Past Conferences and Events
Boston Conference Collection
Highlights from the rich 45 year history of the
Simmons Leadership Conference.
The Simmons Leadership Conference — a can't-miss experience for all women leaders!
Over the course of the day, 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. There is also a choice of lively panel discussions, signature dialogues, and skill-building workshops on topics ranging from business strategy and innovation to career management and personal branding.
2019 Highlights
Celebrating its 40th year, the 2019 program celebrated Designing Success and focused on the need for constant adaptation and reinvention in the increasingly fast-paced world. The 2019 program brought a diverse range of exceptional women leaders to the podium, each with her own fascinating story about defining her own measure of success and, by example, inspiring others to do the same. Among the featured speakers were Julia Gillard, who faced down tremendous hostility as Australia’s first female prime minister.
To view/download 2019’s program schedule, click here.
2018 Highlights
The 2018 conference theme, Disrupt the Ordinary, centered on the need to change how we think, behave, and do business in an era of accelerating innovation.
Just a few of the extraordinary speakers headlining the program were Gretchen Carlson, who challenged a culture of sexual harassment in the workplace and is now leading the charge to help others do the same; Nely Galán, who has followed up her own career successes by sparking a growing movement for women entrepreneurs; and Tan Le, who left a safe career in the law to build a neuroengineering company whose products are transforming lives and expanding the frontiers of brain research.
To view/download 2018’s program schedule click here.
2017 Highlights
The 2017 program took as its theme Leading with Purpose, focusing on the many ways that women are redefining the meaning of power and success.
For some of the exceptional speakers from 2017’s roster, this meant persevering under daunting circumstances to achieve seemingly impossible goals, driven by their commitment to a purpose larger than themselves. In this category were Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe, the Ugandan nun who has given new hope of self-sufficiency and self-worth to thousands of women and girls ravaged by war, and Diana Nyad, world-class endurance swimmer who refused to give up on her lifelong dream of making the treacherous Cuba-to-Florida swim. Diane von Furstenberg, who head up this list, is the designer of the iconic wrap dress, who managed to pull off one of the fashion industry’s greatest comebacks.
To view/download 2017’s program schedule click here.
2016 Highlights
The 2016 program took as its theme Leading with Purpose, focusing on the many ways that women are redefining the meaning of power and success.
To view/download 2016’s program schedule click here.
2015 Highlights
To view/download 2015’s program schedule click here.
2014 Highlights
To view/download 2014’s program schedule click here.
2013 Highlights
To view/download 2013’s program schedule click here.
A huge thank you to our sponsors over the years
Need more information on the 2025 conference? Get in touch today.
Contact us today to learn more about our 2025 Simmons Leadership Conference. We’re happy to answer any additional questions you might have, or how to register as a delegate or sponsor.