2026 Simmons Leadership Conference Speakers & Thrive365 Faculty
This year’s speakers—our distinguished Thrive365 Faculty—will not only ignite the stage on March 17 but also guide participants throughout the full Thrive365 journey. Together, they’ll share personal leadership stories, deliver powerful career-building insights, and spark the kind of thought-provoking conversations that define our 2026 theme: The Connected Leader.
Across the conference and throughout Thrive365, they’ll help us explore how authentic connection drives belonging, builds trust, and fuels impact. Attendees will leave energized, empowered, and ready to strengthen their leadership with ongoing learning that lasts well beyond conference day.
Please note, additional powerhouse speakers to be announced soon!
Mainstage Speakers
Misty Copeland
Ballerina and Founder of The Misty Copeland Foundation
Track Featured Speaker
Juliet Funt
Founder and CEO, JFG
Hoda Kotb
New York Times Bestselling Author, Award-Winning Journalist, Founder & CEO Of Joy 101 and former co-anchor of TODAY
Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva
Founder and Chief Reinvention Officer, The Reinvention Academy
Visionary Leader Award Winner
Featured Breakout Speakers
Susan MacKenty Brady
CEO of Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership
Kip Hollister
Founder & CEO - The Hollister Group; Mental Fitness Executive Coach
Stuart D. Kliman
Founder & Partner Emeritus, Vantage Partners; Head of Business Development, PrescriberPoint; Chief Strategy Office, Breez AI
Greg Morley
Senior Business and Human Resources Leader
Kerry Seitz
Vice President, Women’s Leadership, Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership
Mary Shapiro
Professor of Practice, School of Business, Simmons University
Leslie C. Smith
66th Inspector General, Vice President of the Association of the United States Army, Visiting Professor - Georgia Southern, Board Director
Andrés Tapia
Bold Transformation Strategist
Executive Panelists
Facilitators & Emcees
Joyce Kulhawik
Emmy-award winning Broadcast Journalist, CBS NEWS, GBH News “The Culture Show,” President Boston Theater Critics Association
Bryant McBride
CEO of Stealth Mode
Track Featured Speaker
Kristen Palson
COO, Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership and Executive Producer, Simmons Leadership Conference
Justine Pouravelis
Professor of Practice, Simmons University & Former Director of Original Content, NESN
Track Featured Speaker