Laysha Ward is a nationally recognized C-suite executive with over 32 years of leadership at Target, a Fortune 50 company. Rising from the sales floor to executive leadership, she brings a purpose-driven approach to business, grounded in her rural Indiana roots and belief in creating equitable opportunities for all. Known for aligning values with impact, she led major initiatives such as Target’s $1 billion pledge to education and its partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
In her upcoming book, Lead Like You Mean It: Lessons on Integrity and Purpose from the C-Suite, Ward shares insights on leading a life of alignment between personal purpose and professional impact. Bestselling author Arthur Brooks praised the book as “an important primer” on finding meaning in both life and work.
Ward has been appointed to national leadership roles, including by the President to the Corporation for National and Community Service, and serves on corporate boards like United Airlines and Denny’s, as well as nonprofits such as the Minnesota Orchestra and Northside Achievement Zone. In 2019, she received an honorary doctorate from the University of Minnesota and delivered the commencement address at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
A LinkedIn Top Voice with nearly 500,000 followers, Ward authors the “Laysha’s Lessons” newsletter, sharing insights on purpose-led leadership. She has appeared on national platforms like the Aspen Institute and the National Urban League, and interviewed cultural leaders including Glennon Doyle, Issa Rae, and Chef José Andrés.
With expertise spanning strategy, stakeholder engagement, and community impact, Ward offers a compelling model for leadership rooted in integrity, inclusion, and meaningful progress.
Speech topics include:
Lead Like You Mean It
Drawing from her life and over 30 years at a Fortune 50 company, Ward offers practical guidance for every stage of life and career. Each lesson delivers insights grounded in decades of experience and is anchored in a commitment to purpose-driven service.
Living an Intentionally Connected Life
Great leaders don’t lead alone; their strength comes from meaningful relationships. At the core of Ward’s leadership philosophy is authentic connection. In this session, she explores both the practical strategies and deeper principles behind building and maintaining real human bonds.
The Power of Listening
True communication depends just as much on listening as it does on speaking. Ward breaks down three key listening styles: listening to win, listening to fix, and listening to learn and understand. Most of us default to the first two—she teaches how to shift toward the third, and why it matters.
A Conversation with Laysha Ward
Rose from sales floor to Target’s C-suite in 32 years
Led $1B education pledge and partnership with St. Jude Hospital
Known for purpose-driven leadership and values-aligned business strategy
Directed Target Foundation, driving inclusive, community-focused programming nationwide
Navigated complex challenges while leading cross-sector, high-impact initiatives
Appointed to Corporation for National and Community Service by President
Honored with honorary doctorate by University of Minnesota in 2019
Delivered commencement speech at Humphrey School of Public Affairs
Recognized for civic leadership and advancing racial and economic equity
Serves as national voice on corporate responsibility and community impact
Board director at United Airlines and Denny’s Corporation
Serves nonprofits: Minnesota Orchestra and Northside Achievement Zone
Expert in stakeholder engagement and organizational transformation strategies
Advises on governance, social impact, and inclusive business practices
Author of Lead Like You Mean It, releasing soon
Book praised by Arthur Brooks as meaningful leadership guide
LinkedIn Top Voice with nearly 500,000 purpose-driven followers
Publishes “Laysha’s Lessons” newsletter on leadership and impact
Featured speaker at Aspen Institute and National Urban League
University of Minnesota honorary doctorate for service and leadership
Celebrated for corporate and civic innovation across multiple sectors
Recognized as trailblazer for women and leaders of color
Hi. We are Jay Siegan Presents. We are the talent liaisons that curate, ideate, and connect you to the right artists to transform special events into experiences of a lifetime. Our roots are those of musicologists and culture hawks, deeply embedded in the living performing arts. This is the foundation of our work, the soul of our business, and what we've been doing for over 25 years. We have the capacity and capability to bring any artist from anywhere in the world to your event.
We are the talent liaisons that curate, ideate, and connect you to the right artists to transform special events into experiences of a lifetime. Our roots are those of musicologists and culture hawks, deeply embedded in the living performing arts. This is the foundation of our work, the soul of our business, and what we've been doing for over 25 years. We have the capacity and capability to bring any artist from anywhere in the world to your event.
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