The 2nd Annual Global Motherhood Leadership Summit 2025 Successfully Held in Boston on Mother’s Day

On Mother’s Day 2025, the 2nd Annual Global Motherhood Leadership Summit (GMLS) was successfully held in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Founded by Dr. Yanli He, Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, GMLS 2025 was organized by the Post-Pandemic Leadership Research Institute (PLRI), partnered with Dobe WE” Co-working Space, and proudly sponsored by H2O Head Care. This year’s summit integrated principles of organizational leadership into the lived experiences of motherhood, bringing together a diverse range of mothers from various countries, professional backgrounds, age groups, and educational levels. The event filled Boston and the Harvard campus with positive energy, creative ideas, and heartfelt moments. Participants inspired and uplifted one another, fostered meaningful collaboration, and celebrated Mother’s Day in unity. 

Mothers in leadership roles from the United States, China, Russia, India, Spain, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Puerto Rico participated in the summit. Attendees represented various states across the U.S., including Massachusetts, California, Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida, and New York. Participants ranged in age from 28 to 64 and held a wide array of leadership positions, such as government directors, corporate presidents, CEOs, managers, administrators, researchers, and founders of businesses and organizations. Their educational backgrounds spanned from associate degrees to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. They came from diverse professional sectors, including government, education, consulting, finance, accounting, personal services, healthcare, sales, design, real estate, biology, and ministry. 

Opening Ceremony

The opening of GMLS 2025 was announced by Tetyana Didenko, Miss Worldwide 2024 and Body Language Expert. As one of the inaugural speakers at GMLS 2024, Tetyana returned in 2025 to serve as the Director of GMLS.

In celebration of this special Mother’s Day, the summit began with a moving musical offering by one of its keynote speakers, Yufang Liu: Ave Maria, Prelude No. 1 in C Major – “Sanctuary”—a timeless composition inspired by the brilliance of Bach and Gounod, reimagined through the warm and delicate performance of Yufang Liu and James Woodward. This heartfelt musical prelude beautifully embodied the unique leadership traits of mothers: care, empathy, adaptability, and courage, and perfectly aligned with the vision and mission of the Global Motherhood Leadership Summit.

Opening Keynote Address

Dr. Yanli He, President of the PLRI welcomed attendees and delivered the opening keynote address, titled “Redefining Leadership Through the Lens of Motherhood and Organizational Leadership Theory.” In this keynote, Dr. He introduced the five core dimensions of Motherhood Leadership: (1) Leadership Traits of Mothers, (2) Leadership Behaviors for Mothers, (3) Leadership Dynamics for Mothers, (4) Virtual Team Leadership for Mothers, and (5) Relationship Building. She explored how the unique traits often embodied by mothers, such as care, empathy, adaptability, courage, and generosity, influence effective leadership behaviors in professional settings. Drawing from real-life experiences, Dr. He illustrated how these maternal traits significantly contribute to employee retention, engagement, motivation, the development of next-generation leaders, effective communication, customer service, and conflict resolution, especially in today’s virtual and AI-driven workplace.

Drawing on findings from her recent research study, “A Phenomenological Study Exploring the Influence of Leadership Traits on Virtual Teams’ Performance and Sustainability to Achieve Longevity in Silicon Valley” (He, Y., 2023), Dr. He emphasized the vital role of relationship-building in today’s virtual and AI-driven era. Moreover, Dr. He highlighted the importance of cultivating interpersonal connections through the camera, as well as the impact of offline interactions in strengthening trust and relationships in the digital age, demonstrating one of the core purposes of GMLS. 

Opening Greetings from Selected Speakers at GMLS 2024

Several distinguished speakers at GMLS 2024 shared heartfelt opening greetings, including:

• Tetyana Didenko, Miss Worldwide 2024
  Certified Executive Coach (ICF) and Body Language Expert

• Chelsea Guo, Founder & CEO of Blue Danube Healing Center

• Orchid Lan, CEO of Ying International Co., Ltd.

• Valeriya Kovbuz, Mental Well-Being Coach specializing in Transactional Analysis and Selection Committee Member for GMLS 2025

• Jeannelle A. Benek (via Zoom from Miami), Director of the Center for Music Therapy in End-of-Life Care and Minister of Discipleship, Missions & Care

Each speaker fondly reflected on the inspiring memories of the inaugural GMLS 2024 in Miami and extended their warmest wishes for the continued success of GMLS 2025. All expressed their ongoing commitment to support and attend the summit annually.

Keynote Speakers & Topics

The Global Motherhood Leadership Summit 2025 featured an impressive lineup of distinguished keynote speakers who shared powerful and deeply personal stories that inspired and moved the audience. Keynote speakers’ heartfelt messages resonated with the spirit of the event. The summit was filled with emotional moments—warm, powerful, and unforgettable. Below is a list of keynote speakers and their featured addresses:

1. Neetu Rishi, Mrs. India Universe 2023
   Founder of The Success Door, Creator of the FLY (First Love Yourself) Showcase
   Keynote: “The Hidden CEO in Every Mother”

2. Eliz Nestorov (via Zoom from Philadelphia)

Founder & CEO of AKAEVA Consulting, LLC

Keynote: “The Emotionally Intelligent Mother: Leading with Openness, Acceptance, and Belonging in a Global Society” 

3. Dr. Qiuyan Zhao, MD, MBA

Founder & President of Bowen Therapeutics Inc., Bowen Bioscience LLC, and Biobarn Corp Inc.

Keynote: “It Takes Generations to Raise a Child” 

4. Jessica Caresse White

Founder & CEO of J.Caresse & Company, Managing Director, Coach & IT Consultant

Keynote: “The Impact of Intuitive Leadership” 

5. Chelsea Guo
Founder & CEO of Blue Danube Healing Center
Keynote: “A Single Mom’s Lessons Learned in Motherhood”

Translator: Yue Zhang

6. Tetyana Didenko, Miss Worldwide 2024

Director of GMLS, Certified Executive Coach (ICF), Body Language Expert

Keynote: “Remote Influence: Body Language Techniques for Digital Leadership Success” 

7. Nataliia Oleshko (via Zoom from Barcelona, Spain)

Psychologist

Keynote: “The Invisible Rules That Drive Us: How to Recognize Them and Lead with Freedom”

8. Weiwei Sun

Head of Sales Operations, Asia Pacific & Americas – Siemens Healthineers, Ultrasound Division

Keynote: “Leading with Strength and Empathy: The Impact of Motherhood Traits on Business and Beyond” 

9. Valeriya Kovbuz
Mental Well-Being Coach in Transactional Analysis
Keynote: “How Routine Builds Emotional Safety in Teams and Families”

10. Yufang Liu

First Place Winner, American Protégé International Music Talent Competition Spring 2025; Founder, Injury-Free Arts Academy

Keynote: “Injury-Free Music, Infinite Love: A Mother’s Vision” (Delivered via YouTube) 

11. Barbara Liang

Founder & CEO of ABC Education Group

Keynote: “The Transformative Power of Motherly Compassion” 

12. Jeannelle A. Benek (via Zoom from Miami)

Executive in Faith-Based Nonprofits and Adult Continuing Education 

13. Amy Fang Wu

Founder & CEO of Amee’s Medical SPA and Asian American Wellness & Beauty Association (AAWBA)

Keynote: “How the Multiple Roles of Mothers Translate into Extraordinary Achievement” 

14. Pricilla Ricapa

Voice in AI, Finance & Strategy Leader, Davos WEF 2025; Director of Finance & Operations

Keynote: “AI, Motherhood & the Future of Leadership in the 5th Industrial Revolution” 

15. Orchid Lan , CEO of Ying International Co., Ltd

Keynote: “A single mother’s adventure with three boys in Silicon Valley”

16. Marta Alexandrovna (via Zoom from Miami)

Artist; Founder & CEO of FINEART MA LLC

Keynote: “The Art of Being a Mother” 

17. Kaitlin McCarthy

Founder & CEO of Ionic Development

Keynote: “Lessons from the Original CEO: Mom” 

18. Rosa Zhang

Realtor, Keller Williams Realty

Keynote: “Growing Together with My Child — Becoming a Lifelong Role Model of Learning and Perseverance” 

19. Amy Rockefeller

 Managing Partner, AR Global Consulting | Investor

 Keynote: “Designing the Structure of Motherhood Leadership: From Multiple Identities to Systems Thinking” 

20. Elaine Yuan

Innovation Consultant, Investing for Impact

Keynote: “Leading with Purpose: From Healthcare Roots to Global Innovation” 

Inclusive Engagement

The GMLS 2025 hosted open forums on topics related to motherhood and leadership, encouraging audience participation. All attendees, including their spouses and children, were invited to share their stories and insights related to the summit’s themes. A memorable highlight came when Dr. Robert Wu, husband of keynote speaker Amy Fang Wu, gave a heartfelt performance of the song “The Power of Love.” His performance brought the summit to an emotional and uplifting moment, filling the room with joy, strength, and a powerful presence from the fathers’ side.

Networking Party

At the networking party, participants were warmly encouraged to share their stories and the wisdom gained from their unique life experiences. From navigating the challenges of parenthood and balancing career and family, to resolving conflicts and overcoming personal struggles, each story offered both inspiration and meaningful insight. The event provided a powerful opportunity for connection, support, and mutual empowerment through the sharing of real-life journeys.

Looking Ahead

The GMLS 2025 emphasized the interconnectedness of motherhood, leadership, wisdom, beauty, and ethics, incorporating the dimensions of leadership in motherhood, and fostering passion, unity, collaboration, innovation, and friendship among participants. The third annual GMLS 2026 is scheduled to be held on Mother’s Day in San Francisco.

May God continue to use ordinary women to accomplish extraordinary works for His glory!