Dr. Nicole K. Grimes is an award-winning education consultant, professional development leader, and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in STEM education. As a former high school principal in New York City and adjunct assistant professor at institutions like Columbia University and NYU, Dr. Grimes has made a lasting impact on students and educators alike. She holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University, an M.A. in Secondary Science Education from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in Urban Education with a focus on Mathematics, Science, and Technology from CUNY.

Dr. Grimes is known for breaking barriers. In 2015, Dr. Grimes made history as the first woman of color lay principal at the top-ranked Dominican Academy girls’ high school. Since transitioning to full-time consulting in 2018, she founded the Carib Biz Network (CBN), a thriving business development ecosystem dedicated to supporting Caribbean entrepreneurs in North America. With over 700 members, CBN offers workshops, webinars, and marketing services to empower small and medium businesses.

This year, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Grimes to the panel on “The Future of Leadership: Opportunities, Risks, Rewards,” where she will share her unique insights on leadership, education, and entrepreneurship.