About Lauren Ansley
Conference Emcee | Corporate Workshop Facilitator | Audience Engagement Partner
Based in Charlotte, NC | Available Nationally
How This All Started
Lauren’s journey into public speaking started by taking a public speaking class at a local comedy club. A few years later, thanks to her background in marketing and event planning, Lauren quit her job and sold her house to fund her dream: producing high-quality stand-up comedy shows in partnership with local venues in the Greater Charlotte, NC area.
And it was going pretty well… Multiple venue partners, standing room only, sold out shows…
Then six months in, COVID hit and all her shows were cancelled.
She reflects back on the experience thinking, “That’s my bad for not having a contingency for a global pandemic written into my business plan.”
Rather than wait it out, she pivoted fast, launching “Virtually Hilarious,” a series of virtual stand-up comedy shows. Shortly thereafter, Microsoft reached out (yes, THAT Microsoft!) requesting Lauren host a few comedy shows online for their teams.
Enter the lightbulb moment: People still need to feel connected - ESPECIALLY when the world makes it harder.
What followed was a boutique entertainment agency bringing trivia, magic shows, music bingo, and more to teams online. And somewhere in the middle of it all, Lauren realized something important:
It was never really about what she said on stage. It was about what she wanted the audience to feel.
The laughs.
The connection.
The moment a room full of strangers starts to feel like a group.
That’s what lit her up. And still does today.
And to go even further back before the comedy class, Lauren spent years working inside the industries she now serves. She worked the front desk at a Chamber of Commerce, eventually growing the position to plan large-scale events and sell sponsorships.
She later worked in venue and catering sales, then member growth and retention for another nonprofit, and later in marketing for the manufacturing sector.
This background means when Lauren walks into an association conference or a corporate meeting, she’s not guessing at what planners and organizers are juggling. She’s been on that side of the table, too.
And she brings that perspective to every event she’s a part of.
What Lauren Does Today
Today, Lauren works with organizations as a conference emcee, interactive keynote speaker, and corporate workshop facilitator helping teams and conference audiences stay present, participate naturally, and genuinely connect.
Whether she’s emceeing a 2,000-person association conference, facilitating a structured networking experience, or leading a 90-minute workshop on public speaking for a corporate team, the through-line remains the same: create environments where people feel comfortable showing up as themselves.
No forced fun.
No awkward icebreakers.
Just intentional engagement that supports serious goals.
Why She “Gets It”
Lauren is an introvert with extroverted tendencies, which means she knows firsthand what it feels like to walk into a conference alone and wonder, “Will I meet anyone here?”
To stand at a networking break wishing someone would just make it easier to start a conversation.
To sit in a session and feel your attention drift because nothing’s inviting you to participate.
She also knows something else: We’ve forgotten how to connect the way we used to.
Our phones create more distance than we realize.
But when people are in a room together? Or even on a screen together? That’s an opportunity.
To look up. To talk. To actually get to know each other. To challenge assumptions. And work better as a team.
That’s the opportunity Lauren helps organizations take advantage of.
Her work helps audiences participate more naturally, connect more meaningfully, and stay engaged throughout the event experience.
How She Works
Lauren’s approach is facilitation-forward and grounded in real-time connection. She reads rooms carefully, adjusts to audience energy, and creates opportunities for participation that feel natural and comfortable for a wide range of personalities. Especially the ones who’d normally stay quiet in the back row.
Her background in live performance means she learned early that there’s no pause button in front of a live audience. No second chance to get the energy back once it’s gone.
That instinct, to stay present, pay attention, and respond to what’s actually happening in the room, is what she brings to every conference and workshop she’s part of.
Everything is customized to your audience, culture, and goals. She’s not a one-size-fits-all vendor. It starts with a conversation about what your people actually need.
Who She Works With
Lauren works especially well with organizations who:
Have meaningful, content-rich agendas and want the experience to match
Value connection, inclusivity, and how people feel in the room
Want engagement without forced participation or awkward activities
Care about audiences leaving energized rather than drained
Want their message to actually land - AND be remembered on Monday
Her clients already know what they want to communicate. They’re looking for a partner who helps the message stick.
a FEw Other Things Worth knowing About Lauren…
Took a stand-up comedy class and was named valedictorian (jk, but she can say that because you probably weren’t at her graduation performance, but she was really funny!)
Wins Employee of the Month every single month.
Based in Charlotte, NC and available nationwide and virtually
Has worked with organizations including Microsoft, Siemens, SHRM, PCMA, Bank of America, and more
Is a TEDx Speaker Coach (because helping others find their voices on stage is as satisfying as finding her own)
What People are saying…
If you’re planning a conference, looking for a workshop, or just want to talk through what your audience needs, Lauren would love to hear from you. Let’s talk.