About Leela
In April 2015, Leela Bassi was part of an all-female team that completed a 100-kilometre ski expedition across Baffin Island in the Arctic Circle. Facing temperatures below minus 40 degrees Celsius and winds of up to 80 kilometres per hour, the team camped on the ice and relied on emergency support over 24 hours away. The journey was part of a bold initiative to challenge how people think about diversity and inclusion, and to prove what is possible when we test our limits and lead with belief.
Leela chose to join the expedition because she believes women are constantly evolving, navigating changing identities at home and work. Her question was not “What am I?” but “Who can I become?” A wife, a mother, an entrepreneur, a leader, why choose just one? The Arctic gave her space to step beyond expectations, confront personal fears, and discover what strength means.
After returning, her outlook on life shifted. She founded Above & Beyond Resilience in 2017 and began speaking and consulting on themes such as Beyond Resilience, Growth Mindset, Inclusive Leadership, and turning setbacks into breakthroughs. Her message is grounded in lived experience and a deep belief that adversity can shape empathy, purpose, and positive change.
Leela has since worked with clients including: BT, Sky, Microsoft, Unilever, Axa, Specsavers, and many others. Whether in the boardroom or in the community, Leela brings honesty, empathy, and challenge, inspiring leaders and teams to create spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
Who is Leela Bassi?
Leela Bassi is a trilingual speaker, facilitator, and consultant who helps people and organisations lead with more inclusion, empathy, and courage.
She draws from over 25 years of experience across cultures, continents, and industries, including a 100km Arctic expedition that reshaped how she sees leadership, belonging, and resilience.
Whether in a boardroom, a purpose-led organisation, a learning space, or under Arctic skies, Leela meets people where they are, helping them grow trust, shift behaviour, and build cultures where everyone feels they matter.
What is Leela known for?
Leela is known for her transformational presence, authenticity, and storytelling that connects deeply with every audience. Whether speaking in corporate boardrooms, on global leadership stages, or in more intimate team settings, she brings lived wisdom and professional insight to life. Her talks are often described as moving, empowering, and unforgettable, weaving together personal resilience, cultural insight, and inclusive leadership in a way that inspires real change.
Audiences leave her sessions not just motivated, but changed, equipped with practical strategies and a renewed sense of purpose. Leaders across sectors describe her as a powerful guide through adversity, someone who helps them dig deeper, lead with intention, and create cultures where everyone can thrive.
Leela's Biography
"Leela inspirationally addresses how life's challenges are won and lost in our minds, by providing a genius set of mental tools that can be applied immediately.
She will holistically change the way you think forever!"
“A truly thought provoking and engaging talk that certainly aroused interest in those attending and got people talking how they as an individual deal with difficult situations.
Leela is an amazing person with an inspirational story. She lives by example and proves out that striving and determination can overcome significant obstacles."
"Leela is a very passionate, inspiring, honest & approachable person. She values the quality of life and goes above the extra mile to help others through her incredible continuous mentoring, guidance, direction and motivation. I would highly recommend Leela, her motivational talks and 1-2-1 coaching sessions have been a life-changing experience for me."
The Full Story
This journey has been the adventure of a lifetime. It was the hardest of challenges but also the most rewarding.
This truly shows that through hard work, determination and a dash of bravery you can achieve anything.