Her Story
About Lila
Lila Asante-Appiah is the President and Co-Founder of Purposeful Pursuits Coaching and Consulting, where she provides executive coaching, leadership development, and organizational consulting services. With more than 25 years of experience in leadership, human resources, and organizational development, she has helped organizations strengthen their operations, develop talent, and improve organizational effectiveness. Her professional background includes senior leadership roles at Downtown Detroit Partnership, The Heat and Warmth Fund, AcuMax Index, and Wayne State University, where she led initiatives in human resources, strategic planning, change management, and organizational performance.
Lila holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and a Master of Arts in Training and Development with a concentration in Organizational Development from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois, graduating summa cum laude. She is a Certified Professional Coach, Certified Career Coach, and Enneagram practitioner and coach. Her areas of expertise include executive coaching, strategic human resources, diversity, equity, inclusion and justice, organizational development, and leadership effectiveness. Through Purposeful Pursuits, she helps leaders deepen self-awareness, strengthen communication, navigate professional challenges, and build more inclusive and collaborative workplaces, with a particular commitment to supporting nonprofit leaders and developing women professionally.
Recognized for her leadership and community contributions, Lila was named a 2026 Women of Excellence honoree by Michigan Chronicle Magazine and received the Community Impact Award at DBusiness Magazine’s Commercial Real Estate Awards as part of her work with the Downtown Detroit Partnership. She believes effective leadership begins with self-awareness, intentionality, humility, and a commitment to putting people first. By encouraging leaders to embrace different perspectives, cultivate talent, and lead authentically, Lila continues to advance meaningful organizational growth while empowering individuals to reach their full potential.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lila
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to continuously strengthening my skills, building authentic connections, and embracing vulnerability by being open about both my achievements and areas for growth. As a coach, I help clients recognize their own knowledge and strengths, empowering them to use these insights to support their personal and professional development.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to keep showing up, even when I doubt myself or feel I’m falling short. By consistently giving my best effort in every role and environment, I can make a meaningful impact and deliver results for the organizations I serve.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the coaching field is to keep showing up, do your best, and give yourself grace as you grow. Stay open to learning, as skills and lessons that may seem unrelated today could prove valuable in the future. Most importantly, recognize your strengths and continue building on them.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges is helping leaders recognize the value of professional coaching, particularly for women early in their careers. I see a significant opportunity for organizations to invest in emerging women leaders and use coaching to help bridge the gender gap and support their professional growth.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my professional and personal life are humility, curiosity, integrity, and authenticity. I strive to remain open to learning, act with honesty, and build genuine connections with others.
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