Thought Leadership

Every story leaves a ripple. Over the years, mine have found their way into articles, onto the pages of books, and into projects I’ve been proud to coauthor. Each collaboration has been a chance to spark ideas, inspire action, and connect with new voices. Now, an exciting new chapter is about to begin. My next book is on the way, and I can’t wait for you to be part of the journey.

Quoted In...

“The right culture fosters innovation, promotes inclusion, engages employees and contributes to business success,” Simon-Walters said. “It’s what makes the company tick. HR can set in motion the creation of company values, programs and leadership practices to build a unique culture that becomes a company’s competitive advantage.”

Contributed to...

"After years of wearing weaves and trying to make my hair look flowy, I realized that none of this investment in my appearance translated into actual dollars on my paycheck. I was still earning far less than my non-Black colleagues."

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Dr. Joanne Simon-Walters is known for creating works that do more than inform—they ignite change. She contributed to Women of Color and Hair Bias in the Work Environment, a groundbreaking exploration of identity, bias, and belonging. She is also a co-author of bestselling PHR/SPHR and aPHR certification bundles that have helped thousands of HR professionals advance their careers. Through her widely acclaimed LinkedIn Learning courses, such as Employee Experience, Leading Through Chaos, and Building Inclusive Work Communities, Joanne distills complex workplace and leadership concepts into clear, actionable guidance trusted by professionals worldwide.

Her career has spanned boardrooms, classrooms, and TEDx stages, where she has shaped leaders, strengthened organizations, and built cultures where people don’t just work—they flourish. Every book, course, and keynote she creates is rooted in that same mission: to transform the way we lead and the way we live.

Now, with her upcoming release, Life. Leadership. COLOR: The Transformation Spectrum, Joanne steps into her most personal work yet. Told through the lens of fiction, Life is a bold exploration of identity, resilience, and renewal. It’s a story of one woman’s unflinching journey through loss, belonging, and rebirth—a journey that mirrors the hidden battles so many of us face.

While Life is a novel, its truths run deep. It’s about breaking generational patterns, rewriting your narrative, and finding joy on the other side of struggle. Whether you’re navigating the complexities of leadership, building a career, or reclaiming pieces of yourself that the world tried to take, Joanne’s words are a companion for your journey.

Life invites readers to step out of survival mode and into the full spectrum of who they are meant to be—vivid, whole, and free.