A professor and women’s leadership expert, Dr. Marilou Ryder offers readers and audiences compelling research and tools to lead a more confident and empowered life.  An educator with over a decade of CEO experience leading large school districts, Dr. Ryder has been on the front line of the changing nature of women in the workplace. In Don’t Forget Your Sweater, Girl: Sister to Sister Secrets for Aging with Purpose and Humor, Ryder uses personal stories from women to provide insight into aging and how women can stay relevant in their senior years. 

Her new book, co-authored with her sister, Don’t Forget Your Lipstick Girl, Sister to Sister Secrets for Gaining Confidence, Courage, and Power uses interviews and research to provide insight on how women can access their personal power to become more confident and influential both at work and in personal environments.

Marilou Ryder, a professor for the doctoral program at UMASS Global, is a passionate proponent of self-empowerment through evidence-based techniques. Through her writing, speaking, and research, she galvanizes others to summon their best selves to approach life’s challenges by accessing their personal power.

A sought-after engaging and humorous speaker, Ryder has been honored with numerous awards over her career. Among the most prominent, she has been named a Top Ten Business Women of the Year, California Administrator of the Year, Johns Hopkins Administrator of the Year and most recently Brandman University Faculty of the Year.