Rachel Simmons

Rachel’s passion is converting research into practical learning experiences that help people amplify their resilience, voice and integrity. She creates spaces where leaders can tell their stories, connect deeply and take powerful risks in their own learning. Rachel is driven by the belief that learning to fail well is crucial to how we succeed; that we cannot lead well without being well; that connecting with who we are is the foundation for excelling at what we do; and that antiracist work is never optional.

Rachel is the author of two New York Times bestsellers, Odd Girl Out and The Curse of the Good Girl, and Enough As She Is. A Hudson-trained coach and lifelong educator, she designs interactive programs for leaders globally, working with clients at Google, PayPal and Toyota. She serves on the faculty of the Google School for Leaders and was until recently the Director of the Phoebe Lewis Leadership Program at Smith College.

Rachel was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University, then dropped out after realizing she had pursued distinction for all the wrong reasons. She is passionate about sharing this story with other high achievers who have lost their way. A single mother by choice, Rachel lives in western Massachusetts in the US with her daughter and two rescue dogs. In her spare time, she loves to mountain bike, ski, and embarrass her daughter by her very existence on the planet.