Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership

What Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership does

Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership is a division of Simmons University, a private women's university in Boston, that develops and delivers leadership development programs centered on inclusive leadership and the advancement of women leaders. The Institute evolved from the Simmons Leadership Conference, which has run annually for 47 consecutive years, and operates a portfolio that includes the annual flagship conference, the Thrive365 year-round community and subscription platform (launched 2026), the Strategic Leadership Accelerator certificate program, custom organizational leadership development, executive coaching, keynote speaking, and the Women's Leadership Program delivered in partnership with the Boston Chamber of Commerce for 15+ years.

The core technology consists of virtual conference and webinar infrastructure supporting hybrid event delivery and the Thrive365 community platform, which provides live expert-led learning, peer connection, and in-person experiences that extend the conference into a yearlong engagement. The product ecosystem is supported by a content IP base including the Thriving at Work Study, a registered Arrive and Thrive trademark, a Leadership Trilogy of books, and the Better Understanding podcast, all anchored by CEO Susan MacKenty Brady's external profile as Deloitte Ellen Gabriel Chair for Women & Leadership.

The business model is a hybrid of subscription/recurring revenue (Thrive365 individual and organizational subscriptions, conference passes, Strategic Leadership Accelerator) and professional services revenue (custom leadership development, coaching, keynotes). Go-to-market is event-driven and community-led, with the annual conference serving as the primary acquisition vehicle and converting attendees into Thrive365 subscribers or custom-program buyers. Distribution is primarily direct (enterprise field sales for custom programs; self-serve for conference and Thrive365 individual subscriptions) with a strategic channel partnership through the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. Enterprise customers include John Hancock, MIT, Cisco, Loomis Sayles, and Simmons University, and the Institute claims a global attendee base, though operations are concentrated in Boston.

Name

Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership

Legal name

Simmons University

Website

https://inclusiveleadership.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership is a university-affiliated institute that delivers inclusive leadership development through its 47-year annual conference, a year-round Thrive365 community, certificate programs, coaching, and custom enterprise offerings for women leaders and the organizations that employ them.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Leadership Development

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (61171), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Miscellaneous Publishing (2741), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

DEI, Inclusive Leadership & Cultural Intelligence Coaching (EDABANAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Inclusive Leadership & Leading Diverse Teams (EDABAAAM), Human Resources, Organizational Behavior & Leadership Institutes (EDAHAHAG), Executive Leadership Summits (C-Suite, Board, Strategy Offsites) (THAHAMAA)

Keywords

• Leadership development programs
• Executive coaching services
• Women's leadership training
• Inclusive leadership research
• Corporate training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Conference Registration: Revenue from Simmons Leadership Conference attendance, including both in-person and virtual passes. The conference is a flagship annual event that attracts thousands of leaders globally.
2. Thrive365 Subscriptions: Year-round leadership development experience sold to both individuals and organizations. Thrive365 is described as 'a high value, affordable year-round leadership development experience' with options for individual and organizational enrollment.
3. Custom Organizational Programs: Custom Leadership Development programs and coaching services sold directly to organizations seeking tailored leadership development solutions.
4. Strategic Leadership Accelerator: Certificate program for women leaders, offered as a paid learning journey with academic rigor and real-world application components.
5. Keynote Speaking: Keynote presentations delivered at client organizations, built on latest research around what truly takes for leaders and teams to thrive.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership provides leadership development programs and services for women leaders and organizations, centered on inclusive leadership. Core offerings include the annual Simmons Leadership Conference (now in its 47th year), the Thrive365 year-round community and development platform, the Strategic Leadership Accelerator certificate program, custom organizational leadership development, executive coaching, and keynote speaking services.

Product overview

Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership offers a comprehensive portfolio of leadership development products and services centered on inclusive leadership for women. The core offerings include Thrive365: The Connected Leader (a year-round community and development platform), the annual Simmons Leadership Conference (now in its 47th year), Strategic Leadership Accelerator (certificate program), coaching services, custom leadership development, and the Women's Leadership Program (WLP) in partnership with the Boston Chamber of Commerce. The Institute also publishes research, produces the Better Understanding Podcast, and offers keynote speaking services. Key publications include the 'Arrive and Thrive' and 'All the Difference' book trilogy by CEO Susan MacKenty Brady. The product ecosystem is designed to serve women leaders at all stages—from early career through executive levels—through both individual and organizational learning solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Thrive365: The Connected Leader: A high value, affordable year-round leadership development experience that builds strong leaders, retains top talent, and energizes culture.
• Strategic Leadership Accelerator
• Simmons Leadership Conference
• Visionary Leader Award

Products and services

• Thrive365: The Connected Leader A high-value, affordable year-round leadership development experience offering live expert-led learning, actionable tools, and peer connection. Available for individual subscription (Thrive365 for You) and organizational enrollment (Thrive365 for Your Organization).
• Strategic Leadership Accelerator Certificate program designed to accelerate leadership skills for women, combining programming content, peer interaction, and networking opportunities. Participants have reported promotions into senior strategy roles following completion.
• Simmons Leadership Conference Annual flagship leadership conference bringing together executives and thought leaders from around the world. A 47-year consecutive tradition featuring world-renowned speakers, keynotes, and networking for women leaders and their allies, with both in-person and virtual attendance options.
• Keynotes Actionable, energizing keynote presentations delivered at client organizations, built on the latest research around leadership and team thriving. Designed for today's workplace with practical, insight-driven strategies that inspire action, build resilience, and strengthen connection.
• Coaching Executive and leadership coaching services provided by Institute experts to help leaders develop self-awareness for optimal leadership performance.
• Custom Leadership Development Tailored learning journeys and custom leadership development programs designed to meet specific organizational needs and goals, sold directly to organizations via a 'Speak with an Expert' consultation process.
• Women's Leadership Program (WLP) Partnership program with the Boston Chamber of Commerce offering leadership development for women, transforming trajectories through facilitated sessions, leadership assessments, and strategic networking. Over 1,500 women leaders equipped across 15+ years of partnership.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,500 women leaders equipped through Boston Chamber partnership
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Boston Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Boston Chamber of Commerce has offered the Women's Leadership Program (WLP) in partnership with Simmons University for 15+ years, equipping over 1,500 women leaders to rise with confidence, impact, and purpose. WLP transforms trajectories through facilitated sessions, leadership assessments, strategic networking, and projects creating measurable impact at work.
• Greater Boston Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Women's Leadership Program delivery, transforming women's leadership trajectories through unique blend of academic rigor and real-world application.
• Loomis SaylesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLoomis Sayles hosted the first-ever in-person Thrive365 event, celebrating the firm's 100th anniversary. The evening featured a conversation with All the Difference co-authors and Loomis Sayles leaders on navigating difference and creating value.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Female Quotient: Experience-based company producing events, summits, and content focused on women in business and equality in the workplace. Highly comparable to the Simmons Leadership Conference in event-led GTM and inclusive leadership positioning.
• DDI (Development Dimensions International): Global leadership development firm selling assessments, training, and custom programs to enterprises. Directly comparable business model to the Institute's custom organizational programs and leadership coaching offerings.
• Center for Creative Leadership (CCL): One of the largest leadership development research and education providers globally, offering executive programs, coaching, and custom enterprise learning journeys highly comparable to the Institute's portfolio. Both combine research-backed content with custom delivery to organizations.
• Catalyst: Nonprofit focused on advancing women in leadership through research, consulting, and events. Closely aligned mission and content (research, conferences, organizational advisory) to the Institute's inclusive leadership focus.
• Chief: Private membership community and peer network for women executives, combining events, learning, and content. Directly comparable to Thrive365 as a year-round community product targeting senior women leaders.
• Ellevate Network: Membership-based community and content platform for professional women focused on career advancement. Comparable in community-led engagement model and women's professional development positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Ken Blanchard Companies: Long-established leadership training and consulting firm offering custom programs, coaching, and content subscriptions. Comparable enterprise leadership development GTM and content-product hybrid model.
• FranklinCovey: Public leadership and organizational effectiveness company selling subscription-based training content, assessments, and enterprise programs. Overlapping in enterprise leadership development GTM and content-as-product motion.
• Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning: Enterprise learning provider built on HBS faculty content, selling leadership development programs, coaching, and content to large organizations. Comparable custom enterprise and content licensing model, with the added tie of HBR Press publishing the Institute CEO's book trilogy.
• Korn Ferry (including former Linkage): Global organizational consulting firm whose leadership development and women-in-leadership practice (built on the Linkage acquisition) competes directly with the Institute's custom programs, keynotes, and conferences. Much larger scale with broader portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/simmonsleads
• Facebookfacebook.com/InstituteForInclusiveLeadership
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-for-inclusive-leadership

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership