Something Different
Executive leader. Systems thinker. Builder of what comes next — with care.
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Who I Am
I’ve spent my life reading the space between things — between people, between patterns, between what’s said and what’s sensed.
Spark Space is where I write about what I see forming.
Sometimes before others do.
Sometimes before there’s a name for it.
This isn’t a platform.
It’s a reflection space.
For systems, product, people, and the way they intersect.
Foresight isn’t rare. It’s just rarely recognised.
Layla Foord, Melboure Australia
What I Actually Do
I help people and systems shift — quietly, precisely, and in ways that last.
What I bring isn’t always listed in a job description, but it’s often what makes the difference:
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I notice where things aren’t landing
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I design structure where there’s noise
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I help people move through the stuckness with calm and clarity
This isn’t a sales pitch. It’s just the shape my work tends to take.
What You'll Find Here
Writing. Reflections. Quiet observations with big implications.
Spark Space is a place to share:
Systems-based thought leadership
Real stories from the edges of product and people
Patterns I’ve noticed — and where they might lead us next
This is my way of thinking aloud, in public.
Why it Matters?
Because so much of what matters in leadership is invisible.
And because so many people doing the holding, noticing, and fixing — do it quietly.
Often without recognition. Often at cost.
This site is my way of naming that work.
Of honouring the things we don’t always have language for.
Companies I've Helped
Sparking Ideas, Joining The Dots
This isn’t about being right. It’s about being willing to name what’s emerging.
Here, I share what I’m learning — about AI, product, power, and the emotional infrastructure of leadership.
You won’t find content here.
You’ll find calibration.
Speaking
I’ve been invited to speak at PauseFest, LastConf, TechForGood, Fitzroy Academy and more.
What I share is simple:
The systems beneath the strategies. The signals beneath the noise.
Topics I often return to:
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Thinking in Systems, Not Steps
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Pattern Fluency in Product and People
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Leading Quietly in Loud Cultures
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What AI Might Be Trying to Teach Us
People I've Helped
Layla integrates people strategy and product strategy in a way I’ve never seen before. She brings coherence to complex systems, and her leadership lifted the entire cross-functional capability of our business
Meghan Bach, Group Chief People Officer, Rex Software
Layla leads with empathy and insight. She created a culture where talent was nurtured, people felt valued, and strategy wasn’t just smart — it was deeply human. She’s one of those rare leaders who sees both the system and the person.
Arun Anand, Head of Data Science, SEEK
Layla is a breath of fresh air in a world of product and marketing often consumed with buzzwords and bravado. She’s whip-smart, exceptionally effective, and a gifted team builder. Layla is a resilient leader, an inspiring mentor, and a brave operator.
Venessa Paech, Digital Sociologist & Keynote Speaker
Get in Touch
If something here resonated, I’d love to hear from you.
If you're thinking about what’s next — for your product, your team, or your self — maybe I’m thinking about it too.