Leela Gray

A Lifetime of Service and Leadership

Retired Brigadier General Leela Gray is a mom, third generation veteran, small business leader, and proud Floridian who has spent her life answering the call to serve. A Virginia native who has made Tampa her home since 2003, Leela devoted 27 years to the U.S. Army, including more than 17 years on active duty. She commanded at the company, battalion, and brigade levels and served in two combat operations and a peacekeeping mission — experiences that shaped her steady, mission-first leadership style.

Leela’s career took her around the world and across the highest levels of government. She served as commander of the 86th Training Division, and has guided adaptive, scenario-driven training for more than 20,000 service members nationwide. Later, as strategic advisor to the U.S. Army Cyber Command, she helped modernize cyber policy and information warfare strategies. She also served at the U.S. Department of State and on Capitol Hill, bringing together interagency and international partners to strengthen U.S. security.

Delivering Results, On and Off the Battlefield

As a brigadier general and senior national security executive, Leela transformed training, logistics, and readiness using data-driven strategies to improve combat effectiveness and mass mobilization. She shaped policy and governance for multi-year training cycles, improved operational efficiency, and ensured America’s forces were prepared for the threats of today and tomorrow. Her leadership has been recognized with numerous military honors, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and multiple Meritorious Service Medals.

After retiring from the military, Leela continued serving in the private sector and through public interest roles advising technology and public health initiatives, and mentoring entrepreneurs through Tampa Bay WAVE. She has also served on the executive board of a major international nonprofit and is a tireless advocate for veterans and military families navigating the transition to civilian life.

The Steady Leadership Florida needs to flip FL-13

Leela is running to flip Florida’s 13th Congressional District currently represented by Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a MAGA extremist who consistently votes against working Florida families. At a moment when Washington is plagued by dysfunction and division, Leela has proven leadership in times of crisis and a commitment to service above self. She understands the stakes facing our country and she knows how to bring people together to get results. EMILYs List is proud to stand with Leela in this race to flip Florida’s 13th Congressional District because Florida deserves a leader who is prepared, principled, and focused on solutions not politics. We are confident that Leela is  uniquely equipped to serve Floridians and strengthen our democracy.