Abena Akuffo-Kelly

Abena Akuffo-Kelly is a leadership coach, culture change strategist and one of the UK’s most compelling voices on artificial intelligence in education and business. As Founder and Director of Kanea Consulting, she specialises in helping organisations embed AI, digital skills and inclusive leadership into their core strategy. With a strong foundation in STEM learning and professional development, Abena delivers high impact keynotes, workshops and leadership roundtables. Her expertise spans computer science, AI and organisational transformation, making her a trusted advisor for institutions navigating rapid technological change.

Abena’s career began with a strong academic grounding, completing degrees in Social Anthropology and Computer Science at the University of Kent. She progressed into education, becoming a computer science teacher with over 16 years of experience teaching both young people and adults. Her early leadership roles included Associate Assistant Head at The Howard School in Kent, where she developed her passion for curriculum design and inclusive education. She later became a Professional Development Lead for STEM Learning and an Instructional Designer for the National Centre for Computing Education, where she trained educators in AI, programming and digital literacy at scale.

Building on this foundation, Abena has held a wide range of influential leadership and advisory positions. She is Chief AI Learning and Transformation Officer at Anaiya Group Ltd and has developed national training programmes for organisations such as BCS and STEM Learning. Her public service career includes serving as Mayor of Folkestone and Council Chair, alongside roles as Advisor and Independent Chair for Kent Police. She has also contributed to national conversations on inclusion and leadership through positions with Leeds Beckett University, the Association for Science Education and Leaders Plus. Recognised for her impact, she has been a finalist in the Kent Women in Business Awards and nominated for a Rising Star Award in the Diversity category. She also sits on the judging panel for the BETT Awards, assessing global innovations in education technology.

Abena is highly sought after as an AI speaker because she combines deep technical knowledge with real world leadership experience. She translates complex AI concepts into practical strategies that organisations can implement immediately, particularly within education and workforce development. Her work focuses on ethical AI adoption, inclusive innovation and preparing teams for the future of work. Whether delivering keynote speeches, chairing panels or leading training programmes, Abena equips audiences with the mindset and tools to confidently navigate AI driven transformation. Her upcoming appearance at the AI for Education International Summit further reinforces her position as a leading authority in this space.