Women To Watch Awards 2026 honors Dr. Nicole Howard-Rice

Dr. Nicole Howard-Rice is a leadership strategist, executive advisor, and founder of Claim Your Place Consulting, LLC, a boutique firm specializing in leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and digital transformation in the AI era. With more than 20 years of experience across K–12 education systems, workforce development, and government-funded initiatives, she partners with senior leaders to strengthen decision making, elevate executive presence, and build high-performing, future-ready organizations.

She is the creator of the Leadership Readiness MatrixTM and Presence Elevation FrameworkTM, proprietary models designed to help leaders translate self-awareness into measurable performance, influence, and organizational impact. Her work sits at the intersection of leadership, technology, and human capability, advancing what she defines as Digital Humanity: the ability to lead with clarity, trust, and presence in increasingly complex, AI-influenced environments.

Dr. Howard-Rice has led large-scale initiatives with state agencies, school districts, and nonprofit organizations, including the Florida Department of Education's Institute for the Professional Development of Adult Educators (IPDAE), where she designed and delivered training impacting educators across all 67 counties. Her expertise spans strategic planning, leadership coaching, digital literacy, and systems-level transformation.

A TEDx speaker on "Digital Humanity," Dr. Howard-Rice is recognized as a global thought leader and has been named a 2026 Men & Women to Watch Honoree by Black Leaders Worldwide. She is also a member of the All-American Speakers Bureau and continues to expand her influence across corporate, government, and education sectors.

Dr. Howard-Rice holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Lynn University, along with a Master's in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor's in Ministry. Her work is grounded in a clear mission: to help leaders claim their place, lead with intention, and build legacies that extend beyond the moment.