High-Performance Communication for Modern Leaders and the Statistically Overlooked
Layla Shaikley helps ambitious professionals and forward-thinking companies level up — through executive-caliber communication, ownership-driven culture, and strategic presence. Whether she’s speaking to top execs or upskilling your next wave of talent, Layla brings the tactical clarity your team didn’t know they were missing.
She’s a former NASA intern, MIT-trained architect, and cofounder of a venture-backed AI company, Wise Systems, that powers Fortune 500 logistics. She’s also built a 270K+ online audience of professionals learning how to speak like executives — even when the odds are against them.
If your people are ready to rise, she’s ready to hand them the playbook.
Keynotes
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How to Fast-Track Your Way to Leadership When the Numbers Are Against You
There have been more U.S. Presidents named John than women presidents in total. Until 2023, there were more Fortune 500 CEOs named John than female CEOs altogether. These aren’t just quirky statistics—they’re symptoms of a deeper issue.
This talk is for high-potential professionals navigating systemic barriers in their path to leadership. Layla unpacks the concept of the “broken rung”—the first step to management that is disproportionately harder for women and people of color—and teaches attendees how to bypass it entirely.
Through personal stories, research-backed insights, and tactical strategies, Layla equips rising leaders to become visible, valuable, and promotable—even when the odds are stacked.
Key takeaways:
Leadership ≠ management: How to think and act like a leader early
How to tie your work to your leaders’ strategic goals
The communication upgrade that shifts perception from junior to executive
How to go from being a “complainer” to a trusted problem-solver
Ideal audience
ERGs for women or underrepresented groups
High-potential development programs
Organizations looking to accelerate entry- to mid-level talent
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Layla’s story is a masterclass in navigating bias, breaking through ceilings, and building influence as an outsider. This keynote delivers both powerful inspiration and tactical guidance—especially for high-potential employees from historically excluded backgrounds.
→ Key Takeaways:
Flip “onlyness” into strategic leverage
Build executive presence without burnout
Redefine leadership for yourself—and for those watching you
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If your team is unclear, unmotivated, or unaccountable—it’s not just culture. It’s language. This keynote gives leaders the tools to drive performance, urgency, and clarity across every level of the org, especially in remote/hybrid environments.
→ Ideal for: executive retreats, team offsites, culture-building initiatives
→ Key Takeaways:
Create buy-in through framing and urgency
Instill ownership with outcome-driven language
Lead aligned teams across functions and time zones
Resources
SPEAKING CLIENTS
SPEAKING CLIENTS
Testimonials
“The most attended and talked-about session of the entire week.”
– Maha, T-Mobile Women in Tech Week
“Layla supercharged an audience of 800 — senior leaders immediately invited her back.”
– Fatma, Centene
“We received more positive feedback than any other speaker. The team set new goals on the spot.”
– Rabab, Sprout Social
“Her insights are instantly usable — and unforgettable. The real deal.”
– Dr Keisha King, T-Mobile
“She made career leadership feel possible — and tactical — for girls who rarely see women like themselves.”
– Rodric, 21st Century Girls
CONFIDENCE IS WHEN OUTPUT MEETS EXPECTATIONS. LIKABILITY IS NOT POPULARITY. LISTENING IS COMMUNICATION. COMPETENCE BREEDS CONFIDENCE.
CONFIDENCE IS WHEN OUTPUT MEETS EXPECTATIONS. LIKABILITY IS NOT POPULARITY. LISTENING IS COMMUNICATION. COMPETENCE BREEDS CONFIDENCE.
Tailored Keynotes for Every Audience
Whether you’re looking to inspire your workforce, ignite the spirit of innovation at a conference, or empower the next generation of leaders, Layla delivers high-impact talks that resonate long after the event ends. She combines actionable insights with an engaging, down-to-earth approach that motivates individuals to make meaningful change.
Sizzle reels.
Layla is not just a builder — she’s a speaker with deep operating experience
What Sets Layla Apart
Venture-Backed Founder: Raised $72M+ and built a logistics AI company used by Coca-Cola, DHL, and more
STEM Trailblazer: MIT + NASA alum; one of the few Muslim American women to raise venture capital at scale and the first to raise over $10m
Operator First: Built teams, scaled systems, and delivers talks with tactical weight—not fluff
Digital Mentor: Followed by 270,000+ professionals for real, usable career advice
