Abena Akuffo-Kelly

Abena Akuffo-Kelly is a respected leadership coach and culture change strategist, widely recognised for her work as a diversity and inclusion speaker. She speaks, trains and consults on all aspects of DE&I, with a particular emphasis on intersectionality, gender, race, ethnicity, neurodiversity and political leadership. Her approach centres on helping individuals and organisations find their authentic voice, enabling them to speak with clarity, confidence and authority about identity, values and lived experience. Delivering keynotes, leadership roundtables, workshops and training programmes, she is frequently invited to chair panels and facilitate meaningful conversations that drive lasting cultural change.

Abena’s career began with a strong academic foundation, earning degrees in Social Anthropology and Computer Science from the University of Kent. She moved into education, developing her leadership expertise as an Associate Assistant Head at The Howard School in Kent. Her passion for inclusive learning environments led to roles such as Professional Development Lead for STEM Learning, where she shaped national training initiatives. Alongside this, she became an educational consultant for organisations including the Association for Science Education, embedding inclusive practices within science education, and an Anti-Racist Schools Award Coach at Leeds Beckett University.

Her influence expanded into public service and leadership, holding roles as District Councillor and Chair of Council, before becoming Mayor of Folkestone. She later chaired both the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Finance and Performance Committee at Folkestone and Hythe District Council. Abena has also served as an advisor and independent chair for Kent Police and as a political leadership trainer for the Labour Women’s Network. As Founder and Director of Kanea Consulting and Repairs Together, she has driven initiatives focused on equity and community impact. Her contributions have been recognised through nominations for diversity awards and as a finalist in the Kent Women in Business Awards. She now serves as Chief AI Learning and Transformation Officer at Anaiya Group Ltd and sits on the Executive Committee of the Fabian Women’s Network.

Abena is hired as a diversity and inclusion speaker because she combines strategic insight with lived experience and practical application. Her work spans education, politics, policing and corporate environments, giving her a rare ability to connect DE&I theory with real-world leadership challenges. She equips audiences with actionable frameworks to build inclusive cultures, while empowering individuals to understand and articulate their identity. Her sessions are known for being thought-provoking, honest and solutions-driven, making her a powerful voice for organisations committed to meaningful and sustainable inclusion.