Leadership Development Designed To Elevate Your Confidence, Strategy and Influence.
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Trusted by Women Leaders and Organisations
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
I’m honoured to work alongside remarkable women leaders and forward-thinking organisations across sectors.
The reflections below offer a glimpse into the experiences, growth, and impact clients have described through our work together — in programmes, coaching, and leadership development spaces.
These voices speak to what becomes possible when leadership is rooted in identity, confidence, and intention.
300+ WOMEN LEADERS COACHED INCLUDING WITH PARTNER ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS:
A truly exceptional coach. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been coached by Nelly through the 100 Black Women Professors Now Programme. She is the definition of a quintessential coach-thoughtful, insightful and deeply invested in the success of those she mentors. Her guidance has been transformative for me. She didn’t just provide advice. She helped me see possibilities I hadn’t considered, challenged me in ways that built my confidence and gave me practical strategies to navigate academia more effectively. What sets her apart is her genuine care and commitment. She listens with intent, offers wisdom that is both inspiring and actionable and creates a space where you feel empowered to grow. I am truly grateful for her support and I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a coach who leads with both expertise and kindness. Thank you for everything, Nelly.
Nelly is an extraordinary career coach!!! It has been such a pleasure to work with a fellow woman of color who has the experience, knowledge, skills, energy, and attitude to help me focus my goals, lay out what steps I need to do to achieve them, and inspire me!!!! I would recommend Nelly to anyone, and am looking forward to resourcing her regularly to hone my professional growth plan.
I have heard about coaching and what it could lead to, I was a bit of a skeptic, until I met Nelly.. I seriously recommend coaching by Nelly to everyone! What I specifically like about Nelly’s style is I can bring my authentic self and I am respected and encouraged to do so.
Being part of the BWLP 2025 has been a truly transformative experience. The change I’ve witnessed in myself, both professionally and personally, is tangible. This programme it’s an awakening. It ignites the leader within you and, under Nelly’s extraordinary guidance, supports your full blossoming into an empowered, authentic version of yourself. Nelly is the leadership coach of dreams, her vision, encouragement, and unwavering belief in each of us created a space where I felt seen, valued, and inspired to lead with confidence. Through her coaching, I have not only redefined my career path but begun a journey that feels like only the beginning.
I had an incredible and truly authentic experience alongside 12 inspiring women. I was deeply moved by Nelly’s story and her journey into coaching—it gave me real insight into what to expect, grounded in lived experience. Over the weeks, as we explored themes such as saboteurs, growth mindset, nurturing talent, and intentionality (to mention just a few that resonated with me), I felt something being awakened within me.Nelly both challenged and guided me with clarity through moments of uncertainty. I am leaving the programme equipped with practical tools to develop my hidden leadership skills and strengthened authentic visibility. I am genuinely grateful to have met Nelly and to have been able to participate in the Black Womens' Leadership Programme. Thank you, Nelly.
At a pivotal time in my life and career, this timely programme, UWL BWLP ‘25, has re-ignited that flame that laid dormant for so long. It has given hope a great future to look forward to and a reality of stepping into leadership. The workshops and coaching sessions were invaluable allowing a safe space to explore self and reflect. It has allowed me to believe again that it is possible. It has been transformational in more ways than one. Nelly, I cannot thank you enough for stepping out and showing up for us, Black Women. Thank you for your integrity, your experience and for being that trail blazer. I salute you
Nelly is a very professional, insightful and positive coach. She is thoughtful and warm, I felt completely at easy working with her and the atmosphere she created was supportive but also very practical and operational. Her coaching and advice was helpful immediately in unblocking some work issues and in the long term is really transforming the way I approach leading my team and delivering my objectives. I would recommend Nelly as a coach without hesitation.
Working with Nelly has been one of the best investments I have made in my personal development and business. Her genuine passion, commitment, and depth of experience in helping you grow and realize your best self goes unmatched. I 10/10 recommend!
I walked into this coaching programme burned out, overwhelmed with life and feeling incredibly isolated. I've walked out of it self assured, firm boundaries in place, a five year plan with a firm one year plan, an amazing relationship with a coach who honestly feels like a friend. Nelly is the type of coach that everyone should experience in their lives at least once. She is gentle but firm, helps you dive deep into who you are, what you stand for and who you want to be as a leader, and creates a safe space all the way
Nelly Elessa designed and delivered an exceptional leadership programme for black women. I found this programme to be very informative and insightful. I definitely feel equipped to be an excellent leader. Nelly is such an intentional and inspiring coach and I’m so grateful to have been a participant on this programme.
I loved working with Nelly as my coach. From the very first time I spoke with her, I knew I wanted more sessions with her. Nelly will challenge you, healthily, to step outside your comfort zone, believe more in yourself, dream big (or bigger) and go for what you want! If this is the kind of coach you're looking for, Nelly is definitely your person.
Partner With Us
For organisations, institutions, and leadership teams.
We partner with organisations, institutions, and teams committed to developing confident, values-driven leaders and advancing equity at senior levels.
Whether you’re exploring a bespoke leadership programme, organisational partnership, or cohort-based development for women leaders, we work collaboratively to design experiences that strengthen leadership capability, culture, and long-term impact.
If your organisation is ready to invest in leadership that is intentional, inclusive, and grounded in identity, we’d love to explore what partnership could look like.
