Kathy Simmons

Group Benefit Services, Inc.

Kathy Simmons, co-founded NETSHARE.com in 1995, an online networking and job site for executives. Featured in Fortune Magazine as a pioneer site, she launched many of the networking features that were later incorporated into the LinkedIn platform. Overnight the company quadrupled in size and was voted Best Site for Executives by Forbes Magazine, remaining a “Forbes Favorite ” site for 10 years. Kathy mentored hundreds of talented executives through career and business transitions. Leveraging her talent as a “super connector,” she helped executives, entrepreneurs, and businesses connect with the talent and resources they needed to succeed.

Year appointed: 1995