Her Story
About Leila
Leila Almeida is an accomplished executive operations and association management professional serving as Office Manager for the International Coaching Federation (ICF). With more than a decade of experience in nonprofit and association management, she partners with executive leadership and boards of directors to support organizational priorities through strategic governance, organizational alignment, and cross-functional collaboration. Her expertise includes executive support, board governance, stakeholder engagement, project management, and strategic planning coordination, helping leaders translate strategy into meaningful execution.
Over the course of her career, Leila has held leadership support roles with the International Coaching Federation and the Early Learning Coalition of Lake County, building extensive experience in executive operations, governance, nonprofit administration, board administration, executive communications, and member services. Her work has supported executive leadership, boards, and volunteers across national and international organizations.
She has earned a reputation for bringing people together, fostering collaboration, and creating effective processes that strengthen organizational effectiveness and support informed decision-making.
Leila holds an Associate of Science degree and an Associate of Applied Science in Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging from Bluegrass Community and Technical College, along with a Certificate Program in Association Management from ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership. A lifelong learner committed to continuous professional growth, she plans to pursue additional education and professional credentials.
Passionate about empowering women, developing future leaders, and creating meaningful organizational impact, she believes integrity, character, and thoughtful leadership are the foundation of lasting success.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Leila
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my ability to connect ideas and people while helping others work through complex challenges. I enjoy bringing diverse perspectives together, fostering meaningful dialogue, and creating alignment around common goals. By combining strategic thinking with collaboration, I help transform ideas into meaningful action and positive organizational outcomes.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to never underestimate the value of your perspective. I have learned the importance of raising my hand, asking questions, staying curious, trusting my voice, and having the confidence to contribute. Meaningful contributions begin when we are willing to share our ideas, engage in meaningful conversations, and participate with confidence.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to never wait until you feel 100 percent ready before pursuing an opportunity. Continue learning, embrace new challenges, and trust your abilities. Women bring unique strengths, perspectives, and leadership qualities to every organization, and I encourage others to embrace those strengths while leading with confidence, authenticity, and grace.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest opportunities in my field is improving communication where teams, departments, and ideas intersect. By creating greater clarity, strengthening cross-functional collaboration, and aligning people around shared goals, organizations can make better decisions and achieve stronger outcomes. As organizations become more interconnected, I believe the ability to bridge strategy, governance, and execution will become an increasingly valuable leadership skill.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity and character are the values that guide every aspect of my life. I believe true character is demonstrated by what we do even when no one is watching. I strive to lead with honesty, authenticity, and respect, knowing that the way we treat others and conduct ourselves leaves a lasting impact on everyone around us.
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