Nabeela Elsayed

Nabeela Elsayed is a former Chief Operations Officer, a highly decorated executive, and a thought leader redefining leadership and success for the modern era.

She is considered one of North America’s most influential leadership voices in the areas of modern leadership culture, diversity, and organizational transformation. As the former Chief Operations Officer of Walmart Canada and longtime HR and transformation executive at global brands such as IKEA and Starbucks, she combines operational excellence with visionary thinking. Her career reflects a deep understanding of the complex challenges of our time – from digital transformation and cultural change to human-centered leadership.

With over 20 years of professional experience, she has led thousands of employees, overseen large-scale strategic initiatives, and set new standards for effective and inclusive leadership. Her work has earned her multiple accolades, including being named one of Canada’s Top 50 Executives and one of the country’s 100 Most Powerful Women.

Nabeela Elsayed stands for a new kind of leadership: values-driven, forward-thinking, and profoundly human. She inspires leaders around the world to build more resilient, inclusive, and compassionate organizations – with clarity, courage, and empathy.

Nabeela Elsayed Keynote topics

• The Balancing Act: Navigating Organizational Stability in a Rapidly Changing World
  How organizations can maintain clarity, structure, and performance in times of rapid transformation.

• Redefining Success: A New Compass for Work and Life
  Why we must rethink success—for healthier organizations and more fulfilled people.

• Rethinking Leadership: Building the Future with Hope, Courage, and Trust
  How authentic leadership builds trust, fosters engagement, and strengthens resilience.

• Inclusion as a Force for the Future: Rethinking DEI Strategically and Humanely
  How Diversity, Equity & Inclusion can drive innovation and sustainable growth.

Who Is Nabeela Elsayed?

Nabeela Elsayed is not only a seasoned executive but also a true architect of sustainable change. As the former Chief Operations Officer of Walmart Canada, she was responsible for over 400 stores, 100,000 employees, and 1.5 million customers daily. Her leadership journey includes key roles at IKEA and Starbucks, as well as board memberships at TaskRabbit, the Miracle Foundation, and the National Council of Canadian Muslims.

She has been recognized globally, including being named one of Canada’s Top 50 Executives, one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada, and one of the Top 100 Global HR Leaders.

Nabeela is the founder of MuslimHaqq, an initiative that promotes understanding and combats systemic Islamophobia. She also co-founded Riple, a global platform reshaping the conversation around mental well-being. As a certified Executive Coach and a member of the Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches, she also teaches future board members at Competent Boards, focusing on responsible corporate governance.

Nabeela blends business acumen with deep humanism. Her talks connect global leadership experience with organizational psychology, societal shifts, and technological change – always with one clear goal: to empower people to lead with courage, empathy, and purpose.