In “Seeking Strength: How to Build Resilience Through Small Moments of Joy,” Lauren shares her journey from hiding her rare neuromuscular disorder to fully embracing who she is. Through personal stories — like sharing her truth on a second date — Lauren reveals how the pursuit of normalcy holds us back from confidence and connection. She introduces a simple three-step framework to help audiences let go of self-doubt, own their story, and show up fully in their lives.

With her signature concept, “The Daily Yay,” Lauren reframes resilience as an everyday practice of joy and self-acceptance. Audiences will leave inspired to stop shrinking themselves to fit in and start embracing what makes them truly unique.

By the end of this session, attendees will:

• Discover how the pursuit of "normalcy" can hold you back and discover actionable strategies to embrace your authentic self.
• Understand how sharing your story builds empathy and connection with others, while also finding your supportive community.
• Apply the "Daily Yay" method to identify and create moments of joy, reframing challenges into opportunities for growth and gratitude.

"Bias, Belief and Belonging: Rewriting Narratives on Disability and Acceptance" highlights Lauren’s journey of living with a rare neuromuscular disorder, and the pivotal moments that led her from hiding her invisible disability for over 30 years to embracing all parts of herself.

Drawing from personal experiences and workplace insights, Lauren discusses common biases surrounding disability, the societal assumptions about quality of life, and the challenges of disclosure. She highlights how sharing her story transformed her life, from finding community to inspiring others with similar experiences.

The talk also addresses the professional and personal benefits of disclosure, emphasizing how it enables individuals to connect authentically and engage fully as their whole selves. Through relatable anecdotes, disability statistics, and actionable takeaways, Lauren encourages audiences to challenge preconceived notions about disability and foster inclusivity in their spaces.

By the end of this session, attendees will:

• Understanding Disability Bias: Recognize and challenge common societal and workplace biases surrounding visible and invisible disabilities.
• The Benefits of Disclosure: Learn how the act of disclosing a disability can foster personal acceptance, strengthen community connections, and enhance workplace engagement.
• Creating Joy and Resilience: Adopt practical strategies for cultivating joy and resilience, even in the face of challenges.

In “Beyond What You See: Building Inclusion for Invisible Disabilities,” Lauren brings visibility to what often goes unseen in the workplace: invisible and non-apparent disabilities. She shares her journey of largely hiding her disability in her professional life at a nonprofit arts organization and music festival for 10+ years, and the shift that happened when she began inviting others in.

Drawing on lived experience and workplace insights, Lauren sheds light on the “disability iceberg” and the many challenges that remain hidden below the surface. She explores the intersectionality and reasons employees often choose not to disclose their disabilities, the myths and biases that shape perceptions, and how empathy-driven inclusion can transform culture.

This keynote goes beyond awareness to action, offering practical tools for colleagues and leaders to create supportive environments where disclosure feels safe and inclusion is the norm. From communication strategies to dispelling everyday myths, Lauren provides methods for workplaces to better support all employees—whether their disability is visible or not.

By the end of this session, attendees will:

• Recognize Invisible Disabilities: Understand the prevalence and diversity of invisible/non-apparent disabilities and how they impact employees at work.
• Challenge Myths and Biases: Identify common misconceptions and ableist assumptions that create barriers to inclusion.
• Foster Empathy and Belonging: Learn practical strategies to build awareness, normalize conversations, and create workplaces where employees feel supported to be their authentic selves.