Lyla is an Afghan refugee, U.S. Navy veteran, and inclusion strategist. She has deployed to Afghanistan three times alongside U.S. and NATO Special Operations Forces - once as a Naval Intelligence Officer and twice as a civilian Cultural Advisor. She is also the co-founder and director of two national nonprofits. PROMOTE focuses on innovation through inclusion in national security. Honor the Promise focuses on the long-term resiliency of Afghan Special Operations Forces who were evacuated to the U.S. in the Fall of 2021. Lyla also serves on several nonprofit Boards in both Director and Advisory roles.

Lyla is currently a nonresident Senior Fellow with Atlantic Council’s Forward Defense focused on the future of war and is pursuing a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Arizona State University’s Leadership and Innovation program. She is an avid Star Wars aficionado, enjoys international travel, and spends every free moment with her niece and nephews.