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The heart & soul
behind the accolades
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meet
Nabeela
elsayed
"I believe in living life with a sense of awe, empathy, and connection, striving to leave every place better than I found it."
Always seeking new horizons and discovering fresh perspectives
As a nomad at heart, I see the world through a unique lens. This perspective, often described as the "overview effect," allows me to maintain a sense of beauty, empathy, and connection in everything I do.
I strive to remain present, attentive, and deeply engaged with the world around me, leveraging my experiences to create meaningful movements and inspire positive change.
Inspiring keynote speaker
Early feedback in my career taught me the power of purposeful speaking. Now, as a seasoned keynote speaker, I aspire to move hearts and minds into action, inspire hope, and envision a better future.
Whether discussing the future of work, creating inclusive communities, or addressing mental health, my mission is to help people reflect deeply, think differently, and enact positive change.
Insightful coach & advisor
My curiosity has always driven me to understand people better. As a coach, I believe that you know yourself best. My role is to listen with unbiased curiosity and help you uncover possibilities within.
I've had the privilege of coaching a diverse range of leaders, from startup CEOs to Fortune 500 executives. Each coaching relationship is a responsibility I cherish deeply.
Adventurous traveler
I have always had a deep passion for exploring. I've travelled to over forty five countries and lived in multiple cities across the US, Canada, Europe and Turkey. Mark Twain said that “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.." to travel with an open heart and open mind is to honor the richness and diversity of our humanity and the world.
Passionate author
Reading and writing are my passions. I prefer physical books filled with my annotations and notes. I'm currently working on my first book, which explores how our relationship with work can become unhealthy and what we can do to fix it. Writing allows me to learn and teach, and I'm excited to share my insights with the world.
Devoted mom & wife
Balancing a career, family, and social life is a continuous learning process. Being a mom of three and a partner is my most challenging and rewarding role. My kids keep me humble and grounded, reminding me of what truly matters. My greatest wish for them is to be good people and live happy, healthy lives.
Championing equal opportunity for all
Equal opportunity fuels my passion for creating a more equitable world. As a board member of The Miracle Foundation, I work towards finding a loving home for every orphaned child. As a member of the Coalition of Innovation Leaders Against Racism, I strive for a more inclusive Canada.
As a board member of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, I advocate for human rights. As a co-founder of Rippl, I am determined to redefine workplace well-being.
THE RATE AT WHICH THE WORLD IS CHANGING HAS NEVER BEEN THIS FAST, AND IT IS ONLY SPEEDING UP
Having led global multi-billion dollar transformations for both IKEA and Walmart, Nabeela has learned that the most successful transformations occur at organizations that can maintain their equilibrium while balancing the execution of significant systemic change with current performance demands. Nabeela’s stories, lessons learned, and pragmatic tools will enable your organization to achieve more successful transformations in a constantly evolving world.
Learning Objectives and Audience Outcomes:
- Understand why we all desire change but resist it
- Identify and dispel myths about transformation and change that hold us back from becoming effective change agents
- Learn how to make change sustainable and actionable
- Discover how to inspire an organization to accomplish the seemingly impossible, such as "flying the plane while rebuilding the engine"
- Embrace courage and trust through periods of uncertainty
Everyone needs to know how to lead and adapt to change, making this a must-hear message for all audiences.
THINKING DIFFERENTLY ABOUT SUCCESS IS THE KEY TO BEING SUCCESSFUL
The future of work is facing an existential crisis. Workplace engagement is at an all-time low, anxiety and mental health issues are at an all-time high, and the rapid pace of technological change continues to challenge both employees and organizations. Despite their best efforts, many leaders and teams feel unsuccessful and disenfranchised.
Based on Nabeela’s groundbreaking research, extensive experience, and numerous interviews with C-suite executives and thought leaders, this keynote will demonstrate how to think differently about success. Learn to rethink your relationship with work, escape the burnout loop, and foster a healthy work-life balance for a happier, healthier, and more engaged professional life.
Learning Objectives and Audience Outcomes:
- Gain insights from research into “our unhealthy relationship with work and success”
- Identify common misconceptions about work and success that lead to disengagement
- Understand the burnout loop and learn strategies to break free from it
- Explore the work paradox and discover how to stay in the sweet spot of work engagement
- Redefine success to feel more successful, present, and engaged
This keynote is ideal for all organizational levels.
IN AN ERA OF UNCERTAINTY AND POLARIZATION, HOPE AND COURAGE HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN TODAY.
More than ever, leaders and enterprises need the correct dose of hope and courage. While the world is losing faith in more traditional institutions, more and more people are putting their hope for a brighter future in the hands of leaders and organizations. To carry this hope is both a responsibility and a privilege. Leveraging her years of experience as a CHRO and COO, Nabeela’s keynote will uncover the power of hope and courage as leadership and strategic superpowers.
- Research on the power of hope and courage
- What happens when we lose hope and lack courage
- How hope and courage are intertwined
- What does hopeful leadership look like, and why it’s so powerful
- Pragmatic tools to be a more hopeful and courageous leader
This program is for leaders but can also be tailored to all organizational levels.
DE&IIS NOT DEAD, IT IS GROWING
As a DEI advocate, CHRO, and COO, Nabeela has witnessed the evolution of the DEI space over multiple decades. Despite the ebbs and flows of shocking headlines and naysayers, the business case for diversity and inclusion remains indisputable: it's not only good for business but also the right thing to do.
Equality is a fundamental human right, and no company or individual should abandon the ambition to build a diverse, inclusive, and equitable space.
In this keynote, Nabeela will share insights on where the next chapter of DE&I work is headed and how to lead effectively in this new era.
- Understand where DE&I has been and where it’s going
- Explore the DE&I Business Case 2.0 - re-written and revised
- Learn what DE&I initiatives have worked and what hasn’t
- Discover strategies to avoid polarization and exclusionary practices
- Embrace the essence of DE&I - understanding that diversity means we don’t all need to agree
This session is designed to equip leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate and lead in the evolving landscape of DE&I, and belonging.
My Guiding Principles
Accept outcomes
What is meant for you won’t miss you. Control your intentions and efforts, but understand that outcomes are often beyond our control.
Leave things better
Always strive to leave people and places in a better state than you found them.
Reject limiting beliefs
Embrace complexity and seek out alternative paths forward.
Strive for excellence
Excellence requires conscious effort in all aspects of life.
Rest and recover
Protect your time and health, as they are invaluable.
Through my travels, work, and personal life,
I bring a compassionate presence and a sense of awe to everything I do, encouraging others to follow suit.
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