Learning Lab:  Networking Readiness

Presented by Jen Coken

September 30, 2026

12pm to 1pm

Meeting details provided in the registration email.  When registering - Please register and purchase a guest ticket.

Meeting Details:

Let's be honest: most of us would rather sit in the dentist's chair than walk into a room full of strangers with a name tag and a tiny plate of appetizers. With the MDSHRM conference coming up, this Learning Lab is your chance to change that. Jen Coken, executive leadership coach, recovering stand-up comedian, and author of Make Imposter Syndrome Your Superpower, will show you how to walk into any room as yourself, start conversations that don't feel forced, and follow up in a way that turns a quick hello into a real professional relationship. Introvert, extrovert, or somewhere in between, you'll leave with a game plan for the conference and a lot less dread.

Learning Objectives:

• By the end of this Learning Lab, participants will be able to:

  1. Identify a networking approach that fits their personality and professional goals.
  2. Use practical ways to enter a room and start conversations that feel natural.
  3. Describe their work and interests in a way that invites meaningful conversation.
  4. Create a follow-up plan to turn conference introductions into professional relationships.

About our Speaker

Jen Coken is an executive coach, comedian, and truth-teller for powerhouse women in male-dominated industries. She’s coached thousands of leaders, from senior execs to scrappy startup founders. to lead with more authority, clarity, and no damn apology.

With 25+ years navigating political battlegrounds and corporate power plays, Jen’s work blends soul, strategy, and sharp insight to help women reclaim their voice and rewrite the rules. She’s the author of Make Imposter Syndrome Your Superpower and the creator of the Legacy Leadership Framework™.

Clients call her “The Velvet Sledgehammer” for a reason: she tells the truth with love and gets results that last.