Melody Simmons-Hudson

Melody Simmons-Hudson is a thought leader and sought-after expert on pay equity and workplace inclusion. She has built a reputation for empowering women to secure fair compensation and leadership opportunities. As the founder of The Equal Balance Movement, she equips women with the tools and confidence to negotiate pay, build lasting wealth, and thrive in their careers. She co-authored The Invisible Women: Addressing the Intersection of Pay and Racism in the Workplace, addressing the systemic challenges faced by women of color and guiding them to advocate for their worth, visibility, and respect.

Melody partners with leading organizations to facilitate workshops and conferences on career empowerment, workplace equity, professional development, and salary negotiation, helping to create inclusive, high-impact workplaces. She serves on the Executive Committee of the CSU East Bay Alumni Association Board as Treasurer. A passionate advocate for developing future leaders, Melody mentors young women and girls, fostering growth to prepare them for success in both their personal and professional lives.

Through her Equal Pay = Power initiative, she tackles the gender pay gap with a focus on the stark disparities faced by women, providing actionable solutions to achieve equity. Melody’s expertise has been featured on local news, where she provides data-driven insights on Equal Pay policies and the current state of the workplace for women. She has also collaborated with the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls (CCSWG) as a speaker for their Equal Pay Pledge Educational Briefing on Black Women’s Equal Pay Day and contributed to The First Partner’s Equal Pay Playbook initiative, advancing critical efforts to close the pay gap for women across industries.

Inspired by Audre Lorde’s words, “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own,” I am committed to empowering women by advocating for pay equity, leadership opportunities, and financial independence. Through my work as an advisor for Until There Are Nine, I help women recognize their worth, negotiate confidently, and navigate career growth, ensuring they break through systemic barriers and thrive in leadership. Together, we can shape a future where ALL women are seen, respected, and empowered.

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