Dr. Lila Elliott is a trauma-informed social worker, educator, researcher, professor, speaker, psychotherapist, and consultant with 18 years of experience helping Black women heal from trauma and step into leadership. As the founder of Dr. Lila Effect™️ | Architect of Legacy™️, she offers client-centered training, coaching, and interventions that blend evidence-based therapy with cultural empowerment. A Doctor of Social Work graduate from the University of Kentucky (Summa Cum Laude), she holds advanced certifications in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Trauma Recovery. Dr. Elliott serves as a part-time instructor in criminal justice and social work at the University of Kentucky, an inpatient psychotherapist at Riverside Mental Health and Recovery Center, and has held roles in federal prisons and community organizations. She was the 2024 President of the University of Kentucky Doctor of Social Work Student Community (DSWSC) and has chaired key committees on affirmative action and reentry programs. Despite caregiving for her husband through multiple heart surgeries, including a Left Ventricular Assistive Device (LVAD) implant, she earned her doctorate while exemplifying resilience. Her work focuses on elevating Black women’s voices in leadership, turning adversity into strength, and fostering equitable mental health access.