Dr. Leila Naderi is a higher education leader, leadership researcher, and ecosystem builder with over 15 years of international and domestic leadership experience, including more than 8 years in higher education. She holds a Ph.D. in Leadership, an MBA, and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, bringing an interdisciplinary perspective that connects leadership, business strategy, innovation, and social impact.

Her expertise spans strategic leadership, partnership development, employer and industry relations, international education, and building cross-sector collaborations among higher education, government, business, and global communities. She has led complex initiatives across the University of San Diego, Alliant University, and the City of San Diego, advancing innovative programs, partnerships, and leadership development initiatives.

Deeply committed to civic and global engagement, she served on the International Affairs Board of the City of San Diego (2022–2025), appointed by Mayor Todd Gloria and the City Council, and chaired the Sister Cities Committee from 2022–2023. She has also contributed to national and regional advisory initiatives focused on economic development, entrepreneurship, and global collaboration.

Leila is the Founder and Author of Yoga For Leadership, an innovative leadership development framework that integrates the ancient wisdom of yoga into modern leadership researches and theories to cultivate self-mastery, maximize human potential, and enhance leadership capacity within organizations.​

She is also Founder and Co-Chair of San Diego Yokohama Leadership Academy (SYLA). SYLA is the first leadership innovation ecosystem grounded in sister city principles (people-to-people diplomacy) and Yoga for Leadership framework designed to empower leaders, bridge cultures, foster collaboration, and promote peace.