Public Speaking Coach Specializing in Storytelling for Brands & Entrepreneurs
TedX Speaker Coach | Keynote Speaker
Once dazzling in the heart of the hip-hop world, where champagne flowed and VIP lists ruled, Khalila Lister lived a life that many could only imagine. She rubbed shoulders with celebrities, danced beneath glimmering lights, and hosted events that pulsed with energy. But beneath the surface of fame and glamor, something deeper stirred—a silent ache, a yearning for purpose. And then, everything shifted. Khalila found Islam. It wasn’t just a spiritual awakening—it was a rebirth. One that would require her to shed the glittering skin of her former life and step boldly into the unknown. With courage in her heart and conviction in her soul, she said goodbye to the industry that once defined her, choosing faith over fame. But her new path wasn’t without storms. Behind closed doors, she faced the torment of an abusive relationship. Once the star of stages, Khalila now found herself silenced in fear. Yet even in the darkest moments, her faith remained a flickering light. And when she broke free in 2020—now a single mother of four—she didn’t just survive. She rose. With unshakeable determination, Khalila transformed pain into power. She built Power of Voice Academy, the world’s first public speaking school for Muslim entrepreneurs, from the ground up. What began as a vision grew into a movement—impacting over 10,000 women across the globe. She turned her voice, once quieted, into a rallying call that amplified others. Today, Khalila stands as a six-figure business owner, a TEDx Santa Barbara speaker, and a trailblazer who shattered cultural misconceptions on one of the world’s biggest platforms—all while proudly representing her faith. She’s been named among the Top 50 Most Influential Muslims in Europe (2023 & 2024) and crowned a Top 100 Global Woman Entrepreneur by Mirela Sula. Her She Awards “Glass Ceiling Breaker” accolade is a tribute not just to her own breakthrough—but to every woman she’s lifted along the way.
A graduate of Goldsmiths, University of London, with further certifications from University of Cambridge and Udemy, Khalila’s foundation is as strong academically as it is spiritually. Her expertise spans language teaching, storytelling, coaching, and stage performance—skills she now teaches others to own with pride and power.
As co-founder of TEDx Bethnal Green Road, and a presenter on Islam Channel TV, Khalila wears many hijabs—coach, speaker, mother, CEO—but her message never wavers: you do not need to compromise your identity to succeed. With her dynamic COO Alina and a sisterhood of powerhouse coaches, she’s building not just a business, but a legacy. Through storytelling strategies, sell-from-stage training, and confidence coaching, she is unlocking voices that were once silenced—just like hers once was.
“Your voice is your most powerful asset,” Khalila declares. “It holds your truth, your strength, your legacy.”
Whether she’s speaking in boardrooms, training entrepreneurs, or raising her four children, Khalila leads with love, resilience, and unapologetic authenticity.
