Plan your Core4 Indianapolis Experience.

Evaluating Impact

Kenya Phillips, Learning Architect, Prudential

Sheri Lee, Instructional Designer, Georgia Department of Human Services

• Participants will collaborate to design one in-person or digital assessment activity that measures learner reasoning or real-world application, and they will be able to explain how it improves on a traditional quiz.
• Participants will evaluate an existing assessment from their own practice and revise it using at least two creative, low-stress strategies introduced in the session.
• Optional Challenge: Participants will analyze a sample learner response using at least one AI-supported technique, such as vibe coding or pattern identification, to identify insights that a quiz would not reveal.

Speaker Bios

Kenya Phillips

Kenya Phillips is an instructional designer with experience creating enterprise level content in both corporate and government spaces. She specializes in designing well-structured, learner-centric courses that always incorporate a fun surprise. Kenya is an active a member of the Greater Atlanta ATD chapter and is proud to have earned her CPTD in April 2025 . Her current work at Prudential focuses on creating engaging, effective, and innovative training solutions that drive organizational growth.

Sheri Lee

Sheri Lee is an Instructional Designer with expertise in learning design, business analysis, sales enablement, accessibility, and eLearning. A CPACC-certified professional with over a decade of experience, she creates accessible training for government and corporate audiences, integrating WCAG and Sections 504/508 for compliance and engagement.

Instructional Design

Bianca Baumann, VP, Learning Solutions & Innovation

Mike Taylor, Learning Consultant

• Audit existing content and make defensible decisions about what to keep, fix, or retire using a simple framework.
• Improve learning content using the SURE principles to increase scannability and learner engagement.
• Design content with reuse in mind to reduce duplication and increase efficiency.

Speaker Bios

Bianca Baumann

Bianca Baumann is an experienced L&D strategist with 15+ years of experience designing innovative learning solutions. She advises organizations on workforce transformation, onboarding, and reskilling, creating practical frameworks that support growth and performance. Bianca has led award-winning projects across automotive, finance, marketing, and events, speaks at international conferences, facilitates at OISE, and is the author of Think Like a Marketer, Train Like an L&D Pro.

Mike Taylor

Mike Taylor is a learning consultant with 20+ years of experience in instructional design and organizational performance. He is known for translating complex ideas into practical, engaging learning experiences. Mike teaches in Franklin University’s Graduate Instructional Design and Technology program, speaks regularly at industry conferences, and publishes an influential newsletter. He is the author of Think Like a Marketer, Train Like an L&D Pro – Strategies to Ignite Learning.

Emerging Trends

Allana Bowman, Training and Development Specialist, Pharmacy Data Management (PDMI)

• Apply agile learning design principles to build Minimum Viable Learning solutions that reduce rework and align stakeholders.
• Use focused intake questions and feedback checkpoints to engage stakeholders efficiently and effectively.
• Define clear stopping points and plan future iterations to keep learning projects focused and adaptable.

Speaker Bio

Allana Bowman

Allana Bowman, CPTD, is a Training and Development Specialist with over 13 years of experience designing learning that aligns to business goals and supports long term employee growth. She specializes in agile instructional design, coaching, e-learning, and competency mapping, with a focus on reducing rework and driving impact. Allana holds a degree in HR Management from the University of Akron and serves as Membership Director for Cuyahoga Valley ATD and on the ATD Chapter Recognition Committee.

Training Delivery & Facilitation

Moe Poirier, Founding Partner, Shift Facilitation

• Describe your strengths and weaknesses as a trainer using the characteristics and traits of personas.
• Adapt the strengths of your unique training style to better support your learners.

Speaker Bio

Moe Poirier

Moe is the Trainer’s Trainer. His expertise and insight have been honed over 20+ years focused on facilitation. As a train-the-trainer specialist, Moe combines understated self-assurance with a spark so powerful it ignites lasting positive change. He’s courageous in his feedback, and relentless in the way he coaches both virtually and in-person. Through Shift Facilitation, he and his team are called upon by companies large and small to elevate the impact of their internal training teams.

Training Delivery & Facilitation

Paul Kesig, Senior Manager, Education – Sports Medicine DePuy Synthes, Kesig Enterprise Solutions

• Apply a structured questioning framework to guide learner discovery and reflection.
• Craft better facilitation prompts that increase curiosity and learner ownership.
• Guide meaningful career development conversations with managers, peers, or interviewers by preparing thoughtful, strategic questions demonstrating clarify, curiosity, and confidence.

Speaker Bio

Paul Kesig

Paul Kesig is a speaker, sales coach, and author of How to LOVE Sales. He helps sales consultants and L&D professionals build confidence, drive behavior change, and spark engagement. Whether training Fortune 500 sales reps or guiding career transitions, Paul’s sessions are practical, energizing, and action focused. With 15+ years of real-world experience in sales and education, he inspires audiences to embrace being sore today to become strong tomorrow to show how discomfort leads to growth.

Instructional Design

Kyrie Drake, Leadership Development Manager, Arizona Department of Transportation

• You will be able to utilize a practical framework for designing low-cost, immersive learning experiences to adapt your own training, onboarding, or professional development programs.
• You will be able to explore practical ways to integrate experiential learning principles into web-based learning environments using Google Sites to support active engagement and create lasting impact.

Speaker Bio

Kyrie Drake

A lifelong learner, educator and facilitator, I currently develop immersive leadership learning at the Arizona Dept. of Transportation, including the ATD award-winning program ADOTLeads. With my roots in early childhood education and years designing and delivering business skills training in the private sector, I combine my passion for teaching with innovative, technology-driven approaches to equip leaders at all levels to grow, engage, and lead effectively across the organization.

Training Delivery & Facilitation

Stacey Kernisan, Distance Learning Coordinator/Adjunct Professor, Syracuse University/Morgan University

• Identify common but often hidden barriers facing adult learners and assess how those barriers show up in their own courses or programs.
• Apply equity-centered instructional and accessibility practices to course design, assignments, and learning activities to better support adult learner success.
• Utilize practical strategies and tools to create inclusive learning environments that increase engagement, persistence, and confidence among adult learners.

Speaker Bio

Stacey Kernisan

Dr. Stacey Kernisan is a recognized expert in adult learning, disability rights, and workforce development. She serves as a Senior Training Specialist, adjunct professor, and ADA training professional, and is affiliated with the Southeast ADA Center and Morgan State University. Dr. Kernisan brings expertise in instructional design, accessibility, and inclusive practices across education, government, and industry.

Instructional Design

Madeline Mbeh, Manager, Global Learning, CSL

• Use a 5-question diagnostic to determine whether training is the appropriate solution.
• Identify common situations where training is unlikely to improve performance.
• Communicate recommendations to stakeholders with clarity and confidence.

Speaker Bio

Madeline Mbeh

Madeline Mbeh, CPTD, is a learning and development professional with over a decade of experience designing and scaling learning solutions across global organizations. She currently serves as a Global Talent Development Manager at CSL, where she partners with stakeholders to create learner-centered, data-informed programs that drive performance, growth, and meaningful impact.

Instructional Design

Robyn Defelice, Consultant, RADLearning

• Define cognitive load and its role in microlearning design.
• Assess content for depth and complexity to determine how to chunk it into manageable pieces.
• Discern what to strip, such as clutter, noise, and unnecessary design choices to reduce what gets in the way.

Speaker Bio

Robyn Defelice

Robyn A. Defelice, PhD has over 25 years of experience empowering L&D professionals to maximize their impact across diverse industries. As a consultant, author, learning systems strategist, and international speaker, she helps practitioners build confidence in their expertise while expanding their perspectives on what’s possible. Through evidence-based approaches and practical frameworks, she enables L&D functions to demonstrate measurable value and achieve greater organizational influence.

Emerging Trends

Megan Torrance, CEO, TorranceLearning

• Navigate AI implementation efforts across the 3 AI Impact Zones for L&D
• Use the AI Implementation Canvas tool to start meaningful conversations cross-functionally throughout the organization
• Apply the W.I.S.E. A.T. A.I. framework when using native GenAI use, AI power-ups in work tools, and when designing AI products and experiences for others

Speaker Bio

Megan Torrance

Megan Torrance is the CEO and founder of TorranceLearning, where she leads a team of learning experience designers & engineers in reimagining workplace learning. Her firm has served Fortune 1000 companies, major research universities, global professional associations, and federal agencies for over two decades. Megan brings a strategic vision that helps TorranceLearning bridge vision with execution-delivering innovative, data-informed, and learner-centered solutions.

Evaluating Impact

Vanessa Alzate, Owner/CEO, Kirkpatrick Partners

• Explain how the Kirkpatrick Model can be used as a front-end design framework by identifying business results and critical behaviors before designing training content.
• Translate Level 4 results and Level 3 behaviors into focused learning objectives and aligned learning activities that support on-the-job performance.
• Apply the KADDIE blueprint to an instructional design scenario to outline a performance-focused approach they can adapt to their own projects.

Speaker Bio

Vanessa Alzate

Vanessa Milara Alzate is the Owner and CEO of Kirkpatrick Partners and Founder of Anchored Training. With more than fifteen years of experience, she has guided organizations across industries including life sciences, government, and military. She is the author of Building a Culture of Evaluation and the steward of the globally recognized Kirkpatrick Model. Vanessa helps leaders position evaluation as the foundation for organizational performance, innovation, and measurable results.

Training Delivery & Facilitation

Artrell Williams, Founder, Mukeva Learning Partners

• Adapt delivery in the moment by reading the room and responding to learner cues
• Apply practical performance-informed techniques-such as presence, timing, and listening-to sustain engagement
• Use responsiveness to support learning that shows up in the workplace when it really matters

Speaker Bio

Artrell Williams

Artrell Williams is a learning and development leader and facilitator with 15+ years of experience. Artrell is an ATD Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD), an ATD Master Trainer, as well as a Gamification Master Craftsman, globally recognized for designing transformative learning experiences. Drawing on his background in standup and improvisational performance, he helps facilitators build presence, adaptability, and responsiveness in live learning environments.

Evaluating Impact

Maggie Xin Sun, Principal Consultant and Founder, Bright & Joy Management Consulting (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd.

• Diagnose whether stalled learning impact is driven by instructional design limits or by enterprise conditions beyond L&D's direct control.
• Reframe sponsor conversations to clarify decision ownership, success criteria, and accountability for transfer.
• Decide when training is the right lever-and when to recommend enterprise, leadership, or operating-model interventions instead.

Speaker Bio

Maggie Xin Sun

Maggie Xin Sun is a dual-certified global organizational strategist (ATD-CPTD, SHRM-SCP) with 20+ years spanning in-house HR/OTD leadership and strategic consulting. She has delivered 50+ featured keynotes, conference sessions, and expert dialogues across North America, Europe, and APAC. An ATD CPTD Test Item Writer and Reviewer, she focuses on learning impact, organizational enablement, and AI-amplified TD practice-helping TD professionals become credible business partners.

Training Delivery & Facilitation

Tekeisha Zimmerman, Managing Director, Masterpiece in Progress Learning

• Diagnose the emotional and cognitive "vibe" of an audience in the first minute using the 60-Second Audit tool.
• Determine the most effective opening archetype from eight facilitation options based on audience vibe, delivery context, and session goals.
• Craft and deliver a ready-to-use 60-second opening that can be applied immediately to an upcoming facilitation or presentation.

Speaker Bio

Tekeisha Zimmerman

Dr. Tekeisha Zimmerman is a Clinical Professor of Human Resource Development and the founder of Masterpiece in Progress Learning. She helps leaders and facilitators build practical capability in presence, judgment, and engagement. Her work draws on extensive experience designing and delivering learning programs in corporate environments and teaching undergraduate students, bridging research, facilitation, and real-world application.

Emerging Trends

Nick Floro, Learning Architect, Sealworks Interactive Studios

• Apply a practical design thinking workflow to move learning projects from concept to validated direction before development begins.
• Utilize rapid ideation, sketching, and prototyping techniques to gather meaningful stakeholder and learner feedback early in the process.
• Implement collaborative tools and practices that improve alignment, reduce rework, and accelerate decision-making in remote and hybrid teams.

Speaker Bio

Nick Floro

Nick Floro is a co-founder and Chief Learning Architect at Sealworks Interactive Studios with over 30 years of experience designing learning experiences, applications, and web platforms. He specializes in the intersection of design, technology, and learning, helping teams turn ideas into learner-centered solutions. Nick is passionate about teaching and prototyping innovative concepts that engage audiences and reach millions of learners worldwide.

Instructional Design

Katrina Kennedy, Chief Learning Officer, ThinkDev

• After completing this session, participants will be able to evaluate existing training programs using 16 evidence-based learning principles.
• After completing this session, participants will be able to add specific strategies into their training programs.
• After completing this session, participants will be able to improve any training design using the card sort diagnostic method.

Speaker Bio

Katrina Kennedy

Katrina, known as the "trainer's trainer," is a facilitator, speaker, and author with 25+ years in learning and development. Author of the book, Learning That Lasts, she has helped thousands of subject matter experts design and deliver engaging learning experiences in a variety of industries. She shares training insights and ideas at www.katrinakennedy.com.

Instructional Design

Leigh Ann Morgan, Sr Instructional Designer, Greene Tweed

• Apply a one-page Decision Anchor to define scope quickly and protect the learning goal.
• Utilize Must/Should/Could triage to prioritize SME input and reduce rework.
• Build a decision-first storyboard that turns content into decisions, practice, and feedback for immediate development.

Speaker Bio

Leigh Ann Morgan

Leigh Ann Morgan is a corporate instructional designer with a master's degree in Instructional Design and Technology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is also a Prosci -certified Change Management practitioner and an Org Development professional. She designs with intention by assessing needs, aligning stakeholders, and building eLearning that develops skills and improves performance.

Evaluating Impact

Lawrence Williams, Founder/Principal Consultant, WM5 Consulting

• Assess current workflows and constraints to clarify what problem learning is being asked to solve before selecting evaluation measures.
• Identify root causes that limit learning effectiveness and determine when training is the right response, and when other operational shifts are needed.
• Apply a simple, repeatable diagnostic sequence to connect learning decisions to real performance outcomes and communicate with greater clarity.

Speaker Bio

Lawrence Williams

I'm the founder of WM5 Consulting. My work is grounded in nearly two decades across affordable housing operations, software implementation, training, and cross-functional strategy. I help organizations align people and processes, knowing that when systems don't work, everyone feels it. My approach focuses on operational clarity, root-cause thinking, and building solutions that respect both the work and the people doing it.

Training Delivery & Facilitation

Erika Skita, Organizational Coach & Emotional Intelligence Strategy Consultant, City of Burnaby

• Analyze the shift from content-heavy to connection-heavy facilitation in the age of AI.
• Apply EI-driven frameworks to mitigate "Change Fatigue" and digital resistance within teams.
• Develop a personal "Humanity Premium" strategy to future-proof your facilitation practice.

Speaker Bio

Erika Skita

Erika Skita, LL.M., CPHR, CTDP, COC, is an organizational coach specializing in the practical application of Emotional Intelligence (EI) for team and leadership development. With a background as a legal counsel (7 years) and a consultant for over a decade, she bridges logical precision with empathic facilitation. Having trained 5,000+ global participants, she provides grounded, tactical "Room Reset" strategies to help leaders navigate resistance and foster psychological safety.

Emerging Trends

Jacob Wood, Founder, growth for ALL

• Apply a simple pre-build accessibility lens to identify potential barriers early in the design process.
• Evaluate an interaction using a quick keyboard-only workflow check to confirm it is operable without a mouse.
• Communicate accessibility decisions as intentional design choices using clear, professional rationales that build stakeholder confidence.

Speaker Bio

Jacob Wood

Jacob Wood is the Founder and Accessibility Leadership Evangelist at Growth for ALL. A blind screen reader user and NVDA Certified Expert, his experience is at the intersection of L&D and assistive technology. Jacob teaches practical, "in-the-flow" accessibility habits that help teams build inclusive learning experiences without waiting for permission or extra budget.

Evaluating Impact

Tracie Cantu, CEO and Chief Learning Strategist, Your Chief Learning Officer

• Understand how a training request can be translated into measurable performance questions tied to business outcomes.
• Identify 3-5 "good enough" metrics using existing operational data (even when systems are messy).
• Use lightweight manager feedback methods to validate behavior change without survey theater.

  Build evaluation into design up front so measurement is not a frantic afterthought.

Speaker Bio

Tracie Cantu

As CEO & Chief Learning Strategist at Your CLO, Tracie Cantu connects L&D strategy to business operations. With 20 years leading talent development transformation at Meta, Atlassian, and Whole Foods Market Amazon, she helps organizations modernize talent development to match the speed of business through strategy, systems, and execution that scale impact.

Instructional Design

Garima gupta, Founder/CEO, ATD , I4PL

• The Ingredients List: A breakdown of modern modalities (from deep-dive ILT to bite-sized microlearning) and knowing exactly when to use which.
• Real-World Recipes: Case study examples showing how we mixed different formats to solve specific organizational challenges.
• Sequencing for Success: How to structure the *timing* of your campaign to maintain momentum and engagement over weeks or months.

Speaker Bio

Garima gupta

Garima Gupta is the Founder & CEO of Artha Learning Inc., an award-winning learning design firm, and the Creator of AIReady and the AI Accelerator Certificate. With over 20 years of experience in L&D, education, and technology, she is a recognized leader in creatively integrating AI into learning. Garima holds an MEd in Adult Ed and a CTDP designation, and regularly speaks at global conferences on AI in L&D, instructional design, and impactful digital learning.

Training Delivery & Facilitation

Jordon Taylor, Owner, Corporate Training Companion

• Apply a four-step preparation framework to quickly internalize new content before stepping into the training room.
• Utilize AI-powered prompts to brainstorm engaging stories, analogies, and transitions that make complex or dry content resonate with learners.
• Build a custom "delivery cheatsheet" for upcoming presentations to guarantee a smooth session.

Speaker Bio

Jordon Taylor

Jordon Taylor helps new and experienced learning professionals build real skills in modern corporate training. He designs practical, engaging Train-the-Learning-Professional experiences that build strong instructional habits, confident facilitation, and effective learning processes. He has spent over a decade leading learning and development organizations globally and facilitating training internationally.

Training Delivery & Facilitation

Kim Nicol, Coach and Facilitator, Private Practice

• Discover how drawing primes learner readiness — even if you think you're not artistic.
• Use this activity in a wide range of facilitated sessions — both in-person and virtual, with groups of 2-200+ people.
• Design your own drawing activity — so you can adapt for any audience and content.

Speaker Bio

Kim Nicol

Kim Nicol, JD, PCC is an Executive Coach and creator of The New Manager Podcast, a top 2% globally ranked show that explores the human side of work and leadership. She teaches a popular communications course on Maven, has worked on the L&D team at LinkedIn, and taught Essential Skills for New Managers at General Assembly. Her calm energy and warm teaching style are grounded in practical, real-world application. She lives in San Francisco.

Training Delivery & Facilitation

Jill Conlin, Training & Development Specialist, ATD Member

• Learn how to instantly boost live-session engagement using microlearning "nuggets" and adaptive techniques proven to reduce cognitive overload and keep learners active throughout the session.
• Gain practical, ready-to-use strategies-like real-time assessments, polls, branching scenarios, and short-burst content-that they can apply in their very next training.

Speaker Bio

Jill Conlin

Jill Conlin is a Training Specialist with 15 years of experience designing and delivering impactful learning programs across engineering, manufacturing, and construction. She's led major training initiatives, developed custom technical solutions, and built high-growth STEM programs. Jill brings expertise in instructional design, technology training, and creating learner-centered development experiences.

Instructional Design

Tristia Hennessey, Senior Instructional Technology Strategist, Evolve Solutions Group

• Design simple branching scenarios with 3-5 decision points that drive behavior change.
• Use a single branching framework and apply it across different industries and scenarios.
• Discover how intentional design choices-not complexity-create effective, scalable scenario-based learning

Speaker Bio

Tristia Hennessey

Tristia Hennessey is an instructional designer and tech strategist with 10+ years of experience designing and developing training. She specializes in designing large-scale blended curricula, simulations and games for learning, emerging and immersive modalities, generative AI, and pushing the limits of e-learning development tools. She currently consults on tech strategy for learning and leads project teams at Evolve Solutions Group.

Emerging Trends

Morgean Hirt, Director of Credentialing, ATD

• Explain the purpose of the Capability Model and how it can be used by various stakeholders.
• Describe trends in the field as outlined in the Talent Development Capability Model.
• Develop a personal learning plan to close knowledge and skill gaps.

Speaker Bio

Morgean Hirt

Morgean Hirt is responsible for leadership of the ATD Certification Institute and facilitated the development of the Talent Development Capability Model, Talent Development Career Pathways, and a variety of related interactive career development tools. She has over thirty years of experience in competency framework development, professional certification, standard setting, and career development across a variety of professions.

Evaluating Impact

Christopher Massaro, Senior Consultant, Talent Development, UNC Health

• Explain why qualitative evidence is frequently underutilized in impact evaluation and how it strengthens causal interpretation (the "why" behind results).
• Select high-value qualitative sources and design prompts that produce evaluation-ready evidence (not vague opinions).
• Apply a streamlined coding/theming method to identify drivers, barriers, and indicators of behavior change.

Speaker Bio

Christopher Massaro

Christopher Massaro is a Senior Talent Development Consultant at UNC Health and an research lecturer with the University of Southern Maine. He designs and facilitates leadership and professional development programs and focuses on learning measurement, evaluation, and learning analytics. He helps L&D teams move beyond activity metrics by integrating learner voice and qualitative evidence with quantitative results to produce credible, executive-ready findings and recommendations.

Emerging Trends

Moe Ash, Learning Architect/Founder of The Catalyst, The Catalyst

• Identify mapping learning request to observable target behaviors for game ideation.
• Explain the PENTA elements to translate a learning goal into core player actions and decisions.
• Recognize a learning activity idea using basic game-thinking criteria rather than presentation structure.

Speaker Bio

Moe Ash

Moe Ash is a learning architect specialized in designing a myriad of learning experience designs. He holds a BSc in HR Mgmt (minor Econmics) from Sadat Academy and an MA in Int'l Development from AUC. He's a CIPD-HR Associate, Certified Competency Matrix Developer, and Certified Assessment Center Analyst. Moe founded The Catalyst Experience, an ID consultancy with 20+ home-grown, custom learning games and gamification systems.

Instructional Design

Cindy Huggett, Principal/CEO, Cindy Huggett Consulting, LLC

• Apply 5 principles of engaging design to each virtual class.
• Open a virtual class with immediate activity to capture attention.
• Select appropriate activities for maximum participant engagement.

Speaker Bio

Cindy Huggett

As a leading industry expert and 25 year pioneer of virtual training, Cindy Huggett, CPTD, has vast experience delivering engaging learning solutions. She's the author of 6 acclaimed books on the subject including The Virtual Training Guidebook 2nd ed and The Facilitator's Guide to Immersive, Blended, and Hybrid Learning. She partners with organizations, trainers and designers to create engaging virtual training with lasting learning impact. Based in Raleigh, NC, Cindy serves clients globally.

Training Delivery & Facilitation

David Goldberg, CEO, Speaking & Presence Coach & Trainer, Edge Studio, ATD

• Strengthen delivery through intentional vocal tone, pacing, and emphasis.
• Apply practical mic, sound, and camera practices to elevate production quality.
• Communicate authority and connection through voice and body alignment.

Speaker Bio

David Goldberg

David Goldberg owns an international audio recording and training studio in NYC where he has directed, trained, & coached more than 10,000 trainers, CEOs, politicians, entrepreneurs, and celebrities for nearly 40 years. He has an uncanny ability to spot your speaking quirks and make on-the-spot adjustments to help every speaker stand out. He is the author of 6 books, including one featured with Tony Robbins. www.edgestudio.com/about-david-goldberg

Instructional Design

Melissa Delavida, President and Founder, MAD Learning Design

• Execute a systematic 5-step analysis process to filter, gap-check, and map raw source content.
• Categorize massive amounts of information into a clear hierarchy of training plans, courses, and modules that are needed for large learning initiatives.
• Leverage AI tools to accelerate the sorting, summarizing, and alignment of large volumes of source material.

Speaker Bio

Melissa Delavida

With 20 years in technology, I began as a technical writer, then evolved into a Learning Solutions Architect and business owner. I’ve spent 18 years providing strategy, process improvement, and development across various industries. My expertise lies in breaking down complex technical content into digestible learning assets, from system simulations to learning programs. I specialize in building foundational frameworks that streamline development and ensure accuracy in the age of AI.

Training Delivery & Facilitation

Viet Hoang, Facilitator, Pint Size Ideas

• Examine behaviors of teams with high psychological safety, the basic premise of improv training, and how improv strengthens soft skills for stronger teams.
• Design and implement five improv exercises to address specific organizational learning objectives.
• Apply debriefing questions after each exercise to translate learning to the workplace.

Speaker Bio

Viet Hoang

Viet Hoang has been in talent development for over fifteen years and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources by HRCI, a Professional Certified Coach by ICF, and a Senior Certified Professional by SHRM. He is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and is a DDI Certified Facilitator.

Viet is a founding member of three LA-based improv troupes. He is a graduate of The Second City Conservatory.

Emerging Trends

Destery Hildenbrand, Learning Technology Specialist, Green State Credit Union

• Identify learning problems where vibe coding adds value.
• Practice structuring prompts that generate usable learning interactions.
• Apply guardrails to experiment safely within their organization.

Speaker Bio

Destery Hildenbrand

I work as a learning technology specialist at GreenState Credit Union, designing learning solutions that must operate within real systems, timelines, and compliance requirements. I also consult with organizations on AI-supported design workflows, immersive learning, and emerging training technologies. With over 17 years in L&D, this session reflects hands-on implementation, not theory.

Instructional Design

Courtney Porter, Sr. Learning Designer, LabConnect

• Apply the Asset Analysis tool immediately to make swift and confident selections of learning solutions.
• Justify design choices with stakeholders and collaboratively involve them in the design process.
• Overcome the overwhelm of a robust learning asset toolbox.

Speaker Bio

Courtney Porter

I’m a senior learning designer with over 15 years of experience. I’ve worked in several industries including clinical trials, banking, non-profit, and academics. My specialty is turning complex information into meaningful learning experiences especially in scientific contexts. My current work is focused on leadership development, sales training, and software implementation.

Training Delivery & Facilitation

Patty Lindstrom, Founder / CEO, Living the Brand® Academy

• Apply a simple facilitation technique that helps learners connect training content to their role and impact.
• Increase learner engagement and participation during training sessions using purpose-driven prompts.
• Strengthen learning transfer by guiding learners toward clear, actionable commitments.

Speaker Bio

Patty Lindstrom

Patty Lindstrom, PhD is a leadership strategist, entrepreneur, and scholar with 30+ years of experience helping organizations strengthen performance, innovation, and culture. She is the founder of Creative Logic, Inc. and Living the Brand® Academy, and has advised over 1,000 organizations worldwide. Patty holds a PhD in Values-Driven Leadership with a foundation in Org. Behav. and Dev. and authored of PURPOSE AT WORK: How Purpose and Innovation Drive Transformational Change (Routledge, 2025).

Training Delivery & Facilitation

Kimberly Richardson, Coach, Consultant, Keep Rising

• Design training activities that intentionally use learner speaking to increase comprehension and retention.
• Apply verbal processing strategies that move learners from passive listening to active understanding.
• Facilitate structured participant dialogue that improves engagement and transfer of learning.

Speaker Bio

Kimberly Richardson

Dr. Kim Richardson is a PCC-certified IFC coach, consultant, and learning experience designer. She creates high-impact learning that engages minds and hearts, connects personally through stories and humor, facilitates conversations that stretch thinking, and inspires leaders and teams to strengthen EQ, operate with character, and act with clarity and purpose-building stronger organizations and lasting change.

Instructional Design

Natalie Stringer, Sr. Organizational Training Specialist, ECS Federal

• Analyze a real-world L&D case study and extract practical solutions
• Apply the Someday, Maybe list methodology to the instructional design process.
• Explain the value of a Someday, Maybe list and identify where it can be used to balance innovation with team capacity.

Speaker Bio

Natalie Stringer

Natalie Stringer is a passionate L&D professional with a diverse background in technology and education. She holds a PhD in virology and CPTD, combining scientific expertise with a dedication to fostering growth in individuals and organizations. Her career journey from the NIH to ECS Federal is shaped by curiosity and a genuine desire to support others.

Instructional Design

Elaine Biech, President, ebb associates inc

Candice Hunt, Co-Founder & CEO, Leadacy

• Identify the core design elements that make an escape room an effective learning experience.
• Apply a step-by-step process for creating escape room challenges aligned to learning goals.
• Create a practical plan to design and launch their own escape room learning experience.

Speaker Bios

Elaine Biech

Elaine Biech, CPTD Fellow, is a consultant, facilitator, and principal author of the TDBoK. She authored a Washington Post #1 best seller, The Art and Science of Training and 89 other books. ATD calls her “a titan of the training industry.” She serves on CCL’s Board of Governors and is recipient of numerous awards: 4 national ATD awards; the Wisconsin Women Mentor Award; ISA’s Thought Leader Award. She’s a lifelong learner who’s been instrumental in guiding the TD field throughout her career.

Candice Hunt

Candice Hunt is the Co-Founder and CEO of Leadacy, a leadership development company. Candice began her career as a teacher and then spent over a decade training and coaching leaders, most notably leading the culture and team integration strategy for the largest credit union merger in the US. Candice’s work earned her a publication in TD Magazine. She’s an ATD National Advisor to Chapters, and enjoys speaking at ATD chapter events around the country.

Evaluating Impact

Becky Willis, CLO, Tractus Learning

• Be equipped with a blueprint to the shift to restart measuring performance and impact.
• Discover how to focus and find business data that matters.
• Apply the principals of business focus, modern learning strategy and data collection.

Speaker Bio

Becky Willis

Becky Willis is a modern learning strategist, speaker, and author focusing on learning engagement and technology. As a founder and CLO at Tractus Learning, she helps businesses design, develop, and improve learning. Previously, she was the VP of Engagement at EdCast and led Learning Innovation & Strategy at HPE and HP, with other leadership positions in HR, Sales and Marketing. Becky’s ATD book, 7 Steps to Better Learning Engagement Driving Business Results will be out in February 2026.

Training Delivery & Facilitation

Rusty Shields, Owner, Develefy Consulting

• Identify common "smothering" facilitation traps that reduce impact and retention.
• Apply three engagement techniques that activate learner attention and "SPARK" participation.
• Design inclusive learning environments through personalization and experiential learning that resonate with any learner.

Speaker Bio

Rusty Shields

Rusty Shields is an International Speaker, Master Facilitator, Author, known for turning sessions into spark-filled experiences that fuel engagement and ignite transformation. Creator of The Spark Effect, he coaches learning professionals how to spark curiosity, activate retention, and kindle connections through leaner-centered facilitation. As a thought leader in neurodiversity, Rusty’s signature style blends research-backed frameworks with dynamic storytelling and powerful group facilitation.

Emerging Trends

Betty Dannewitz, Founder, CEO, the actual Betty

• Define a show purpose + audience tied to a learning need (onboarding, enablement, manager support, culture).
• Select a minimum-viable recording setup that fits real constraints.
• Create a simple workflow + 90-day plan to publish the first three episodes.

Speaker Bio

Betty Dannewitz

Betty Dannewitz is a learning and talent development leader, speaker, and host of the ifyouaskbetty podcast-where she asks the questions we’re all thinking but don’t always say out loud. Her work sits at the intersection of learning, leadership, and rapid tech change, with a special focus on tech-induced imposter syndrome: the confidence crash that can happen when new tools (especially AI) show up fast, and you’re expected to be the expert.