With over 15 years of international and domestic leadership experience, including more than 7 years in higher education, Dr. Leila Naderi is a recognized expert in strategic leadership, partnership development, industry relations, international education, and leveraging business for social innovation.​

 

Leila is deeply engaged in both the local and global community, she has served on the ENACTUS United States Faculty Advisory Committee, the Economic Development & Advocacy Advisory Council of North San Diego Business Chamber, and more. Since 2022, Leila has been serving on the International Affairs Board (IAB) of the City of San Diego, appointed by San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and the City Council, with the focus on enhancing San Diego's global partnerships and promoting peace. She chaired the IAB Sister Cities Committee from 2022 to 2023, where she actively contributed to developing new or strengthening existing Friendship Cities and Sister Cities relationships, including San Diego-Porto and San Diego-Yokohama.​

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Leila currently leads the Employer Relations team at the University of San Diego | Career Development Center. Prior to this role, she was the Director of Partnership Development at Alliant International University | California School of Management & Leadership. As an adjunct professor, seasoned leadership researcher, and author, Leila has delivered talks at seminars, conferences, workshops, and forums. She has also taught numerous courses in leadership, business management, and internship/practicum at both the California School of Management & Leadership and the California School of Professional Psychology (2017-2022).

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​Yoga For Leadership Program

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Leila is the Founder of Yoga For Leadership, an innovative leadership development program that integrates yoga to leadership training as a way to maximize human potential, self-mastery, and leadership capacity within organizations. She is a sought-after speaker and the author of two books:

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-Yoga for Leadership: Activating the Compassion Element (2024)

 

-The Yogi Leader: Discovering the Seven Elements of Leading with Mind, Body, & Heart​ (2019)

 

Both books are rooted in her groundbreaking doctoral research on Yoga for Leadership, offering a unique blend of academic insight and practical applications. Leila designs and delivers customized Yoga For Leadership workshops and retreats worldwide, empowering leaders to cultivate self-mastery, inspire positive change, and maximize their leadership potential within organizations and communities.

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Global Leadership Academy: Where Diversity Leads To Unity​

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In 2016, Leila founded Global Leadership Academy (GLA): Where Diversity Leads to Unity at Alliant International University in San Diego campus. GLA is a volunteer-driven initiative for social impact and leadership development with a mission that includes: 

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• Develop conscious leaders dedicated to serving the greater good of humanity and the planet.

• Foster connections between today's and tomorrow's leaders.

• Close the gap between knowledge and action.

• Inspire social innovation and cultivate inclusive leadership.

• Advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.​​

Since 2016, GLA's innovative programs—such as Speak to Inspire Seminars, TED Talks & Coffee Talks, Celebrating the Earth Day by Tree Planting, Book Exchange & Friendly Dialogue, and more—have empowered hundreds of community members and engaged numerous thought leaders and volunteers. 

To continue GLA's mission and foster global peace, each year we celebrate the International Day of Peace in September by partnering with a mission-driven organization serving underrepresented communities to offer our Yoga For Leadership program on a “Pay-it-Forward Partnership” basis providing 100% scholarship to participants. Learn More!

 

Awards and Recognitions​

Leila has earned numerous awards and recognitions due to her outstanding leadership and contributions to local and global community including:​

* 2018 and 2020 Special Congressional Recognition and Leadership Award Nominee ​

* 2019 Outstanding Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership - Alliant's California School of Management & Leadership​

* Recipient of 2019 Leadership Award by North San Diego Business Chamber

* Featured on Awakin.org , Alliant International University, Texas Woman's University, City of San Diego's Office of Immigrant Affairs, and more. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​