Kimberly Simpson is a sought-after expert on governance matters, frequently addressing topics such as board-C-suite relationships, corporate board transformations, and the future of directorship. Her legal acumen and deep nonprofit governance experience have guided leading, high-profile organizations in navigating complex and fast-changing business, legal, and regulatory landscapes, ultimately enhancing their ability to provide top-tier stakeholder service and value.

As NACD’s COO and General Counsel, she ensures that NACD's operations align with its strategic objectives. This includes overseeing the engagement and support of NACD's 24,000+ members and its more than 20 Chapters in 35+ locations across the United States. Additionally, Simpson serves as corporate secretary for the boards of NACD and the NACD Corporate Directors Institute®.

Prior to joining NACD, Simpson held several executive roles, including executive vice president at Sanford Health, the largest rural, not-for-profit health-care system in the nation, and was the first president of the Edith Sanford Breast Cancer Foundation, driving initiatives to advance breast cancer research and treatment.

Simpson was also formerly the COO for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, where she led the network of more than 120 local affiliates across the United States and was responsible for the organization’s legal, HR, IT, and internal communications functions. Additionally, she was the secretary to the board of directors and was a board member of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance, Komen's Washington, DC-based policy group. .

At Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Simpson served as vice president and general counsel, where she played a pivotal role in shaping the hospital's legal strategies and policies. Her work ensured the hospital's compliance with health-care regulations and contributed to its reputation as the nation's leading pediatric orthopedic hospital.

She holds a juris doctor from the University of California, Berkeley, and is admitted to practice law in California, Virginia (as in-house counsel), and Texas (inactive). Simpson also earned a master of arts in journalism from The University of Texas at Austin, a bachelor of arts in Spanish summa cum laude from The University of Alabama, and was a US Marshall Memorial Fellow to Europe. /p>

Signature Topics

Boardroom Turnaround: From Dysfunction to Direction
Dysfunction often hides in unexpected places—in board packs, succession planning, continuing education, and even in the relationship between the board and management. Boards can rebuild the foundational elements that drive their effectiveness, but it takes leadership, self-reflection, and clarity of purpose. A future-ready board prioritizes continuous improvement, embraces candid dialogue, and aligns structure with strategy. The audience will learn how the strongest boards become wired to lead, with discipline and intention.

Trust, Tension and Turning Points: The Human Side of Board Performance
High-performing boards are shaped by the people in the room. Directors who listen more than they speak. Chairs who invite dissent and model humility. CEOs and general counsel setting the stage for hard, yet productive, conversations at the right moment. Kimberly Simpson will discuss how behind every effective board is a culture built on trust, curiosity, and courage.

Other Topics

From the C-suite to the Boardroom
Getting on a board takes more than strong credentials. It requires strategic clarity, the right relationships, and a clear sense of how you add value in the boardroom. Kimberly Simpson’s deep governance expertise will help prospective (and even current) directors to chart a path to the boardroom and position themselves as a strategic, trusted advisor on oversight, risk, and long-term value creation. From refining your narrative to expanding your network, this talk offers practical guidance for leaders ready to take the first steps in their board service journey.