Mo Kanjilal
Founder & Director at Edge Of Difference
Mo Kanjilal is a TEDx speaker, entrepreneur and author with 25+ years leading diverse teams in the tech world. Known for championing bold inclusion, Mo brings sharp insight and real-world experience to every stage she steps on. She helps audiences rethink how they communicate, work and lead — by truly including different perspectives, people and lives.
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Biography
Mo Kanjilal is a powerful voice for inclusion, equity, and leadership. As a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion expert, TEDx speaker, author, and entrepreneur, she combines her experience with decades of business expertise to challenge, inspire, and guide audiences toward meaningful change.
With over 25 years in the corporate world, Mo climbed the leadership ladder in multinational technology companies. She was often the only woman, person of colour, or person from a different background in the room. Along the way, she encountered the barriers that many people face. Mo used those experiences to fuel her mission: to make workplaces more inclusive, equitable, and human.
Mo led global teams in high-pressure tech environments, learning how to build high-performing, diverse teams across cultures, languages and time zones. Her leadership style focused on empathy, innovation, and truly listening to different voices. But after years of navigating traditional corporate structures, she chose to walk away from her executive role and work on diversity, equity and inclusion for people in business. She is Founder & Director of Edge Of Difference, a diversity and inclusion consultancy.
Her work is focused on helping people through bold training to include people through evolving cultures, systems, and communication to be more inclusive and engaging for everyone. Their approach is practical, bold, and unapologetically focused on real change.
Mo is co-author of The Inclusion Journey, published by Kogan Page. The book gives businesses a roadmap for embedding inclusion into every part of their work — from hiring and team dynamics to leadership and customer experience. Her storytelling draws on personal experience, professional insight, and real-world strategies that audiences can apply immediately.
As a sought-after speaker, Mo brings insight to stages, screens and boardrooms. She has delivered keynote talks and workshops at major conferences, spoken on TEDx stages, appeared on TV and radio, and featured in corporate and campaign videos. Her talks inspire audiences to think differently — about how we communicate, how we build teams, and how we lead.
Mo also contributes her time and expertise to causes close to her heart. She is a Trustee for The Clock Tower Sanctuary, a charity supporting young people experiencing homelessness. She mentors teenage girls through The Girls’ Network and serves as a Non-Executive Director for a healthcare social enterprise. Her South Asian heritage and personal journey inform her work around anti-racism, intersectionality, and the power of difference.
She translates concepts into stories and actionable steps. She speaks with authenticity, depth, and clarity — inviting people to reflect, rethink, and reframe how they see the world around them.
Whether you are looking for a keynote speaker, panelist, or workshop leader, Mo delivers powerful insights.
What I Currently Do
Publications
The Inclusion Journey
Speaking Topics
Valuing Differences
If we can understand our differences and value them, then we can truly build diversity, equity, and inclusion
Edges to inclusion
Change comes from those at the edges who are marginalised, instead of leading from the centre, we need to look to the people at the edges
Media Appearances
Tedx talk
Talk at Tedx Brighton
Brighton SEO talk
The Power Of Being Different at BrightonSEO
My Duvet Flip podcast
My Duvet Flip podcast recording with Jack Parsons
Better Business Podcast
Growth Through Diversity: The Business Case for DEI with Mo Kanjilal
Article
Sussex Bylines
Do we need to professionalise the D & I Industry?
D & I Leaders
News Brighton British Asian Business Leader Mo Kanjilal Williams Named One of the UK’s Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs for 2026
The Business Group
Brighton champion named in UK's top 100 female entrepreneurs
Brighton Argus
8 Discovery Call Questions That Separate Serious Buyers From Time Wasters
Forbes
My mother-in-law refuses to call me by my name — she says it’s ‘inappropriate’
Metro
Feedback
"had the pleasure of witnessing Mo Kanjilal speak at TEDx Brighton, and it was truly inspiring. Her ability to engage the audience with her story, highlighting the importance of inclusion and diversity, was thought-provoking and impactful. Mo's approach is 100% authentic and she connected with the audience in the way that makes TEDxBrighton a really special event for our community. I would highly recommend her as a speaker for any event where you're looking to inspire and challenge the audience with meaningful discussions. She will add a dimension to your line up that isn't just as a great speaker, but as someone who can connect with your community."
Vicki Jakes
"Mo was an interviewee at our annual conference LeaderFest. Her passion for diversity and inclusion alongside her measured and informative answers to both the interview questions and from the floor was incredibly well received by the 140 business leaders in attendance and was confirmed by the outstanding feedback received."
Emma Phipps
"Brighton Chamber invited Mo to be our guest speaker for our flagship monthly networking breakfast in June 2024. Our guest speakers are invited to tell their personal and business story - the highs, lows, and the lessons learnt a long the way. Mo delivered on the brief in bucketloads. She really took the time to construct her talk for the audience in the room. She delivered it with confidence, humility, empathy, humour and in her own style. If you're looking for a speaker for your event - Mo has so much she can talk about - from starting a business in Covid, to her personal story of inclusion and belonging, to practical advice for businesses looking to start their inclusion journey. Mo is brilliant to work with - she asks the right questions and is generally just a brilliant communicator. An event manager's dream!"
Amy Lishman
"A truly thought provoking talk by Mo Kanjilal on Think Differently - it really resonated with me on a personal level for years I have changed who I am to "fit in" and I am pleased to have broken free of the sameness shackles and be DIFFERENT!"
Mandi Lloyd
"I invited Mo to speak at the Women in Tech SEO Festival in London, and she delivered an absolutely brilliant talk to our 400+ attendees. She was excellent to work with, met all deadlines, and was an absolute pleasure to collaborate with. I highly recommend working with her!"
Areej AbuAli
"Prior Media & Marketing recently worked with Mo on our campaign Herstory where she spoke to our audience of 140 women with the topic focused on Leading with Purpose: women in business and empowerment through story telling. Mo was amazing and inspired the whole room. I highly recommend Edge of Difference and will definitely work them the team again!"
Stephanie Prior
"I booked Mo Kanjilal to speak at an IWD event for AgencyLand this week. She was incredible. Every single person I have spoken to since about the event has mentioned her. What I think is so brilliant about Mo is her passion to really inspire change in the EDI space. She makes you feel rallied, better informed and left with positive practical steps you can take to lead positive change. It was energising. Looking forward to running future sessions with Edge of Difference."
Ellie Hale
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