2025 Simmons Leadership Conference Speakers
This year’s speakers are set to inspire as they share their personal journeys, deliver powerful career-building insights, and spark engaging, thought-provoking discussions on the transformative theme of Leading Change. Get ready to be empowered and motivated to make an impact!
Keynotes & Fireside Chats

Tiffany Dufu
President of the Tory Burch Foundation

Susan MacKenty Brady
CEO of Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership

Cynthia “Cynt” Marshall
CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, President & CEO, Marshalling Resources Consulting, Retired AT&T Executive and Author

Jessica O. Matthews
CEO of Uncharted, Innovator and Social Entrepreneur, Trailblazing Energy Advocate

Brooke Shields
Actress, Model, Author & Entrepreneur
Visionary Leader Award Winner
Featured Speakers

Sophia Kianni
Founder of Climate Cardinals, Youngest Appointed United Nations Advisor & Social Entrepreneur

Lele Mason
Applied Improv Facilitator

Yolanda McLean
Senior Director, Global Quality Control, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
Track Featured Speaker

Tamara Nolte
Applied Improv Facilitator

Dr. Lynn Perry Wooten
President, Simmons University

Second City Works
Global Leader in Improv-based Learning

Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva
Founder and Chief Reinvention Officer, The Reinvention Academy
Executive Panelists

Dr. Maha Radhakrishnan
Executive Partner, Private Equity Sofinnova Investments
Track Featured Speaker

Sandy Brown
Vice President of Resilient Navigation Solutions, RTX

Katie Catlender
Chief Operations Officer, Point32Health

Sherifa Hady
VP of Worldwide Midmarket & SMB Sales

Julie Lane
Sr. Director, Social Impact and Inclusion Office, Cisco

Denise Millard
Chief Partner Officer, Dell

Dr. Angela Patterson
Chief Nurse Practitioner Officer of Retail Health at CVS Health
Track Featured Speaker
Faciliators & Emcees

Joyce Kulhawik
Emmy-award winning Broadcast Journalist, CBS NEWS, GBH News “The Culture Show,” President Boston Theater Critics Association

Kristen Palson
COO, Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership and Executive Producer, Simmons Leadership Conference

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

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