Network With Those in HR: Build Real Connections That Support Your Career Growth
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
It is a new year and a new opportunity to connect with others with a positive mindset. At Untapped Potential, we encourage you to stretch yourself beyond your normal interactions. We call it: getting out of your "Mom Box". For women returning to work, pivoting careers, or rebuilding professional identity, we know networking can feel intimidating, transactional, or simply exhausting. Too often, events are framed around pitching, selling, or proving yourself. But meaningful career momentum is built differently. It grows through genuine connection, shared experience, and conversations that open doors rather than close them.
This Industry Networking event, brought to UNTAPPED POTENTIAL through one of our Mentors who is active in Whine & Dine. The organization initially convened HR Professionals in a variety of industries and now has broadened to a range of roles. The intent is to create a relaxed, agenda free connection space focused on community, learning, and mutual support.
Why we Share this Event
Human Resources professionals play a critical role in hiring, talent development, and workplace culture. Yet for many returners and career pivoters in today's environment, actually reaching those in #HR can be difficult. Getting a chance to meet them in a professional setting, yet not selling or asking for a job, is a rare opportunity.
The Wine & Dine event exists to humanize that connection. Rather than formal panels or structured pitches, this evening invites open conversation. It creates space to ask questions, listen, and build relationships in a setting designed to feel welcoming rather than evaluative.
At Untapped Potential, networking is viewed as a long term investment in community, not a one time transaction. This event reflects that philosophy by prioritizing belonging and shared learning.
Who This Networking Evening Is For
This event is intentionally inclusive and supportive of women at many stages of their professional journey.
It is especially relevant for:
Women returning to work after a career break
Caregivers rebuilding professional identity
Professionals exploring new industries or roles
Women seeking insight into hiring and workplace dynamics
Anyone wanting to expand their network in a low pressure environment
You do not need a polished pitch or a clear next step to attend. Curiosity, openness, and a willingness to connect are enough.
Agenda Free, Relationship Centered Connection
This evening is built around conversation rather than programming. There are no sales pitches and no expectations to promote yourself. Simply sharing a meal. The focus is on meeting people, sharing experiences, and building trust.
Access to HR Perspectives Across Industries
HR professionals serve a wide range of industries and organizational types. Connecting with them informally offers insight into hiring trends, workplace culture, and how career gaps or pivots are viewed today.
These conversations can help demystify the hiring process and provide reassurance for returners who may worry about how their background is perceived.
Community Over Competition
Untapped Potential is known for fostering environments where women support one another rather than compete. This event reinforces that value by encouraging attendees to make new friends, share experiences, and uplift one another.
Networking becomes less about what you can get and more about what you can grow together.
Brought to You by an Industry Mentor
This event is brought to the community by Untapped Potential Industry Mentor Craig Cunningham, whose involvement reflects a commitment to creating inclusive, people centered professional spaces.
Industry mentors play an important role in Untapped Potential’s ecosystem by bridging experience, opportunity, and community. Their support helps ensure events are grounded in real world insight while remaining accessible and welcoming.
Whine & Dine: A Relaxed Setting for Meaningful Conversation
The evening is hosted as part of the Whine & Dine Central CT Chapter, known for creating warm, conversational environments that encourage connection without agenda.
This event also marks a special moment, as the Founder of Whine & Dine will be attending this kickoff gathering. With multiple chapters across regions, Whine & Dine brings a proven model of community focused networking to this collaboration. Meeting in a relaxed, social setting allows conversations to unfold naturally. Over food and drink, barriers lower and genuine connection becomes easier.
How This Supports Returners and Career Pivoters
For women navigating career transitions, networking is not about collecting business cards. It is about rebuilding confidence, visibility, and a sense of professional belonging.
Events like Network with Those in HR support returners by:
Normalizing non linear career paths
Providing exposure to hiring perspectives
Creating opportunities to practice professional conversation
The Value of Showing Up In Person
In person connection carries a different energy. Body language, laughter, and spontaneous conversation all contribute to stronger relationships. For many returners who have spent years outside traditional professional spaces, simply attending a professionally oriented event is a great way to start your journey!
What is terrific about this opportunity is that it is a “launch” event for Whine & Dine in the Central CT region. This means that everyone will be new! You have the opportunity to step back into professional community on your own terms, without judgment or expectation.
If you are looking to rebuild confidence gradually, in person networking events like this can be a meaningful starting point.
Event Details
📅 Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
🕤 Time: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
🎟 Tickets: Not specified
Take the Next Step Toward Connection and Community
If you are ready to get out of your box, meet new people, and build relationships that support your career journey, this event is for you.Networking does not have to feel forced. Sometimes, it starts with a shared meal, an open conversation, and the confidence to show up as you are.
