Simmons University Leadership Institute

What if difference isn't something to overcome, but an opportunity to create stronger teams, better ideas, and greater impact?

Last month, more than 150 leaders joined us in Boston for our first Thrive365 in-person event, where we explored the power of leading through difference alongside Susan MacKenty Brady, Stuart Kliman, and Lt. Gen. Leslie Smith, co-authors of the forthcoming book, All the Difference.

The conversations reinforced an important truth: leadership growth happens when we challenge assumptions, seek diverse perspectives, and stay open to learning from one another.

This month, we're sharing some of the key insights from that event, along with a new Better Understanding Podcast episode featuring bestselling author Margie Warrell on leading with courage, presence, and purpose.

Whether you're navigating change, building stronger relationships, or looking to make a greater impact, we hope these resources inspire your leadership journey.

Explore the key leadership insights, event highlights, and podcast conversation here: https://ow.ly/H8oV50Zflv5

What would you do if fear wasn't in the driver's seat?

In the latest episode of the Better Understanding Podcast, Susan MacKenty Brady sits down with bestselling author and leadership expert Dr. Margie Warrell to explore why courage isn't the absence of fear. It's the decision to act despite it.

Their conversation examines the courage gap, the power of presence, and how leaders can build the confidence to navigate uncertainty, make difficult decisions, and create greater impact.

One of our favorite takeaways: Courage isn't something you're born with. It's something you practice.

If you're leading through change, facing tough decisions, or looking to show up with greater intention, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now: https://ow.ly/OfJ450ZcTvo

What if difference isn't the problem?

What if it's the opportunity?

That was the big idea at the heart of our first-ever in-person Thrive365 gathering in Boston, where 150+ leaders came together to explore one of the most important leadership challenges of our time: how to create value from difference.

Hosted by our partner Loomis Sayles, the evening featured a conversation with All the Difference co-authors Susan MacKenty Brady, Stuart Kliman, and Lt. Gen. Leslie Smith, alongside Loomis Sayles leaders Kevin Charleston and Pramila Agrawal.

One idea seemed to resonate throughout the room:

Difference is dormant capital.

Whether differences show up through perspectives, experiences, communication styles, generations, or approaches to risk, every organization is filled with untapped opportunities. Leadership determines whether that value is unlocked or lost.

A few takeaways:

✔️ Poorly managed difference drains value. Well-managed difference creates value.

✔️ Curiosity is often more valuable than certainty.

✔️ The future belongs to leaders who can build trust, bridge perspectives, and create value from difference.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this evening so memorable.

Read the recap: https://ow.ly/emZb50Z8V9w

📍 Boston.

👥 150+ leaders.

✨ One unforgettable evening of leadership, connection, and community.

Last night, the Thrive365 community came together for its first-ever in-person networking event, bringing leaders from across the region together to learn, connect, and grow.

A huge thank you to our gracious host, Loomis Sayles, as they celebrate an extraordinary milestone: their 100th anniversary.

Special thanks to Kevin Charleston, Tricia Keefe, and Pramila Agrawal for helping make the evening so memorable.

The conversation around leading through difference could not have been more timely. We were honored to welcome All the Difference co-authors Susan MacKenty Brady, Stuart Kliman, and Lt. Gen. Leslie Smith for a practical discussion on navigating complexity, building trust, and leading with courage and connection.

What stood out most was the energy in the room. The conversations, the networking, and the willingness of leaders to learn from one another and invest in community.

As Thrive365 continues to grow, evenings like this remind us why this community matters.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. We can't wait for what's ahead.

We are proud to celebrate the second year of our in-house Leadership Accelerator Program for women managers and directors at the Department of Children and Families.

This intentional investment in critical leaders reflects DCF’s commitment to developing and empowering women across the organization.

The program featured the core components of our Strategic Leadership Accelerator, including learning focused on self-awareness, resilience, gender and leadership, networking, and negotiation.

Congratulations to this year’s participants for their commitment to growth, leadership, and impact.

📣 Leadership Insights | May Edition 📣

What began at this year’s Simmons Leadership Conference continues to grow through Thrive365, our ongoing community for leadership learning, reflection, and connection throughout the year.

This month’s newsletter features leadership insights and conversations from SLC47 speakers and Thrive365 faculty, including:

✨ New reflections from Susan MacKenty Brady, Juliet Funt, and Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva
🎙️ A powerful new podcast featuring Andrés Tapia on why people are your greatest return
🌎 Leadership in action at WorkHuman Live and Illumina HQ

👉 Explore the latest conversations, tools, and leadership resources: https://ow.ly/QrcK50YZL0p

Recently, our VP of Women’s Leadership Kerry Seitz had the opportunity to facilitate a session with the Pacific Subregional Sales Leadership team at Illumina HQ in San Diego focused on Investing in Your Best Self.

Together, this group engaged in the real work of leadership: reflecting on who they are at their best, what enables that version of themselves to show up consistently, and what gets in the way.

What stood out most was not just the insight, but the action. Leaders committed to supporting one another in leading from their best more consistently and intentionally.

That’s where meaningful culture change begins: through shared accountability, reflection, and the everyday practice of leadership.

Leadership is built one moment at a time.

In this new blog, Susan MacKenty Brady reflects on what became an unexpected leadership trilogy across her books: mastering your inner critic, learning how to thrive without losing yourself, and leading through difference.

A few reminders that stood out:

>> Leadership is not built in grand declarations. It is built in moments.

>> Thriving is not a permanent state. It is a repeated choice to return to what sustains you.

>> Difference, while difficult, might still have something to teach you.

Perhaps most importantly, none of us becomes who we are meant to become entirely alone.

Read the reflection: https://ow.ly/h0Wh50YXREE

Today marked the next step in our Thrive365 journey, and it was incredible to see hundreds of leaders from our community come together virtually.

What started at this year’s Simmons Leadership Conference continues to grow through Thrive365, where we are staying connected and learning together all year long.

In dialogue with Juliet Funt, our CEO Susan MacKenty Brady brought to life one of the most pressing challenges leaders are navigating right now: overload.

A few ideas that stood out:

>> Overload blocks performance. When everything feels urgent, focus and impact suffer.

>> White space requires tradeoffs. Saying no is part of leading with intention.

>> Your value is not your busyness. Strong leaders protect space for what matters most.

One simple but powerful reminder:

👉 Leadership is not about doing more. It is about choosing what matters and protecting space for it.

This is what Thrive365 is all about, turning insight into action together.

What is one thing you might do less of this week?

Every “yes” feels like progress until it starts costing you focus, clarity, and impact.

In this new blog by SLC47 main stage speaker and Thrive365 faculty member Juliet Funt, she unpacks why leaders who do less often achieve more.

Overcommitment can look like leadership in the moment, but over time, it fragments attention and dilutes what matters most.

If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin, this is your invitation to rethink what’s really required to lead well.

Read the blog: https://ow.ly/pAlq50YQJoa