Elizabeth Laiza Kalu is a social entrepreneur, global leadership strategist, and speaker with over seven years of international experience across financial services, social impact, education, and innovation. Her work sits at the intersection of economic mobility, financial security, and leadership development, where she designs and delivers initiatives that expand access to inclusive wealth-building, digital access, and workforce advancement for underrepresented communities.

She has led and contributed to key projects with major institutions and global organizations, including JPMorgan Chase, Prudential Foundation, Wells Fargo, AutoNation, and NASDAQ, focusing on inclusive investing and equitable financial outcomes. As Project Manager for the Wells Fargo College Investor Project, she led research examining barriers and opportunities for Black and Latinx college students from low- and moderate-income backgrounds, helping inform more inclusive product design and private-sector engagement strategies.

Laiza is the Founder of Beyond Borders Network, a global platform supporting Africans in the Diaspora and ethnically diverse professionals through mentorship, leadership development, and access to global career pathways. She is also the Founder of the Global Talent & Leadership Institute (GTLI), where she advances leadership development, personal branding, and career strategy—equipping individuals and teams with the mindset, skills, and visibility required to thrive in global ecosystems.

She has spoken on several platforms, including TEDx Abia, Techstars Startup Weekend, Social Media Week, Technovation, and others focused on entrepreneurship, leadership, and economic empowerment.

Laiza holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Suffolk University and is an alumna of the New York University Wagner School of Public Service, where she founded the African Graduate Students Association (AGSA) and served in multiple leadership roles, including Chair of the Black Students Association and Vice President of the Wagner Students Association Executive Board.