Embodied Leadership with Lori Lennon

Lori's Pathway to Success

Lori Lennon is a modern trailblazer in her own right. Upon meeting her, she was a woman who could see the true potential in a person. Now, she is an award-winning member of the 2025 Northeastern Women Who Empower cohort. Having graduated from the University in 2004 with her Bachelor's in Journalism, she spent nearly a decade in television news. Furthermore, Lori also joined Northeastern’s College of Science, where she served as the Director of Communications. 

    After making the transition to become a full-time entrepreneur, Lori established the science communications firm, Thinkubator Media, in 2019. She brings her dynamic personality along with 20+ years of expertise to budding brands and innovators. Lori’s specialty is synthesizing unique, complex, and important information to help people better understand and appreciate the hidden gems in STEM. From the early stages of Thinkubator Media, Lori and her growing team have supported several brands and thought leaders across STEM industries as they develop their output.

    Her hand-selected team brings a plethora of experiences and personalities to draw from, giving Thinkubator Media its cutting edge. She has traveled internationally to provide hands-on training in communications and brand development. Her most recent venture brought her all the way to China! Lori continues to collaborate internationally with several notable women across various sectors, from astrophysics to medical innovation. 

The newest addition to Lori's family and the Thinkubator Media team, Sadie!

Looking Forward

    Lori is on a continuous quest to create her own path and support others who are doing the same in the name of a better world. Her open heart and mind have made it possible to make and facilitate lasting connections through Thinkubator Media and beyond. As a woman who manages so much, it is no wonder that Lori is truly an inspiration, an adored friend, and a trusted mother. Now, she is also a recipient of the 2025 Northeastern Women Who Empower Innovator Award!

    Although the judges mainly considered specific industries, they made a special place for Lori for her commitment to “empowering women in STEM through branding and coaching.” Along with 30 other winners, Lori has been selected for a unique fellowship opportunity in honor of the Innovator Awards’ fifth year running. Thereupon, each recipient receives funding along with global networking and training opportunities to support further development and programming. After 9 months, the program will conclude with the 2026 Northeastern Global Leadership Summit in London. 

Congratulations, Lori! Here’s to a fruitful experience with your fellow recipients of the 2025 Northeastern Women Who Empower Innovator Award.

When Passion is Your Purpose

    Rachel Harrell, 25, is a recent graduate of Northeastern University, ready to take on the world. However, before embarking on her next academic chapter in Scotland for her master’s degree at the University of Glasgow, she will complete an outstanding summer program that she co-chaired at her alma mater. 

WISE: Passion to Project

    The program, WISE: Passion to Project, is an offshoot of Northeastern’s women-led entrepreneurial network, WISE (short for Women’s Interdisciplinary Society of Entrepreneurship). WISE is home to several entrepreneurial initiatives, including innovation incubators and mentorship programs for women and non-binary students interested in entrepreneurship at Northeastern University. 

    In the Spring of 2021, Rachel felt called to apply to be the assistant director of the WISE group she was familiarizing herself with. Shortly after acceptance, her faculty advisor, Betsy Ludwig,  the Executive Director of Women’s Entrepreneurship at Northeastern University,  approached her about co-creating a program modeled after WISE’s thought incubator for high school teens. In the summer of 2021, the program was officially launched.

    For the last four summers, Harrell has continued to direct the program alongside faculty and fellow student teachers. Together, the team has supported over 100 young women and non-binary students with their business ventures as they fostered close interpersonal relationships and a lasting drive to explore and expand on their unique ideas. Students also had the opportunity to live on campus for the two-week workshop, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the college experience. 

Getting candid with Rachel with mountain views.

    WISE: Passion to Project was developed as a safe space where women and non-binary students can get comfortable with the idea of sharing their voices in rooms that can often be male-dominated. As with many business and STEM-related practices, men are at the forefront of performance and visibility. The reality is that, despite the individual personas of the men who dominate these spaces, it takes skill and practice to navigate a male-centered world, as it slowly morphs into a more equitable society for all. Programs like WISE: Passion to Project provide the skills, training, and safe space for individuals to hone their skills, shine their unique light, and foster lasting connections and confidence along the way.

Rachel’s Pursuits

    Amidst the challenges and certainty of COVID, Rachel also followed her heart to Scotland for a visit before deciding on an extended backpacking trip throughout Europe. Despite accenting her studies with these international adventures,  Harrell remained present and committed each summer for the duration of the workshop. 

    While Rachel will no longer spearhead WISE: Passion to Project after this summer, she will continue to offer her support and compassion to the WISE team and their continuous initiatives. 

    Rachel’s open and curious mind has led her down an unexpected and inspiring path. Her willingness

An image of Rachel on one of her backpacking trips!

not only to dream but to see it through will take her to even more magical places. With a desire to teach and a track record of supporting others, it’s clear that Rachel will find a way to bring more inspired minds along with her. 

    Rachel always dreamed of going to Scotland, and she did it! She always wanted to be a writer, and now, after completing her Bachelor’s in English and Journalism, she will immerse herself in some of the finest literary studies at the University of Glasgow. With dreams of continuing to share her learning with others, she'll have a worldly perspective to share. It’s fair to say that Rachel is a powerhouse, and we can’t wait to see where in the world she is and what she’ll be up to next!

 

Networking Tips from a Not-So Extrovert

Post-pandemic Lori has found attending events, especially after work hours, harder. 

I was slowly returning to in-person events after things opened back up from COVID. My dad had Parkinson’s Disease, and absences at school for my daughter meant she was missing lots of learning without an online option. I was looking to avoid the risk of COVID as best I could. 

Finally, when things felt more settled, I mustered up the strength and attended an evening event in Boston. Old Lori would have jumped at the chance to see people, but this time was different. I spent the entire day telling myself, “You are going to this event. No excuses. It’ll be fun.” and “Once you get there, it will be fine. You’ll meet great people!” I then get to the event and spend 10 minutes in my car, staring at my destination, willing myself to unbuckle the seatbelt and just get in there. 

I wouldn’t consider myself an introvert (an ambivert, perhaps), but my social battery has required much more charging since the pandemic. Based on lots of conversations I’ve had with colleagues, I’m not the only one. 

Despite all this, there is great power and potential in networking. As a business owner who works from home, it’s essential for me to meet new people and share my mission (I’m told it’s also healthy to leave your house every once in a while). In fact, the events I’ve attended in the past year have built many new and beautiful friendships and opportunities. 

So, how do you manage walking into a room full of strangers? Here are a few strategies that have helped me make the most of networking opportunities. 

  1. Set a goal. Years ago, a good friend gave me the best advice for networking. She said to create a goal each time you approach a networking event. The plan she shared with me, which I still use today, is to meet five people you didn’t know before the event. After you’ve met those five people, you can leave or stay if you’re having fun. Having this number in my head has helped me get over the hump of walking into a space where I might not know anyone. My introverted friends say this helps them know how soon they can leave. 
  2. Have a pitch. I love my businesses, which means I can dive down a rabbit hole and struggle to get back up at any moment. Rabbit holes happen when you run into someone who loves what they do! Instead of leaving it up to chance, I’ve created an elevator pitch that clarifies what I do and who my work is for. My theory is if you build on the natural curiosity of humans, they will ask follow-up questions about you and your work. Your job is not to talk at a person, but to have a conversation. I always find myself asking lots of questions when I meet folks who are working on inspiring projects. You naturally want to learn more! 
  3. Be authentic and curious. Honestly, just be yourself and ask questions about others. Don’t worry about overly impressing the people you’re talking to or keeping up an appearance. By being authentic to yourself, you will find it easier to connect with folks. One of my favorite stories was when I arrived at an event alone and was late and struggling to find someone to talk to. I saw a person standing by herself against a wall, and I walked up to her and asked, “Are you by yourself, too?” It started not only a great conversation but a wonderful friendship! 

Networking can be challenging, but it is essential for building awareness about yourself and your business. Lastly, don’t forget to follow up with the folks you met afterward. Connect on LinkedIn, send an email or both. This last step will help build a stronger connection with folks who could be your next boss, client, or friend.

Happy connecting!