Elham Fardad

Elham Fardad is a transformative leader whose life journey from a teenage refugee of the Iran-Iraq war to a senior corporate executive and now CEO/Founder of Migrant Leaders has positioned her as one of the most influential figures in the UK’s social mobility and diversity landscape. Since founding Migrant Leaders in 2017, Elham has created a national platform supporting over 4,000 young people from disadvantaged and migrant backgrounds through mentoring, skills training, leadership development, and corporate access. Under her guidance, the charity has recruited 2,075 mentors from 400+ organisations and built partnerships with leading employers, ensuring systemic impact across sectors. In April 2024, she launched the Migrant Leaders mobile app, a pioneering digital tool that has already delivered multiple mentoring matches, reduced administrative costs and expanded access to underserved regions. Elham’s influence extends beyond programme delivery. She has authored Migrant Magic (shortlisted for the People’s Book Prize), reshaping narratives around migrant identity as a source of strength, and she has advised corporates and policymakers on embedding inclusion into talent pipelines. Recognised as a Coronation Champion and awarded the Freedom of the City of London, Elham exemplifies integrity, innovation, and sustained impact. She is a worthy candidate for recognition as one of the 100 Influential People