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Dia on Women and Work-Life Balance: "Juggling is What Clowns Do!"

According to Dia Simms, "There is no work-life balance. Not for the women that I know." For her, life is not a matter of keeping multiple balls in the air at once ("Juggling is what clowns do!"). It's about taking on every aspect of your life from a batting cage — focusing all of your force on one ball at a time. From her daughter's science fair to negotiating a $100 million deal, Dia is 100% present on each ball in each moment. In this inspiring speech, CEO/mom/wife/philanthropist/award-winning entrepreneurial business leader Simms outlines how women can go from juggling it all to hitting life, family and career out of the park.

The Clipboard Effect: Letting Men Know You Mean Business

From the Department of Defense to the world of Hip Hop to CEO of Lobos 1707, Dia Simms knows how it feels to be the only woman at the table. Her signature success strategy is "the clipboard effect." As a young woman in her 20s working big events, Dia discovered that carrying a clipboard communicated to everyone in the room that "I’m here for work." Later, she developed a "theoretical clipboard" of making the level of value that she brings to the table clear in every conversation. In this empowering talk, Dia helps audiences discover what their own theoretical clipboard could be — while sharing her ever-candid wisdom about rising to the top in a man's world.

Fueling Your Brand

Content. Entertainment. Fashion. Fragrance. Retail. Now, tequila. Dia Simms has distinguished herself as the visionary creative and marketing force behind multiple global brands in multiple industries. A pioneer in utilizing social media and digital innovation, she has been named both an Ad Age Woman to Watch and a winner of the Diageo Global Marketing Brilliance Award. Now at the forefront of branding for the tequila industry, she shares her insights on what it takes to build, lead and manage successful brands — and how to fuel yours for success.

Dia on Diversity: Stop Seeing It as a Favor. It’s Great for Business

The most recent McKinsey report on shows that companies in the top 25% for ethnic diversity at the executive level are 33% more likely to have above-average profitability than those at the bottom 25%. Dia Simms saw that in action as President of Combs Enterprises. Combs Enterprises, a company renowned for its ability to see trends, innovate, connect with consumers, retain great employees, and achieve enormous business success. All benefits that Dia attributes to both the diversity of the team and leadership. Speaking as a rare African American CEO and from her experience recruiting, building and leading highly effective, diverse teams, Dia provides insightful recommendations to increase diversity and drive success.