It\u2019s an understatement to say she\u2019s busy, but she still finds time to offer a hand up to others at every opportunity. Leya is a big advocate for coaching, learning and mentorship and has chaired the Global Women\u2019s Equity Network (GWEN) China at Edelman since 2017. It\u2019s clear she has a strong moral compass, but there\u2019s also an adventurous, playful aspect to everything she does. Her mantra is a simple one, ‘if you don\u2019t try, you\u2019ll never know.’<\/p>\n
“Those words keep ringing for me. It\u2019s not a big phrase or anything, but so true,”<\/em> Teo tells us. It\u2019s stood her in good stead throughout her career, and taken her down several paths she might not otherwise have trodden.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_color=”#0a0a0a” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”2%” bottom_padding=”2%” text_color=”light” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”1″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_row_inner content_placement=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”padding-10-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”left-right” column_element_spacing=”default” centered_text=”true” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text]\n Leya has never taken the linear route, and it\u2019s that fresh sheet of paper, applying learnings from all aspects of her life, that brings her unique perspective and management style to achieve success. Her role model, the person who imbued her with this adventurous, enquiring spirit, was her father.<\/p>\n “My dad\u2019s not a big professional figure, he\u2019s a simple father, a canteen caterer, and he\u2019s no longer with us, but he\u2019s very close to my heart. He taught me to go and try, and keep trying. He always told me, if you don\u2019t, you won\u2019t ever find out if it\u2019s good or bad, and his words have stayed with me throughout my career.”<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_color=”#efefef” scene_position=”center” constrain_group_1=”yes” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”1″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”left-right” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color=”#efefef” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text]In terms of aspirations growing up, very few people end up in the career they\u2019d imagined themselves in as a kid, and Leya is no exception. Back then, the police force beckoned.<\/p>\n “I think somewhere in me, I\u2019ve always wanted to challenge myself to do the right thing and even though I took a very different track, I try to always do right by the people around me, and that includes my team, people who report directly to me, my peers, my bosses and beyond. It could just be calling out what I think is wrong in a simple dialogue, or getting involved in advocacy initiatives, but I always try to make sure everyone has equal opportunities. Maybe it\u2019s the secret cop in me!”<\/em><\/p>\n We asked her what advice she would give to her eighteen-year-old self, and as she quite rightly points out, it\u2019s unlikely that she would have listened! However, her main message would be, don\u2019t be afraid to ask, and learn from the mistakes you will inevitably make.<\/p>\n “Ask for what you want – if you want it enough, you will find ways of getting it, but be careful what you ask for!”<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”40px” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_color=”#efefef” scene_position=”center” bottom_padding=”3%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”left” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color=”#efefef” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”2\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text]Fast-forward to 2022, and Leya\u2019s work on a global scale has given her a fascinating view of how local nuances, sensitivities and social structures can affect people\u2019s life chances. Alongside her day job, she works hard to help level the playing field, challenging unconscious bias and working to educate wherever possible. It\u2019s not her style to bulldoze or bamboozle people, it\u2019s about taking them with her on a journey.<\/p>\n “Some people talk about things in the wrong way because they’re just not aware. We educate and make little baby steps within our network to help influence the locals wherever we are based.<\/em><\/p>\n “We realize we are different in every market, but all of us who want to drive change are faced with challenges ourselves first, so we try to come together and lean in for support. We share our challenges and the different solutions we have found, and it\u2019s been very inspiring.” <\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color=”#efefef” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” gradient_type=”default”][image_with_animation image_url=”8068″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_color=”#0a0a0a” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”2%” bottom_padding=”2%” text_color=”light” text_align=”center” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”1″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_row_inner content_placement=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”padding-10-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”left-right” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ 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background_image=”7855″…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edw.involverolemodels.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8002"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edw.involverolemodels.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edw.involverolemodels.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edw.involverolemodels.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edw.involverolemodels.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8002"}],"version-history":[{"count":27,"href":"https:\/\/edw.involverolemodels.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8002\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8343,"href":"https:\/\/edw.involverolemodels.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8002\/revisions\/8343"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edw.involverolemodels.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8002"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}“When an organization appreciates and embraces the diversification of points of view and skill sets, that\u2019s when a good company begins to be great.”<\/strong><\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”40px” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_color=”#efefef” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”3%” bottom_padding=”3%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”1″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”left” 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column_element_spacing=”default” background_color=”#efefef” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”2\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text]“I think that really made a difference to my career path as I did not come with any PR background, but I had an idea that I could weave the complexities of working with clients and advertising into the PR world at a time when they were keen to diversify their talent.”<\/em><\/p>\n
“Ask for what you want \u2013 if you want it enough, you will find ways of getting it, but be careful what you ask for!”<\/strong><\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_color=”#efefef” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”2%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”left-right” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color=”#efefef” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text]There are unique challenges in every territory, and Leya has seen how these play out across AsiaPac. In China, for example, the city you come from could engender unconscious bias. Some cities are considered superior to others, and there are nuances across China as to how developed cities are, and in turn, people are sometimes unconsciously judged on where they come from. In Japan and Korea, women are less well represented, but the good news is, thanks to the spotlight placed on it by people like Leya, things are improving, and diversity and inclusion is being taken much more seriously across the board.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”40px” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_color=”#efefef” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”1%” bottom_padding=”3%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”1″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”left” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color=”#efefef” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”2\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text]In a global company, Leya recognises the benefits of diverse points of view better than most. Edelman has 67 offices worldwide, and being a role model matters more than ever when reflecting on \u2018you can\u2019t be what you can\u2019t see.\u2019<\/p>\n
“If you don\u2019t try, you\u2019ll never know.”<\/strong><\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”2%” bottom_padding=”1%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”center” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][nectar_btn size=”large” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”Accent-Color” icon_family=”none” url=”https:\/\/edw.involverolemodels.org\/” text=”RETURN TO PROFILES”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"