The Visibility Lab

The Visibility Lab Virtual Speaker Series: From Hidden to Headline
2026-01-27 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | NC
From Hidden to Headline: Crafting a Story the Media Wants to Share
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
6:00–7:00 PM ET
Virtual on Zoom • Recording included
Everyone has a story.
But getting that story seen, understood, and picked up by the media?
That’s a whole different challenge and most of us were never taught how to do it.
In this 60-minute, high-value experience, you’ll learn how to shape your story so it stands out, resonates, and opens doors.
If you’ve ever wondered “How do I talk about what I’ve been through… in a way that truly connects?”
Or “How do I pitch myself without feeling salesy or unsure?”
This session was built for you.
You’ll walk away understanding:

How to package your story so it gets picked up, not passed over
What editors and producers look for—and how to match it
Why most pitches fail (and how to avoid common traps)
A simple checklist to turn your personal story into a media-ready message

Real-time Q&A with a seasoned PR strategist
Plus, connection time with other women before we dive in

Meet the Speaker: Melinda Jackson
Melinda Jackson is the founder of Melinda Jackson Public Relations (MJPR), known for GRAMMY, EMMY, and PRSA award-winning campaigns that actually move the needle. With 15 years of PR experience, she’s built a reputation for a no-fluff, no-B.S. approach that gets real results – securing high-impact media coverage, strategic partnerships, and thought leadership for entrepreneurs, executives, and high-growth brands. As host of the Raleigh Female Founder Happy Hour, she’s passionate about helping women-led businesses tell their stories, own their voice, and get the visibility they deserve. Melinda blends sharp strategy with bold storytelling to turn authentic narratives into influence, buzz, and measurable business growth.
This conversation is perfect for women who want to:

Share their story with more clarity
Step into media visibility
Position themselves as leaders or experts
Pitch themselves confidently
Stop shrinking and start showing up

Founders, professionals, creatives, speakers, emerging leaders, and women exploring their next chapter are all welcome.

Seen, Heard & Embodied: A Leadership Presence & Confidence Lab
2026-02-28 11:00 - 14:00 | KW Legacy Apex, 1483 Beaver Creek Commons Dr, Apex, NC, 27502, United States
Saturday, February 28, 2026 | 11am – 2pm | Apex, NC
**Limited to 20 participants to keep the experience intimate**
Low-pressure. Guided. Experiential.
What This Is
This is a leadership-focused Visibility Lab designed to help women business owners & professionals strengthen how they show up whether in meetings, conversations, decision-making moments, or spaces where presence and confidence matter.
Using simple, movement-based improv exercises (no performance or acting), this in-person experience helps you move out of overthinking and into embodied presence, so you can respond with more clarity, confidence, and ease
You’ll be guided through experiences that support awareness, connection, and grounded leadership presence.
Why This Matters
When we give ourselves permission to be present, in a supportive, low-pressure environment, something shifts.
That shift is subtle, but it’s powerful, especially in leadership and visibility moments.
That’s where things tend to click.
Outcomes
Many participants experience:

Increased confidence in how they show up and communicate
Renewed connection with colleagues, peers, and collaborators
Greater creativity and problem-solving ability in real-world situations
A genuine sense of being seen and heard
Empowerment to take thoughtful risks and try new approaches
Increased engagement, energy, and joy in their work

Everyone experiences it a little differently, but it’s felt.
What to Expect

Comfortable clothing encouraged
A short 5–10 minute break halfway through
Devices put away so you can be fully present (you’ll thank yourself later)
A catered networking lunch afterward to connect, decompress, and just be human together

Who This Experience Is Designed For
This experience tends to resonate most with women who:

Want to feel more confident and present in leadership or visibility moments
Are navigating growth, transition, or roles where how you show up matters
Value real connection without pressure to perform or impress
Learn best by doing, reflecting, and experiencing—not by sitting through another talk

You don’t need improv experience.
You don’t need to be outgoing.
You just need to be open to showing up as you are.

Our Facilitator: Regina Bartolone, PhD — Founder, ImprovWorks
Prior to founding ImprovWorks, Regina built a decade-long leadership coaching practice and worked in academia and research development, including at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. With over ten years of teaching experience, she supports leaders and teams in developing clarity, confidence, and effective presence.
A trained improvisational actor and long-time meditation practitioner, Regina brings an experiential, people-centered approach to leadership development, adaptability, and skillful communication—helping participants practice responding truthfully in the moment, cultivating curiosity, and listening deeply.
