2023 Simmons Leadership Conference

March 14, 2023
In-Person in Boston / Online from Anywhere
Hynes Convention Center - outside
susan mackenty brady on stage slc44
carla harris on stage slc44
smiling woman ballroom slc44
gloria estefan and susan mackenty brady on stage slc44
quinta brunson on screen sheryl lee ralph and joyce kulhawik on stage slc44
kristen palson and joyce kulhawik on stage slc44
women registering slc44
group of men and women in front of Simmons Institute for Inclusive Leadership sign
lynn perry wooten and sheryl lee ralph slc44

SLC 44 Renewal & Innovation logo
At the 44th annual Simmons Leadership Conference for women on March 14, 2023, we embraced the theme of Renewal and Innovation and empowered women to Arrive & Thrive™ in today’s business landscape. As women report burnout at unprecedented levels, it’s more important than ever for women leaders and their allies to come together, support one another, and bring out the best in those around them.

Couldn’t attend this year? We have you covered, with highlights and pivotal takeaways from our empowering keynote addresses, thought-provoking Business Panels, and information-rich skill-building Signature Sessions.

Take a Look at Key Moments from the Conference

amy purdy on stage 2023 simmons leadership conference

An amazing day of inspiration and learning.

Whether you join us in-person or online, you’ll be empowered by incredible content filled with practical wisdom you can apply right away. You’ll engage across a connected platform that provides full access to the 8,500+ participants and the incredible sponsoring companies that help us bring this inspiration to life.

INSPIRING SPEAKERS & THOUGHT-PROVOKING PANELS

Keynotes and skills sessions by globally renowned leaders + discussions about inclusive leadership in the workplace.

NETWORKING ACROSS HYBRID AUDIENCE

Through our robust online and mobile platform, you can engage with ALL attendees to maximize networking and connection with peers from around the world.

ENGAGEMENT WITH FLEXIBILITY

Design your own experience to engage with the conference in a way that's best for you.

VIRTUAL EXHIBITORS

Make direct connections with our sponsor organizations in their live interactive virtual booths.

3 Ways to Attend

This year we are reimagining our conference in a hybrid format and offering choice and flexibility through three ways to engage. All three options offer a great value at a great price.

Not sure which format is best for you and your team? Take a detailed look at what each format has to offer.

 

$1,299 In-Person - SOLD OUT
at Boston's Hynes Convention Center — maximum opportunity to connect, engage, socialize and network
$399* Online from Anywhere
*$299 non-profit and Simmons alumnx — the most inclusive way to gather global team members
$349 Video on Demand
90 days following the event — THE MOST CONVENIENT WAY FOR YOU TO BENEFIT IF YOU CAN'T JOIN US ON MARCH 14

Praise from Conference Attendees

I absolutely love that it was a hybrid experience. Due to the excellent technology set-up that was provided (PC or app), my virtual experience was flawless. It was as if I was there in person! Having a choice to attend in person or virtual was fantastic!

Latsamy Visetsin

Manager of Inclusion & Diversity, The TJX Companies, Inc.

What a learning experience! Attended the Simmons Leadership Conference today representing HPE. Interacting with such powerhouses and women of impact first hand was an experience I will never forget.

Fatima Hassan

Senior Product Manager, HPE

I had the pleasure of attending the Simmons Leadership Conference in Boston. I am so inspired by the amazing women who shared their stories of how Renewal & Innovation have shaped their career journeys.

McKenna White

Project Manager, Cisco

I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to attend the Simmons Conference for Inclusive Leadership! Listening to all of the strong, inspiring women leaders was re-energizing and empowering.
I left the conference feeling inspired and ready to embrace new challenges! I am excited to discover the opportunities and experiences they lead me to.

Molly Miller

Global Talent Development & Learning Specialist, Mercury Systems

Feeling empowered and energized this morning as I virtually attend the 2023 Simmons Leadership Conference sponsored by Raytheon Technologies! I am inspired and grateful to hear these remarkable women share their journey and experiences.

Bianca Mattera

Manager, FP&A Power & Controls at Collins Aerospace

The Simmons Leadership Conference 2023 was nothing short of phenomenal.

Saidah Grayson Dill

Vice President, Deputy General Counsel - Employment Law at Cisco Systems, Inc.

Thank you, Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership, for the privilege to participate in the 2023 Simmons Leadership Conference. It was an empowering experience, and I walked away feeling inspired and motivated to continue pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo.

Joanne Stephane

Principal at Deloitte

The Simmons Leadership Conference has been a best practice in how they shifted to a hybrid event. With an easy to use platform, more globalized content and amazing speakers that motivate attendees, they have made it simple for us to be more inclusive in offering seamless access to our global team members for the event.

Dawn Tiemann

Senior Advisor, External Relationships, Dell Technologies Culture, Diversity & Inclusion

As a virtual participant of the 2023 Simmons Leadership Conference, I felt like it was one of the best virtual events I have personally attended. The connection I felt to the speakers was nothing like I had ever experienced before, which speaks to the high production value of the event as well as the caliber of speakers.

Marques Benton

Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Loomis, Sayles & Company

Our Speakers

This year’s speakers and panelists will share their personal journeys, offer career-building advice, and lead thought-provoking discussions. We are thrilled to announce that the following world-class speakers will be joining this year’s event. We will announce additional speakers in the coming weeks.

Panelists

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Saidah Grayson Dill

Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Cisco

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Saidah Grayson Dill

Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Cisco

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Saidah Grayson Dill is responsible for Global Employment Law and leads a team of compliance and investigation professionals at Cisco. Cisco is a global company with over 80,000 employees and operations in over 100 countries that designs and sells networking, voice, collaboration and communication technology services and solutions.  

At Cisco, she provides advice on a myriad of employment law and employee relations issues, including acquisition integration, litigation, compliance, investigations, and inclusion & diversity. In this role she is the lead legal partner for Cisco’s People, Policy and Purpose team which includes People and Communities (HR) and Social Impact teams. She helps ensure that Cisco’s people policies and decisions are legally sound and aligned with the company’s culture. She regularly speaks at conferences on the topic of the intersections between law, culture and business. Saidah is a member of the Chief Legal Officer’s senior staff and provides counsel to Cisco’s Chief People, Policy & Purpose and People Officers.

Prior to joining Cisco, Saidah worked for two international law firms, Skadden and Paul Hastings, litigating on behalf of and providing advice and counsel to employers in a variety of industries.  

She received an A.B. in Public Policy from Stanford University and her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. She’s proud to have received recognition from organizations including The Network Journal, The San Jose Silicon Valley Business Journal/San Francisco Business Times and the Golden Gate Silicon Valley YWCA, for her influence in business, diversity and the law. She is a founding member of Chief SF Bay Area and a member of the Silicon Valley chapter of the American Leadership Forum (Class XLI). She has previously served as the president of the Palo Alto chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and co-president of the Stanford National Black Alumni Association.

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Kavitha Imani

Vice President, IT, Dell Technologies

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Kavitha Imani

Vice President, IT, Dell Technologies

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Kavitha Imani leads the Voice and Contact Center Services, Database Engineering Reliability Engineering Organization in Dell Digital. In this role, Kavitha is focused on delivering best-in-class stakeholder experience. Kavitha is keen on delivering robust and effective engineering and operational processes in line with industry best practices and transformation of the organization to enhance agility, performance and availability. 

Kavitha has 24+ years of experience in Information Technology and 20+ years of leadership experience leading software development engineering teams across several business units including Services, Channel Solutions and Dell Financial Services. She also led the middleware, quality engineering and IT Operations organizations. She has expertise across the entire software development lifecycle and several products in the technology stack. 

Kavitha believes transformation and innovation is fundamental to building a highly productive and efficient organization and makes it an instrumental focus for all organizations she is a part of. She loves to connect with and work closely with people to deliver results. You can expect complete transparency and a lively work environment when working with Kavitha. 

Kavitha has a master’s in computer science from University of Oklahoma. She lives in Austin, is married and has a 10-year-old daughter who keeps her on her toes. She loves to travel and is always planning for the next adventure with her family. She enjoys dancing and likes to stay fit through intense daily workouts with Camp Gladiator.

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Jen Petersen

Vice President, Human Resources, Air Power, Raytheon Technologies

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Jen Petersen

Vice President, Human Resources, Air Power, Raytheon Technologies

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Jennifer Petersen is the vice president of Human Resources for the Air Power strategic business unit of Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a Raytheon Technologies business. In this role she is responsible for leading human resources strategies, including talent recruitment, retention, and development.

Raytheon Technologies Corporation is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. With four industry-leading businesses ― Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, Raytheon Intelligence & Space and Raytheon Missiles & Defense ― the company delivers solutions that push the boundaries in avionics, cybersecurity, directed energy, electric propulsion, hyper sonics and quantum physics. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

In her current role — and throughout her career – Petersen has led HR teams within
organizations experiencing large-scale transformation and change. She served as vice
president of Human Resources for the corporate team at Raytheon Technologies
immediately following one of the largest mergers in aerospace and defense history.
Prior to joining Raytheon in 2016, Petersen served as senior vice president and Human Resources executive at Bank of America. In this role she led Human Resources for organizations, including Technology, Operations, Marketing and Communications, and provided HR leadership during complex mergers and restructuring. She’s previously held positions managing Human Resources at Nortel Networks and Randstad Corporations.

Petersen earned a Master of Business Administration from Simmons University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of New Hampshire.
She is a mother to three children and is an active volunteer in her community.

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Ann Stanberry

Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, Liberty Mutual Insurance

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Ann Stanberry

Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, Liberty Mutual Insurance

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Ann Stanberry is Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Liberty Mutual Insurance. In her role, she is responsible for helping the organization understand trends and disruption, set the overall strategy, drive cross-business unit engagement, execute key strategic priorities across the enterprise, and innovate new products and services that position Liberty for success in the future. She oversees teams including Liberty Mutual’s internal consulting organization, the Liberty Mutual Group Alignment team, Liberty Mutual’s Strategic Venture fund, and Solaria Labs, the enterprise innovation incubator. 

Prior to this, Ann held the position of Vice President, Strategy and Planning for Liberty Mutual’s Global Retail Markets (GRM) business. In this role she managed a global organization accountable for setting global, regional and market strategies; monitoring competitive dynamics and disruptive trends; optimizing GRM’s portfolio and strategic deployment of capital; assessing and delivering on GRM’s acquisition and divestiture opportunities; driving the annual planning process; reporting financial results; and running the strategic venture fund.

Before joining Liberty Mutual in 2015, Ann spent over 10 years working as a management consultant at A.T. Kearney in the financial services space and with General Electric Financial as part of their Leadership Development Program and Internal Audit team.

A member of the WE@Liberty employee resource group, Ann serves as National Committee Co-Lead of its Culture and Experience group, which focuses on creating a supportive, engaging and empowering culture that enables women to be an integral part of Liberty Mutual’s success. Externally, she is on the board of Visible Hands, a company that supports underrepresented founders by providing the initial capital, education and network necessary to launch their startups; and Nurtury, a nonprofit organization that gives Boston’s youngest children in need the opportunity to reach their full potential by investing in school readiness, promoting healthy development and strengthening families. 

Ann earned her B.S. and M.B.A. from Duke University.

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Joanne Stephane

Principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP and Executive Director, DEI Institute

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Joanne Stephane

Principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP and Executive Director, DEI Institute

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For over 25 years, Joanne has worked with C-suite executives to define, design, and operationalize their workforce experience vision. She helps clients transform their Talent and HR organizations, from strategy through implementation and beyond, to achieve sustainable results. 

Joanne is eminent on the evolving role of HR, and of the CHRO, in shaping the way enterprises compete for & access talent, curate workforce experiences, and impact the communities where they operate. She brings this perspective in examining how organizations can and should drive towards racial equity. 

Joanne co-authored “The Equity Imperative: The need for business to take Bold Action Now,” is the CDEIO for the Human Capital practice, and is the Executive Director of Deloitte’s DEI Institute™, focused on data-driven research, challenging orthodoxies, and recommending impactful actions to help business and community leaders lead inclusive change. 

Joanne serves clients in the Consumer Products, Healthcare, and Life Sciences sectors.

Co-Hosts

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Joyce Kulhawik

Emmy Award-Winning Journalist

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Joyce Kulhawik

Emmy Award-Winning Journalist

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Joyce Kulhawik, best known as the Emmy Award-winning Arts & Entertainment Critic for CBS-Boston (WBZ-TV 1981-2008), has covered local and national events from Boston and Broadway to Hollywood and has co-hosted nationally-syndicated movie-review programs with Roger Ebert and Leonard Maltin. As the first arts reporter/critic in the U.S. to appear every weeknight as part of a local TV news team, Kulhawik gave journalistic stature to arts reporting and greatly enhanced her station’s commitment to community service. She is currently President of The Boston Theater Critics Association and a member of the Boston Society of Film Critics. Find her reviews online at JoycesChoices.com.

A 3x cancer survivor, Kulhawik testified before Congress on the 20th anniversary of The National Cancer Act and helped launch the American Cancer Society’s first HOPE LODGE in Boston, which provides free lodging for cancer patients. The ACS honored Kulhawik with its National Bronze Medal for her work. In 2010 Kulhawik received the New England Emmys Governor’s Award for her distinguished career, which includes Emmys for the WBZ series/campaign “You Gotta Have Arts!” and team coverage of the World Trade Center attacks, being among the first on the scene. The recipient of countless awards for her career and advocacy, Kulhawik has an endowed scholarship in her name at the Berklee College of Music, and is not only a graduate of Simmons College class of ’74 but also holds an Honorary Doctorate in Communications from her alma mater.

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Kristen Palson

COO, Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership & Executive Producer, Simmons Leadership Conference

Kristen Palson headshot blue dress

Kristen Palson

COO, Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership & Executive Producer, Simmons Leadership Conference

Kristen Palson headshot blue dress

Kristen Palson is the COO of the Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership and the Executive Producer of the Simmons Leadership Conference. She brings an innovative mind-set and fresh perspective leading with strategic, operational vision to ensure success. As a member of the Institute’s leadership team, Kristen offers a unique talent for scalable, creative solutions that mobilize resources and achieve breakthrough results. She shares a passion for this work as an authentic executive leader with expertise in cultivating individuals and teams to achieve their full potential while fostering a culture of allyship and inclusion.

Kristen brings over 15 years of experience in strategic development, operational planning, and high-performance talent management to the Institute’s Senior Leadership team.  Kristen also serves as the Institute’s lead of Marketing and Product Development where she helps clients across a wide range of industries and fields create customized experiences and learning journeys that meet their unique organizational goals. She is an expert in the creation of state-of-the-art programming in a choice of modalities: in-person, on-site, online – or blend of all three. She is passionate about learner-centered content delivery with actionable outcomes, appropriate assessments, and accessibility. Her unique background in theater infuses the design and delivery of every program with a high degree of creativity, energy, and hands-on engagement.

Kristen loves the stage and is especially passionate about children’s theater and all the incredible lifelong lessons that can be taught through the arts. She resides in the Boston area and is a proud single mother by choice raising her incredible daughter with the help of her amazing village of family and friends.

Program Schedule: March 14, 2023

On the Mainstage
Signature Sessions
9:00 am EST

Welcoming Remarks

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Joyce Kulhawik

Emmy Award-Winning Journalist

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Kristen Palson

COO of Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership

Susan MacKenty Brady Chair for Women and Leadership and CEO of Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership.

Susan MacKenty Brady

CEO of Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership

Our esteemed co-hosts, Joyce Kulhawik and Kristen Palson, will kick things off and set the stage for the exceptional women’s leadership keynotes, events, and workshops ahead.

Susan MacKenty Brady will offer personal and professional insights into this year’s theme – Renewal and Innovation.

9:15 am EST

Carla Harris: Lead to Win

Carla Harris

Carla Harris

Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley

What does it take to lead effectively today? The world of work has undergone a sea change, presenting a new matrix of concerns and questions for leaders and potential leaders. Powerhouse Carla Harris will get the morning started with a message that is timely, inspiring, and filled with her trademark “pearls” of practical advice and wisdom about renewal and innovation. This session will empower you to become a more intentional and impactful leader no matter where you are in your leadership journey. 

9:45 am EST

Business Panel: Leading through Change

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Moderator: Kerry Seitz

Vice President, Women's Leadership, Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership

Saidah Grayson Dill headshot

Saidah Grayson Dill

Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Cisco

Kavitha Imani of Dell headshot

Kavitha Imani

Vice President, IT, Dell Technologies

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Jen Petersen

Vice President, Human Resources, Air Power, Raytheon Technologies

In this moderated discussion, women business leaders will reflect on their personal journeys, offer career-building advice, and engage in a thought-provoking conversation with a focus on how – through life circumstances or by choice – they were able to innovate and reinvent themselves to succeed in leadership. Speakers will share the stories of those who sponsored their success and supported their rise, and they will offer tips and strategies for innovating in the years ahead.

10:15 am EST

Networking Break

Network with peers from around the world and learn more about sponsor organizations in the virtual exhibit hall.

10:45 am EST

Amy Purdy: A Story of Renewal Against All Odds

Amy Purdy headshot with paralympic medals

Amy Purdy

Survivor, New York Times Best-Selling Author of On My Own Two Feet, World Class Snowboarder & Founder of Adaptive Action Sports

As a three-time Paralympic Medalist — the most decorated Paralympic snowboarder in U.S. history — Amy Purdy has taken what could have been a devastating setback and turned it into an opportunity for innovation. Amy will share her inspiring story of achieving Paralympic glory as a remarkable survivor who beat a deadly virus that claimed both legs below the knee and her spleen and required her to undergo a kidney transplant. With courageous spirit and resilience, she confronted her challenges and emerged as a leader who has succeeded at every stage of her multifaceted career.

11:30 am EST

Signature Sessions: Concurrent Choices

With our Signature Sessions, you have the opportunity to choose the topic that most intrigues or inspires you. Our presenters are global experts who will provide timely and relevant expertise on key topics. We are also offering a moderated discussion, where women business leaders will share their personal stories about their leadership journeys during a time when leading with a spirit of renewal and innovation has been the only way to achieve positive impact. 

Note some offerings are online only, some are in-person only, and some are available for both audiences. But don’t worry, you won’t miss out! Post-conference, you’ll also be able to access the wisdom shared in the sessions you didn’t attend via video on demand.

Click the Signature Sessions tab above to view details for each session.

12:15 pm EST

Lunch Break

Enjoy a 60-minute lunch break to refresh, renew, and refocus for the afternoon sessions.

1:15 pm EST

Gloria Estefan on Renewal & Innovation: Fireside Chat

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Gloria Estefan

Grammy Award-Winning International Superstar

Gloria Estefan, the Cuban-American singer, actress, and businesswoman, is a seven-time Grammy Award winner, a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, and has been named one of the Top 100 greatest artists of all time by both VH1 and Billboard. Join her, in conversation with Susan MacKenty Brady, to hear her story of renewal and innovation over a decades-long career filled with challenges and extraordinary success.

1:45 pm EST

Helen G. Drinan Visionary Leader Award

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Helen G. Drinan

President Emerita at Simmons University

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Indra Nooyi

Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo

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Indra Nooyi
Recipient of the 2023 Helen G. Drinan Visionary Award

Join us as we present Indra Nooyi, the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo, this year’s Helen G. Drinan Visionary Leader Award. The annual award is named in honor of the former president of Simmons University and celebrates a woman leader who embodies the values of inclusive leadership in her personal and professional life. Learn more about Nooyi and her inspiring leadership journey.

2:00 pm EST

Dorie Clark: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World

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Dorie Clark

Wall Street Journal Best-Selling Author and Expert at Self-Reinvention

It’s no secret that we’re pushed to the limit. Today’s professionals feel rushed, overwhelmed, and perennially behind. How can we break out of this endless cycle, allow ourselves time to renew, and create the kind of interesting, meaningful lives we all seek? In this talk, Dorie Clark, described by the New York Times as an “expert at self-reinvention and helping others make changes in their lives,” will share concrete strategies to help you sharpen your strategic thinking and embrace a long-term perspective that pays future business and career dividends. 

2:30 pm EST

Networking Break

Network with peers from around the world and learn more about sponsor organizations in the virtual exhibit hall.

3:00 pm EST

Masih Alinejad with Juju Chang: Ending the Gender Apartheid Regime

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Masih Alinejad

Iranian-born Activist, Journalist & Author

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Juju Chang

Emmy Award-Winning Co-Anchor of ABC News Nightline

For Masih Alinejad, hope abounds. The Iranian-American journalist, women’s rights activist, and founder of My Stealthy Freedom – her viral social media campaign against compulsory hijab that became the biggest civil disobedience movement in the history of the Islamic Republic – believes change is coming to Iran. The revolution has started, she says. In fact, what’s happening now with protests across Iran is the beginning of the end of gender apartheid in Iran and Afghanistan. In this moving talk, Masih will share her story of growing up in a small village in Iran, her journey from “troublemaker” to activist and leader of the fight for women’s rights, and overcoming adversity while going against the tide. 

Juju Chang, one of the most prominent Asian-Americans in broadcast journalism, will join Masih for a moving conversation. Juju’s highly visible reporting on Asian hate is the culmination of decades of covering everything from natural disasters to terrorism, mass shootings, immigration, violence against the LGBTQIA+ community, and, most recently, the inequities of the COVID-19 pandemic. Known for her in-depth personal narratives with underlying themes of civil rights, women’s rights, and social justice, this powerful conversation is not to be missed.

3:30 pm EST

Sheryl Lee Ralph and Quinta Brunson: Renewal and Innovation

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Quinta Brunson

Emmy Award-Winning Writer, Actor, Producer, and Stand-up Comedian

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Sheryl Lee Ralph

Emmy Award-Winning Star of ABC’s Abbott Elementary, Singer, Producer, and Activist

Quinta Brunson and Sheryl Lee Ralph, the Emmy Award-winning co-stars of the smash hit Abbott Elementary, will take to the hybrid stage for a lively discussion in this powerful closing keynote. We’ll hear from Quinta about her innovative — and meteoric — rise to fame and learn about Sheryl Lee’s decades-long career on the big and small screen, the Broadway stage, and in concert halls and how she experienced renewal along the way.

 

4:45 pm EST

Program Ends

11:30am - 12:15pm

YOUR CHOICE! What Intrigues or Inspires You?

All Signature Sessions are offered concurrently starting at 11:30 a.m.

These sessions give you the opportunity to choose the topic that most intrigues or inspires you. Our presenters are global experts who provide timely and relevant expertise on key topics. We are also offering a moderated discussion, where women business leaders will share their personal stories about their leadership journeys during a time when leading with a spirit of renewal and innovation has been the only way to achieve positive impact.

Note some offerings are online only, some are in-person only, and some are available for both audiences. But don’t worry, you won’t miss out! Post-conference, you’ll also be able to access the wisdom shared in the sessions you didn’t attend via video on demand.

Click EXPAND ALL+ to see the complete details.

IN-PERSON ONLY

Women and Work-Life Balance: "Juggling Is What Clowns Do!"

Dia Simms

CEO of Lobos 1707 & Former President of Combs Enterprise

IN-PERSON

According to Dia Simms, “There is no work-life balance. Not for the women that I know.” For her, life is not a matter of keeping multiple balls in the air at once (“Juggling is what clowns do!”). It’s about taking on every aspect of your life from a batting cage — focusing all of your force on one ball at a time. From her daughter’s science fair to negotiating a $100-million deal, Dia is 100% present on each ball in each moment. In this inspiring speech, CEO/mom/wife/philanthropist/award-winning entrepreneurial business leader Simms will outline how women can go from juggling it all to hitting life, family, and career out of the park.

ONLINE ONLY

Emotional Intelligence: Lessons from the Flight Deck

Lt. Colonel Olga Custodio, USAF (Retired)

America’s First Latina Fighter Pilot & STEM Advocate

ONLINE

Olga Custodio considers her sheer determination to be one of the essential assets that propelled her to success and helped her understand how her actions and feelings as an airline captain and crew member affected her crew. Identifying her responsibilities as the authority in charge of the aircraft’s flight operation and safety helped her manage and understand the value of listening to each crew member’s needs to assist them in fulfilling their duties. Her perseverance and tenacity drove her to accomplish her duties regardless of the situation. In all the tasks she has undertaken, Olga has always demonstrated her strong motivation to achieve results that would deliver positive impacts and inspire others.

IN-PERSON or ONLINE

Thriving as a Leader: Innovating with Courage

Susan MacKenty Brady Chair for Women and Leadership and CEO of Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership.

Susan Brady

CEO, Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership

IN-PERSON PRESENTER

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Elisa van Dam

Vice President, Allyship & Inclusion, Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership

ONLINE PRESENTER

Embracing renewal and innovation requires courage, both for ourselves and for those who depend on us to lead the way. Cultivating courage allows us to take risks not in the absence of fear, but despite it.

Drawing from the best-selling book Arrive & Thrive: 7 Impactful Practices for Women Navigating Leadership, this skill-building workshop will offer tools for taking courageous and thoughtful action when opportunities and risks emerge. You will learn to identify your fears and employ strategies to mitigate them. You’ll leave with a “power phrase” that will remind you of your own sources of courage and innovation so you can thrive as a leader.

 

 

ONLINE ONLY

The Prepared Leader

Erika H. James

Dean, Wharton School

Co-Presenting ONLINE

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Dr. Lynn Perry Wooten

President, Simmons University

Co-Presenting ONLINE

The next crisis might be here now or it might be around the corner. In this discussion exploring their book, The Prepared Leader: Emerge from Any Crisis More Resilient Than Before, two history-making experts in crisis leadership, Erika H. James and Lynn Perry Wooten, will argue that the time to prepare is always.

In no other time in recent history have leaders in every industry and on every continent grappled with so many changes that have independently and simultaneously undermined their ability to lead. The Prepared Leader encapsulates more than two decades of the authors’ research to convey how it has positioned them to navigate the distinct challenges of today and tomorrow. Their insights have implications for every leader in every industry and every worker at every level.

IN-PERSON + ONLINE

Signature Business Panel: Renewal & Innovation as a Leader

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Moderator: Kerry Seitz

Vice President, Women’s Leadership, Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership

LIVE-STREAMED FOR IN-PERSON + ONLINE VIEWING

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Joanne Stephane

Principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP and Executive Director, DEI Institute

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Ann Stanberry

Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, Liberty Mutual Insurance

As we begin to break free from the pandemic and gain momentum for a brighter, stronger, more inclusive future, this moderated discussion will bring to the stage top women business leaders. Sharing their personal stories in this rich, dynamic conversation, you will hear how each leader has been able to reinvent and renew themselves and creatively reimagine how they lead.

This session will be held live in Boston and will be broadcast simultaneously to our virtual audience.

Register Today!

Join us in-person or online

Register Individually

IN-PERSON - SOLD OUT
$1,299

ONLINE
Individual: $399
Simmons alumnae/i and nonprofit: $299

Build an Online Group and Save

Register Your Group

4+1 Special Offer

Buy four online tickets and get one free!

Enjoy together with a savings of 20%.

Register for Video on Demand — Act Now! Video on Demand Closes on June 20, 2023

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Benefits of Sponsorship

Join the hundreds of organizations whose sponsorship has helped advance their growth and develop their team members into inclusive leaders. If you’re interested in learning more about the many benefits of becoming a sponsor, please contact Tracie Charland at 617-521-3830 or tracie.charland@simmons.edu

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Enhance your organization’s commitment to women’s leadership, gender equity, diversity, and inclusion by spotlighting participation of conference delegates at media events.

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Improve team morale and return to work motivated and equipped with innovative leadership tools and strategies. View Attendee Demographics

Recruit top talent

Network with more than 8,500 accomplished women leaders from all around the world who boast impeccable educations, career paths, and achievements.

FAQ

Will the 2023 Simmons Leadership Conference be in-person or online?

We’re offering choice and flexibility with three ways to to attend our leadership conference in 2023: in-person in Boston and online from anywhere on March 14, 2023, or you can watch it for 90 days after the event on video on demand.

What will I learn? What will be included in the program?

Our 44th annual conference will explore this year’s theme of Renewal and Innovation as we empower women to Arrive & Thrive™ in today’s business landscape. We design the content to be ideal for both aspiring and accomplished women leaders.

  • World-class speakers will inspire you with their personal journeys to the top of their fields
  • Thought-provoking panel discussions will build your knowledge of leadership best practices
  • Candid Q & As with top women leaders will provide expert advice and pro tips
  • Network with peers from around the globe and meet sponsor organizations

It’s a great way to enhance your own leadership development and support the journey of others.

What’s included in the ticket price?

Your ticket includes a full-day (March 14, 2023) of inspirational speakers, thought-provoking panel discussions, expert leadership advice, networking opportunities, and the chance to connect with sponsors in our exhibit hall. You can also enhance your experience with pre-conference inspiration and community engagement online and post-conference video on demand to catch anything you’ve missed.

How can I buy tickets for a large group?

You can purchase tickets as an individual attendee or your organization can sponsor you. Full details about ticket pricing will be available in the fall. If you’re interested in buying more than 10 tickets, please contact Tracie Charland to learn about volume pricing at tracie.charland@simmons.edu.

What was the 2022 conference like?

Last year’s leadership conference was held entirely online. Our theme was Cultivating Courage and Connection. Attendees gained heartfelt inspiration, wisdom, and insights from a world-class lineup of speakers, including Simone Biles, Brené Brown, Molly Fletcher, Amanda Gorman, and Luvvie Ajayi Jones. They shared highly personal stories that highlighted the importance of courage, connection, community, and vulnerability in leadership. Learn more: 2022 Simmons Leadership Conference complete details.

 

 

 

Hear what attendees of the 2022 Simmons Leadership Conference had to say about their experience.

 

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