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Aleya V.

Aleya Velshi

Ex-DoorDash Director | Build C-Suite Buy-In & Handle Tough Questions

Ivey Business School Logo

Studied at Ivey Business School

DoorDash Logo

Worked at DoorDash

Available September 28

Starting at 7:00 PM UTC

Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.

Aleya's Offerings

Custom hourly · $65/hr

Get help with Effective Communication, Persuasion and Influence, and Presentation Skills.

View all of Aleya’s categories

Aleya’s Communication & Public Speaking Qualifications

Experience level: Manager

Make clear recommendations, build executive buy-in, and handle tough questions. I coach early- and mid-career professionals to make a compelling case for funding, headcount, or a strategic priority. My experience: - Eight years across specialized consulting at Towers Watson and strategy & operations at DoorDash. - Manager to Director at DoorDash in just over three years, expanding from Canada to international scope. - Led strategic plans and secured multi-million-dollar investments through C-suite buy-in. - Prepared direct reports, peers, and senior leaders for executive meetings through Q&A and rehearsal. A strong recommendation answers four questions: - What do you need? - What will it deliver? - How will you execute? - Why should leadership back it? We’ll work through: - Audience: Understand who’s deciding, what matters to them, and how much detail they need. - Recommendation: Clarify the ask, connect investments to outcomes, and explain tradeoffs. - Preparation: Anticipate questions. Gather key facts. Practice clear, direct answers. Bring a real memo or presentation to our meeting. We’ll sharpen the case, pressure-test the reasoning, and rehearse the conversation so you’re ready to make your recommendation and defend it.

Aleya can help with:

Effective Communication

Persuasion and Influence

Presentation Skills

View all of Aleya’s categories

About Aleya

I’m curious, a little quirky, and always interested in what makes people tick. Friends know me for telling stories about everyday situations that somehow get funnier as I explain what was going through my head. Colleagues know me as calm under pressure, thoughtful, and someone they can count on. I didn’t leave school with a fixed career plan. I found my stride through work: solving problems, building relationships, and taking on bigger challenges. My path took me from consulting to tech, where I grew into a Director role at DoorDash. Eventually, I missed the hands-on building I’d loved earlier in my career. I also wanted to make more room for life outside work. When the opportunity came to start my own brick-and-mortar business with friends, the timing felt right. I loved the concept, trusted my ability to build, and was excited by how much there was to learn. Running a business has stretched me in new ways and given me more freedom to shape how I work and what I make time for. Outside work, that usually means time with my dog, Louie, or testing a new recipe. Home cooking is my latest interest. I’m building a rotation of meals that look impressive but come with very clear instructions. “Season to taste” still feels like a lot of responsibility.

Why do I coach?

Some of my most rewarding moments at work have been watching someone I supported take on a bigger responsibility or walk into a difficult conversation feeling prepared. I’ve been fortunate to have managers / leaders who trusted me, challenged me, and advocated for me. They saw opportunities for me before I knew what to ask for, and their support changed what I thought I was capable of. I know how much of a difference it makes to have someone in your corner who sees your potential and takes the time to work through things with you. Over time, I became a sounding board for colleagues and friends. People came to me to talk through a decision, prepare for a conversation, or make sense of something they were struggling with. This became one of the parts of work I valued most, and coaching is a way to make more room for that. My approach starts with trust. I want you to feel comfortable sharing what you’re unsure about. I ask questions, challenge assumptions, and draw on my experience to offer perspectives you might not have considered. You stay in the driver’s seat. Let me help you reach an insight you believe in and feel ready to act on.

Work Experience

Alter Logo

Co-founder

Alter

September 2023 - Present

DoorDash Logo

Director, Strategy & Operations

DoorDash

April 2022 - September 2023

DoorDash Logo

Senior Manager, Strategy & Operations

DoorDash

September 2020 - March 2022

DoorDash Logo

Manager, Strategy & Operations

DoorDash

March 2019 - August 2020

Willis Towers Watson Logo

Consultant

Willis Towers Watson

April 2018 - February 2019

Willis Towers Watson Logo

Senior Analyst

Willis Towers Watson

June 2016 - March 2018

Willis Towers Watson Logo

Analyst

Willis Towers Watson

August 2015 - May 2016

Education

Ivey Business School Logo

Ivey Business School

Honours Business Administration

2011 - 2015

Aleya V.

Aleya V.