In an age where success is often defined by material achievements, Hayley Mulenda is challenging the norm, reminding the world that true wealth begins with purpose, character, and communication. The multi-award-winning speaker and entrepreneur was raised by a single mother in the borough of Newham, East London. Hayley grew up with strong Christian values but didn’t fully commit to her faith until the age of 18. That moment marked a major turning point, where she knew she was made for a purpose and had to embark on her big dreams.
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Even before adulthood, Hayley showed entrepreneurial flair, selling cookies and snacks in school, speaking at events by age 15, and constantly praying, “God, if this is not what you want for me, cut it off.” Ironically, she gave her life to Christ at a speaking engagement she was hired for. “God confirmed my calling in the same space He called me into,” she said. For Hayley, the Bible is not just a spiritual guidebook, it’s a blueprint for business and leadership. She draws wisdom from King Solomon’s story, highlighting that God gave him wisdom before riches. “God didn’t give Solomon wealth first, He gave him wisdom because He could trust him,” she said. “Don’t pray for wealth your character cannot sustain.”
She strongly rebukes the religious glorification of poverty. “Being poor doesn’t make you godlier, and being rich doesn’t make you evil,” she emphasized, elaborating that it isn’t really about the money but the motion of the mind, what an individual is capable of doing even with being rich or poor. She believes money is just a tool. Despite not having the privilege or pedigree of others, Hayley broke through corporate barriers and executive circles while wearing affordable clothes and living modestly, emphasizing how her consistency, integrity, hard work, and God opened doors for her.
But Hayley’s most significant lesson didn’t come in a boardroom, it came at home. After marrying her husband, their early days were marked by intense financial pressure. He lost his income after a business collapse, and she used most of her savings to fund their wedding and new life together. Both from single-parent households, they had no blueprint for how to navigate money as a couple. Tension mounted. Resentment grew. “I didn’t realize how hurt I was until I said it out loud,” Hayley admitted. The financial strain and her silent suffering took a toll. But everything began to change the day she finally had an honest conversation with her husband. “We sat, talked, prayed, and I forgave him. We were still broke, but that conversation healed our marriage.”
A month later, they launched a course together, combining Hayley’s speaking and coaching skills with her husband’s marketing and tech expertise. The course became a success, but the real breakthrough, she said, was emotional, not financial. “It wasn’t the money. It was the forgiveness. That’s what shifted everything.” Still, she stayed faithful and patient. “When I forgave and surrendered, that’s when God gave me strategy,” she said. “Forgiveness unlocked my next season.”
Today, the couple lives in Dubai, a far cry from their difficult start. “Yes, love is sweet. But love with peace, clarity, and stability? Even sweeter,” Hayley laughed. “We weren’t skipping in our apartment when we lived in Essex. But in Dubai, we skip.” Despite the new lifestyle, she remains grounded in purpose and emphasizes stewardship as a spiritual obligation, referencing the parable of the talents. “It wasn’t just about multiplying wealth. It was about managing what God places in your hands and bearing fruit,” she said. “There are people proud to return to God empty-handed,” she added. “That won’t be me.”
Reflecting on her journey, Hayley leaves readers with a powerful thought: “You’re born looking like your parents, but you die looking like your choices. I might’ve grown up in a single-parent home in Newham, but that’s not how my story will end.” For Hayley Mulenda, the story isn’t about riches, it’s about redemption, resilience, and responsibility. And in a world desperate for substance, her voice stands out as one grounded in faith, rooted in truth, and driven by purpose.
After nearly taking her own life at 18, Hayley realised how there is an increasing epidemic of mental health issues among the next generation, and she could no longer keep quiet. She became passionate about doing something to help bring hope to the hopeless and be a voice to the voiceless. She is now a multi-award-winning international keynote speaker, author, and change agent, working with FTSE 100, Fortune 500, and public sector organisations. She delivers keynote presentations and runs workshops, inspiring thousands of people across the world to use their pain for purpose and to see vulnerability as a superpower.
Some of the organisations she has worked with include Google, JP Morgan, Harrods, KPMG, the UK Cabinet Office, and Microsoft. She has also consulted and spoken with some of the most influential leaders within the private and public sectors, including Melinda Gates, Rupert McNeil (former Chief People Officer of the UK Cabinet Office), Leena Nair (CEO of Chanel), Gavriella Schuster (former CVP at Microsoft), and Thomas Heier (CEO of Wagamama). She has a unique strategy for helping senior leaders understand and engage with issues Millennials and Gen-Zs are facing.
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She helps senior executives connect with the next generation of talent and is the person organisations call when they want to be challenged, informed, transformed, and inspired. Hayley challenges leaders to embrace transparency and vulnerability, the very qualities the next generation demands.
In her spare time, she runs a course helping individuals develop their communication and public speaking skills. Her work has helped hundreds of people across the world become better speakers and understand the art of communication and how to make an income from their voice. If you or your team need help with public speaking training, she’s only a message away.
And yes, as a fun fact, she adds with a laugh, “I’m also a rapper.” For Hayley, life is full, vibrant, and intentional. Her journey is a testament to the power of faith, the necessity of forgiveness, and the unwavering call to purpose.
