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Laysha Ward

2025 Speaker

Learning Stage

LAYSHA WARD is an accomplished C-suite executive with nearly 33 years of leadership experience at Target. She has demonstrated an ability to lead through rapid change, solve problems, build innovative community programs, and collaborate with key stakeholders to support organizational goals and objectives. Her upcoming book, Lead Like You Mean It: Lessons on Integrity and Purpose From the C-Suite, will be released in February 2025. In 2008, President Bush nominated, and the U.S. Senate confirmed, Ms. Ward to serve on the board of directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the nation’s largest grantmaker for volunteering and service. She continued on the board under the Obama Administration, where she served as board chair. She is a member of the Economic Clubs of Chicago and New York, Executive Leadership Council, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Black Women on Boards and Women Corporate Directors – Tampa Bay Chapter. She serves on the nonprofit boards of the Minnesota Orchestra and the Northside Achievement Zone, as well as the board of Minnesota Sports and Events and the for-profit boards of Denny’s Corporation and United Airlines Holdings, Inc. Ms. Ward received a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University, Master’s degree from the University of Chicago, and an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs.