Kristen Palson

Kristen Palson is a strategic and operational leader with deep expertise at the intersection of leadership development, large-scale event production, and inclusive workplace strategy. As COO of the Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership and Executive Producer of the Simmons Leadership Conference, she has transformed the flagship women’s leadership event into a global hybrid platform, reaching thousands of leaders annually through both in-person and virtual experiences. In addition to her executive role, Kristen serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Simmons University School of Management, where she teaches courses on inclusive leadership and project management. 

With over 20 years of experience in online learning, curriculum design, and experience architecture, Kristen has led high-impact initiatives for institutions including Babson College and Simmons University. She is known for her ability to blend bold vision with operational discipline, aligning people, processes, and technology to deliver measurable business results. Her human-centered approach ensures that inclusion is not just a value, but a design principle—evident in the accessible, emotionally resonant experiences she creates for audiences worldwide. Kristen’s leadership style is grounded in creating a sense of belonging and empowering teams to deliver their best work. She is a trusted partner to executives, a skilled collaborator across functions, and a passionate advocate for equipping leaders with the tools, networks, and confidence to drive meaningful change.

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.

Professional Experience

Before joining the Institute, Kristen held the position of Associate Vice President of Simmons Online, where she helped build a robust virtual alternative for the University’s graduate programs. Prior to joining Simmons, she was the Director of Blended Learning at Babson College in Wellesley, MA.