Agenda

Sheila Davis, DNP, ANP-BC, FAAN

Chief Executive Officer, Partners In Health

Helen G. Drinan

President Emerita at Simmons University

We are honored to celebrate Dr. Sheila Davis, CEO of Partners In Health, as the recipient of the Helen G. Drinan Visionary Leader Award. Dr. Davis will share her inspiring journey and leadership insights with attendees.

The annual award is named in honor of the former president of Simmons University, Helen G. Drinan and celebrates a woman leader who embodies the values of inclusive leadership in her personal and professional life.

>> Learn more about this award and its past recipients.

Julie Lane

Sr. Director, Social Impact and Inclusion Office, Cisco

Gregory Martin

Director, Behavioral Insurance Activation, John Hancock

Denise Millard

Chief Partner Officer, Dell

Kerry Seitz

Vice President, Women’s Leadership, Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership

This panel, moderated by Kerry Seitz, the Institute’s VP of Women’s Leadership, explores the dynamics of multigenerational leadership and how leaders across different age groups can collaborate effectively in an era of constant change. With rapid shifts in technology, business practices, and work cultures, panelists will share strategies for motivating themselves and their teams, fostering resilience, and driving innovation. Attendees will gain insights into building inclusive leadership practices that engage and inspire employees of all generations.

Take this opportunity to expand your network and dive deeper into the conference experience! Visit our virtual booths to discover innovative ideas, resources, and partners. Visit a networking table – either in-person or online – to spark meaningful conversations with fellow leaders. And for our in-peson attendees – don’t miss the chance to meet our incredible authors for book signings — grab a signed copy and some wisdom to take home!

YOUR CHOICE! What Intrigues or Inspires You?
See details below to preview the breakout session options. 

Take a well-deserved 60-min break and enjoy a delicious lunch while connecting with fellow conference attendees. This is a perfect opportunity to continue conversations sparked during the morning sessions, build new relationships, and exchange ideas. Grab a bite and take a moment to recharge — the afternoon’s sessions promise to be just as inspiring and thought-provoking!

Cynthia “Cynt” Marshall

CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, President & CEO, Marshalling Resources Consulting, Retired AT&T Executive and Author

One of the most influential Black business leaders in America today, Cynthia “Cynt” Marshall offers hope and practical guidance for navigating life’s most difficult challenges. Having spent her entire life beating personal and professional odds, Cynt is passionate about showing everyone she meets how they are uniquely equipped to thrive.

Cynt shares “the good, the great, the bad, and the ugly parts” of her journey through both cancer and everything that led up to it. Demonstrating her deep faith and positivity, she inspires audiences and encourages them to believe that even their hardest battles were chosen for them – and that they will ultimately bring them to where they are supposed to be.

Second City Works

Global Leader in Improv-based Learning

Tamara Nolte

Applied Improv Facilitator

Lele Mason

Applied Improv Facilitator

In this immersive experience, we will roll up our sleeves and jump into action with help from our friends at The Second City! Over the last 63 years, Second City’s unique way of fostering talent has cultivated generation after generation of the world’s most iconic comedians, actors, writers, directors and leaders (Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Bill Murray, Joan Rivers, the entire first cast of SNL, etc.).

Along the way, they started noticing something surprising. When CEOs, legal professionals, engineers, salespeople, and educators gave Second City’s methods a try, the results were undeniable – the very fundamentals that created stars on stage also created stars in the business world. It wasn’t crazy; it was a pattern, and it was happening over and over and over.

We’re excited to have Second City join us to share some of the secrets of their craft, focusing on intentional networking and leading change. We don’t want to give away everything about our session, but will say that it will be highly interactive, playful, and FUN. And don’t worry, you won’t have to sing, juggle, or showcase your “tight-five” standup routine!

YOUR CHOICE! What Intrigues or Inspires You?
See details below to preview the breakout session options. 

Take this opportunity to expand your network and dive deeper into the conference experience! Visit our virtual booths to discover innovative ideas, resources, and partners. Visit a networking table – either in-person or online – to spark meaningful conversations with fellow leaders. And for our in-peson attendees – don’t miss the chance to meet our incredible authors for book signings — grab a signed copy and some wisdom to take home!

Brooke Shields

Actress, Model, Author & Entrepreneur

Tiffany Dufu

President of the Tory Burch Foundation

Brooke Shields has spent her life in the spotlight – first as a child actor and model, and now as a powerful voice redefining what it means to age as a woman. Once scrutinized for her every move, Brooke now faces a different kind of societal gaze: that of being a “woman of a certain age.”

But for Brooke, time has brought freedom, confidence, and empowerment. At 59, she’s more comfortable in her skin than ever before, championing a new narrative for women in midlife. Brooke believes this is a time to reclaim agency, write our own stories, and challenge the myths that have held women back for generations.

Tiffany Dufu, a visionary leader and author dedicated to advancing women and girls, will moderate a fireside chat with Brooke Shields that promises to be honest, humorous, and deeply inspiring. Together, they will explore themes of leading change—from dismantling age-related biases to celebrating the power and promise of this transformative stage of life. Their conversation will spark a dialogue that resonates with women everywhere, encouraging us all to embrace the freedom and potential of writing our next chapter.

Jessica O. Matthews

CEO of Uncharted, Innovator and Social Entrepreneur, Trailblazing Energy Advocate

AI is here to stay—but this isn’t the first time technology has reshaped work, and it won’t be the last. The real challenge isn’t just learning AI; it’s learning how to lead and innovate through constant change.

In this compelling keynote, Jessica O. Matthews—inventor, entrepreneur, and leader in sustainable tech—shares how AI is leveling the playing field, enabling teams to do more with less, and challenging us to rethink how we solve problems. She breaks down the green flags, yellow flags, and red flags of AI adoption, offering a clear, actionable framework for integrating AI while staying true to what makes us irreplaceable: creativity, adaptability, and leadership.

Audience members will leave with the confidence to embrace AI, unlock innovation, and lead in a world where change is the only constant.

Dr. Angela Patterson

Enterprise Chief Nursing Officer, CVS Health
Track Featured Speaker 

Dr. Maha Radhakrishnan

Executive Partner, Private Equity Sofinnova Investments
Track Featured Speaker 

Dr. Heather Shlosser

Dean, School of Nursing, Simmons University DNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Track Featured Speaker 

Dr. Laura Wood

Boston Children’s Hospital’s Exec VP, Patient Care Operations, System Chief Nurse Exec, and Sporing Carpenter Chair for Nursing Track Featured Speaker 

Explore the unique leadership challenges faced by women in the healthcare and life sciences sectors in this dynamic panel discussion. Hear from industry trailblazers as they share their strategies for navigating gender bias, managing workforce burnout, advocating for equity, and driving systemic change. Gain actionable insights on how to lead with resilience and innovation in an industry shaped by rapid advancements, regulatory complexities, and the ongoing demand for compassionate care.

Sherifa Hady

VP of Worldwide Midmarket & SMB Sales, HPE

Katie Catlender

Chief Operations Officer, Point32Health

Kerry Seitz

Vice President, Women’s Leadership, Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership

Leading through change in today’s organizations requires boldness, adaptability, and a steadfast commitment to vision and values. In this panel, senior women executives will share their insights on navigating complex transformations, fostering resilience, and inspiring teams to thrive amidst uncertainty. They’ll explore strategies for building inclusive cultures, embracing innovation, and driving sustainable growth while staying true to their leadership principles. Join us as Kerry Seitz, the Institute’s VP of Women’s Leadership, moderates this dynamic discussion on what it takes to not just manage change but lead it with purpose and impact.

Sophia Kianni

Founder of Climate Cardinals, Youngest Appointed United Nations Advisor & Social Entrepreneur

Despite progress, women still face significant challenges in leadership roles across all sectors. Drawing from her journey as a young woman starting two major initiatives, Sophia Kianni will discuss the importance of representation, the power of mentorship and how women can support each other in breaking through glass ceilings to build impactful legacies. In this deeply personal talk, she shares the hurdles she has overcome and the lessons she has learned along the way. This speech is a must for audiences who are passionate about gender equality, women’s empowerment, and the importance of mentorship and community in breaking through barriers.

Sophia Kianni is an Iranian-American social entrepreneur and climate activist. She is the founder and president of Climate Cardinals, a nonprofit offering climate change information in multiple languages, serves on the EPA’s National Youth Advisory Council, and as an advisor to the United Nations. She is the youngest United Nations advisor in US history.

Yolanda McLean

Senior Director, Global Quality Control, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
Track Featured Speaker 

What if the key to leading change lies in discovering what truly drives you? In this interactive and reflective session, you’ll explore how courageous curiosity and self-awareness can unlock your potential as a leader and empower you to embrace the unknown.

Drawing from personal experiences navigating uncharted career paths, I will share a simple yet impactful tool: What You Want, What You Need: A Self-Discovery Worksheet. This framework helps identify what energizes you, what drains you, and what leaves you neutral – clarifying your personal values and aligning them with your leadership goals.

Participants will walk away with:

• A Self-Discovery Worksheet to guide career decisions and leadership growth.
• Insightful prompts to reflect on their unique strengths and preferences.
• An actionable step to lead change, both personally and professionally.

Whether you’re at a crossroads or seeking to inspire others, this session will empower you to turn self-discovery into courageous leadership

Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva

Founder and Chief Reinvention Officer, The Reinvention Academy

With change being a constant, companies are undergoing a fundamental transformation in the way they live, work, and prosper. In this exciting yet pragmatic and interactive session, Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva will bring latest research insights and business trends, and explore challenges and solutions for turning the new fast-moving, volatile, and uncertain business environment into a competitive advantage.

Ask any manager on planet Earth, ‘What is your key challenge?’ and among many different responses one will strike you with remarkable consistency: Staying afloat. The fast-moving roller- coaster economy we live in today makes this task increasingly difficult. Change is happening more often and at a faster speed than ever before. Just as we handle one crisis, another appears around the corner. How can we survive – and even thrive?

The answer is the one you’ve heard before: We must consistently remake who we are, what we offer, and how we deliver our offerings to the world. Put it simply, we must reinvent. What you may not have heard before is this: Today, the frequency with which our reinvention must take place is staggering. Essentially, we must become a new company every 3.5 years. In fact, we must reinvent so frequently and so radically that the traditional roles and processes inside of an organization cannot keep up. It’s time to make reinvention into its own competence – whatever function or responsibility you are in.

“Built to last” is no longer acceptable: today, we must build to reinvent. It’s time to make reinvention your superpower!

Dr. Lynn Perry Wooten

President, Simmons University

In times of change, how do you lead with purpose and inspire others to join your journey? It starts with developing and sharing a compelling vision for the future. In this interactive session, with Simmons University President Dr. Lynn Perry Wooten, you’ll define what a bold vision means to you, learn how you can engage others in manifesting the vision, and craft a vision statement that will help you ignite meaningful change for yourself and others.