About Leona

Hi, I am Leona

I am your strategic partner, coach and advisor, on a mission to empower women to lead with confidence, authenticity, and impact. I believe this is my calling and I bring to it a wealth of professional and personal experience. I have navigated several traumatic events including the Ethiopian revolution at the age of 9, the loss of my father at 19, two near-death accidents and an abusive marriage. These events have shaped my values and cultivated an inner strength that has enabled me to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. With every victory, I gained the confidence that I could be and do more than I had previously imagined.

As a result, I am always looking for new challenges, such as:
  • Pursuing a doctorate degree. My two daughters were 6 and 3 on graduation day.
  • Working in Haiti for a year, shortly after the 2010 earthquake.
  • Relocating from the United States to Mexico in 2021.
  • Obtaining my coaching certification from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) in 2022.
  • Delivering a TEDx Talk at Northwestern University in 2022.
  • Joining the faculty of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in 2023.
  • Conquering my fear of water and walking into a giant waterfall in Huatulco, Mexico in 2024.
  • Becoming a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine in 2025.​
Hi, I am Leona
I am your strategic partner, coach and advisor, on a mission to empower women to lead with confidence, authenticity, and impact. I believe this is my calling and I bring to it a wealth of professional and personal experience. I have navigated several traumatic events including the Ethiopian revolution at the age of 9, the loss of my father at 19, two near-death accidents and an abusive marriage. These events have shaped my values and cultivated an inner strength that has enabled me to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. With every victory, I gained the confidence that I could be and do more than I had previously imagined.
As a result, I am always looking for new challenges, such as:
  • Pursuing a doctorate degree. My two daughters were 6 and 3 on graduation day.
  • Working in Haiti for a year, shortly after the 2010 earthquake.
  • Relocating from the United States to Mexico in 2021.
  • Obtaining my coaching certification from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) in 2022.
  • Delivering a TEDx Talk at Northwestern University in 2022.
  • Joining the faculty of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in 2023.
  • Conquering my fear of water and walking up to a giant waterfall in Huatulco, Mexico in 2024.
  • Becoming a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine in 2025.​

Coaching Credentials

  • International Coaching Federation
  • Certified Professional Co-Active Coach
  • John Maxwell Certified Coach and Trainer

Languages Spoken

  • Native fluency in English
  • Native fluency in French
  • Advanced conversational Spanish

Education & Certifications

  • PhD in Human Resource Development & Organizational Development, George Washington University
  • Prosci Certified Change Manager
  • MBTI Certified Practitioner
  • DiSC Certified Practitioner
  • Intercultural Development Inventory Qualified Administrator

Niche Areas 

  • Leadership Development
  • Organizational Development
  • Change Management
  • Cultural Intelligence
  • Career Development
What I Do

With over 25 years of experience as an organizational development professional and executive coach, I’ve dedicated my career to enhancing the performance and effectiveness of individual leaders, teams, and organizations. My approach involves designing and implementing tailored interventions, which may include coaching, training, speaking, strategic planning, and change management. Solutions are defined based on in-depth assessments. I am certified in Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and DiSC assessments and administer them both at individual and team levels. Additionally, as a Prosci Certified Change Manager, I excel in guiding leaders, teams, and organizations to successfully transition to their desired future state.

Having worked and lived across five continents, in countries such as Bangladesh, Ghana, Mexico, Peru, and Spain, I bring a rich cross-cultural perspective to my work. My certification in the Intercultural Development Inventory further supports my ability to enhance the cultural intelligence of individuals and teams. My list of prestigious clients includes the World Bank Group, the United Nations, the United States Agency for International Development, Georgetown University, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and a presidential candidate.

What I Do
With over 25 years of experience as an organizational development professional and executive coach, I’ve dedicated my career to enhancing the performance and effectiveness of individual leaders, teams, and organizations. My approach involves designing and implementing tailored interventions, which may include coaching, training, speaking, strategic planning, and change management. Solutions are defined based on in-depth assessments. I am certified in Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and DiSC assessments and administer them both at individual and team levels. Additionally, as a Prosci Certified Change Manager, I excel in guiding leaders, teams, and organizations to successfully transition to their desired future state.

Having worked and lived across five continents, in countries such as Bangladesh, Ghana, Mexico, Peru, and Spain, I bring a rich cross-cultural perspective to my work. My certification in the Intercultural Development Inventory further supports my ability to enhance the cultural intelligence of individuals and teams. My list of prestigious clients includes the World Bank Group, the United Nations, the United States Agency for International Development, Georgetown University, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and a presidential candidate.
My Why

My primary motivation has always been a deep-seated interest in facilitating personal and professional growth. From an early age, I was driven to teach and inspire others, a zeal that my parents recognized and supported by providing me with a blackboard at the age of 8. Life has a way of shifting our focus. A pivotal moment occurred during the Ethiopian revolution when the harrowing images of famine deeply impacted me. At just nine years old, these scenes drove me to decide to become an agronomist, not out of personal interest but from a pressing need to address food insecurity. My first two college degrees were in agriculture. In my first job after college, I had the opportunity to rediscover my original passion through an assignment that required designing and delivering training. As a result, I decided to pursue a doctorate in human resource development.

Even before I formally embarked on my coaching career, I was frequently sought out by family, friends, and colleagues for advice on a wide range of personal and professional matters. This inclination for guiding and supporting others extended to interactions with strangers in various settings, who often confided in me about their lives. When I asked why they believed they could be open with me, they responded that my genuine empathy and desire to help led them to trust me. Coaching feels like coming home to me. It’s what I was born to do, blending my passion for helping others with my skills and personal experience.

Tidbits about me
  • My faith has been a steadfast anchor, keeping me grounded throughout my life’s journey.
  • My two daughters are my pride and joy.
  • My happy place is sitting by a body of water, the ocean being my absolute favorite.
  • I smile and laugh frequently. It’s like oxygen for my soul!
  • For me, learning is as essential as breathing. I make it a daily habit to read and listen to books or podcasts to keep growing.
  • I write Poetry.
  • I spend time in nature several times a week because it inspires and energizes me.
  • I engage in regular physical activity because it makes me feel alive.

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      About Leona Ba

      With over 25 years of experience as an organizational development professional and leadership coach, I’ve dedicated my career to enhancing the performance and effectiveness of individual leaders, teams, and organizations.
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