Melissa Dawn Simkins

MELISSA DAWN SIMKINS is the CEO of Velvet Suite, an innovator in leadership and performance development. Known as a pioneer at the intersection of business, sport, and human potential, she is the founder of the Athleadership movement, a system that conditions leaders to perform under pressure and lead with purpose.

With more than two decades of experience shaping executives across Fortune 500 companies and professional sports, Simkins bridges neuroscience, performance psychology, and purpose-driven strategy to help organizations and individuals lead at the speed of change. She is also the creator of The She-Suite, a leadership platform advancing working women worldwide.

Her work has been featured by CNBC, Inc., CNN, and Fox Business, and she has advised CEOs, athletes, and cultural icons on how to turn purpose into performance when it matters most.

Her mission is to build leaders and organizations that win from within. She is a wife, mom and passionate wellness advocate and athlete who lives in Virginia.