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, operations management, international education, and leveraging business for social innovation.

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Leila currently leads the Employer Relations team at 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.

 

Since 2022, Leila has served on the International Affairs Board (IAB) for the City of San Diego, appointed by San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and the City Council, with the mission of enhancing San Diego's global partnerships and promoting peace. She chaired the IAB's 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, San Diego-Yokohama, and more. 

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As an adjunct professor, Leila has 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.

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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. As a sought-after speaker and the author of two books: Yoga for Leadership: Activating the Compassion Element and The Yogi Leader: Discovering the Seven Elements of Leading with Mind, Body, & Heart​, rooted in her groundbreaking research. Leila designs and delivers tailored leadership seminars, workshops, and executive retreats globally, empowering leaders to achieve personal mastery and inspire lasting, positive change.​ ​​​​​​​​​

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Global Leadership Academy: Where Diversity Leads To Unity​

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Leila established Global Leadership Academy (GLA): Where Diversity Leads to Unity at Alliant International University while studying her doctoral degree in leadership in San Diego, California. GLA is a volunteer-driven platform for social impact and leadership development with a mission to "Bridge the gap between the leaders of today and tomorrow," "Promote entrepreneurial leadership and social innovation," and "Champion 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 on September 21st, the International Day of Peace, we partner with a mission-driven organization serving underrepresented communities to offer our Yoga For Leadership program on a “Pay-it-Forward Partnership” basis. Learn More!

 

Awards and Recognitions

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Leila has earned numerous awards and recognitions due to her outstanding leadership and contributions to local and global community including the 2018 and 2020 Special Congressional Recognition, the 2019 Outstanding Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership from 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 as a local leader in education, and more. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​