Tyra Banks to bring fierce message to Bay Path University’s 25th Annual Women’s Leadership Conference, “Own Your Now”

The all-day event will take place Friday, March 27, 2020, from 7:30 am – 4:30 pm

Longmeadow, MA— Bay Path University’s division of Strategic Alliances is proud to announce that producer, author, entrepreneur, educator, and of course, top model, Tyra Banks will bring her bold attitude, inimitable style and well-honed business acumen to Springfield as the keynote speaker at the 25th Annual Women’s Leadership Conference.

This year’s theme, “Own Your Now,” will encourage conference guests to examine the forces that have shaped their careers, relationships and aspirations; recognize what drives them and what holds them back; and empower them to confidently move forward. As the WLC reflects upon its 25-year history and the impending retirement of its founder, Bay Path president Carol Leary, the theme “Own Your Now,” carries added significance.

“Now is the perfect time for us to really examine all we’ve accomplished over the last 25 years and to challenge ourselves by asking, what can we do next? There’s a lot of change in the air, so there’s some intentional synergy between the conference theme, Dr. Leary’s retirement after 25 years of leading Bay Path, and the ongoing growth we all strive for.” explains Caron Hobin, Vice President of Strategic Alliances, Bay Path’s division of workplace education and corporate training.

Banks is the creator of America’s Next Top Model, the reality show/ modeling competition that was replicated in 47 international markets and viewed in 150 countries. A graduate of Harvard’s Executive Education program, she has taught graduate courses at Stanford University and is opening Modelland, an interactive attraction based in Los Angeles that will allow visitors to experience a fantasy version of the modeling world.

“Tyra is a remarkably driven woman, with a keen ability to leverage the knowledge and experience gained in one phase of her life toward creating future opportunities for herself,” Hobin says. “We think that those who know her primarily as a model and television personality will be pleasantly surprised, thoroughly impressed and deeply inspired by her story, her perspective and her accomplishments.”

This year’s conference also will feature breakout sessions focused on navigating the complicated relationships, personalities and dynamics of the workplace and the impact those have on our careers and opportunities. Sessions will be led by bestselling authors and researchers including: Dr. Laura Huang (Harvard Business School professor and author of “Edge: Turning Adversity into Advantage”), Emily Esfahani Smith (Author, “The Power of Meaning”), Dr. Ramani Durvasula (Licensed Clinical Psychologist, author of “Don’t You Know Who I Am”: How to Stay Sane in the Era of Narcissism, Entitlement and Incivility”) and Jennifer Romolini (author, “Weird in a World That’s Not: A Career Guide for Misfits”)

Over its 25-year history, Bay Path University’s Women’s Leadership Conference has brought more than 23,000 attendees together, along with prominent speakers, such as, Arianna Huffington, Barbara Walters, Queen Latifah, Dr. Maya Angelou, Nicholas Kristof, and Gloria Estefan. This year’s conference promises to continue that tradition with our most exciting schedule yet. Stay tuned as we reveal our full lineup of amazing speakers.

For further information on the conference and to register, visit  www.baypathconference.com.

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About Tyra Banks

Tyra Banks is a model, producer, author, teacher and entrepreneur. Beginning her modeling career at age 15, she became the first African-American model to be featured on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. As the creator of America’s Next Top Model, she was named one of Hollywood Reporter’s “100 Most Powerful Women in Entertainment” and Entertainment Weekly’s “25 Smartest in Television,” and she was honored as one of Glamour Magazine’s “Women of the Year.” She completed the three-year Owner/President Management Program (OPM) at Harvard Business School and created the Tyra Banks Company to develop innovative products and businesses through the fashion and entertainment industries. Under her company’s umbrella, she launched Fierce Capital, which prioritizes making investments in female-driven start-ups. Her latest business venture is Tyra Beauty, a makeup line that celebrates each woman’s unique beauty. Through her non-profit organization, the TZONE Foundation, she helps young women approach life’s challenges with fierce determination in order to realize their ambitions.

About Bay Path University

Bay Path University was founded in 1897. With locations in Longmeadow (main), East Longmeadow (Philip H. Ryan Health Science Center), Springfield (MA), Sturbridge (MA), and Concord (MA), Bay Path’s innovative program offerings include traditional undergraduate degrees for women, The American Women's College on-ground and online, the first all-women, all-online accredited bachelor’s degree programs in the country; over 25 graduate programs for women and men; and Strategic Alliances, offering professional development courses for individuals and organizations. Bay Path’s goal is to give students confidence in the fundamentals of their chosen field, the curiosity to question the ordinary, the leadership to show initiative, and the desire to make a difference.

About the Women’s Leadership Conference

The Bay Path University Women’s Leadership Conference is the region’s premier women’s leadership event for professional and personal networking and enrichment. The content that attendees take away from this one-day event can be put into action to help our region grow and prosper. For twenty-four years, we have gathered as a community of women ready to honor each other’s experiences and celebrate our aspirations. With more than 23,000 attendees over the past 24 years, the conference has featured 158 prominent speakers, including Lena Waithe, Arianna Huffington, Barbara Walters, Dr. Maya Angelou, Nicholas Kristof, and Gloria Estefan.