Professional Background

Kimberly DeSimone is a Professor who teaches coursework in leadership with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). DeSimone received her Doctorate in Leadership and Policy from Niagara University and her Master’s in Business Administration from St. Bonaventure University. She is the program director of the Master of Arts in Leadership program and the Diversity Advocate for the Jandoli School of Communications. DeSimone also serves on the University President’s Commission for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and is the 2021 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Justice Award Winner. This award honors a university community member who, through their work, research, service, community organizing, nonviolent direct action, and leadership, advance the cause of social justice.

Her published scholarly research in leadership advancement of women and under-represented groups focuses on gender bias, androcentric bias, gender socialization, power-distance, and feminist theories. DeSimone has published research in the Journal of Organizational Change Management, the Advancing Women in Leadership Journal, The International Journal of Business Management and Commerce, Educational Research Quarterly, The Business Research Yearbook, Global Business Perspectives, and The Academy of Business Research. DeSimone is an invited presenter and panelist at numerous academic and professional conferences including an invitation as a Keynote Speaker at the 2021 United Nations International Women's Day Global Conference.

Prior to teaching DeSimone was a senior Fortune 500 marketing manager at Fisher-Price where she developed long-term and short-term business strategies for multiple multi-million-dollar global businesses. DeSimone has successfully led and managed diverse teams and projects traveling to Europe and Asia during her tenure.

DeSimone is a passionate advocate for advancing women and women's workforce success. She is the creator and host of the globally followed podcast: The Advancing Women Podcast which addresses women’s professional barriers bringing evidence-based research relevant to advancing women and women of color to the forefront.

Academic Degrees

• Ph.D., Leadership & Policy, Niagara University, 2018
• M.S., Psychology, Walden University, 2014
• M.B.A., Marketing, St. Bonaventure University, 2001
• B.A., Communications, minor in Business, Niagara University, 1993