Jen Fry

ceo at JenFryTalks/Coordle

Education: University of Montevallo - Michigan State University
Balitmore, MI, USA

Biography

Jen Fry (she/her) is a powerhouse speaker, TEDx presenter, and Sports Geographer specializing in conflict, leadership, and organizational culture. She helps leaders rethink conflict, embrace tough conversations, and implement real, actionable strategies for lasting change.

As the founder of JenFryTalks, Dr. Fry transforms conflict from an obstacle into a catalyst for trust, innovation, and stronger teams. She equips organizations with the tools to navigate high-stakes conversations, dismantle barriers, and create inclusive, high-performing environments.

A practitioner as well as a thought leader, Dr. Fry has worked with Fortune 500 companies and elite sports organizations, bridging the gap between conflict resolution, power dynamics, and systemic change. She has had over 200 speaking engagements with organizations such as consulted with the NCAA, NIH, Stanford, DevaCurl, Yale, SEC, SHRM SPHR & SHRMS-CP, NCAA Inclusion Forum, American Volleyball Coaches Association, Moraine Park Technical College, NFHCA, WBCA, WE LEAD, Harvard, Texas Tech, IWLCA, RIT, NCATA, N4A, Black Student-Athlete Summit, Durham County Sheriffs, Western Michigan University, East Carolina University, and more. Jen Fry completed her first TedxDuke talk titled “Radical Social Justice Education Through High Fives.”

Beyond conflict and culture, she is a tech innovator and entrepreneur, bringing firsthand experience in leadership, innovation, and disruption. Her expertise in building successful ventures provides audiences with practical tools to navigate challenges in an evolving world.

Dr. Fry doesn’t just speak on conflict—she transforms the way people engage with it, turning discomfort into action and hesitation into leadership.

Example talks

Fierce Boundaries: Empowering Women to Self-Advocate with Confidenc

In a world that often pressures women to accommodate others at the expense of their own needs, self-advocacy can feel like an uphill battle. This session is designed to help women reclaim their voices, assert their worth, and advocate for their needs with confidence and clarity. Through reflective exercises, interactive discussions, and actionable strategies, participants will learn to challenge societal expectations, set empowering boundaries, and communicate their needs effectively.

By addressing the internal and external barriers that hinder self-advocacy, this workshop creates a supportive environment where women can redefine what it means to lead authentically. Participants will gain insight into how societal norms and personal experiences shape their approach to conflict and decision-making. They’ll also learn to reframe boundary-setting as a powerful act of self-respect and empowerment, rather than a source of guilt or selfishness. Whether navigating workplace dynamics or personal relationships, attendees will leave with a renewed sense of agency and practical tools to take charge of their own narratives.

This workshop is not just about building confidence; it’s about equipping women to lead, thrive, and empower themselves in every aspect of their lives.

Innovation at Odds: How Conflict Fuels Great Ideas

True innovation requires the grappling of ideas—where differing viewpoints, experiences, and expertise collide to create something greater than the sum of their parts. Conflict catalyzes this process by breaking through groupthink, challenging outdated practices, and pushing teams to find better solutions. Without conflict, organizations risk settling for mediocrity, as unchallenged ideas rarely lead to transformative breakthroughs. This session will explore how leaders can harness conflict to create a culture of innovation, where team members feel empowered to challenge each other respectfully and collaboratively.

Conflict is not just an obstacle to overcome—it is the lifeblood of innovation. Without conflict, ideas remain unchallenged, teams become complacent, and organizations stagnate. This session is designed to help current and aspiring leaders reframe their understanding of conflict as a critical driver of progress and creativity. Leadership is not about avoiding friction but embracing it as an opportunity to push ideas from good to great. In every industry, innovation thrives in environments where people are encouraged to grapple with diverse perspectives, question assumptions, and engage in constructive debates.

Bold Leadership: Harnessing Conflict to Build Stronger Teams

This high-impact workshop is designed for leaders who want to master the art of conflict resolution and leverage it as a powerful leadership tool. True leadership isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about managing tension, balancing diverse perspectives, and transforming conflict into a source of growth rather than division. Yet, many leaders underestimate the role of conflict in shaping trust, collaboration, and performance. Handled poorly, conflict erodes morale and stalls progress. Handled well, it fuels innovation, strengthens relationships, and drives team success.
This session will equip leaders with the insights, strategies, and skills to confidently engage in difficult conversations, identify their natural conflict response, and turn disagreements into opportunities for growth. Participants will explore real-world conflict scenarios, practice empathetic communication and strategic problem-solving, and learn how to lead with clarity and control in moments of tension.

Conflict shouldn’t be feared or avoided—it should be understood and harnessed. Bold leadership isn’t about silencing conflict; it’s about using it to build stronger, more resilient teams that thrive under pressure.

Featured Video

Featured Book

My Podcast

I am willing to travel

More than 100 miles

When it comes to payments

I generally get paid for speaking but make exceptions

Topics

conflict womens leadership team leadership handling conflict conflict resolution resolving conflict innovation culture

Example talks

Fierce Boundaries: Empowering Women to Self-Advocate with Confidenc

In a world that often pressures women to accommodate others at the expense of their own needs, self-advocacy can feel like an uphill battle. This session is designed to help women reclaim their voices, assert their worth, and advocate for their needs with confidence and clarity. Through reflective exercises, interactive discussions, and actionable strategies, participants will learn to challenge societal expectations, set empowering boundaries, and communicate their needs effectively.

By addressing the internal and external barriers that hinder self-advocacy, this workshop creates a supportive environment where women can redefine what it means to lead authentically. Participants will gain insight into how societal norms and personal experiences shape their approach to conflict and decision-making. They’ll also learn to reframe boundary-setting as a powerful act of self-respect and empowerment, rather than a source of guilt or selfishness. Whether navigating workplace dynamics or personal relationships, attendees will leave with a renewed sense of agency and practical tools to take charge of their own narratives.

This workshop is not just about building confidence; it’s about equipping women to lead, thrive, and empower themselves in every aspect of their lives.

Innovation at Odds: How Conflict Fuels Great Ideas

True innovation requires the grappling of ideas—where differing viewpoints, experiences, and expertise collide to create something greater than the sum of their parts. Conflict catalyzes this process by breaking through groupthink, challenging outdated practices, and pushing teams to find better solutions. Without conflict, organizations risk settling for mediocrity, as unchallenged ideas rarely lead to transformative breakthroughs. This session will explore how leaders can harness conflict to create a culture of innovation, where team members feel empowered to challenge each other respectfully and collaboratively.

Conflict is not just an obstacle to overcome—it is the lifeblood of innovation. Without conflict, ideas remain unchallenged, teams become complacent, and organizations stagnate. This session is designed to help current and aspiring leaders reframe their understanding of conflict as a critical driver of progress and creativity. Leadership is not about avoiding friction but embracing it as an opportunity to push ideas from good to great. In every industry, innovation thrives in environments where people are encouraged to grapple with diverse perspectives, question assumptions, and engage in constructive debates.

Bold Leadership: Harnessing Conflict to Build Stronger Teams

This high-impact workshop is designed for leaders who want to master the art of conflict resolution and leverage it as a powerful leadership tool. True leadership isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about managing tension, balancing diverse perspectives, and transforming conflict into a source of growth rather than division. Yet, many leaders underestimate the role of conflict in shaping trust, collaboration, and performance. Handled poorly, conflict erodes morale and stalls progress. Handled well, it fuels innovation, strengthens relationships, and drives team success.
This session will equip leaders with the insights, strategies, and skills to confidently engage in difficult conversations, identify their natural conflict response, and turn disagreements into opportunities for growth. Participants will explore real-world conflict scenarios, practice empathetic communication and strategic problem-solving, and learn how to lead with clarity and control in moments of tension.

Conflict shouldn’t be feared or avoided—it should be understood and harnessed. Bold leadership isn’t about silencing conflict; it’s about using it to build stronger, more resilient teams that thrive under pressure.