LEADERSHIP COURSES & LEARNING JOURNEYS
Our MISSION
At the Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership, our mission is to empower leaders at every stage of their journey by developing the skills and mindset needed for personal growth. We are committed to advancing gender parity and fostering inclusive cultures that drive meaningful change.
Empowering leaders at all levels to embrace allyship, inclusion, and social justice. we are passionate about: Inspiring individuals to unlock their full leadership potential. Designing transformative experiences for individuals, teams and organizations.
Legacy of Excellence
The Institute draws on Simmons University’s 125-year legacy of expertise in inclusion, allyship, and women’s leadership to support leaders and organizations committed to building a more inclusive workforce and world.
Insight-Driven Programming
Our programs are fueled by insights from over 150,000 leaders and grounded in proprietary research, delivering practical, on-the-job solutions for immediate business impact.
Customized Solutions
We offer highly tailored client partnerships, addressing each organization’s unique leadership challenges within its specific cultural and community context.
Faculty Experts
Our diverse faculty have extensive experience working with Fortune 500 companies globally and bring deep expertise in women’s leadership and inclusive leadership practices with a focus on addressing current market challenges and driving organizational success.
What Sets Us
APART
“
Marcy Goode Director, Customer Experience and Web Product Management, McGraw Hill
These programs should be a part of every woman’s leadership development plan. The progression from knowing your best self to leading teams is second to none. Not only did it help me think about how I lead at work, but also how I lead my whole life.”
Partnered with hundreds to advance women in inclusive cultures w
Host of the nation’s firs conference for profes network of over 120,0
A global authority on lea and inclusion, we provid that drive positive action in their leader Our publications inc Arrive & Thrive: 7 Impact Navigating Leadership, th and the Inclusive
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EARLY CAREER
MID CAREER
EXECUTIVE
ACCELER
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ARRIVE &
Invest in mid-career women an
ACTIVAT
Create a culture of engaged an
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& THRIVE ®
nd their allies to build a culture of courage and connection.
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Simmons Leadership
The longest-running and most-respected women’s leadership confere
The Simmons Leadership Conference (SLC) is the longest-running and most-respected leadership conference in the world, with over 125k attendees in its 46-year history.
We bring together an international group of more than 7,500 professional women and allies who want to better themselves, their workplaces, and the world. Participants experience a highimpact day of learning, wisdom, and inspiration.
The Simmons Leadership Conference is the largest one-day fundraiser for Simmons University. Proceeds support both student scholarships and strategic initiatives focused on helping the next generation of leaders thrive.
“Beth Comenat Business Domain Owner, Toyota North America, 2024 Attendee
What an amazing, inspiring and impactful event! I am so lucky to have been able to attend and I can’t wait to pay it forward by continuing the conversation. Thank you for leading the charge in creating an inclusive workplace.”
AMY PURDY
SIMONE BILES
JAMEELA
nce in the world.
BRENÉ BROWN MAYA ANGELOU
46 years running
125K + conference alumni
97% plan to attend again
Kamakshi Raman VP Analytics and Insights, Point32Health, 2024 Attendee
“This is one of the best leadership experiences that you can get in a day.”
Click the linked icons to see the event come to life.
Latsamy Visetsin Manager of Inclusion & Diversity, The TJX Companies, Inc.
“I absolutely love that it was a hybrid experience. Due to the excellent technology set-up that was provided, 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!
Memorable Moments: SLC45 Highlights
Why SLC?
Hear from Past Attendees
ACCELERATE, ARRIVE & THRIVE® and ACTIVATE your leadership journey at SLC.
Empowerment & Growth
A chance to hear success stories, learn from real-world case studies, and feel motivated to take the next step in your career or personal journey.
Inspirational & Expert Speakers
Access to globally renowned keynoters, coaches, and facilitators who offer unique perspectives tailored to the challenges of inclusive leadership.
Networking Opportunities
A unique opportunity to build meaningful connections and learn from peers and sponsoring organizations that are leading the advancement of women.
Practical Leadership Skills
Practical, actionable leadership strategies and frameworks that can be applied immediately in professional settings.
he DATE
20, 2025
Choose Your Perfect Way to Attend In-Person in Boston at the Hynes Convention Center Online from Anywhere
Video on Demand Available channel following the event
Sponsorship & Group Sales
Our team is ready to assist you with details and pricing for a variety of packages.
Individual Tickets
$1,299 In-Person
$399 / $299 (non-profit) Online
$349 Video on Demand ONLY
ACCELERATE
Engage and advance women to drive innovation and growth.
Your early career women leaders are at the epicenter of your organization and are critical to your success. Now is the time to invest in their future and offer opportunities for engagement and advancement. By empowering your team, you're strengthening the foundation for sustained growth and innovation.
Institute early career programming includes:
Overcoming doubt to fully embrace your authentic self
Strategies for accelerating your advancement
Managing the overwhelm of stress and triggers
Navigating the complexities of gender and other social identities
Negotiating more effectively
Building a strategic network
Optimizing your strengths and areas of opportunity through robust 360 feedback
ACCELERATE
Strategic Leadership Accelerator
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM FOR WOMEN
Our impactful research-based program informed by current workforce trends provides women with the tools, critical skills, and strategies to accelerate their career, tackle challenges faced by women professionals, and lead with confidence and intention.
VIRTUAL INSTRUCTOR-LED
Or tailored for your organization
FEATURES
1:1 executive coaching
360° leadership assessment
AUDIENCE
Early career women looking to advance
CREDENTIALS
Simmons University Certificate
“Katia Sharikova Research Operations Director, Bristol-Myers Squibb
This program was invaluable to me, offering tools and a safe space to step out of my professional comfort zone and lead authentically and with poise. Most importantly, it heightened my mindfulness about how and when I lead. As a result of attending this program, I will listen carefully and actively and lead unapologetically and with compassion.”
Program Impact & Outcomes
• Get actionable strategies to manage stress and triggers necessary to optimize impact
• Identify and learn how to optimize areas of strength through 360° leadership assessment
• Negotiate effectively to drive individual, team and organizational outcomes
• Receive 1:1 coaching on leadership issues, challenges, and career aspirations
• Engage with a diverse group of women eager to accelerate their careers
• Establish a professional network to support career aspirations
Invest in mid career women and their allies to build a culture of courage and connection.
Your mid career women are the driving force behind the growth and innovation that will shape your organization’s future and ensure its continued evolution. Now is the perfect moment to ignite their professional growth, and we understand that the support and culture surrounding them are essential for driving their success – and the success of your organization.
Institute mid career programming includes:
Overcoming doubt to fully embrace your authentic self
Combatting career burnout with resilience and courage
Managing teams effectively
Restoring cultures of connection and trust
Becoming an upstander and ally
ARRIVE & THRIVE ® Leading with Impact: Essential Practices for Women
FORMATS
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM FOR WOMEN
Mid career women in organizations often face burnout from overwhelming workloads. This Arrive and Thrive® program, inspired by the best-selling book, offers practical strategies for leadership success. Empower your women to lead with intention, make a positive impact, and inspire others to do the same. It’s time for women to thrive in leadership roles.
INSTRUCTOR-LED
Tailored for your organization
ASYNCHRONOUS
Self-paced learning for scale & impact
MID CAREER WOMEN
Leaders and people managers
CREDENTIALS
Competency Badge and/or
Simmons University Certificate
“Cande Rogert VP, Global Head of Advanced Sciences, Illumina
There are so many ways to expand our leadership toolbox, and this class should be on your top 10. It was a great way to take pause, look inward, identify our best selves and lead from there.”
KEYNOTE
Arrive & Thrive:
7 Impactful Practices for Women (and their allies)
Navigating Leadership
Have you ever wondered how to flourish in a leadership role as your best self, inspire excellence in your team and, at the same time, lead a fulfilled life? Powered by her latest book, Arrive & Thrive:
7 Impactful Practices for Women
Navigating Leadership, expert Susan MacKenty Brady shares seven impactful practices that will help your leaders understand and leverage their unique personal superpowers so that they can thrive as leaders in your organization and scale their impact.
Scale for Impact
EXPLORE ALL OUR KEYNOTES
ARRIVE & THRIVE ®
Restoring Trust & Connection: The “Best Self” Approach for Success
CORE COMPETENCY FOR ALL
Our post-pandemic workforce is dispersed and increasingly diverse. Influencing, holding others accountable and communicating effectively has never been more challenging. To ensure the desired business impact and positive working cultures, a new approach is required to inspire the best people to want to join, stay, and fully engage.
FORMATS
INSTRUCTOR-LED
Tailored for your organization
ASYNCHRONOUS
Self-paced learning for scale & impact
EVERYONE
For all in your organization
CREDENTIALS
Simmons University competency badge in “Best Self”
“
Dr. Caitlin Hurley St, Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Through understanding who I am at my best, I can do my best work, and grow as a leader, collaborate, and most importantly – I can educate, train and inspire younger clinicians to do the same.”
KEYNOTE
Restoring Trust & Connection
When the words and actions from the leaders in your organization intentionally show respect for others around them, trust, action, and growth follow. These actions have the power to skyrocket your culture’s value, strengthen cohesion, and mobilize it forward so that the best people want to join, stay, and fully engage.
Powered by Simmons’ best-selling book, Arrive & Thrive: 7 Impactful Practices for Women Navigating Leadership, Susan MacKenty Brady shares a proven system for finding and returning to your “best-self” that any leader can apply in the moment. This technique will transform their influence and inclusivity, and will empower themselves and their people to achieve more than they ever thought possible.
EXPLORE ALL OUR KEYNOTES
Scale for Impact
ARRIVE & THRIVE ®
Becoming an Ally & Upstander
CORE COMPETENCY FOR ALL
Being an ally and upstander means actively advocating for a diverse and equitable workforce culture where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued. Our offering empowers leaders to recognize their role in fostering inclusivity by providing practical tools and strategies to challenge bias, support marginalized voices, and create a safe environment for open dialogue. Together, we can cultivate a workplace where everyone thrives.
INSTRUCTOR-LED
Tailored for your organization
Self-paced learning for scale & impact FORMATS
ASYNCHRONOUS
EVERYONE
For all in your organization
CREDENTIALS
Simmons University competency badge in “Ally and Upstander”
“Jill Parker Senior Director, Capital One Trade Operations
I found the program to be a great addition to my professional development plan. I was so happy with the diversity of participants and the skill and talent of the facilitators.”
KEYNOTE
Breaking Barriers with Courage Scale for Impact
Have you ever wondered how to flourish in a leadership role as best self, inspire excellence in your team while channeling your own wellbeing and leading a highly fulfilled life? In this engaging and informative keynote, inclusive leadership experts brings to life seven impactful practices and 7 Questions to Courageous Action™ that will help you leverage your uniqueness to powerfully thrive in leadership.
In this engaging and inspiring keynote, Susan MacKenty Brady or Elisa van Dam inspires all leaders to make an even bigger impact, and to lead by example with courage and purpose.
EXPLORE ALL OUR KEYNOTES
Creating a culture of engaged and inclusive talent capable of driving revenue growth.
Your executive women leaders are the catalyst for revenue growth and the champions of inclusive cultures that will define the future of your organization. Now is the time to accelerate their professional trajectory, recognizing that their success – and the success of your company –depends on fostering the right environment and support to help them lead, innovate, and drive lasting impact.
Institute executive programming includes:
Overcoming doubt to fully embrace your authentic self
Becoming a change agent for inclusion
Building a legacy of thriving
Embracing and leveraging the strengths of a multi-generational workforce
ACTIVATE
Becoming a Change Agent
CORE COMPETENCY FOR ALL
Becoming a change agent for diversity, equity, and inclusion in your organization means taking an active role in fostering an environment where every individual feels valued and empowered. As a change agent, you inspire and mobilize others to embrace inclusivity, driving a culture shift that prioritizes belonging and fairness. By leading with intention and accountability, you help create a workplace where everyone can thrive.
INSTRUCTOR-LED
Tailored for your organization
Self-paced learning for scale & impact FORMATS
ASYNCHRONOUS
MEN AND WOMEN
For all in your organization
CREDENTIALS
Simmons University competency badge in “Change Agent”
“
Tara Cargle Ashcraft Diversity & Inclusion Leader, Trane Technologies
We are using The Work of the Inclusive Leader to lay a foundation of what it means to lead effectively. We’ve generated meaningful conversations based on the model and the Inclusive Leaders Playbook that are helping minds to shift and actions to change.”
KEYNOTE
The Work of the Inclusive Leader
Fostering a team culture where others feel a sense of belonging can seem daunting, and yet, when leaders don’t intentionally include others, they run the risk of unintentionally excluding.
In this practical and engaging keynote, inclusive leadership experts Elisa van Dam and Dr. Gary Bailey demystify inclusive leadership by providing a road map of 6 key practices across three levels of engagement. Increase the effectiveness and impact of the leaders in your organization and create a culture where all team members bring their best selves to work.
Scale for Impact
EXPLORE ALL OUR KEYNOTES
Navigating Generational Dynamics
A THINK TANK FOR COMPETENCE AND COLLABORATION
The intergenerational competence think tank empowers organizations to lead the future of work by embracing and leveraging the strengths of a multi-generational workforce, staying ahead in our rapidly changing world.
This is an opportunity to bring a select group of leading organizations together who want to move beyond stereotypes to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of an intergenerational workforce.
Exclusive Opportunity BECOME A FOUNDING MEMBER
Join us as a founding member – one of only 6 to 8 exclusive organizations from diverse industries – and deep dive into cutting-edge research on this business critical topic. You'll actively contribute to valuable data collection and, most importantly, be among the first to transform these insights into actionable strategies. This is your opportunity to lead the way in the creation of a unified strategy for evolving your multigenerational workforce, increasing organizational effectiveness and innovation.
By 2025 Millennials are expected to make up 75% of the global workforce.
By 2030 nearly 100% of the workforce will have 5 generations represented.
Source: Gen Z In The Workplace: How Should Companies Adapt? (Johns Hopkins University, 2023)
Source: Generational Differences in the Workplace (Purdue Global)
Institute Strategic Advisory Board
Members of the Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership Strategic Advisory Board share the deep desire to foster equity, inclusion, and gender parity in organizational leadership in our lifetime. This is no less than a global dream team of change-makers, and the Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership is deeply grateful and proud to be the catalyst that unites the members.
CLAIRE BRODY
Director, Diversity Equity & Inclusion at Warner Bros. Discovery
KIM CERDA
Organizational Change, Culture & Engagement Lead, Hudson Lake
PAUL FRANCISCO
Chief Diversity Officer, State Street
ASHA GEORGE
Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, Electronic Arts (EA)
REGINA PISA
Chairman Emeritus & Partner, Goodwin
COLLEEN RICHARDS POWELL
Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, American Tower
MILLETTE GRANVILLE
Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, 2U
SHANDA HINTON
Chief Diversity Officer, RTX
SONYA JACOBS
Chief Organizational Learning Officer, University of Michigan
MARGARET RUVOLDT
Chief Human Resources Officer, Learn Behavioral
STUARD KLIMAN
Partner & Head of the Center of Excellence, Building Industry Partners
DR. ASTRID SHEIL
DR. ASTRID SHEIL
DARLENE SLAUGHTER
LORI SPICER ROBERTSON
Dean of the School of Management, Simmons University
Dean of the School of Management, Simmons University
VP, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
VP, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
PETER CHURCH
Chief People Officer, Point32Health
KIMBERLY COCKRELL
Chief Human Resources Officer, Toyota Motor North America
SUZANNE LEONARD
Professor of Literature & Writing, Program
Director of MA in Gender and Cultural Studies, Simmons University
DEVENDRA MALLADI
Global Business Executive, General Manager, Servant Leader, DEI Champion
Global Business Executive, General Manager, Servant Leader, DEI Champion
PAULA CONNOLLY
Partner and Co-Chief Technology Officer, Bain Capital
GREG MARTIN
US Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, John Hancock
SUSAN ESPER
Audit & Assurance Partner, Deloitte
DENISE MILLARD
Sr. Vice President, Global Alliance and Industries, Dell Technologies
APRIL EVANS
Partner, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Compliance Officer, Monitor Clipper Partners
GREG MORLEY
Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion, Moët Hennessey
FAGAN
Senior Vice President, PMO, Natixis
LINDSEY OTRADOVEC
Regional Vice President, Western US, Intuitive Surgical
STEPHANIE TURNER
Vice President, Inclusion, Diversity and Social Innovation, Mitre
Global Business Executive, General Manager, Servant Leader, DEI Champion
VALERIE L. WARD, MD, MPH
KAREN WETHERHOLT
Global Head of Talent, Illumina
SUSAN MACKENTY BRADY
Sr. VP and Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer, Boston Children’s Hospital, Director, Sandra L. Fenwick Institute for Pediatric Health Equity & Inclusion
CEO, Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership
DR. LYNN PERRY WOOTEN
President, Simmons University
BOARD CHAIRS
TRACY
