Shaila Manyam

Shaila Manyam is the Executive Director of the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations (WFDSA). She brings extensive experience in global public affairs to the role, having led strategic communications and stakeholder engagement efforts for governments, NGOs and international organizations.

Her work has included high-level political and public-private partnership initiatives across sectors such as global health, gender equality and foreign policy. She has also coached senior leaders and authored thought papers on trade policy and geopolitical risk.

Shaila has served as a U.S. diplomat with postings in Haiti, Israel, France, Iraq and Washington, D.C., holding roles that deepened her expertise in media, policy and international engagement. She holds degrees from the London School of Economics and Smith College, speaks multiple languages, and has received several prestigious awards for her service and humanitarian efforts.