Keynote Sessions
Description:
Prepare to revolutionize Learning and Development (L&D) as we uncover the secrets to transforming it from a mere cost center into a powerhouse asset for your organization. Join Dr. Jim Kirkpatrick as he shares how we can align L&D with organizational goals, forging robust partnerships with stakeholders, and maximizing the impact of training on workplace performance. Discover how to adapt training strategies to meet evolving organizational needs, transitioning from traditional instructional design to strategic learning architecture. Don't miss this opportunity to confront challenges head-on and leave empowered to make a monumental impact in your organization!
About Your Presenter:
Dr. Jim Kirkpatrick is the senior consultant for Kirkpatrick Partners. He is a visionary and an expert in training evaluation and the creator of the New World Kirkpatrick Model.
Using his 15 years of experience in the corporate world, including eight years as a training manager, Jim trains and consults for corporate, government, military and humanitarian organizations around the world. He is passionate about assisting learning professionals in redefining themselves as strategic business partners to become a viable force in the workplace.
Description:
The future of learning and performance is here…are you ready? In this session, Vanessa Alzate will present how emerging technologies and innovative methodologies are transforming the art of learning and evaluation. She will discuss the importance of adapting to rapid changes and embracing futuristic approaches to maximize educational outcomes and organizational performance. Prepare to be inspired by forward-thinking strategies that promise to redefine how we assess and enhance learning and performance in a continuously evolving landscape.
About Your Presenter:
Vanessa Alzate is the President and CEO of Kirkpatrick Partners and Founder and CEO of Anchored Training, a custom training development agency. She received a BA in both Communications & Political Science from Rutgers University, and an MS in Corporate & Organizational Communication from Northeastern University.
For almost 15 years, Vanessa has consulted with many mid-large organizations in industries ranging from government, pharmaceutical sales, to fashion in an effort to develop training strategies tailored to each individual organization, team, and learner. Vanessa is a dynamic educator in the classroom and works to bring that classroom experience to life online via webinar training and eLearning.
Throughout her career, Vanessa has excelled in assisting companies and individuals to expand their industry knowledge through innovative eLearning and classroom curriculum, and encourages her clients to look around them to find inspiration and strategies to engage their learners. Vanessa gives back to the learning community as a speaker for the Association for Talent Development, Training Magazine, and the Learning Guild.
Business Partnership & Strategy
Description:
What do theater and training performance have in common? Dive into this intriguing question in our session as we unravel the secrets behind organizational excellence, utilizing the Kirkpatrick Model. Explore the unexpected connections between theater techniques and training strategies that drove a remarkable transformation in performance outcomes. From reducing customer complaints to amplifying success metrics, discover how this unique fusion reshaped the landscape of organizational operations. Gain invaluable insights into innovative learning and development approaches and the strategic role of change management in fostering organizational success and becoming a strategic business partner. Join us to embark on a journey of discovery and empowerment, as we unveil the hidden dynamics of performance enhancement in organizations.
About Your Presenter:
Lindsey Coates, CPTD is a learning and development professional with a background in adult learning, quality assurance and leadership. Coming from a musical theater background, she believes training should not only promote retention and help businesses achieve strategic outcomes, but also be entertaining. She brings a sense of performance to learning! Hence, why she says she is in the business of enterTRAINment. Lindsey designs and develops feasible learning solutions to meet business needs, while promoting a safe, inclusive environment for learners.
Description:
The Kirkpatrick Evaluation Model is logical, practical and readily makes a business case for training to people at all levels of the organization. Despite all that, earning organization wide adaptation of the model will not always happen. This session explores how one can define/achieve success through using the Kirkpatrick model , one customer at a time without formal company wide adaptation.
About Your Presenter:
Daniel Rubin has over 20 years experience in the training industry. He has served as the Training Manager of the American Cancer Society, Account Consultant with Skillsoft and is currently a Senior Instructional Designer with Baltimore Gas & Electric.
Daniel is a Gold Level Kirkpatrick Evaluator who has won two Bronze Telly Awards for Corporate Training. He is a practicing lawyer who has earned a "PMP"( Project management Professional) a Masters degree in Career and Human Resource Development from Rochester Institute of Technology and a Bachelors in Finance from Touro College.
Evaluation
Description:
Don't wait until the end of a learning experience to evaluate its effectiveness. Waiting until a program ends makes the evaluation process more difficult. There's a better way: data-enabled instructional design, providing both formative and summative program achievement insights. Practice integrating measurement and evaluation with instructional design using a real leadership development case study. You'll walk away with the strategies, tactics, and confidence you need to create programs that are data-enabled, equipped with real-time insights showing your program's outcomes.
About Your Presenter:
Academic turned entrepreneur, Dr. Alaina Szlachta is the founder of By Design Development Solutions, a data-enablement strategy firm specializing in data-driven program development, assessment and evaluation. Alaina has played nearly every role in the knowledge sector over the past 15 years including: academic researcher, professor of higher education, corporate trainer, director of training, instructional designer, and former competitive public speaker. She proudly served industries of higher education, diversity and inclusion, finance, corporate learning and development, victim services, real estate, healthcare, and SaaS.
Description:
Join us for an in-depth exploration of strategic alignment and effectiveness in learning and development. This session, designed for L&D Directors and Senior Managers of Organizational Effectiveness, will delve into best practices and innovative strategies to enhance performance metrics and achieve successful client alignment within a matrixed organization.
Key topics will include:
- Matrixed Client Alignment for Success Metrics
- Thought Leadership to Address Pain Points in Performance
- Multi-Modal Measurement Strategy for 360 View of Curriculum Efficacy
- Change Management and Communication Strategy
- Effective Executive Sponsorship and Advocacy
- Speaking the Language of the Business for Learning Impact
- Measuring ROI and Investment Strategy
- Building Chain of Evidence Connecting What is Learned in Classroom to What is Discussed in the Board Room
About Your Presenters:
Diana Tedrow is the Director of Learning and Development for Commercial Sales at Cox Communications, a leading provider of technology solutions for residential and business customers. With over 25 years of experience in sales and learning leadership roles within the telecommunications industry, she offers a deep understanding of technology products, sales, leadership development, and curriculum strategy and delivery.
Her mission centers on empowering and enabling teams to exceed their goals and expectations while driving operational excellence and strategic alignment. Diana has led Learning and Development initiatives across various segments within Cox, including Residential, Business, New Ventures, and Media. She has developed comprehensive onboarding programs, sales leadership academies, and performance measurement systems. Her contributions have earned her prestigious awards from Brandon Hall and ATD, and recognition by OnCon as one of the 2023 Top 50 L&D Leaders globally. Diana is committed to leveraging the connections between learning, well-being, and productivity and fostering a culture of diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
Lea Anne Nelson is known for her expertise in crafting tailored Learning and Development (L&D) strategies that empower organizations, teams, and individual learners. She is passionate about creating and delivering engaging learning experiences that bring lessons to life in impactful and enjoyable ways.
Lea Anne has developed award-winning learning impact evaluation strategies, recognized with a Brandon Hall HCM (Bronze) for Advances in Learning Measurement in 2022 and an ATD Excellence in Practice in Onboarding in 2023. She has shared the insights gained from these experiences at industry conferences, assisting other L&D leaders in effectively evaluating the impact of learning on performance and business results.
With over 25 years as a people leader, Lea Anne is dedicated to unleashing the potential of her team members and ensuring they have opportunities for personal and professional development. Her career spans roles in the Federal government, pharmaceutical sales, communications, and workforce development.
Description:
The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within the U.S. Department of State utilizes the Kirkpatrick model of evaluation as the foundation of their evaluation efforts. The approach taken within the School of Professional and Areas Studies (SPAS) at FSI focuses on fostering a culture of evaluation, embodying a humanistic approach. The School organized an Evaluation Working Group that empowers individuals to take the lead on their own evaluation efforts with guidance from the Evaluation Services team. The Working Group prioritizes relationship-building and fostering a sense of community that directly correlates to the traction and positive responses to implementing evaluation best practices. The evaluation efforts in SPAS tell a story of cultural shifts and adaptation to the red lines often seen across the work of governmental organizations.
About Your Presenters:
Dani M. Abrams serves as Director of the Curriculum and Staff Development division in the School of Professional and Area Studies at FSI. She brings a wealth of experience in curricular development and support, coaching, facilitation, experiential professional development, and training evaluation. Dani is a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD), an Associate Certified Coach (with the International Coaching Federation), and holds certifications in the Kirkpatrick Four Levels Gold and the Global Competencies Inventory.
Prior to joining the federal government, Dani provided support through a nonprofit to the U.S. refugee resettlement program. She served as Director of Global Education at the United Nations Association, and was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Namibia.
Dani holds a Masters degree in International Education from The George Washington University with a focus on instructional design centering around diversity and inclusion in education. Her work has focused on equity and inclusion, and inspiring experiential and meaningful cultural change.
Kyra Ramos is a Training and Evaluation Assistant with the Curriculum and Staff Development (CSD) Division, in the School of Professional and Area Studies (SPAS) at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI). In a training capacity, she supports the development, delivery, and facilitation of CSD courses, while also providing support to the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Working Group and the production of a quarterly School newsletter.
She also provides evaluation support consulting with SPAS staff and on the production of formal evaluation plans and reports. With over five years of K-12 classroom teaching, she brings experience in curriculum development and student-centered learning approaches. She is passionate about creating supportive learning environments and incorporating learner narratives in the classroom.
Current projects include creating more widely available onboarding processes for new staff and strengthening professional development opportunities for the staff within her team and the School.
Kyra holds a M.A. in International Education from The George Washington University with a focus on global education and cross-cultural communication and a B.A. from Dickinson College where she majored in International Relations, Educational Studies, and Italian Studies. She has developed fluency in both Spanish and Italian, and lived abroad for six months in Bologna, Italy, while in her undergraduate program.
Description:
Crack the code on implementing the Four Levels in your organization while meeting regulatory requirements. In this session, learn how the Special Warfare Training Group has created an evaluation program that garners relevant data for decision makers while meeting regulatory requirements and drives a successful instructional system.
About Your Presenter:
Amber Holt Goettman is the Chief of Training Evaluations at the Special Warfare Training Group (SWTG), assigned to the Special Warfare Training Wing (SWTW) at Lackland AFB, TX. With a Master of Education (M.Ed.) focused in instructional technology, Amber brings a wealth of experience to the DOD’s training and development space. She is an experienced education and training specialist with a demonstrated history working in the defense industry. Amber currently leads a team of instructional systems specialists to ensure job skills training is effective and efficient to meet the needs of the customer. She and her team have developed a modern feedback program that ensures the SWTG delivers training that aligns with AETC policy, continuously assesses course curriculum, and provides instructor cadre actionable insights.
Description:
The Kirkpatrick Evaluation Model and the Air Force Competency-Based Learning Framework converge in their pursuit of assessing training effectiveness and aligning learning outcomes with organizational goals. While the Kirkpatrick model delineates four levels of evaluation – Reaction, Learning, Behavior, and Results – focusing on various facets of training impact, the Air Force's competency-based framework centers on developing and assessing proficiency across four stages: basic, intermediate, advanced, and expert. Both models prioritize practical outcomes, emphasizing the application of acquired skills and knowledge in job environments. Continuous assessment is advocated in both frameworks to ensure ongoing skill mastery and alignment with career progression within the Air Force.
Mapping the proficiency levels of the Air Force Competency-Based Learning Framework to the Kirkpatrick Evaluation Model reveals a coherent progression. Basic and intermediate proficiency levels correlate with Kirkpatrick's Learning and Behavior levels, focusing on knowledge acquisition and its practical application. Advanced and expert proficiency levels align with Kirkpatrick's Results level, emphasizing mastery and significant organizational contributions. Across all stages, the Reaction level of Kirkpatrick's model remains crucial, ensuring learner engagement and motivation throughout the learning journey. Together, these frameworks offer a structured approach to evaluating training effectiveness, translating learning into job performance, and achieving organizational objectives within the Air Force.
About Your Presenter:
Dr. Tim Boileau currently serves as a Training Pipeline Manager for 2 AF. He began his professional career in 1976 with the Air Force, as an Avionic Sensor Systems Specialist, earning his A.S. from CCAF in Avionic Systems Technology, by the time of his discharge from active duty in 1980. He is a lifetime member of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), the leading professional organization in the field of Instructional and Performance Technology. In addition to AECT, Dr. Boileau has held leadership positions in ISPI, ATD, IEEE, ISTE and other professional organizations. He has over twenty-five years of collegiate level teaching experience, including six years as a researcher and full-time instructor in higher education. He is an expert in competency-based learning and performance design. His publications include journal articles, conference proceedings, research, and book chapters.
Concurrent with his academic experience, Dr. Boileau built a professional career spanning three decades as a global Human Performance Technology (HPT) thought leader and organizational development consultant, literally traveling around the world working with Fortune 100 companies and organizations in virtually every industry segment.
Dr. Boileau holds a PhD in Instructional Systems Design and Technology, in addition to a BS and MS in Computer Science. His teaching philosophy is rooted in adult learning theory, applying an integrative approach to instructional technology along a continuum of student-centered lifelong active learning. This is predicated on the belief that technology should never be the destination in learning, but rather a tool to mediate activity for learning and performance outcomes.
Description:
It's one challenge to develop a Kirkpatrick Evaluation Plan, it's a whole new challenge to implement one! This session explores practical tips and strategies to overcome common implementation challenges. Have you ever wondered, "How do I even get started? Who are my stakeholders, and how do I get their buy-in? How can I improve low response rates and quell survey fatigue? When and how do I implement Level 3? What if our results are bad?" Answers to these questions and more will be shared by a Gold Level Certified Professional with real-world experience applying the Kirkpatrick Model in multiple government agencies. Join us to learn new ideas and methods to maximize the effectiveness of your evaluation efforts!
About Your Presenter:
Christy Nelson is a learning and development professional with over 14 years of experience in the private and public sectors. She is currently the Director of the Division of Multi-Program, Leadership, and Management Training within the FDA's Office of Regulatory Affairs. She has a Master's of Education with a focus on instructional systems design and e-learning, as well as a B.S. in Film and Television and a B.A. in Linguistics. She's a certified DISC trainer, Gold Level Certified Kirkpatrick Professional, and an EQ-i 2.0 Certified Trainer for Emotional Intelligence. She graduated from the Federal Executive Institute's Leadership for a Democratic Society Program in 2023. Christy lives in Maryland with her husband and two kids. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, singing, working out, and spending quality time with her family. A fun fact about Christy is that she attended the Cannes Film Festival twice and created visual effects for Breaking Bad, The Vampire Diaries, and Smallville, among other TV shows and movies.
Description:
Join Aurora Seguinot in this engaging session, designed to enhance your skills in program evaluation with actionable insights and proven strategies. Learn how to navigate common challenges and boost the effectiveness of your training efforts using the Kirkpatrick Model. Aurora will guide you through setting clear goals from the start, crafting targeted evaluation questions, collecting impactful data, and empowering your team to make data-driven decisions. You'll also discover inspiring examples of blended evaluations that reveal key opportunities for organizational enhancement. Equip yourself with the practical tools and knowledge needed to elevate your training programs and achieve tangible results.
About Your Presenter:
Prior to joining USCIS, Aurora Seguinot was a Program Manager from 2011 to 2013 at the Office of Training and Development in Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Washington DC. From 2002 to 2011, she was in the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the Miami International Airport in Florida. At TSA, Aurora served in a variety of training and leadership positions: Training Instructor, Development Project Manager, Lead Transportation Security Officer, Supervisory Security Officer, and Transportation Security Manager.
Aurora has a Master of Science (MS) degree in Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning from Boise State University, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Organizational Management from Ashford University. She served as Adjunct Professor at Boise State University in 2017, and Grad Student Coach from 2017-2019. Aurora published articles in 2020 and 2014 in the International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI) in the topics of learning, development, and performance in the workplace.
Description:
Many organizations fall short of getting the most from their training investment because their learning participants do not adequately utilize new features. In this fun, interactive session utilizing Disney’s “Princess and the Frog” video clips, Linda will share how to use evaluation to drive true learning outcomes for your organization. Don’t be left kissing frogs – attend this lively and entertaining session to make the most of your entire training investment!
- The participant will recognize from presented research where training breaks down and will understand how to apply that information to create programs that obtain better outcomes.
- The participant will be able to approach curriculum and learning interventions in a collaborative and results oriented manner using evaluation models to drive learning outcomes instead of leaving them to chance.
- The participant will come away with tools for reporting project status and outcomes.
About Your Presenters:
Linda Hainlen has more than 30 years of experience within the healthcare industry. She has worked with companies from around the world to improve their effectiveness and achieve measurable results. Linda specializes in improving outcomes through assisting sites in managing their training efforts beyond the classroom to attain confident, independent end-users.
Description:
Once you've collected and analyzed meaningful evaluation data, how do you present it to your stakeholders? In fact, who are your stakeholders and what do they want to know about the data you have to share? This session will answer these questions, as well as why share evaluation results and when to do it. The session culminates with a case study to identify pro tips for sharing evaluation information. Join Sophie Oberstein, author, consultant, and adjunct faculty for NYU's Learning Design certificate, to explore all aspects of sharing your robust evaluation results to increase credibility for your learning & development function.
About Your Presenter:
Sophie Oberstein is a consultant, coach, author, and adjunct faculty member.
In a career spanning over twenty-five years, she has been an internal or external learning & organizational development consultant for organizations including Weight Watchers, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, the University of Maryland, the City of Redwood City, and Citibank. Sophie has provided one-on-one and team coaching through her practice, Full Experience Coaching, since 2006.
Her latest books, Troubleshooting for Trainers, and 10 Steps to Successful Coaching are available from ATD Press. She is also the author of Beyond Free Coffee & Donuts: Marketing Training and Development and of numerous articles in professional journals.
She is an adjunct instructor for NYU’s School of Professional Studies, where she created and teaches several courses in the Learning Design certificate program. She has also served as an adjunct in the MBA program at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and in the Human Resources program at Menlo College in Atherton, California. Additionally, Sophie was a facilitator in the Instructional Design certificate program for the Association for Talent Development (ATD).
Sophie is a past president of ATD’s Greater Philadelphia Chapter. She is currently an “empty nester” residing in Washington, DC.
Description:
Surveys play a vital role in your program evaluation, serving as a primary means of gathering valuable insights to guide decision-making. Yet, the effectiveness of survey efforts relies not solely on the data amassed but also on the design and methodology utilized. In this session, we delve into the critical relationship between survey design, data collection, and decision-making. Through the presentation of real-world examples and the sharing of best practices, participants will gain insights into optimizing survey design to elicit precise responses and proficiently analyze survey data, ultimately empowering informed program decisions.
About Your Presenter:
Dr. Anna Lissitz holds a PhD in Measurement, Statistics and Evaluation from the College of Education at the University of Maryland, College Park. Anna has held positions in the areas of program evaluation in K-12 public school districts, learning design and assessment in higher education, and e-learning design for workforce development organizations. Anna provides psychometrics consulting for a variety of training and education-related organizations. She is a full-time professor of Data Analytics at McDaniel College in Westmisnter, MD.
Description:
Unlock the Full Potential of the Kirkpatrick Model: Design, Deliver, and Transform Training for Lasting Results
Discover how the Kirkpatrick Model can revolutionize your training approach beyond mere evaluation. Join us for an illuminating webinar that unveils the power of this framework to craft training that enhances job performance, contributes tangibly to organizational success, and maximizes your learning investments.
In this session, you'll gain insights into effectively leveraging the Kirkpatrick Model to design learning experiences that truly work. Whether you're an experienced learning and development professional or new to the field, this interactive and thought-provoking presentation is a must-attend event.
About Your Presenters:
Wendy Kayser Kirkpatrick is a Senior Consultant for and Founder of Kirkpatrick Partners. As a global driving force of the use and implementation of the Kirkpatrick Model, Wendy leads companies to measurable success through training and evaluation.
Wendy’s results orientation stems from three decades of business experience in retailing, marketing, and training. She has held positions as a buyer, product manager, process manager and training manager, which leveraged her ability to organize complex, multifaceted projects and yield rapid results. As a training manager, she managed the training curriculum for 1500 sales and customer service representatives across North America.
Learning & Development (L&D)
Description:
Discover the intersection of the Kirkpatrick Model and leadership development in this engaging session focused on the transformation of the Defense Senior Leader Development Program (DSLDP). Unveiling insights from a comprehensive Needs Assessment, we showcase how the Kirkpatrick Model guided the redesign process to address critical knowledge and skill gaps for future senior leaders. Through a dynamic exploration of assessment findings and program enhancements, attendees will gain valuable insights into applying Kirkpatrick Model thinking to foster leadership excellence. Join us for an illuminating discussion that promises to inspire and inform your own development initiatives.
About Your Presenters:
Tiffany Carter is an award-winning Federal Learning and Leadership Development Strategist, Ms. Carter has equipped the next generation of entry-level and emerging civilian leaders from GS grades 7-12 with the “power skills” needed to thrive in today’s government, helped enterprise Talent Development programs use data to tell compelling stories of success, partnered with coaching leaders in the federal enterprise to build the infrastructure needed to establish a sustainable culture of coaching, and supported a world-leader in Aviation by co-creating a service delivery model to guide the development of its workforce.
As an Executive and Leadership Coach, Tiffany utilizes appreciative inquiry and a supportive coaching presence to help people better understand the power of their instrument as leaders – their “sound”, their way of thinking and being in the world, and the impact it has on others.
She has had the pleasure of coaching both federal line staff and senior executives, participants from the prestigious DoD Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP), private sector and non-profit leaders, emerging entrepreneurs, and students in the graduate-level program in Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning (OPWL) at Boise State University. In partnership with her clients, her chief aim is to help people clarify their purpose, expand their vision, and overcome challenges in order to create brighter, healthier futures for themselves and the organizations they serve.
Her work has been recognized with the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Group Achievement Award and the Office of Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service. A native of the great State of Washington (Joint Base Lewis-McChord area), Tiffany is a proud Veteran of the United States Army. Her work is dedicated to the legacy and memory of her dearly departed parents, JoAnn and LaRoi – both Federal servants and dynamic leaders in their own right.
Description:
It's time we develop a better understanding of how Learning and Development and Operations should work closer together or completely as a separate vertical within an organization.
Inside this session we will cover:
- The importance of using data/KPI information to make better decisions on what is truly needed by L&D.
- How L&D professionals can be better incentivized by the results that are driven by the programs they are rolling out.
- How to build, break, and rebuild successful programs that drive the business forward.
- How to collaborate with operations to make sure business goals are met and surpassed.
This information will inspire L&D professionals to think outside of the box so that you can take what is discussed back to your respective organizations and persuade your leaders/owners to shift L&D out from under HR and into more of an operational role.
About Your Presenter:
Spencer Lyon is a Sales Professional gone corporate. Soon after starting a career in the Staffing Industry Spencer transitioned from working in the business on the desk to wanting to work on businesses and help others. This journey has now led Spencer to become the Head of L&D and Sales Operations for a global Life Science consulting firm. His mission is to bridge the gap between how L&D can make the biggest impact on the organization while constantly seeking to improve operational effectiveness. With a unique mindset and passion for technology, he has been able to deliver effective corporate onboarding strategies, leadership programs, and overall upskilling courses that drive growth.
Description:
Explore the dynamic evolution of organizational evaluation culture, tracing its historical trajectory while addressing perceived barriers. Within our strategic organizational blueprint, a significant emphasis is placed on program evaluation as a pivotal goal. Central to this framework is our bespoke Kirkpatrick certification program, dedicated to nurturing skilled training professionals proficient in instructional design, facilitation, and program evaluation.
This session highlights distinguished graduates of the program, showcasing their instrumental role in crafting and executing an evaluation plan tailored for contracting professionals. Witness the meticulous journey toward Silver Certification as these adept professionals navigate the evaluation process, culminating in the delivery of a comprehensive report. Participants will gain valuable insights into the transformative potential of robust evaluation methodologies, driving enhanced learning outcomes and organizational advancement.
About Your Presenter(s):
Jian Liu is a seasoned Training Specialist at a federal government agency within the Department of Homeland Security, specializing in crafting impactful training programs for acquisition and contracting professionals. With a background in Bilingual Education, Jian led initiatives benefiting multilingual learner communities at the New York State Education Department. He also managed significant projects, including assessments for public schools like the Specialized High School Admissions Test, while serving as an Assessment Manager at the NYC Department of Education. Additionally, Jian shares his expertise as an adjunct Assistant Professor of Mathematics at New York University School of Professional Studies. He holds degrees in Pure Mathematics (B.A.), Teacher of Mathematics (M.A.), Bilingual Childhood Education (M.S.Ed.), and Educational Leadership and Administration (M.S.Ed.), reflecting his dedication to excellence and continuous learning.
Veronica “Ronnie” Soria, M.Ed., M.A., CPC, is the visionary founder of MVS Solutions LLC and published author. In her role, she delivers effective performance solutions to organizations and individuals, emphasizing measurable outcomes through her expertise in Coaching and Consultation. Ms. Soria is a retired U.S. Marine with over 35 years of training development experience in the public sector. Veronica’s expertise is in “Train the Trainer” and Instructional Design & Development. Ms. Soria is a public sector consultant providing coaching and mentoring in designing and developing learning solutions, evaluations, and training the trainer. She is a Certified Coach coaching Aspiring leaders and Supervisors on their path to success. Ms. Soria also served as the Academics Officer for the Marine Corps Finance School while concurrently serving as the Camp’s Sexual Assault Response Coordinator.
Description:
A mixed methods study was conducted to explore service members' perception of three areas: 1. 21st century conflict defined, 2. Considering what future conflict might look like, what does the service already know? 3. To engage in future conflict, what do service members need to teach and learn?
The results formed an educational philosophy and theoretical curriculum framework. The bulk of the session is to discuss the theoretical framework and what that might look like in action to ensure service members are educationally prepared for 21st century conflict with the right teaching, learning, and training from a 21st century education lens.
About Your Presenter:
Dr. Yvette Osiander Rose holds a Doctorate in Leadership in Higher Education and Organizational Change. Since 2020, Dr. Rose has been employed as a contract Adult Learning Methods (ALM) Facilitator for Obsidian Solutions Group (OSG) for Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group (MCTOG). Dr. Rose recently presented her research on Cognitive Agility and Mental Resilience: Preparing Leaders for Future Challenges at the International Conference on Innovative Teaching and Education. Her areas of interest are teacher trainer and education consultant. Dr. Rose is a military veteran, published author, and former public school teacher and administrator. She continues to learn innovative ways to elevate service members and teachers to develop, implement, and evaluate teaching, learning, and training for effectiveness and efficiency.
Description:
Ready to uncover great results from your manager training programs? We all want metrics that prove real, tangible proof that leadership development works. In this session, learn how to leverage a variety of metrics to create a dashboard that you can use to showcase ROI to your internal stakeholders, including:
- Standard Metrics
- Integrated People Metrics
- Integrated Business Metrics
- Behavioral Metrics
About Your Presenter:
Megan Galloway is the Founder of Everleader, a Leadership Development Agency that helps companies intentionally grow their business through better leadership and culture. Megan has specialized in building award-winning learning and development programs for fast-growing companies. Megan has facilitated hundreds of sessions for leadership development training and executive off-sites. She also spent two years on the executive team at a technology start-up. Her work has impacted companies in many industries: construction, manufacturing, banking, technology, non-profit, healthcare, and education. Her thought leadership has been featured in podcasts, articles, and conferences across the United States. She loves Ted Lasso, baking french pastries, and spending time with her family.
Description:
Our organizations face unprecedented changes and challenges. We can’t merely train people to do the same things only better. We need them to be more adaptive. Evaluation illuminates what people need so they can be more creative, and whether training itself is adjusting fast enough. Thus, evaluators can be influential counselors as the space and the mission change. In this session, we'll explore four imminent scenarios that could reshape our professional landscape: another global pandemic, new limitations on air travel, the sweeping changes brought by AI, and the possibility of facing all these challenges simultaneously. Drawing from the U.S. Department of State's forward-looking approach, we'll share how Kirkpatrick-based evaluation has become central to refining diplomat training, preparing them for a spectrum of global issues and crises. This method isn't about providing a one-size-fits-all solution; it's about understanding the unique needs of your organization and adapting accordingly.
About Your Presenter:
Kym Buchanan is a career educator. He’s been a high school teacher, professor, and associate dean. He’s now a leader in planning and evaluation at the Foreign Service Institute at the U.S. Department of State. Kym earned a PhD in Learning, Technology, and Culture. His work spans psychology, sustainability, and experiential learning. Kym is an energetic, funny, inspirational speaker.
Description:
With budgets continuing to shrink, it is more important than ever to implement an effective evaluation strategy. While evaluation is a critical part of training and education program implementation, far too often, it is the afterthought of an implementation strategy. This presentation will combine the creative and analytical sides of evaluation. By the end, participants will have practical tools and advice that they can immediately apply to their evaluation practices.
About Your Presenters:
Dr. Tammy Bankus has over 25 years of experience in psychology and education and is a Kirkpatrick Certified Professional - Gold Level. She is the Chief Learning Officer for OWCP, Department of Labor. She began her federal civilian career with the Department of the Army. After several years of working in various civilian roles with the Army, she transferred her career to the Department of the Navy, Office of the Inspector General, and in 2023 she moved to the Department of Labor.
Dr. Bankus has a passion for learning and holds a Ph.D. in Instructional Design and Technology, Curriculum and Instruction from Old Dominion University, Ed.S in Educational Psychology and Instructional Technology with additional emphasis in Gifted Education, Special Education, and Statistics from the University of Georgia (UGA), M.Ed in Adult Education UGA, and M.S. in Psychology from Georgia College & State University. She also achieved her Chief Learning Officer Certificate from George Mason University, Executive Leadership Certificates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Virginia, and is a Department of the Army graduate, HQ TRADOC’s Senior Leader Development program. Dr. Bankus is a strong supporter of evidence-based learning innovations and believes in the need to push our limits as we fully embrace future possibilities.
Description:
Self-improvement is impossible without self-awareness. But how do we create opportunities for this and, ultimately, drive our learners to behavior change? In this session, you'll learn about Kirkpatrick's 3rd level of evaluation, gain valuable insights on successful behavior evaluation, and walk away with practical takeaways that you can immediately apply to influence behavior change and make a positive impact on your workplace programs.
About Your Presenter:
Laine Istvan is the Owner and Chief Learning Designer at Sage LXD. She's a former teacher who transitioned to L&D in 2020. Since then, she's collaborated with multiple organizations both as a full-time and freelance instructional designer to create leadership development programs, graduate-level courses, corporate onboarding, and mindfulness programs for educators. Laine is passionate about well-being and self-development and brings this enthusiasm to create learning solutions that help people bring their best selves to the workplace. She's a busy mom of 2 teens, lives in Tampa, FL with her family, and loves hiking in the mountains, reading self-help books, and journaling.
Description:
Stats on women in leadership roles in L&D look as though they are changing. Even as we think we are seeing our first “positive” bump to the needle in a decade, reality and stories from “the field” tell a different story.
This session will celebrate women in learning, the value of Thirty Under 30 cohorts, the importance of empowering women leaders, and the growing need to value and support the “seasoned” (over 30) employee. We will share ways that you can take the opportunity to make a personal commitment and
pledge to:
- Building equity and belonging in the workplace
- Championing women in learning LEADERSHIP!
- Accelerating the impact of #WomenInLearning
About Your Presenter:
Sharon Claffey Kaliouby is the co-founder of #WomenInLearning, an initiative to actively promote women in learning and leadership. She supports an awareness of gender equity and an environment committed to a more inclusive future. Sharon is currently chief talent officer for Realtime Recruitment. Previously she was VP strategic alliances for Learning Pool, head of global learning & development for State Street Global Advisors, and Thomson Reuters head of sales academy learning partners. Accolades include the 2019 Top 50 Leaders in L&D–Americas; Corinium CLO Forum, The Learning & Performance Institute Learning Awards – 2018 Learning Professional of the Year & Finalist Team of the Year; 2017 Bronze Onboarding Program of the Year; and 2015 Finalist Learning Technology of the Year.
Performance
Description:
Corporate training is a billion-dollar business. And why do organizations take the associated effort and enormous costs upon themselves? Why do we continue to send executives and employees to trainings? The answer from companies usually is "We invest in training because we expect these investments to produce positive results for us. We expect trainees to learn, and then apply what they’ve learned to their world". So, successful transfer is the goal and the key expectation behind the investment. But are trainees aware of this? Do organizations manage to communicate their expectations clearly? Do we really live up to this expectation, or is it nothing but a vague declaration of intent? Are transfer expectations matched by concrete actions? And is transfer effectiveness something that is measured and optimized in the organization?
We know from signal theory that organizations often say one thing and do – or signal with their actions –quite another (whether consciously or unconsciously). The latter is clearly more credible. So, what do we really do about transfer? And what do we signal through our actions? In this interactive session we will take a critical look at various signals that, intentionally or not, indicate to anyone involved in company training whether transfer is a nice-sounding buzzword or a clear expectation.
About Your Presenter:
Melanie Martinelli combines her entrepreneurial spirit with her 15+ years of experience in L&D to help build memorable & results-based learning experiences. In her roles as Senior Transfer Enabler at the Institute for Transfer Effectiveness and Founder of Going Beyond Training, Melanie is passionate about making transfer happen. Melanie applies strong business acumen, rich practical experience across cultures & a deep understanding of what makes learning stick to support her clients in being more strategic in their L&D initiatives.
Description:
Getting leaders to buy into training as a process and not just a checklist. The checklist template looks like this: train today, get the employee to sign the attendance sheet and assume that the training will take place. This is a recipe for training failure. Why? Organizations are more interested in the documentation process than the actual employee.
Using the Kirkpatrick Model, begin with Level 4, then work backwards until you get to Level 1. This creates a training program that involves the employee before the training program has even started to develop. The instructor is giving the employee the skills they need to be successful in their job because they researched the employees' needs first, then aligned the training program to fill those voids. Of course, the instructor has included upper management's vision as well. A well-developed program will have leading indicators along the way so that key leaders will know how the training is working well in advance of other performance measures.
About Your Presenter:
Linda Webb had the opportunity to work with Jim Kirkpatrick while at the Missouri Department of Transportation. Jim evaluated her two training courses and coached her while she was developing a “Chip Seal” program, which earned Linda the Kirkpatrick Four Levels Evaluation Gold Level Certification in January 2012.
After her retirement, Linda named her consulting business Training & Beyond, LLC because she knows the impact “on-the-job behavior” can have when the actual training is applied. She realizes how important formal training is for the safety of the employee and emphasizes that on-the-job training should reinforce safety awareness. She applies the New World Kirkpatrick Model to every training she does, evaluating the “Leading Indicators” throughout the process.
Linda is a contract instructor for Missouri - Local Technical Assistance Program and has spoken at numerous national, regional, and state events.