Leila was born in Hong Kong and holds a 1st Class Honors Degree in International Business and Business and Management Studies from highly regarded British Universities. She was awarded the RWR Award for the highest performing student in her graduating year. Leila has had a uniquely entrepreneurial career since graduation, including working on multiple contract assignments within events management and corporate promotions for businesses such as Nestle, Coca Cola and Unilever.
She also founded and opened her own tearoom in York prior to working in executive search for several privately-owned organisations prior to establishing her own business.
In addition to running Leila McKenzie Associates, Leila is also the UK’s Northern Director for Winmark Global, a C-suite peer-to-peer learning organisation and one of the key Executive Committee Members for the Institute of Directors (IOD) North West, where she is instrumental in advising on Diversity & Inclusion policies.
Leila is also a strong advocate of the 30% Club and Hampton Alexander Review. She brings considerable cross-sector experience as a dynamic thinker in use of specialised and innovative sourcing strategies, tied to business strategy which allows her to ensures results can be maximised.
Leila is particularly keen opassionate about promoting diversity and inclusion at leadership level having come from a diverse background herself. Evidence points to the fact that diverse groups make better, faster decisions with less bias and groupthink, and are more creative and innovative. This knowledge and experience has driven Leila to bring businesses and talented individuals together to build high-performing, fantastically diverse senior teams.
Leila regularly hosts high-profile events to support charitable causes that she is passionate about. Such events include “Celebrating Diverse and Inclusive Leaders”, “Women in Leadership in the Food & Drink Industry” and “Diversity at the top of the food chain”.
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