Women To Watch Awards 2026 honors Kimberly S. Reed

Kimberly S. Reed, CDE® is a Culture Futurist, Founder of Reed Development Group, and a

trusted DEIBC (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging & Culture) executive advisor, keynote speaker, and bestselling author. She partners with C-suite leaders and boards to embed belonging, culture, and equity into the DNA of their organizations—transforming culture from an aspiration into a measurable driver of performance, trust, and sustainable growth.

From Boston to Dubai, Kimberly has stood on global stages, facilitated international summits, and led courageous, often uncomfortable conversations with one clear purpose: helping organizations move beyond performative commitments toward purposeful, accountable, and lasting change.

Kimberly is a member of the Rolling Stone Culture Council, an invitation-only collective of global influencers and changemakers shaping the future of culture, leadership, and innovation. She is also affiliated with RedBoxMe, in collaboration with Cartier—an innovative platform redefining how leadership, art, philanthropy, literature, sustainability, and design intersect through culture and human connection.

Recognized by Marquis Who’s Who® for her global influence and strategic leadership, Kimberly Reed is a two-time Global Influencer with DIGITALCONFEX, engaging executive audiences across Dubai, India, Malaysia, Singapore, and Amsterdam. In 2025, she was named a Philadelphia Titan 100 Honoree, recognizing CEOs and C-suite executives who exemplify vision, influence, and industry-shaping excellence.

A bestselling author, Kimberly wrote Optimists Always Win! — Moving from Defeat to Life’s C-Suite (Simon & Schuster/HCI Communications). One hundred percent of the book’s proceeds support cancer charities, reflecting her deep commitment to purpose-driven leadership and social impact.

Kimberly is a member of the Washington Speakers Bureau (WSB)—the world’s largest talent agency for corporate and leadership events—joining a distinguished roster of global leaders, Fortune 500 executives, bestselling authors, and cultural innovators who inspire action and drive results.

Her work sits at the intersection of leadership, belonging, and the future of work, guiding global organizations through disruption with clarity, courage, and cultural intelligence. She helps executives make culture the engine of innovation, trust, and long-term value creation.

Kimberly defines this moment as When Culture Leads: The New Leadership Revolution Reshaping 2026—a transformative era in which culture, not charisma, becomes the true source of competitive advantage. Today’s leaders are no longer just managing organizations; they are curating communities, shaping identity, and building ecosystems where people and performance thrive together.

As a trusted advisor to executives and enterprises, Kimberly specializes in turning culture into a strategic asset—one that accelerates engagement, strengthens trust, enhances performance, and positions organizations to lead what’s next.

Kimberly serves on several high-impact boards and advisory councils, including the Nasdaq Center for Board Excellence, Titan 100 Philadelphia, and Temple University’s College of Education and Human Development Board of Visitors.

Her work is grounded in service, legacy, and leadership. She is a proud member of The Links, Incorporated, one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of

accomplished African American women, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, a global sisterhood of more than 325,000 members committed to service, scholarship, and impact.