Core4 Focus: Instructional Design Speakers

Jess Almlie

Learning & Performance Strategist, Owner
Almlie Consulting

Jess Almlie

Learning & Performance Strategist, Owner
Almlie Consulting

Jess Almlie is a former vice president of learning and a dynamic leader in the learning and development field. She is passionate about empowering L&D professionals to increase our impact by evolving from order takers to strategic business partners. With three decades of experience and a proven track record of driving strategic initiatives, Jess helps organizations solve talent challenges and improve performance. In addition to consulting and speaking, Jess hosts the podcast, L&D Must Change, and is the author of the book, L&D Order Taker No More! Become a Strategic Business Partner, published by ATD Press.

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Vanessa Milara Alzate

Owner/CEO,
Kirkpatrick Partners

Vanessa Milara Alzate

Owner/CEO,
Kirkpatrick Partners

Vanessa Milara Alzate is the owner and CEO of Kirkpatrick Partners and Founder of Anchored Training. With more than 15 years of experience, she has guided organizations across industries, including life sciences, federal government, and the Department of Defense. She is the author of Building a Culture of Evaluation (May 2026) and the steward of the globally recognized Kirkpatrick Four Levels® of Evaluation. Vanessa helps leaders position evaluation as the foundation for organizational performance, innovation, and measurable results.

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Rocki Basel

Director of Research,
ATD

Rocki Basel

Director of Research,
ATD

Rocki Basel, PhD, joined the Association for Talent Development (ATD) in 2022 and is the director of research. Before joining ATD, she was a researcher for other national membership organizations. Her research interests include workplace culture, employee engagement, mental health, and organizational communication. She has a PhD in communication studies from Kent State University.

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Allana Bowman, CPTD®

Training and Development Specialist,
Pharmacy Data Management (PDMI)

Allana Bowman, CPTD®

Training and Development Specialist,
Pharmacy Data Management (PDMI)

Allana Bowman, CPTD, is a training and development specialist with more than 13 years of experience designing learning solutions that align with organizational goals and promote long-term employee growth. She specializes in agile instructional design, coaching, e-learning, and competency mapping, supported by expertise in data analysis and change management. Allana holds a degree in human resources management from the University of Akron and serves as co-membership Director for the Cuyahoga Valley ATD Chapter and a member of ATD’s Chapter Recognition Committee. Outside of work, she enjoys time with her husband, two daughters, and two rescued Bernese Mountain dogs.

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Josh Cavalier

Founder,
JoshCavalier.ai

Josh Cavalier

Founder,
JoshCavalier.ai

Josh Cavalier is the founder and CEO of JoshCavalier.ai, helping L&D professionals harness AI to transform human-machine performance. With more than 30 years of experience in education technology, he makes AI practical through training, speaking, and his live show, Brainpower. His book, Applying AI in Learning and Development: From Platforms to Performance, provides a roadmap for integrating AI into L&D using real-world platforms, tools, workflows, and ethical considerations.

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Deanna Criddle

Training Specialist,
Hanford Mission Integration Solutions (HMIS)

Deanna Criddle

Training Specialist,
Hanford Mission Integration Solutions (HMIS)

Deanna Criddle is a training specialist at Hanford Mission Integration Solutions (HMIS), where she supports learning and training across disciplines. Deanna holds an MEd from Colorado State University and has nearly 20 years of experience in adult education (community college, career college, and corporate training). She has an aptitude for e-learning design but is equally comfortable and confident in the classroom. Deanna is committed to developing courses, regardless of format, that focus on learner engagement and experience.

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Lisa Crockett

Director of Education & Organizational Effectiveness,
Merchant Advisory Group

Lisa Crockett

Director of Education & Organizational Effectiveness,
Merchant Advisory Group

Lisa is the Director of Education & Organizational Effectiveness at the Merchant Advisory Group (MAG). She leads MAG’s member-facing education program and the internal effectiveness agenda; aligning people, processes, resources, and strategy, then measuring what matters so outcomes aren’t just promised, they’re proven.

Since 2019, Lisa has partnered with MAG via her firm engagethem, working with internal and external SMEs to deliver programming that drives real-world results. With 25+ years across Healthcare, High Tech, Manufacturing, and Consumer Goods, she’s a recognized expert in Learning Design, HR/OD, and Project Management. A coach and Six Sigma Green Belt, she’s built a career on turning engagement into capability… and capability into performance.

Beyond MAG, Lisa is known as URfriendinHR, offering clear-eyed guidance to professionals navigating messy, modern careers. She’s served on the ATD board, contributed to LinkedIn, and stays active across talent and learning communities. Whether consulting, coaching, or designing interactive and asynchronous learning, she’s here to help people and organizations do the work better.

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Dr. Michael Dorsey

Organizational Development Administrator,
Maryland Department of Transportation

Dr. Michael Dorsey

Organizational Development Administrator,
Maryland Department of Transportation

Dr. Michael Dorsey is a leadership strategist, speaker, and learning architect who helps people and organizations thrive. As organizational development administrator for the Maryland Department of Transportation and principal consultant of Michael Dorsey International, he partners with corporate, government, and nonprofit clients to design learning that drives measurable performance. A former chief learning officer for the Maryland Department of Human Services, Dr. Mike brings more than 20 years of experience in leadership development, instructional design, and workforce transformation. He is also the author of The One Click Mindset and the forthcoming Designing Training With the End in Mind from ATD Press.

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Diane Elkins

Co-Founder,
Artisan Learning

Diane Elkins

Co-Founder,
Artisan Learning

Diane Elkins is the co-founder of Artisan Learning, a custom learning design company. She’s built a reputation as a national e-learning expert by being a frequent speaker at major industry events such as ATD, The Learning Guild, Training Magazine, and ASAE. She is also the co-author of the popular E-Learning Uncovered book series, as well as E-Learning Fundamentals: A Practical Guide from ATD Press. She is a past board member of the Northeast Florida and Metro DC chapters of ATD. She is also a founding board member of Inspire Accessibility, a consortium of learning providers looking to champion accessibility in the e-learning industry. In 2024, she was tapped by The Learning Guild to be a Guild Master.

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Garima Gupta

Founder-CEO,
Artha Learning Inc.

Garima Gupta

Founder-CEO,
Artha Learning Inc.

Garima Gupta is the founder and CEO of Artha Learning Inc., an award-winning learning design firm, and the creator of AIReady and the AI Accelerator Certificate. With more than 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 education and a CTDP designation, and she regularly speaks at global conferences on AI in L&D, instructional design, and effective digital learning.

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Jonathan Hill

Assoc CIPD

Jonathan Hill

Assoc CIPD

Jonathan is an award-winning learning designer who transforms compliance training into engaging experiences that improve performance. With more than ten years of experience creating digital learning for the financial services, gaming, and corporate sectors, he specializes in evidence-based storytelling techniques that deliver measurable behavior change. A regular conference speaker and Articulate Community contributor, Jonathan currently works as a consultant with a number of global ed tech companies.

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Cindy Huggett

Principal/CEO,
Cindy Huggett Consulting, LLC

Cindy Huggett

Principal/CEO,
Cindy Huggett Consulting, LLC

As a leading industry expert and 20+ year pioneer of virtual training, Cindy Huggett, CPTD, has vast experience partnering with global organizations on learning strategy and technology solutions. She’s the author of six acclaimed books, including Virtual Training Tools and Templates: An Action Guide to Live Online Learning 2nd Edition, Designing Virtual Learning for Application and Impact, and The Facilitator’s Guide to Immersive, Blended and Hybrid Learning.

Cindy partners with organizations to create virtual training with lasting learning impact. She helps upskill trainers and designers, maximizes online learning design, and facilitates actionable virtual training and hybrid learning. A sought-after speaker, Cindy has taught thousands of people how to leverage live online training through cutting-edge workshops and presentations on topics related to leadership, learning, and technology. She’s a past member of the global ATD Board of Directors, and a pioneer CPTD. Based in Raleigh, NC, Cindy serves clients globally.

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Toni Kallungal

Instructional Designer,
Team b. Strategy

Toni Kallungal

Instructional Designer,
Team b. Strategy

Toni Kallungal is a learning and development professional specializing in instructional design, blended learning, and technology integration. As a government contractor, she develops high-impact training solutions using e-learning, virtual environments, and scenario-based learning. Toni focuses on creating learner-centric, technology-enhanced experiences that drive engagement, streamline training, and improve performance in diverse organizations.

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David Kolmer

Instructional Design Project Manager,
NAED

David Kolmer

Instructional Design Project Manager,
NAED

David Kolmer turns confusing topics into “aha!” moments. He’s a thought leader, instructional designer, facilitator, and recovering theater kid who believes effective is never boring—and refuses to let it be. Kolmer is known for creating focused, impactful programs laced with spectacle that help people build real-world skills fast.

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Nicole Papaioannou Lugara, PhD

Founder & Learning Strategist,
Your Instructional Designer

Nicole Papaioannou Lugara, PhD

Founder & Learning Strategist,
Your Instructional Designer

Nicole Papaioannou Lugara, PhD, is a learning strategist, entrepreneur, writer, and speaker. As the founder of Your Instructional Designer, she applies her knowledge of learning ecosystems, digital transformation, and community management to lead her team in designing high-impact learning experiences at scale. She works with organizations across a wide range of industries, including aviation, medical and behavioral health, fashion, news and entertainment, and professional services, to support growth and transformation. Her mission is always to make learning that matters—to her clients and their people.

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Juan Mavo-Navarro

Instructional Designer & Learning Consultant,
Threshold Concepts

Juan Mavo-Navarro

Instructional Designer & Learning Consultant,
Threshold Concepts

Juan has dedicated more than 25 years to mastering instructional systems design, working as an instructional designer, corporate trainer, e-learning developer, and learning consultant. His career spans academia and the corporate sector, where he has contributed significantly to online education and e-learning. Juan offers expert guidance to individuals and organizations seeking innovative and efficient learning solutions.

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Valary Oleinik

Owner and Chief Disruptor,
DandeLearn

Valary Oleinik

Owner and Chief Disruptor,
DandeLearn

Valary Oleinik is half geek and half artist and 100 percent committed to helping people develop and deliver more engaging and effective learning experiences and lives by the motto, “learners deserve better.” Her decades of experience in workplace training, higher education professional development, and innovative approach as a speaker and consultant on gamification of learning and creative problem-solving have earned her the titles of “maven of new thinking” and the “MacGyver of training.”

Valary is the owner and chief disruptor at her consultancy, DandeLearn, where she offers one-on-one coaching, as well as workshops and keynotes. She is also past president of USDLA (United States Distance Learning Association) and a certified facilitator of The BOX Experience, a proven methodology for when thinking out of the box isn’t enough. Throughout her endeavors, she is assisted by her cat and bunny, who are lousy typists but great at shredding papers.

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Jill Stanton

Director of Communities, Connection, and Marketing,
Fredrickson Learning

Jill Stanton

Director of Communities, Connection, and Marketing,
Fredrickson Learning

Jill Stanton has more than 25 years of L&D experience. She loves the learning industry and the sharing and curiosity that learning professionals foster. Her career has included various and award-winning learning projects: video, e-learning, curriculum, IT system development, performance support, strategy, ILT, and translation. She’s presented on many topics: personas, design thinking, project management, video and audio, accessibility, evidence-based design, AI for personas, and consultative skills.

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Mike Taylor

Learning Consultant,
Nationwide

Mike Taylor

Learning Consultant,
Nationwide

Mike Taylor is a learning consultant at Nationwide with more than 25 years of experience in instructional design and organizational performance. He’s the co-author of Think Like a Marketer, Train Like an L&D Pro, and a frequent speaker on making learning practical, engaging, and effective. As a faculty member at Franklin University, Mike helps future learning professionals connect the dots between academic theory and the messy, exciting reality of the workplace.

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Carla Torgerson

Solution Architect,
SweetRush

Carla Torgerson

Solution Architect,
SweetRush

Carla Torgerson, MEd, MBA has nearly 25 years of experience as an instructional designer and instructional strategist. Currently a solution architect at SweetRush, Carla helps clients to dream up amazing performance solutions that both consider their learners’ needs and meet business objectives. SweetRush is known for outstanding solutions that combine the best of learning experience design with highly engaging delivery. Carla authored The Microlearning Guide to Microlearning and co-authored Designing Microlearning.

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Danielle Wallace

Chief Learning Strategist,
Beyond the Sky: Custom Learning

Danielle Wallace

Chief Learning Strategist,
Beyond the Sky: Custom Learning

Danielle Wallace and her team at Beyond Role Plays and Beyond the Sky Custom Learning specialize in truly effective learning solutions. As the Chief Learning Strategist, Danielle brings marketing principles from her previous leadership roles at P&G and PepsiCo into learning and development. Danielle is a speaker at global conferences, and her thought leadership is featured in industry publications. Her podcast You in 2042: The Future of Work, and her AI+L&D Community of Practice can be found at beyondthesky.ca

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Brian Washburn

Co-founder and Principal,
Endurance Learning

Brian Washburn

Co-founder and Principal,
Endurance Learning

Brian Washburn is an author, speaker, and the co-founder and CEO of Endurance Learning, an instructional design firm dedicated to creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences.

Under his leadership, Endurance Learning has developed creative and unique instructor-led and e-learning programs for a diverse clientele, including international NGOs, nonprofit organizations, and Fortune 500 companies. Brian has facilitated workshops on presentation skills and instructional design across North America, South America, Asia, and Africa. These experiences have helped him identify and refine certain training and facilitation principles that have proven effective across geographic borders, cultures, types of organizations, age groups, and languages.

In addition to his practical experience, Brian is the author of two books—What’s Your Formula? Combine Learning Elements for Impactful Training (2021) and Instructional Design on a Shoestring (2024). He has also contributed chapters to several publications by the Association for Talent Development (ATD), including ATD’s Handbook for Consultants and ATD’s Handbook for Training and Talent Development.

Brian lives in Seattle, Washington, with his wife, two children, and dog, Picco.

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Kevin M. Yates

L&D Detective® Impact Investigator and Author,
Founder, KevinMYates.com

Kevin M. Yates

L&D Detective® Impact Investigator and Author,
Founder, KevinMYates.com

Kevin M. Yates is known in the global training, learning, and talent development community as the L&D Detective®. He solves measurement mysteries and investigates how training and development, as an experience, and L&D, as a function, contribute to the workplace performance ecosystem. Kevin uses facts, clues, and evidence to uncover the truth about impact, focusing on collective contributions that affect business and human performance. He has used his measurement expertise in roles with world-renowned brands including Grant Thornton, Kantar, McDonald’s, and Meta (Facebook). He is also the president and founder of Meals in the Meantime, a nonprofit organization that provides fresh, healthy, and high-quality grocery bags of food to people experiencing food insecurity in the Chicagoland south suburbs.

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Speakers

Jess Almlie

Learning & Performance Strategist, Owner Almlie Consulting

Vanessa Milara Alzate

Owner/CEO,Kirkpatrick Partners

Rocki Basel

Director of Research, ATD

Allana Bowman, CPTD®

Training and Development Specialist, Pharmacy Data Management (PDMI)

Josh Cavalier

Founder, JoshCavalier.ai

Deanna Criddle

Training Specialist, Hanford Mission Integration Solutions (HMIS)

Lisa Crockett

Director of Education & Organizational Effectiveness, Merchant Advisory Group

Dr. Michael Dorsey

Organizational Development Administrator,Maryland Department of Transportation

Diane Elkins

Co-Founder, Artisan Learning

Garima Gupta

Founder-CEO, Artha Learning Inc.

Jonathan Hill

Assoc CIPD

Cindy Huggett

Principal/CEO, Cindy Huggett Consulting, LLC

Toni Kallungal

Instructional Designer,Team b. Strategy

David Kolmer

Instructional Design Project Manager,NAED

Nicole Papaioannou Lugara, PhD

Founder & Learning Strategist,Your Instructional Designer

Juan Mavo-Navarro

Instructional Designer & Learning Consultant,Threshold Concepts

Valary Oleinik

Owner and Chief Disruptor, DandeLearn

Jill Stanton

Director of Communities, Connection, and Marketing,Fredrickson Learning

Mike Taylor

Learning Consultant,Nationwide

Carla Torgerson

Solution Architect,SweetRush

Danielle Wallace

Chief Learning Strategist, Beyond the Sky: Custom Learning

Brian Washburn

Co-founder and Principal, Endurance Learning

Kevin M. Yates

L&D Detective® Impact Investigator and Author, Founder, KevinMYates.com

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Learning & Performance Strategist, Owner
Almlie Consulting

Owner/CEO,
Kirkpatrick Partners

Director of Research,
ATD

Training and Development Specialist,
Pharmacy Data Management (PDMI)

Founder,
JoshCavalier.ai

Training Specialist,
Hanford Mission Integration Solutions (HMIS)

Director of Education & Organizational Effectiveness,
Merchant Advisory Group

Organizational Development Administrator,
Maryland Department of Transportation

Co-Founder,
Artisan Learning

Founder-CEO,
Artha Learning Inc.

Principal/CEO,
Cindy Huggett Consulting, LLC

Instructional Designer,
Team b. Strategy

Instructional Design Project Manager,
NAED

Founder & Learning Strategist,
Your Instructional Designer

Instructional Designer & Learning Consultant,
Threshold Concepts

Owner and Chief Disruptor,
DandeLearn

Director of Communities, Connection, and Marketing,
Fredrickson Learning

Learning Consultant,
Nationwide

Solution Architect,
SweetRush

Chief Learning Strategist,
Beyond the Sky: Custom Learning

Co-founder and Principal,
Endurance Learning

L&D Detective® Impact Investigator and Author,
Founder, KevinMYates.com