How To Network Without Feeling Awkward or Fake

Behind every meaningful career move is a network — not just of acquaintances, but of people who understand your goals, open doors, and help you grow. Yet for many of us, networking feels transactional, intimidating, or unclear.

This session is designed to shift that.

We’ll explore how to build strategic networks that support your ambitions, fuel learning, open new pathways, and shape your leadership journey — all within a warm, supportive space of women committed to growth.

Brought to you by Lean In Network, Singapore — in collaboration with LinkedIn and Hakopi, our event and game partners for the evening.

Why Strategic Networks Matter

• A strong network is not just about “who you know.” It’s about:
• Clarity on your direction and next step
• Visibility into the right rooms, conversations, and opportunities
• Support from people who champion you and your goals
• When built intentionally, a network becomes a powerful engine for career progression and sponsorship.

What You’ll Experience

1. Understand the Power of Strategic Networks

Learn how networks accelerate growth — especially for women navigating career transitions or aiming for leadership.

2. Learn the Key Components of a Strong Network

Personal, operational, and strategic networks — and how to activate each intentionally.

3. Build Connections, Not Contacts

Discover practical strategies to make networking feel natural, meaningful, and mutual.

4. Hands-On Learning Through ‘Network Navigator’

We’ll be playing Network Navigator, a collaborative multi-player networking game developed by Hakopi.

This experience will help you:

• Identify gaps in your current network
• Reframe limiting beliefs around networking
• Practice building purposeful, lasting relationships
• Focus on quality over quantity

5. Leverage LinkedIn With Confidence

Learn how to strengthen your online presence and build your strategic network using the right platform tools and messaging.

This isn’t just a networking session — it’s an evening to pause, reflect, and intentionally invest in the relationships that will shape your growth. You’ll leave not just with new connections, but with clarity on how to nurture them with purpose. Because when women come together to learn, share, and lift one another up, the ripple effects extend far beyond the room.

Speakers

Uma Thana Balasingam

Founder of Lean In Network Singapore | The ELEVATE Group | Leadership Strategist & Global Speaker

Uma is a former VP of a multi-billion plus dollar tech business, multi-award winning tech executive, now a multi-hyphenate founder, speaker, and movement builder. Through The ELEVATE Group, Lean In Singapore and her podcast RAW with UMA, she’s helped thousands of women across Asia rise in leadership — teaching the real skills that drive promotion: sponsorship, visibility, and strategic influence.

Monica Bhatia

Head of Large Customer, LinkedIn Marketing Solutions (Southeast Asia, HongKong and Taiwan)

Monica Bhatia leads the Large Customers Group for LinkedIn Marketing Solutions in Southeast Asia, Taiwan and HongKong, managing a rapidly expanding portfolio of enterprise-tier customers. Her focus is on fostering partnerships and enlightening customers about pivotal marketing and B2B research themes, emphasizing success, retention, and growth narratives. Monica crafts and executes cross-functional strategic plans, collaborating seamlessly with teams specializing in marketing, insights, technical operations, and content strategy.

Beyond her core role, Monica has been part of the Women@ LinkedIn Employee Resource Group, serving as Global Co-Lead role for External Partnerships and APAC External Partnership lead. Most recently, she has taken on the responsibility for the LinkedIn Singapore Office Lead for Women@ LinkedIn.

Ritika Datta

Founder, Hakopi | Expert Game Design Strategist

A behavioral psychologist with over a decade of experience, Ritika Datta has designed award-winning games and simulations, helping organisations like Google, Akamai, Bosch, Goldman Sachs and Prudential use the power of games to drive lasting change.

Her games and interactive learning experiences don’t just teach—they engage, inspire, and make learning stick. By blending academic rigor with real-world application, her work empowers individuals to take practical steps toward growth and transformation - in a safe and playful manner.

On a mission to redefine the learning landscape, Ritika is shaping the future of adult learning and education—one game at a time.

About Lean In Network, Singapore

LeanIn.Org was founded by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg to empower all women to achieve their ambitions. Founded in 2016, Lean In Network, Singapore’s mission is to inspire, equip, and empower the women of Singapore to fulfill their career ambitions and lead successful, happy lives. Today, we are a community of over 7,000+ women and men across all ages, backgrounds, and professions.

About LinkedIn

Founded in 2003, LinkedIn connects the world's professionals to make them more productive and successful. With more than 1 billion members worldwide, including executives from every Fortune 500 company, LinkedIn is the world's largest professional network. The company has a diversified business model with revenue coming from Talent Solutions, Marketing Solutions, Sales Solutions and Premium Subscriptions products. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, LinkedIn has offices across the globe.

About Hakopi

Hakopi is a boutique learning game design studio specializing in immersive, application-focused games and simulations. We create engaging experiences that spark meaningful conversations and drive lasting behavioral change. Using principles of behavioral design, our games turn concepts into actionable, everyday practices, making it easy to transfer learning from workshop to workplace.

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Host or Publisher Lean In Network, Singapore