About Navlika
Building capability for a world that asks more of us.
Building the mental capability of humanity so that people, leaders, organisations and communities can sustainably thrive.
She partners with organisations to build sustainable performance through human-centred leadership, capability development and organisational transformation.
Clinical Psychologist · Award-winning Business Leader · Human Capability Specialist
Navlika Varma is a clinical psychologist and award-winning MBA-qualified business leader with more than 20 years' experience building the mental capability of people, leaders and organisations. She is the Founder and CEO of Elevana, a former Managing Director of Lyra Southern Africa, GIBS Adjunct Faculty, and the author and editor of Improving Mental Health in the Workplace.
Mental capability is the capacity to think, adapt, connect and navigate an increasingly complex world.
A perspective shaped by two worlds
I have spent my career working across psychology and business. As a clinical psychologist and business leader, I have seen how closely human capability and organisational performance are connected.
My work explores what people and organisations need to think clearly, adapt, lead and sustain performance in an increasingly complex world.
Sustainable organisational performance begins with human capability.
I founded Elevana to do that work at scale, after leading Lyra Southern Africa (formerly ICAS Southern Africa) as Managing Director.
Why Navlika?
A rare combination of clinical psychology, executive leadership and commercial business experience.
- 01
Clinical Psychology
A clinical psychology lens applied to leadership, behaviour and performance.
- 02
Executive Leadership
More than two decades leading teams and organisations, including as Managing Director of Lyra Southern Africa.
- 03
Commercial Business Experience
An MBA-qualified business leader who understands strategy, growth and operational reality.
- 04
Organisational Transformation
Behavioural science applied across culture transformation, change management and operational excellence.
Executive experience.
Managing Director
Lyra Southern Africa (formerly ICAS Southern Africa)
Led significant organisational growth, innovation and transformation. Under her leadership the organisation was recognised as a Standard Bank Top Gender Empowered Company and received multiple Standard Bank Top Women Awards.
Recognition.
- 2024
Standard Bank Haley Fletcher Top Woman Business Leader of the Year Award
- 2025
Future of HR CEO of the Year Award
Education, mentorship and leadership community.
GIBS Business School
Adjunct Faculty
Contributes to executive and postgraduate learning, mentors postgraduate and MBA candidates, and serves as an MBA research examiner.
YPO Pretoria Chapter
Chapter Board — Family Officer
Creates meaningful experiences for members and their families while investing in the development of future leaders.
Foundation and social impact.
Founder · Navlika Varma Foundation
Navlika is also the Founder of the Navlika Varma Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to building lifelong human capability through evidence-based wellbeing, leadership and life skills.
Author and thought leadership.
Recognised thought leader, keynote speaker, author and editor.
Navlika regularly speaks on leadership capability, executive wellbeing, organisational resilience, psychological safety and the future of work. Her work helps organisations rethink how they develop leaders and build sustainable human performance.
Author and Editor
Improving Mental Health in the Workplace
- Leadership capability
- Executive wellbeing
- Organisational resilience
- Psychological safety
- The future of work
What Navlika believes.
A commitment to helping leaders, organisations and communities build the resilience and capability needed for lasting impact.
Leadership
Human Capability
Employee Wellness
Burnout
Communication
Sustainable Performance