Leila Kubesch

Leila Kubesch

OH, US

7 reseñas

5 verificado

Leila Kubesch sparks bold action with research, humor, and storytelling. A National Teachers Hall of Fame inductee and Second City-trained speaker, she shows teams how strategic asking, collaboration, and laughter can fuel resilience, innovation, and transformational success across any industry.

7 reseñas

5 verificado

What Audiences Gain from Leila’s Keynotes and Workshops: Most Requested Keynotes & Sessions:

Leila Kubesch is a dynamic keynote speaker, TEDx storyteller, and award-winning educator who helps leaders, educators, and professionals across industries communicate with confidence, build cultures of cohesion, and lead with lasting impact. With a career rooted in advocacy, communication, and cross-cultural understanding, Leila equips audiences with the tools to transform complex challenges into opportunities for connection and change.

Her professional journey began in the airline industry, where she learned the power of presence, precision, and diplomacy while working with people from all walks of life. These early experiences shaped her signature approach to leadership—graceful under pressure, grounded in strategy, and always human at its core.


Leila went on to become a celebrated educator, eventually being named Ohio Teacher of the Year and inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. Her classroom became a launchpad for social innovation, where students designed projects that sparked real-world change. From leading service-learning campaigns to securing national grants, she showed students—and later, entire school systems—how to thrive through bold communication and resourceful leadership.


In 2025, Leila completed her personal mission of speaking in all 50 U.S. states, sharing stages with school leaders, human resources professionals, policy-makers, and nonprofit teams. Her international reach includes keynote addresses at Mextesol in Mexico, a featured talk at Galway University in Ireland, and recent speaking engagements in Italy, England, and Ireland.


Leila’s most requested keynote, “The Art of the Ask,” delivers a 7-step framework for making meaningful, persuasive requests—whether you're seeking buy-in from a team, support for a new initiative, or resources to meet pressing needs. Through this talk, she helps audiences replace hesitation with clarity and create opportunities through intentional, courageous communication.


What sets Leila apart is her ability to infuse humor and heart—even in the most serious or high-stakes contexts. Trained in improv and comedy at Second City in Chicago, she uses storytelling and playful delivery to disarm resistance, build rapport, and keep audiences both laughing and leaning in. Whether she's discussing trauma-informed leadership or multilingual engagement, her sessions are memorable not just for their insight—but for their soul.


Leila is also deeply committed to empowering educators and working with multilingual students and their families. Her nonprofit, Parents2Partners, has impacted communities nationwide by building bridges between schools and the families they serve—particularly those navigating language, culture, and access barriers. Her sessions on family engagement, trauma-informed communication, and leadership through story have become staples at major conferences for educators and administrators.


  • A clear, repeatable framework for making powerful requests that move people to act
  • Tools for strategic storytelling to increase influence and build trust
  • Culturally responsive communication strategies that foster inclusive leadership
  • Real-life stories and case studies that illustrate transformation in action
  • The ability to lead with empathy and clarity, even under pressure

  • The Art of the Ask: How to Mobilize Support and Lead with Influence
  • Lead with Story: Elevating Teams Through Purposeful Narrative
  • From Burnout to Boldness: Communication Tools for Cultural Resilience
  • Trauma-Informed Leadership: Building Safe and Empowering Workplaces
  • Engaging Multilingual Families with Purpose and Power


  • Keynote speaker at Mextesol (Mexico) and Galway University (Ireland)
  • Speaker at national conferences in Italy, England, and Ireland
  • Keynoted for school board associations, HR conferences, women's summits and principal leadership events
  • Presenter at education service centers, leadership academies, and TEDx platforms
  • Completed her goal of speaking in all 50 U.S. states in 2025


Leila’s audiences don’t just walk away inspired—they leave equipped. With practical tools, research-based frameworks, and stories that resonate long after the event, Leila turns keynotes into catalysts. She brings warmth, wit, and a call to courage to every room she enters.


For conferences seeking a keynote speaker who offers more than motivation—a speaker who delivers transformation with a smile—Leila Kubesch is the name to know.

What Audiences Gain from Leila’s Keynotes and Workshops: Most Requested Keynotes & Sessions:

Leila Kubesch is a dynamic keynote speaker, TEDx storyteller, and award-winning educator who helps leaders, educators, and professionals across industries communicate with confidence, build cultures of cohesion, and lead with lasting impact. With a career rooted in advocacy, communication, and cross-cultural understanding, Leila equips audiences with the tools to transform complex challenges into opportunities for connection and change.

Her professional journey began in the airline industry, where she learned the power of presence, precision, and diplomacy while working with people from all walks of life. These early experiences shaped her signature approach to leadership—graceful under pressure, grounded in strategy, and always human at its core.


Leila went on to become a celebrated educator, eventually being named Ohio Teacher of the Year and inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. Her classroom became a launchpad for social innovation, where students designed projects that sparked real-world change. From leading service-learning campaigns to securing national grants, she showed students—and later, entire school systems—how to thrive through bold communication and resourceful leadership.


In 2025, Leila completed her personal mission of speaking in all 50 U.S. states, sharing stages with school leaders, human resources professionals, policy-makers, and nonprofit teams. Her international reach includes keynote addresses at Mextesol in Mexico, a featured talk at Galway University in Ireland, and recent speaking engagements in Italy, England, and Ireland.


Leila’s most requested keynote, “The Art of the Ask,” delivers a 7-step framework for making meaningful, persuasive requests—whether you're seeking buy-in from a team, support for a new initiative, or resources to meet pressing needs. Through this talk, she helps audiences replace hesitation with clarity and create opportunities through intentional, courageous communication.


What sets Leila apart is her ability to infuse humor and heart—even in the most serious or high-stakes contexts. Trained in improv and comedy at Second City in Chicago, she uses storytelling and playful delivery to disarm resistance, build rapport, and keep audiences both laughing and leaning in. Whether she's discussing trauma-informed leadership or multilingual engagement, her sessions are memorable not just for their insight—but for their soul.


Leila is also deeply committed to empowering educators and working with multilingual students and their families. Her nonprofit, Parents2Partners, has impacted communities nationwide by building bridges between schools and the families they serve—particularly those navigating language, culture, and access barriers. Her sessions on family engagement, trauma-informed communication, and leadership through story have become staples at major conferences for educators and administrators.


  • A clear, repeatable framework for making powerful requests that move people to act
  • Tools for strategic storytelling to increase influence and build trust
  • Culturally responsive communication strategies that foster inclusive leadership
  • Real-life stories and case studies that illustrate transformation in action
  • The ability to lead with empathy and clarity, even under pressure

  • The Art of the Ask: How to Mobilize Support and Lead with Influence
  • Lead with Story: Elevating Teams Through Purposeful Narrative
  • From Burnout to Boldness: Communication Tools for Cultural Resilience
  • Trauma-Informed Leadership: Building Safe and Empowering Workplaces
  • Engaging Multilingual Families with Purpose and Power


  • Keynote speaker at Mextesol (Mexico) and Galway University (Ireland)
  • Speaker at national conferences in Italy, England, and Ireland
  • Keynoted for school board associations, HR conferences, women's summits and principal leadership events
  • Presenter at education service centers, leadership academies, and TEDx platforms
  • Completed her goal of speaking in all 50 U.S. states in 2025


Leila’s audiences don’t just walk away inspired—they leave equipped. With practical tools, research-based frameworks, and stories that resonate long after the event, Leila turns keynotes into catalysts. She brings warmth, wit, and a call to courage to every room she enters.


For conferences seeking a keynote speaker who offers more than motivation—a speaker who delivers transformation with a smile—Leila Kubesch is the name to know.

The Art of the Ask: How to Build Partnerships that Transform Results

Format:-60 minute [keynote, workshop, breakout.]

 

This program is perfect for:

  • Leaders, educators, and professionals who want to foster stronger collaborations without relying on authority alone
  • Teams, staff, or individuals who often hesitate to ask for help, resources, or partnerships—and want to overcome that barrier to success

 

The audience will leave...

CreativityLeadership - EducationBusiness - CommunicationsResilienceEducationEntertainment-basedAudience ActivityEducational / InformativeInspirational / Life-changingHumorous / FunnyStrategic PlanningProfessionalismEmployee Engagement

Break the Ice, Build the Bond: Using Improv to Transform Teams - Highly Interactive

Format: 60+ minute - Workshop Interactive Program

 

This program is perfect for:

  • Employees in diverse, multicultural teams: Ideal for teams that include individuals from different cultural backgrounds or multilingual groups, as improv helps bridge communication gaps and fosters inclusivity.
  • Employees in high-pressure environments: Great for teams that need to quickly adapt to...
CreativityLeadership - EducationEntertainment-basedHumorous / FunnyMeeting Or Event DesignHuman ResourcesEmployee Engagement

Stronger Schools Start Here: Research-Driven Family Engagement for Every Educator

Format:60 minute or longer  [Keynote, Workshop, or Breakout Session]

 

This program is perfect for:

  • School leaders seeking to strengthen meaningful family-school partnerships
  • Educators and TESOL leaders aiming to engage multilingual families with purpose and impact

 

The audience will leave with:

  • A proven, research-driven framework to transform family...
CreativityLeadership - EducationBusiness - CommunicationsEntertainment-basedAudience ActivityEducational / InformativeInspirational / Life-changingHumorous / FunnyStrategic PlanningProfessionalismMeeting Or Event Design

S.O.C.K.S: Spark Opportunities, Collaborate, and Keep Succeeding

Format: 30–45 minute [Keynote, Workshop, or Breakout Session]


Program Style:
Interactive, Story-Driven, Research-Based, Action-Oriented

 

This program is perfect for:

  • School leaders and educators seeking to foster a culture of collaboration and resilience
  • Teams or staff who want to move from good intentions to sustainable impact

 

The...

CreativityAdversityLeadership - EducationBusiness - CommunicationsResilienceCorporateEducationGovernmentEntertainment-basedAudience ActivityEducational / InformativeInspirational / Life-changingHumorous / FunnyProfessionalismMeeting Or Event DesignEmployee EngagementAssociations

The Art of the Ask & the Power of the Listen: Turning Grants into Genuine Partnerships

Format:  60 minutes Keynote, workshop or a training session

 

This program is perfect for:

  • This session is ideal for 
  • Grantmakers, 
  • foundation staff, 
  • nonprofit leaders, and 
  • community changemakers 

seeking to build stronger, more transparent relationships across the funding...

CreativitySocial MediaLeadership - EducationBusiness - CommunicationsTechnical / SpecificHuman ResourcesProject ManagementEmployee Engagement

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7 recomendar Leila

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ASU

In situ

J.L., Intern, ASU

During my internship at Parents2Partners, Leila Kubesch was my supervisor, and from our first conversation, she showed a consistent, grace-filled approach to teaching and mentoring. Her empathy, structure, and support helped me develop both my skills and my confidence. She is extremely organized, creative, and attentive to details, which made my learning environment structured, engaging, and productive. She encouraged me to draw on my lived experiences and, through her mentorship, I learned how to draft and conduct interviews and create a guide for incoming interns. One strength I appreciated was her ability to let me take initiative while stepping in with support when needed. She offered clear direction and feedback while still trusting me to make decisions and learn. Leila modeled professionalism and intentionality, simplifying complex topics and helping me understand both project development and the importance of ethical communication. Her guidance strengthened my organizational skills and my trust in collaboration. I’m very appreciative of the time I had to learn from her and grateful for the experience.

Columbus Council on World Affairs

In situ

S.K., Strategic Account Manager, Columbus Council on World Affairs
Verificado @columbusworldaffairs.org

Leila was extremely knowledgeable and brought a wealth of international experience that allowed her to adapt seamlessly to the group’s needs. She explained concepts thoroughly, took her time to answer questions, and enriched the sessions with personal stories that made the learning both practical and engaging. What made the experience even more enjoyable is that, beyond her expertise in social media for business, Leila is also a talented photographer. She captured wonderful moments of our class, adding a personal and creative touch to the training. I highly recommend Leila as a trainer and speaker — her professionalism, adaptability, and engaging style make her an outstanding resource for any learning environment.

School leader

In situ

H.M., Board Member- elect, School leader
Verificado @gmail.com

Leila Kubesch is the best speaker I’ve ever heard. At her CASB breakout, we loved the peer practice—it was fun, energizing, and practical. The takeaway on body language and communicating across diverse cultures was unforgettable. Her closing keynote made us reflect deeply on how good intentions can go wrong and how to learn from those we serve. Funny, insightful, and transformational—Leila truly stands out.

She Wears Desi

In situ

S.B., CEO- Business Owner, She Wears Desi
Verificado @gmail.com

I had the pleasure of hearing Leila Kubesch speak at the ICRA Women Entrepreneur Gathering, where she delivered an insightful presentation on social media strategy and she truly left a lasting impression. Leila delivered a powerful and engaging presentation on social media strategy tailored specifically for women entrepreneurs. Her ability to break down complex ideas into clear, actionable steps made the session incredibly valuable for everyone in the room, regardless of their experience with digital marketing. What stood out most was Leila’s genuine passion for helping others succeed. She didn’t just talk about platforms and trends, she spoke about building meaningful connections, using social media with intention, and creating a brand voice that resonates. Her insights were not only practical but deeply empowering, especially for small business owners navigating the online world on their own. Leila is a dynamic speaker, a knowledgeable strategist, and above all, a generous mentor who uplifts others through her work. I would highly recommend her to any organization or event looking for an inspiring voice in the space of entrepreneurship, leadership, or digital communication.

NYTESOL

In situ

A.G.C., TESOL Education, NYTESOL
Verificado @gmail.com

I’ve taught English Learners for years and attended NY TESOL conferences regularly. Leila Kubesch is hands down the best speaker I’ve ever heard. Unlike the usual academic style, she blends research, real case studies, humor, and pure inspiration. She shows exactly how much can be achieved with little or nothing. I had the privilege of seeing her last year as the opening keynote and this year as the closing keynote. Two different speeches, both powerful, both unforgettable. I laughed hard in the SOCK talk! — Amal

SHRM

In situ

J.G.C., HR, SHRM
Verificado @gmail.com

I’m so glad I attended Leila’s Spotlight session at the SHRM conference in Nashville. Her presentation was incredible—insightful, engaging, and packed with value. From her dynamic slides to her thoughtful handout, every detail was on point. Leila is a gold mine of wisdom, resources, and humor. Truly unforgettable! — Julia

the South Carolina Department of Education

In situ

T.S.C.D.O.E.S.T.I.P.O., Title III Program Office, the South Carolina Department of Education

Every interaction with Ms. Kubesch has been positive and inspiring. She is a well-known expert in the field of working with multilingual learners (MLs) and is extremely knowledgeable about involving students in educational experiences that extend beyond the classroom. Our office and educators deeply enjoyed the presentations and work Leila shared. Ms. Kubesch is a dedicated ML educator, a TEDx speaker, and an international speaker for social impact projects, as well as a strong advocate for ML families. Engaging, dedicated, and passionate are just a few of the qualities that continue to impress us about her. In each presentation, Ms. Kubesch thoughtfully connects her own experiences—and those of her students—to ensure an engaging and authentic session for all participants. Throughout her sessions, she shares numerous examples from real-life experiences that paint a vivid picture of how she engages her students and brings remarkable educational projects to life. These examples inspire educators to seek new ways to support and advocate for their students. Ms. Kubesch’s sessions continually receive positive feedback. Participants consistently leave feeling inspired, renewed in their commitment to connecting with their students and families, and equipped with fresh ideas for engaging learners in the classroom and beyond. The SCDE Title III program office highly recommends Leila Kubesch as a speaker and partner for any engagement. All educators would benefit from the values, experiences, and best practices Ms. Kubesch brings to every session. We welcome the opportunity to share our experience or answer any questions regarding our office’s partnership with Leila Kubesch as both a keynote and breakout session speaker for our annual South Carolina Multilingual Learner Program Conference.