Jen Slaw
Jen Slaw works with companies struggling to keep up with constant change and looking to improve employee engagement, productivity and innovation.
She's shared her unique approach to problem solving and life juggling on ABC News, Fox, Huffington Post Live, Good Day Sacramento, Good Day Philadelphia, the Late Show with David Letterman, the Today Show plaza (where she "huggled" Al Roker), Off-Broadway and TEDx stages & more. Her audiences engage and learn to be more balanced, productive, creative problem solvers, effective collaborators, and agents of positive change.
Jen's interactive keynote experiences and training programs provide hands-on learning and engagement that results in meaningful insights and tools for adopting a growth mindset, integrating work/life, staying nimble in the face of change, strengthening teams, and creating a positive work environment.
A former structural engineer and world-record holding "expert juggler" (New York Times), Jen demonstrates how to balance responsibilities, engage a team, and lead through purpose, process, and practice. Participants have fun physically experiencing the process of working together to learn something new, cementing concepts that will be remembered long past the conference closing session.
Years as a professional performer give Jen a unique, dynamic and engaging edge as a speaker, workshop leader or host/emcee. She models how leaders must navigate the delicate balance of engagement and execution. Past clients range from corporations like American Express, Amsurg, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Genentech, Investors Bank, Skanska USA, Starwood Hotels and Turner Construction to non-profit organizations like Entrepreneurs' Organization and Exponent Philanthropy.
Jen also serves as Executive Director of the non-profit Juggling Life Inc, an organization with a mission to engage, inspire, and emotionally heal ill and disadvantaged youth through unique performing arts programs, guiding them to redefine what's possible in their lives.
Jen holds degrees in Engineering and Art from Swarthmore College.
The Power of Practice: Building Systems for Success
It is critical for leaders and business owners to establish a system of best practices. Systems transform organizations. Actions taken or objectives given without direction, coaching, or proper practice will negatively impact organizational growth and results. Leaders must identify priorities and establish sustainability through consistent practice.
- Learn to step back and assess current practices, determining true cause & effect. “Am I making assumptions about something I know or that my staff knows what to do? How can I break this process down?”
- Create a collaborative environment build on trust. Learn to delegate and consult with a mentor or advisor to identify priorities and assess system effectiveness.
- Take ownership of the outcome, maintaining focus and commitment to vision.
- How to establish best practices and learn from mistakes, creating consistent habits that over time will lead to performance and results.
In this session, attendees are entertained and inspired by juggling as a metaphor for balancing work and life priorities and collaboration. Interactive modules enable participants to physically experience the focus and flexibility necessary to achieve and maintain balance. Audience members learn:
- Skills to create a dynamic balance and strengthen connections between the “balls” of life
- Organizational skills and tips for prioritizing
- How to focus on one thing at a time in the midst of many moving parts
- How to transform challenges into opportunities
- Benefits of flexibility, patience, and consistent practice
- How to discover and develop your passion and purpose
Strategies for building a fulfilling and whole life as we strive for balance.
As professional women, we are constantly juggling, and every now and then we drop a ball. How can we work towards creating a dynamic balance and build a strong support system?
- Strategies for more effectively balancing work and life
- The importance of prioritization, time management and developing a process
- To make time to recharge, de-stress, and tap into passion and creativity
- To let go of perfectionism
- How to ask for help and build an effective support system
- That mistakes and obstacles can be opportunities for change and growth
A team can be a powerful strategy for achieving a goal. Learn how to work together more effectively.
Building a strong, cohesive team, as well as mutually beneficial client relationships and business partnerships can be powerful tools for productivity, goal achievement, and creative problem solving and critical for any strategic planning process. In this interactive session, participants learn to:
- Utilize the strengths and learning styles of each unique member to craft mutually beneficial collaborations
- Create a plan of action for goal achievement
- Break down a problem into smaller, achievable steps
- Connect and communicate while challenging and supporting team members
- Build trust and confidence
Growth and change are a vital part of any strategic plan to stay at the forefront of innovation. Let’s not just manage it, but CREATE it.
Participants learn:
- How the process of learning to juggle can help us reprogram and question WHY we do something a certain way
- To set big personal and team goals
- Principles of creative thinking and problem solving
- How to create change and manage resistance to change by taking action
- The importance of building a unified team with confidence, a clearly defined goal, and effective communication strategies
- How to distinguish your business from your competitors and wow clients with customized attention
- How to think “outside the box” to generate innovative solutions
Today’s young people face often overwhelming challenges and decisions as they strive to discover their passion and purpose and proceed in a direction with confidence. How does one craft a meaningful life? Dream Big. Persevere. Create Something. Do Good. Serve others.
- Follow your dreams and create the life you imagine.
- View life as a juggling act, and know that figuring out how the pieces fit together is a challenge.
- Be patient with yourself. It takes time to find your own pattern and pathway.
- Learn from the “drops”, pick up the balls, and continue on your journey.
- Figure out what you’re passionate about, work hard, and take pride in your accomplishments.
- Be the biggest, most amazing version of yourself.
- Support and encourage your classmates and friends. Make a difference in the lives of others by starting with those closest to you.
Life is a juggling act – we must become master jugglers. Jen shares her story and offers fun tips for mastering the juggling act of life!
- See how you can become a better juggler in your life and work
- Learn how to maintain a dynamic balance and strengthen the connections between the “balls” you juggle
- Hear how to transform challenges into opportunities
- Discover your passion
Think Like a Juggler: Navigating Change and Establishing Best Practices...in Life & Business
Participants experience Jen's signature framework for adopting the "Juggler's Mindset" (Clear Goal + Growth Mindset + Deliberate Practice) for presence and peak performance in work & life.
Actionable Benefits of Jen's Presentation...
- Focus & Prioritize for efficiency and elegance. Juggling is NOT multi-tasking.
- Improve Collaboration & Communication. Teams should always be getting tighter.
- Identify Stumbling Blocks. The same mistakes yield the same results.
- Create & Master new strategies for leaders & teams. Commit to continuous improvement.
- Inspirational stories - from party-clown to Broadway...and 3 steps you will apply to your own career growth.
“Our President and CEO marveled at Jen’s uncanny ability to deliver the message we hoped for. It is without hesitation I recommend Jen as a presenter and educator your company or association can only benefit from.”
-Doug Silverman, Director HR & Operations, Nikon
“As our conference MC, Jen was connected to our business and really made it personalized, fun, inspiring, and brought us together as a group. I highly recommend the opportunity to partner with Jen at any future event!”
– Courtney Attwood-McGowan, Head of IT Americas Portfolio Management/Communications/Compliance, Genentech/Roche
“Jen brought such a positive energy to the room while engaging the audience and creatively weaving our mission. Thank you for launching our symposium and helping make it a success!”
– Robert Gullickson, Senior M & E Engineer, Turner Construction
“The highlight of our annual Management Meeting! It’s going to be impossible to top Jen at next year’s meeting!”
– Adam Kendzulak, Skanska USA Civil
“I’ve planned 20 meetings in the last 10 years, and I have never had a keynote that was so engaging, so much fun for everyone, and had such valuable lessons in the presentation. It was one of the best I’ve ever been to, and Jen was just wonderful!”
– Eileen Beltramba, Nurse Planner, Amsurg
“Jennifer’s juggling as a metaphor for balancing work and life priorities and collaboration left a lasting impression for our team. We’ve received a lot of positive feedback on how well versed Jennifer is in the concepts that make organizations and teams work, and how engaged the audience felt while listening and participating in the juggling themselves. It was really easy to work with Jennifer to incorporate key takeaways into her performance and speech. We really enjoyed it and it will be a memory that our team will continue to share in future conversations.”
– Victoria Hoang, IT Director, Public Affairs & Philanthropy, Bristol-Myers Squibb
“Jen Slaw’s well-crafted message and amazing performance were wonderful additions to our day of learning designed for the 120+ members of our Lending Department at Investors Bank. She delivered everything that was asked and more, including:
- coordinating with other speakers to correspond with common themes.
- delivering an original and thought provoking message.
- getting our 120+ guests moving and energized!
Jen also skillfully handled a few last minute adjustments to the agenda and incorporated the changes flawlessly. She carries herself with professionalism and style, and is a true pleasure to work with. We look forward to using her services again.”
– Eric Laurens, VP Director of Organizational Development, Investors Bank
“Juggling and the concept and the metaphor is perfectly applicable for our group and we had a great time! The session was very interactive and topical.
Jen wove in knowledge of Starwood and the work that we do as well as the metaphor that everybody picked up on. It was enjoyable!”
– John Lapins, VP Architecture + Construction, Starwood Hotels & Resorts
“Jen Slaw spoke at our Young CPA Conference on Work/Life Balance, an issue facing many people working in the metro area today. Not only was her juggling extremely fun and entertaining but her workshop was an excellent way to close out our conference. Her presentation was interactive, high energy and very motivating. Jen’s presentation was definitely inspirational.”
– Janice Amatucci, Membership Manager, NextGen Outreach
“Jen added such a terrific angle to our retreat for foundation executive directors. She was thoughtful and responsive in planning, took the time to understand our audience and their unique needs, and customized her presentation accordingly. And she was awesome on-site! She was clear, patient, encouraging, and fun. People left energized and inspired by both the actual practice and deep metaphors of juggling. I totally recommend Jen!”
– Janice Simsohn Shaw, Senior Program Manager, Exponent Philanthropy
“Jen Slaw was our keynote speaker at my firm’s bi-monthly Executive Women’s Breakfast program in May 2014. The email messages I received afterward made it clear that our audience was delighted and inspired by her talent, her message and her effortless approach to stunning juggling.
Using juggling as a metaphor for life, Jen was able to get the attention of the audience and share her perspective on managing the multiple challenges that arise every day – and how to turn those challenges into wonderful opportunities.
I highly recommend Jen Slaw for any group or business that wants to provide a unique learning experience combined with light-hearted entertainment, and ensure that everyone leaves the event feeling terrific.”
– Sally Glick, Principal & CMO, Sobel & Co, LLC
“Jen was the speaker for our Women’s Power Networking Breakfast: How to Juggle it All: Achieving Work-Life Balance. The audience was engaged and fascinated with her interactive presentation. She shared invaluable information to our Women Entrepreneurs Group. Here are some thoughts from our attendees about Jen’s presentation:
- “The workshop with Jen Slaw was extremely helpful, informative and tons of fun. It was a stress reliever. The way the material was shared along with the entertainment aspect of juggling was excellent. I would highly recommend this workshop to anyone who is stuggling with “juggling” too many things in their life and work.”
- “Don’t miss Jen Slaw’s workshop. She is delightfully entertaining and gives useful information. You will leave with ideas that will make you more effective.”
- “The material, although presented by a performer, was relevant to every profession. The right amount of interaction, demonstration and material. Thanks for the best workshop!”
– Andrea Ormeno, Director, Women’s Business Center, Queens Economic Development Corporation
“Your professionalism, creativity and generosity really made a difference! You were definitely the HIT of the event!”
– Guadalupe Ayerza, Director of Development, TECHO – US
“Wow. Her juggling impressed me. That was something!”
– David Letterman
“Jen Slaw saunters onto stage and captures our attention with a style that is all her own: hip, classy, and just that right amount of sexy.”
– Peter Samelson, Co-Producer of Monday Night Magic, NYC