Debora Spar
Harvard Business School Senior Associate Dean of Business and Global Society

Dena Simmons, Ed.D., is a lifelong activist, educator and student of life. A native of the Bronx, New York, Simmons grew up in a one-bedroom apartment with her two sisters and immigrant mother. There, she learned and lived the violence of injustice and inequity and decided to dedicate her life to educating and empowering others. As the Director of Education at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, she supports schools throughout the nation and world to use the power of emotions to create a more effective and compassionate society.
Prior to her work at the Center, Simmons served as an educator, teacher educator, diversity facilitator and curriculum developer. She is a leading voice on teacher education and has spoken across the country about social justice pedagogy, diversity, education reform, emotional intelligence and bullying in K-12 school settings, including the United Nations and two TEDx talks. She writes and has written for numerous outlets including Teaching Tolerance, Bright on Medium, Feminist Teacher and Feministing. Simmons has been profiled in the Huffington Post, the AOL/PBS project, "MAKERS: Women Who Make America," and a Beacon Press Book, Do It Anyway: The New Generation of Activists.
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Looking to book Dena Simmons for your next event? As a Educator, Director of Education at Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, Dena Simmons brings a powerful story and engaging presence to corporate events, conferences, leadership programs, charity galas, and special appearances. The speaking fee for Dena Simmons typically falls within the $30,000 - $50,000 range, depending on factors such as event location, type, and duration. Speaker Booking Agency offers transparent pricing and will provide a detailed quote tailored to your event needs. To check availability, request a quote, or learn more about booking Dena Simmons, contact Speaker Booking Agency at 888-752-5831 or submit a booking request.
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Harvard Business School Senior Associate Dean of Business and Global Society
Co-Founder of Coursera an Online Education Platform
Educational Theorist, Author, Keynote Speaker
Senior Lecturer on Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education
Anthropologist, University Distinguished Scholar, Kansas State University
Respected Educator, Advocate for Innovative Teaching Known as “The Tattooed Professor"
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