker for our Women’s Global Leadership Summit. Her energy, warmth, and insight set the tone beautifully. She spoke about personal resilience and the hidden factors behind success, encouraging us to think differently and reframe how we approach challenges. An inspiring and energetic start to the day.
Leela joined us as a speaker for our Women in Finance event and delivered a powerful and engaging talk in Italian. Her ability to connect with the audience was exceptional. She brought warmth, clarity, and presence to a topic that resonated deeply with everyone in the room. Speaking on resilience and the fear of failure, she offered insights that were both practical and inspiring. Leela’s confident delivery, strong stage presence, and natural ability to engage made a lasting impact. I would highly recommend her to any organisation looking to build motivation, connection, and confidence within their teams.
delivered
TRILINGUAL SPEAKER
London
Paris
Milan
Dubai
