Biography
From a once-shy introvert to an award-winning actress and corporate leader, Naeemah Elias understands the power and the pressure of being the outsider in the room. With a BA in Psychology from Harvard and 13 years cultivating process and talent at State Street, she has built a career navigating high-performance environments while raising three free-range teenagers and challenging traditional expectations.
Now a TEDx speaker and founder of Elias Presence, Naeemah helps professionals turn “no” into “yes,” lead with influence, and leave a legacy rooted in authenticity and bold visibility. Her work blends behavioral insight, performance techniques, and real-world strategy to help leaders harness their distinctiveness as a source of power.
In her signature talk, “Thriving as an Outsider,” Naeemah offers a fresh perspective for professionals who lead from the margins and those ready to disrupt the center.