Leyla Okhai is the Founder of Diverse Minds, an award-winning consultancy specialising in inclusion and mental health at work. In her current role, she works with organisations across different sectors to help them build inclusive workplace cultures that genuinely support wellbeing, improve performance, and retain talent. Her work sits at the intersection of diversity, equity, inclusion, and mental health, and she is known for approaching this space with both clarity and compassion. Through her leadership, Diverse Minds has become recognised for addressing complex workplace challenges in a practical and human way. We at CIO Global, are proud to introduce Leyla Okhai as one of the 05 Most Acclaimed Businesswomen in Europe, 2026.
Before starting her business, Leyla spent fourteen years working in higher education. During this time, she held several senior roles and went on to lead the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Centre at Imperial College London. She did not originally plan to become an entrepreneur. The idea for Diverse Minds emerged when organisations outside Imperial began approaching her, asking whether she could replicate the cultural change work she had led within the institution. These conversations made it clear that there was a strong demand for this kind of expertise beyond one organisation. In 2016, she took the step to establish Diverse Minds so that this work could reach a wider audience and create broader impact.
You do not need permission to begin, just the courage to take the first step.
One of Leyla’s proudest achievements has been building a consultancy that clearly fills a gap in the market where inclusion and mental health meet. She has worked with high-profile clients such as ASOS, Farfetch, the Science Museum Group, and University College London, which reflects how necessary and relevant this work has become. She is also extremely proud of the Diverse Minds Podcast, which has produced more than 295 episodes. The podcast won the Podcasting for Business Award in the Diversity and Inclusion category in 2021 and has become a key platform for sharing ideas, lived experiences, and practical insight. In addition, her work has been recognised through honours such as the Woman Who Award and Outstanding D&I Business of the Year, as well as being featured in Frameworthy’s Change Maker Portraits.
As a South Asian woman, Leyla has faced being overlooked in different stages of her life, including at school and in professional environments. These experiences shaped her understanding of inequality and became one of the drivers behind starting her own business. Rather than allowing these challenges to stop her, she chose to keep going. Consistent encouragement from friends and peers helped her stay focused and confident in her purpose. Over time, persistence and belief in her work allowed her to create space where her voice and expertise could be fully recognised.
During difficult periods, Leyla stays motivated by stepping back rather than pushing through exhaustion. After experiencing serious illness and burnout in 2021, she learned the importance of slowing down. Taking time away to read, spend time in her garden, or listen to music helps her reset and regain clarity. She has learned that rest is not a weakness but an essential part of sustaining meaningful work over the long term.
Her leadership style is distinctive because she does not separate mental health from inclusion. She believes the two are deeply connected and cannot be addressed in isolation. Discussions about inclusion must consider wellbeing, just as conversations about mental health must acknowledge power, identity, and inequality. Leyla also places strong value on warmth and openness in her client relationships. Her approach is not purely transactional. Instead, she focuses on building trust, honest communication, and long-term partnerships.
Real change happens through small, consistent actions, not big gestures.
Earlier in her career, Leyla pushed herself relentlessly, often accepting exhaustion and long commutes as normal. Over time, particularly since the pandemic, her approach has changed. She now prioritises balance and moves at a slower, steadier pace. Making time for hobbies, rest, and quiet moments has become central to how she manages her personal and professional life. This shift has helped her sustain energy and creativity in her work.
Some of Leyla’s earliest inspirations came from her time volunteering at the Burley Lodge Centre, now known as Better Leeds Communities. During 2002 and 2003, she worked in the community café and a South Asian girls’ group, and later joined the Board. Leaders such as former CEO Taira Kayani and volunteer coordinator Anna Hartley showed her how organisations can be rooted in care, consistency, and long-term impact. This experience shaped her understanding of leadership and reinforced her belief that community engagement is foundational to professional life, not separate from it.
When advising young women who want to become entrepreneurs, Leyla encourages them to start without waiting for permission. She believes in beginning with what you know, taking small steps, and making use of side projects. She also stresses the importance of support systems such as incubators, accelerators, and strong networks. Mapping your network, and understanding who supports your growth, is central to building confidence and momentum.
Innovation plays a central role in Leyla’s business. She sees it as essential for progress, even while recognising the challenges facing the sector today. The Diverse Minds Podcast is a clear example of innovation in practice. It was created not only as a platform for sharing ideas, but also as a strategic way to build thought leadership and make complex conversations more accessible. It allows people to understand her values and approach before engaging with her work.
Inclusion and mental health cannot be separated – both must be addressed together.
Looking ahead, Leyla remains realistic about the current climate for diversity and inclusion work. While the environment can feel uncertain, she knows the work remains necessary. Her focus for the coming years is on continuing to work with organisations that are genuinely committed to change, exploring creative writing, and eventually writing a book that reflects on the current DEI landscape. Above all, she encourages readers to keep going in small ways, to notice daily wins, and to remember that their work and efforts are valuable and worth sustaining.