IABC Colorado Lunch & Learn: Storytelling that Sticks

Join IABC Colorado for a practical, interactive lunch-and-learn focused on building stronger storytelling skills.

Storytelling is a critical skill, no matter your role. From engaging stakeholders to making data meaningful to standing out in today’s job market, strong storytelling can elevate your impact and influence.

Join IABC Colorado for a practical, interactive lunch-and-learn focused on building stronger storytelling skills. You’ll hear from two experienced storytellers who will share how to craft stories that connect, persuade, and stick.

What to Expect

• Practical techniques for capturing and shaping compelling stories
• Tips for weaving data into narratives without losing clarity
• Tactical approaches you can try immediately after the session

Participants will leave with fresh ideas, practical tools, and renewed confidence in their ability to tell stories that resonate, whether they’re communicating internally, externally, or navigating a career transition.

Meet the Speakers:
Joe Hanel, Director of Communications at Colorado Health Institute

Director Joe Hanel communicates CHI's work to a broad audience, including news reporters, legislators, health advocates, and voters. A member of the legislative team, he performs research and analysis on the intersection of politics and policy and the interaction of federal and state health policy. As the communications lead for CHI’s Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity Alliance in 2022, he helped draft the organization's first strategic plan for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, including related supporting documents.

Laurel Whitaker, Communications Program Manager/Public Information Officer at Intermountain Health; Co-VP of Administration for IABC Colorado

With more than 20 years of global strategic communications experience, Laurel has advised executive leadership teams for complex organizations in financial services, technology, media, data/analytics, life sciences and healthcare and nonprofits. As communications manager and public information officer for Intermountain Health, Laurel ensures compelling and relevant messaging for associates and providers. Her areas of expertise are executive and employee communications, intranet strategy, change management, employer branding, benefits/wellness, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and corporate social responsibility.