Bay Path University has announced that award-winning journalist, author, and television personality Hoda Kotb will serve as the keynote speaker at the 28th Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC).

This year’s conference theme, “Amplify,” focuses on empowering individuals to elevate their voices and step into leadership with confidence and clarity. The conference will be held at the MassMutual Center in Springfield on Thursday, April 3.

Hoda Kotb on Friday, April 12, 2024 — (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images)
Kotb, best known as the former co-anchor of NBC News’ ‘Today’ and co-host of ‘Today with Hoda & Jenna,’ became a household name for her warmth, authenticity, and insightful storytelling. She joined ‘Today’ in 2008, co-hosting the show’s fourth hour alongside Kathie Lee Gifford, and remained a central figure for 17 years, earning multiple Emmy Awards for her work.

A New York Times bestselling author, Kotb has penned eight books, including I Really Needed This Today, Where We Belong, and Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee.

She also continues to inspire listeners through her podcast, ‘Making Space with Hoda Kotb,’ where she explores stories of resilience, transformation, and personal growth.

“Hoda Kotb personifies all of that—as a trusted journalist covering international conflicts, Hurricane Katrina, and the Olympics; as a warm, wise friend in her ‘Today’ show role; and as a mother sharing the challenges and sacrifices of working parents,” said conference chair Karen Woods. “We can’t wait to meet her in person.”

The WLC will also feature Amelia Rose Earhart, a pilot, author, and reporter who made history by circumnavigating the globe in a single-engine aircraft, inspired by her famous namesake.

Earhart, who has over 15 years of experience as a helicopter and breaking news reporter in Denver and Los Angeles, has dedicated a decade to empowering young women through aviation as the founder of the Fly With Amelia Foundation. She also hosts a podcast exploring the impact of AI in business and technology.

The conference will offer breakout sessions led by influential business leaders, including:

Shira Abel, a lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley, who has worked with major companies like Siemens, Samsung, and AXA. She will discuss navigating modern business challenges and overcoming biases in leadership.
Jackie Glenn, former Chief Diversity Officer at Fortune 500 EMC Corporation and founder of Glenn Solutions, who specializes in executive coaching, cultural assessments, and workplace transformation. Glenn, an instructor at Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education, continues to empower women through her work in the Women Leaders: Advancing Together program.

For nearly three decades, Bay Path University’s Women’s Leadership Conference has been a premier event, drawing more than 50,000 attendees and featuring iconic speakers such as Jane Fonda, Dr. Maya Angelou, Robin Roberts, Tyra Banks, and Barbara Corcoran.

The 28th Annual WLC promises to be a transformative experience, bringing together thought leaders, innovators, and professionals for a day of learning, networking, and inspiration. For more details on the event, and tickets, visit their website.