Bay Path University Announces Journalist Gayle King as Keynote Speaker for 29th Annual Women’s Leadership Conference
Longmeadow, MA— Bay Path University is proud to announce that award-winning journalist Gayle King will serve as the keynote speaker at the 29th annual Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC), taking place at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
Throughout its history, the WLC has brought more than 52,000 attendees from the region to Springfield for a day of professional development and insightful conversation. The event is sponsored by the region’s leading business institutions, such as The Republican, MassMutual and PeoplesBank, as well as the many agencies, non-profits, and entrepreneurs that shape our local economy. Past WLCs have featured speakers such as Jane Fonda, Dr. Maya Angelou, Robin Roberts, Hoda Kotb, and Barbara Corcoran.
“Our goal is always to provide attendees with a combination of great inspiration and practical tactics they can apply at work, in their communities, and beyond,” said conference co-chair Karen Woods. “With Gayle King, we continue our tradition of featuring extraordinary women who can speak to the drive, creativity, and confidence behind remarkable careers. So many of us remember Gayle King from her days anchoring the news at WFSB in Hartford, so welcoming her to the WLC feels like both a homecoming and a celebration of her continued influence.”
Since joining CBS News in 2011, King has interviewed world leaders, political figures, and cultural icons, ranging from Barack Obama to Billie Eilish to Elon Musk. Her work exploring social issues, politics, pop culture, history, and race has earned her three Emmy Awards, induction into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame (2018), and inclusion on TIME magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People (2019).
“We always start the day with a jolt, and this year, our morning speaker is Juliet Funt,” said Woods. “She’s dynamic and motivational, and she speaks a lot about distinguishing productivity from busyness, which is something we can all relate to.” The WLC will also feature lunchtime speaker Michelle Poler, an entrepreneur and brand strategist whose motivational philosophy, Hello Fears, has inspired thousands to step outside their comfort zones and unlock their full potential. She has presented to organizations including TEDx, Google, Facebook, Wells Fargo, ESPN, P&G, and Microsoft.
Breakout sessions throughout the day are led by top business experts and coaches. Dr. Tamilla Triantoro, Associate Professor at Quinnipiac University, examines the impact of artificial intelligence on leadership, helping leaders to deploy AI responsibly. Dr. Triantoro has been featured in BBC, Forbes, and Fast Company.
Melissa Majors, a business advisor and coach, will lead a session that draws on her leadership experience to address the challenges of modern work, such as burnout, disconnection, groupthink, and more.
Additional breakout speakers include Erin Stafford, who will share lessons on maintaining balance through the lens of a self-described “recovering Type A overachiever,” and Sheree Cain-Jones, who will draw on her lived experiences as a teen mother, adult college student, and TEDx coach to offer strategies for rising above perceived limitations.
For more information on the conference, sponsorship opportunities, and ticket sales, visit the WLC here.
About Bay Path University
Bay Path University is a private, comprehensive university known for its bold, innovative spirit and commitment to career-focused education. Bay Path offers a women-only residential undergraduate experience in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, as well as undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for all genders across campuses in East Longmeadow, Boston, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, and online. In 2024, Bay Path expanded its reach and impact through the acquisition of Cambridge College, serving approximately 5,000 learners worldwide.