Her Story
About Lindsey
Lindsey Simmons, M.A., is a marketing technology leader with a diverse background spanning higher education, healthcare, insurance, customer success, and digital marketing. She currently serves as Director of Marketing Technology for Digital Learning at University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she leads the strategy, governance, and evolution of the university’s marketing technology ecosystem. In this role, she partners across marketing, analytics, enrollment, and IT teams to create scalable, data-driven solutions that improve processes, strengthen communication, and support innovation in online and professional education.
With a foundation in accounting and a Master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from St. Bonaventure University, Simmons has built a unique career at the intersection of strategy, technology, and customer experience. Her professional journey includes leadership roles at ClearBalance HealthCare, where she advanced from Sales & Marketing Automation Specialist to Customer Success Director and Marketing Director. Throughout her career, she has led CRM implementations, marketing automation initiatives, and customer engagement strategies using platforms such as Salesforce, Marketo, and HubSpot, while helping organizations improve operational efficiency and revenue growth.
As a first-generation college graduate, Simmons is especially passionate about expanding access to high-quality education and creating systems that empower both teams and learners to succeed. She is known for translating complex technical possibilities into practical, impactful solutions that foster collaboration, innovation, and continuous growth. In addition to her professional leadership, she is actively involved in community service through Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee, reflecting her commitment to mentorship and meaningful community engagement.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lindsey
01What do you attribute your success to?
I'm really proud of the tenacity and determination I've had to move and drive myself into roles that I'm truly passionate about and that I enjoy. I've had a non-traditional career path and have transitioned throughout a few different companies and roles, and I'm really proud of how far I've come with staying true to myself. I'd say overall I'm proud of the path I've taken and staying true to myself, and always staying aligned with my needs and where I'm passionate, so that I know I can perform at the highest level for whoever I'm working for. I definitely think that my experience as an NFL cheerleader for the Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Falcons has shaped me into the confident, capable woman that I am today. That experience, along with learning from amazing mentors and being willing to take leaps of faith into new opportunities, has contributed to who I am today.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say be open to any opportunity. It might not be specifically what you are looking for or need, however, you can translate a lot of what you learn in your working experience into different fields. My career is a great example - when I was young, I was just eager to get out and get experience, and with taking that leap of faith and moving into the nonprofit world, it wasn't necessarily a clear path where I was going, but it was a great opportunity at the time and I took advantage of the opportunity and learning new skills and a new industry. I would say just be open to learning and digging into the work yourself, and your career path will unfold before your eyes. Just be willing to learn and to dig in and be eager to drive results.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Family is most important to me - I have two young boys and I'm a t-ball mom now. I'm really focused on being present for them, which is why I made the transition back into marketing from customer success so I could be home more with my babies and not travel as much. I took a year off to be with my two children when it was 2 under 2, which was the hardest job but also the most rewarding. I've learned a lot about time management and how to switch gears from the working corporate world into mom mode - I have to be on for those two little boys once I shut the laptop off at 5 or 5:30. I'm also passionate about supporting my husband in his ventures, including his time as a high school baseball coach, and being involved with that community to help raise strong, competent, resilient young men. Being the coach's wife, there's a lot that goes into that as well. Now I'm transitioning that support into being a t-ball mom for my young son.
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