Kaila Colbin is a visionary leader and entrepreneur dedicated to shaping a future of intentional and courageous leadership.
As the founder and CEO of Boma, she has spearheaded transformative initiatives, including the renowned Crusaders Leadership Programme™, empowering individuals and organisations to navigate an ever-evolving world with authenticity and resilience.
A dynamic force in the global leadership landscape, Kaila has earned recognition for her ability to foster cultural alignment, cultivate honesty, and drive meaningful change. Her influence extends across industries, from pioneering TEDxChristchurch as New Zealand’s flagship TEDx event to bringing Singularity University to New Zealand and Australia, equipping thousands with insights into exponential technologies and their societal impact. Her efforts to elevate Aotearoa New Zealand on the world stage were honoured with the 2022 Kea World Class New Zealanders Friend of New Zealand award.
As a founder of the non-profit Ministry of Awesome, Kaila played a crucial role in nurturing Christchurch’s startup ecosystem, demonstrating her deep commitment to innovation and community development. With extensive governance experience, she has been actively involved in mergers, capital raises, and company sales across the US and New Zealand. Certified as a Dare to Lead™ Facilitator by Brené Brown, she has guided over 4,000 people through the programme’s transformative principles. Her dedication to social and environmental advocacy is further reflected in her training with Al Gore as a Climate Project Ambassador.
Originally from New York, Kaila is multilingual, fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Italian, and holds a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration from Cornell University. She lives by a simple yet profound purpose: to be an uplifting presence in the world.
Talking Points
Get great at having hard conversations
The number one indicator of a lack of courage in organisations is an inability to have hard conversations. Yet the ability to navigate these conversations is a skill that can be learned. Kaila Colbin, founder and CEO of Boma and a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator trained by Dr. Brené Brown, drew on her experience guiding over 4,000 people through courage-building programs to create a practical, actionable framework to help you have hard conversations with clarity and confidence. Learn how to build stronger relationships, reduce stress, address interpersonal challenges at their core, and cultivate a greater sense of agency at work and in life.
Get great at having hard conversations
When Wild Ambition Meets Fierce Compassion
Many people have an idea that we can EITHER be hungry to succeed OR be kind to ourselves and each other — that these are tradeoffs. But many of the most successful people have shown the exact opposite to be true: that not only is it possible to strive for success while caring deeply for ourselves as humans, but that our success is both more joyful and more sustainable when we do.When Wild Ambition Meets Fierce Compassion
Kaila is the founder of Boma, the official and exclusive leadership training provider of Crusaders Rugby. She hosts the Hunger & Heart podcast, where she talks to sports leaders like Sir John Kirwan and Sir Wayne Smith about the intersection of wild ambition and fierce compassion. In this talk, she shares the secrets and common threads of how we can combine a hunger for success with deep care for people.
The Future Coming At Us
What do artificial intelligence, vaccines, and solar power have in common? They're driven by exponential technologies. In this keynote, Kaila Colbin, founder and CEO of Boma, illuminates the profound impact these technologies are having on our world, industries, and daily lives. You will better understand the technological forces shaping our future and have a clear lens through which to contextualise their transformative potential. This session will empower you to anticipate change, adapt strategically, and harness exponential technologies for meaningful impact—mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri a muri ake nei: for us, and for our children after us.
The Future Coming At Us
