Gayle King returning to region to lead Bay Path’s Women’s Leadership Conference

LONGMEADOW ― Gayle King will return to familiar territory this spring when she headlines Bay Path University’s 29th annual Women’s Leadership Conference on April 2, bringing the CBS News co-anchor back to the region where many first watched her anchor the news.

The conference, now in its 29th year, is expected to draw thousands to the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield for a full day of leadership training, professional development and conversations with nationally recognized speakers.

The event, run by Bay Path University, has grown into one of the region’s biggest gatherings for women in business.

The conference has attracted more than 52,000 attendees since its inception and featuring past speakers such as Queen Latifah, Tyra Banks, Jane Fonda, Maya Angelou, Robin Roberts, Hoda Kotb and Barbara Corcoran.

The goal is to offer attendees inspiration along with practical advice they can use 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,” Woods said.

King has spent her years at CBS News interviewing a wide range of major figures — from presidents and cultural leaders to entertainers like Billie Eilish and tech executives such as Elon Musk.

Bay Path’s announcement notes that King’s reporting on topics such as social issues, politics, pop culture, history and race has earned her three Emmy Awards, a 2018 induction into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame, and a spot on Time’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in 2019.

King has often spoken about how spending part of her childhood in Ankara, Turkey, while her father was stationed there shaped her worldview and gave her an early appreciation for life beyond the United States.

She has also joked that she majored in psychology at the University of Maryland because she “loves giving unsolicited advice,” a trait that has long shown up in her warm, direct interview style.

“We always start the day with a jolt, and this year, our morning speaker is Juliet Funt,” said Woods.

Funt, is a nationally recognized workplace efficiency expert and CEO of the Juliet Funt Group, known for helping organizations cut through “busywork” to focus on meaningful productivity.

She is frequent contributor to outlets such as Forbes and Fast Company and has advised Fortune 500 companies including Google, Costco, Nike and Spotify.

Woods said Funt is dynamic and compelling, and speaks a lot about distinguishing productivity from business, which is something everyone can relate to.

Entrepreneur and brand strategist Michelle Poler will bring her “Hello Fears” message to the lunchtime program. She has delivered her talks to groups at TEDx, Google, Facebook, Wells Fargo, ESPN, P&G and Microsoft.

The conference’s breakout sessions will be led by business experts and coaches.

Quinnipiac University professor Tamilla Triantoro will explore how AI is changing leadership, while advisor Melissa Majors will tackle issues like burnout and workplace disconnection.

Additional speakers include Erin Stafford, who focuses on balance, and Sheree Cain‑Jones, who shares strategies shaped by her own lived experience.