What is the Simmons Leadership Conference?
our RICH 47-YEAR HISTORY
The First Women’s Conference in U.S.
The Simmons Leadership Conference has been at the forefront of women's leadership since its inception in 1978 as America’s first women’s business conference. It has paved the way for women’s leadership around the world inspiring over 120K+ women to date.
WORLD-CLASS THOUGHT LEADERS
Acclaimed Speakers & Panelists
Today the Simmons Leadership Conference brings together more than 8,500 professional leaders from around the globe – women and their allies – who want to better themselves, their workplaces, and the world. The conference stage has seen notable keynote speakers such as Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Brené Brown, Gloria Estefan, Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, Serena Williams, Quinta Brunson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Gloria Steinem, Trevor Noah and more.
Why Attend
Join us on March 17, 2026, at the 47th Annual Simmons Leadership Conference.
Over the course of this one-day event, inspiring keynote speakers offer candid stories about their experiences on the way to the top, as well as principles for success to help you pursue your own professional path. The conference also offers thought-provoking panel discussions that will build your knowledge of leadership best practices. Each session allows for candid and open Q & As with top women leaders who provide expert advice and pro tips immediately applicable to enhance your leadership success.
Highlights from 2025
The 46th Annual Simmons Leadership Conference brought together thousands of leaders on March 20, 2025—both in-person in Boston and virtually from around the globe—for a powerful day centered on the theme of Leading Change.
This year’s conference explored what it means to navigate, embrace, and drive transformation in an uncertain world. Attendees gained powerful insights, heartfelt inspiration, and practical strategies from an extraordinary lineup of speakers, including Cynt Marshall, Brooke Shields, Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva, and more. This short clip features some memorable moments from 2025.
Throughout the day, keynote speakers shared candid stories of resilience, reinvention, and impact. Panel discussions dove deep into the realities of leading through change—with real-world lessons, leadership best practices, and honest dialogue. Each session featured open Q&As with top women leaders, offering expert advice and actionable takeaways designed to empower attendees to lead change—personally and professionally.

Highlights from 2024
The 45th Annual Simmons Leadership Conference welcomed thousands of leaders in-person in Boston and virtually from around the world on April 3, 2024. We unpacked the theme of Creating Impact and gained heartfelt inspiration, wisdom, and insights from a world-class lineup of speakers, including Gloria Steinem, Trevor Noah, Cassandra Worthy, Magie Cook, Jennifer Hyman, and more. This short clip features some of the memorable moments.
Over the course of this one-day event, inspiring keynote speakers offered candid stories about their experiences on the way to the top, as well as principles for success to help attendees pursue their own professional path. The conference also offered thought-provoking panel discussions focused on leadership best practices. Each session allowed for candid and open Q & As with top women leaders who provided expert advice and pro tips designed for immediate application.

Past Conference Speakers
See a list of all past speakers.
Past Conference Speakers

Madeleine Albright
Diplomat and Former U.S. Secretary of State

Madeleine Albright
Diplomat and Former U.S. Secretary of State


Masih Alinejad
Iranian-born Activist, Journalist, and Author

Masih Alinejad
Iranian-born Activist, Journalist, and Author


Christiane Amanpour
British-Iranian Journalist and Television Host

Christiane Amanpour
British-Iranian Journalist and Television Host


Simone Biles
World’s Most Decorated Gymnast

Simone Biles
World’s Most Decorated Gymnast


Brené Brown
Researcher & Bestselling Author

Brené Brown
Researcher & Bestselling Author


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

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


Juju Chang
Emmy Award-Winning Co-Anchor of ABC News Nightline

Juju Chang
Emmy Award-Winning Co-Anchor of ABC News Nightline


Hillary Clinton
Former U.S. Secretary of State, Former First Lady, and Politician

Hillary Clinton
Former U.S. Secretary of State, Former First Lady, and Politician


Laverne Cox
Actress

Laverne Cox
Actress


Gloria Estefan
Grammy Award-Winning International Superstar

Gloria Estefan
Grammy Award-Winning International Superstar


Carly Fiorina
Business Executive, Politician, and Former CEO of Hewlett-Packard

Carly Fiorina
Business Executive, Politician, and Former CEO of Hewlett-Packard


Julia Gillard
Former Prime Minister of Australia

Julia Gillard
Former Prime Minister of Australia


Amanda Gorman
America's First Youth Poet Laureate

Amanda Gorman
America's First Youth Poet Laureate


Jameela Jamil
Actress and Activist

Jameela Jamil
Actress and Activist


Mindy Kaling
Actress, Comedian, Writer, and Producer

Mindy Kaling
Actress, Comedian, Writer, and Producer


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

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


Trevor Noah
Comedian & Bestselling Author

Trevor Noah
Comedian & Bestselling Author


Michelle Obama
Former First Lady, Attorney, and Author

Michelle Obama
Former First Lady, Attorney, and Author


Amy Purdy
Survivor, New York Times Best-Selling Author, World Class Snowboarder, and Founder of Adaptive Action Sports

Amy Purdy
Survivor, New York Times Best-Selling Author, World Class Snowboarder, and Founder of Adaptive Action Sports


Brooke Shields
Actress, Model, Author & Entrepreneur

Brooke Shields
Actress, Model, Author & Entrepreneur


Gloria Steinem
Writer & Feminist Activist

Gloria Steinem
Writer & Feminist Activist


Meg Whitman
Business Executive, Diplomat, and Politician

Meg Whitman
Business Executive, Diplomat, and Politician


Serena Williams
World Champion Tennis Player

Serena Williams
World Champion Tennis Player


Oprah Winfrey
Talk Show Host, Television Producer, Actress, Author, and Philanthropist

Oprah Winfrey
Talk Show Host, Television Producer, Actress, Author, and Philanthropist

Nominate a Speaker
Let us know who might inspire you at a future conference or event.
Become a Conference Sponsor
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