Evonya Lesley understands something many professionals learn the hard way: talent alone is rarely what opens doors. A former on-air stylist for major networks, Lesley built her career inside high-visibility environments where perception, confidence, and presence often determined who advanced and who was overlooked. Today, she is the founder of a VR-based leadership platform dedicated to helping women cultivate those same skills intentionally, especially in hybrid and virtual workplaces.
Her journey from styling talent on screen to building immersive leadership tools was not accidental. It was rooted in observation. “Visibility and perception often shape opportunity before skill is ever evaluated,” Lesley explains. Working alongside highly capable professionals who were consistently passed over made it clear that confidence and executive presence were not optional extras. They were essential.
As she worked to distinguish herself in the fashion industry, Lesley became fascinated with technology, particularly virtual reality, and its ability to create immersive, embodied experiences. That intersection of style, psychology, and technology became the foundation of her platform. It allows women to practice leadership in environments that feel real, measurable, and repeatable, bridging the gap between potential and performance.
When asked about confidence, a word often treated as an innate personality trait, Lesley reframes it entirely. She teaches confidence as a practice. Through her work, style becomes a strategic tool rather than a superficial one. Women learn how appearance, posture, voice, eye contact, and message clarity work together to project authority and authenticity. Whether they are leading in a boardroom or on a screen, confidence becomes something they can access intentionally, not something they wait to feel.
Virtual reality plays a critical role in that process. Lesley describes VR as a rehearsal space for moments that are difficult to practice in real life. Speaking up in meetings, leading cross-functional teams, or navigating executive-level conversations can all be simulated in immersive environments. Because the brain responds as if the experience is real, learning accelerates. Muscle memory develops. What once felt intimidating begins to feel familiar and achievable.
Presence, particularly in hybrid and virtual settings, is another core focus of her work. In these environments, subtle cues carry disproportionate weight. Vocal tone, pacing, posture, and focus often become the primary signals of leadership. Lesley emphasizes that understanding the psychology of presence allows women to actively shape how they are perceived rather than leaving it to chance or unconscious bias. Presence becomes a concrete skill set, not an abstract idea.
The impact of this approach is reflected in the success stories of her clients. Lesley has worked with women who have secured exclusive contracts, earned promotions, transitioned into dream roles, and closed significant deals. One client even credits the confidence gained through the platform as part of her journey from single to married. Across these stories, a common theme emerges. When women learn to use style and presence strategically, confidence extends beyond their careers and into their personal lives.
Hybrid work environments present unique challenges, particularly around visibility and influence. Professional presence is often fragmented between in-person and virtual spaces, while imposter syndrome can be amplified by screens and limited feedback. Lesley’s platform addresses these challenges by helping women align how they feel internally with how they show up externally. Feeling good about how they present themselves on camera and in person creates a foundation for clearer communication, stronger leadership, and more consistent influence.
Looking ahead, Lesley sees technology transforming professional development from something theoretical into something experiential. Instead of learning about leadership, women will practice it in environments that mirror their real challenges. As these tools become more accessible, they have the potential to democratize leadership development, ensuring that women across industries, locations, and career stages have access to world-class training.
For Evonya Lesley, the future of leadership is not just about being seen. It is about being prepared, practiced, and confident when the moment to lead arrives.
Images Courtesy of Evonya Lesley
Follow Us On Social Media!
