Hosted by Executive Platforms and the Learning & Development Board
Meeting Agenda
January 20th
Badge Pick Up
Panel: The Future of Talent Development, Advanced Technologies and Organizational Transformation
Kimberly Troxell
Head of US Commercial Learning & Development
AbbVie
Katy Jones
Vice President, Global Learning & Leadership Development
Medtronic
Rapti Mitra-Khurana
VP Talent Engagement & Development
NFL
Session Details 
- The future of talent development
- How evolving workforce needs are shaping talent development strategies
- The shift from traditional training to personalized learning experienced
- The role of continuous learning in employee growth and business success
- Advanced technologies
- The impact of AI, machine learning and automation on training programs
- Leveraging technology for scalable, data-driven talent development
- How virtual reality, augmented reality and other immersive technologies are changing learning environment
- Organizational transformation
- Adapting talent development to align with the shifting needs of the organization
- The role of leadership in fostering a culture of learning and growth
- How talent development drives overall organizational agility and innovation
Communicate Better: Use the Timeless Language of Color Energies to Connect Teams Across Geography and Generations
Executive to be Announced
Insights Learning and Development
Session Details
Understand how color energy can be used to create a common language that transcends generations, geographies, and technologies, fostering deeper connections and understanding across teams.
- Insights into the power of color energy: Discover how the Insights language of color energy can be used to bridge generational gaps between employees and improve communication within teams.
- Connect across cultures: Learn how to use color energy to foster understanding and collaboration between teams located in different countries and cultures.
- Navigate technological transformation and AI: Explore how color energy can help organizations improve training to guide their employees through the challenges of digital transformation and enhance productivity with change environments.
- To get the most from this talk and glean communications strategies relevant to your own situation and challenges, we recommend you download your own Insights Discovery personal profile before the event.
Drinks Reception
January 21st
Ramona Arora
Vice President- Enterprise Career Development
The Walt Disney Company
Christopher McCormick
Chief Academic Officer
EF Corporate Learning
registration & breakfast
Chair’s Welcome Address
Ramona Arora
Vice President- Enterprise Career Development
The Walt Disney Company
Reimagining Learning at McDonald’s: From Crew to C-Suite
Bethany Tate Cornell
Chief Learning Officer
McDonald's
Session Details
- Modernizing learning and development (L&D) to meet the evolving needs of a global workforce
- Implementing scalable, tech-enabled learning solutions from front-line crew to executive leadership
- Aligning L&D initiatives with business goals to drive measurable performance impact
- Showcasing a variety of innovative programs that support talent growth and operational excellence
Business Strategy and L&D Alignment
Jeff Orlando
Chief Learning Officer
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Session Details
- Integrating technology into learning and development
- Understanding the need for organizations to be agile and adaptable, particularly to unforeseen events, such as acquisitions or industry shifts
- Navigating the importance of stakeholder engaging and building support for learning initiatives among senior leaders
- Focussing on core managerial behaviours that facilitate success
The Science of Learning: Addressing Skill Gaps with Targeted Training
Executive to be Announced
Strategic Education, Inc.
Session Details
- Designing training initiatives to effectively address skill gaps across the workforce
- Understanding how to assess and pinpoint skill shortages within your organization
- Exploring different types of training approaches used to bridge skill gaps
- The role of tailored, learner-centric training programs
- How AI, online platforms, and microlearning are being utilized to provide scalable and flexible training options
Lead. Inspire. Transform: Advancing Excellence Through Coaching
Executive to be Announced
International Coaching Federation
Session Details
- Integrate coaching into leadership development for measurable impact
- Deploy onboarding coaching for leaders
- Drive team collaboration and engagement
- Utilize coaching as a retention and career development tool
- Demonstrate ROI and long-term success through coaching
10:25 am - 12:05 pm
Pre-Arranged One-To-One Meetings
These mutually agreed-upon conversations are arranged and facilitated by Executive Platforms staff to ensure attendees have valuable discussions about their top-of-mind questions, challenges, and opportunities.
- 10:30 am – 10:50 am: Meeting Slot 1/Networking
- 10:55 am – 11:15 am: Meeting Slot 2/Networking
- 11:20 am – 11:40 am: Meeting Slot 3/Networking
- 11:45 am – 12:05 pm: Meeting Slot 4/Networking
Learning & Development – Bottom-Up Approach, Training Managers and Building a Culture of Growth in the Team
Phil Rhodes
Chief Learning Officer
Phillips 66
Session Details
- Understanding the benefits of the bottom-up approach in L&D
- How to train and empower managers to lead learning in their teams
- Creating a culture of growth and continuous development within teams
Putting Skills to Work, in Ways that Work
Vidya Krishnan
Chief Learning Officer
Ericsson
Session Details
- It is essential we attract, retain, re-train, and continually build the future critical skills we need, before we need them. That means being systematic, not programmatic, in how we build skills and put them to work, in ways that work for all
- We’re using skills powered talent practices to help redesign work, giving people more fluidity and flexibility to deploy their critical skills and job role skills to strategic areas
- We have digitalized our jobs and skills architecture and created a skills signature to provide our people with visible simplicity to see and be uniquely seen when it comes to matching their skills and interests– inclusively and intelligently– to opportunities
- We’re learning that in this dynamic landscape, across is often the new ‘up’. Reskilling is the on-ramp for internal mobility, ensuring that the people we have become the people we need, again and again. We are on a continuing journey to harness generative AI and human intelligence to put skills to work, in ways that actually work
Executive Lunch Seating
Explore this year’s themed lunch discussions led by industry leaders, where executives engage in focused conversations over a meal, discussing topics they’re passionate about alongside their peers.
Elevating Your eLearning Engagement Strategies
Amy Schell
Director, Talent Management
Boston Scientific
Adaptive Leadership in Action: Driving Agility, Innovation, and Engagement in the Hybrid Era
Lauren DeAngelis
Chief Learning Officer
Carolinas Credit Union League
How to Use AI Ethically and Efficiently in Your L&D Initiatives
Breanna King
Vice President, Head of Organizational Development & Transformation
Chevron Federal Credit Union
Ground Up: How to Start a Skills-Based Organization
Mili Banerjee-Pal
AVP, Learning & Development
Cincinnati Insurance
Taking the First Step: Practical Approaches to AI in Learning
Remberto Jimenez
Director, Learning & Development
Clear Channel Outdoor
The Talent Blueprint: Mapping Critical Roles and Developing HiPos
Andy Schuster
Vice President, Organizational Development
Farm Credit Illinois
Empowering the Frontline: Building and Retaining a Skilled Trades Workforce
Executive to be Announced
Interplay Learning
From Inclusion to Impact: Designing L&D for a Multigenerational, Multicultural Workforce
Justine Green
VP, Learning & Development
ISG - Infinity Sales Group
Content to be Announced
Robert Madden
Sr. Director of Learning and Professional Development
MAPMG
Navigating Change: Leading an L&D’s Team Through an Organizational Redesign
Rachael Morrissey
Sr Director Training Team East
Maximus
Content to be Announced
Britt Sinha
VP, Chief Learning & Wellbeing Officer
NewYork-Presbyterian
Content to be Announced
Lori Welch
Director, Leadership Development
Southeast Toyota Distributors
From Simulation to Skill: VR’s Role in L&D
Keisha McNeil
Head of Enterprise Learning
Southern California Edison
Content to be Announced
Amy Kickham
Chief Human Resources Officer
Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits, LLC
Talent Synced: Aligning Performance, Calibration & Succession
Sara Rogers
Director of Talent, Learning & Development
Tillamook
Reflecting on the Last Five Years and Charting the Next Five: The Transformative Journey of L&D
Executive to be Announced
TrainingPros
Fireside Chat: Leveraging Technology to Empower Learners at All Levels
Brian Glaser
Vice President, Chief Talent and Learning Officer
Session Details
- Enhancing the learning experience with technology
- Creating personalized learning paths
- Fostering collaboration and engagement
- Measuring and tracking progress
- Preparing for the future of learning
Breaking the Last Taboo in Talent Strategy: Succession Reimagined
Marcia A. Dawkins, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist
Center for Creative Leadership
Daniel J. Smith, Ph.D.
Research Associate
Center for Creative Leadership
Session Details
For decades, leadership succession has been treated like a Game of Thrones episode. Zero-sum, top-down, and cloaked in silence. That story is outdated. Succession is no longer just a boardroom event. It’s a system-wide risk, and opportunity, playing out in real time.
- The story is shifting: Succession isn’t a blood sport. It’s a mindset shaped by culture. The old power-play narrative is giving way to a more human, transparent model
- The crisis is everywhere: Succession gaps don’t just exist at the top. Most organizations neglect non-C-suite roles, draining talent quietly and weakening institutional resilience
- Wisdom transfer is the missing link: The best transitions happen when leaders don’t just leave, they lift. Endorsement and collaboration between generations is an undervalued asset
- AI changes everything: This could be the last cohort to lead all-human teams. Succession plans must now address relational fluency and technological literacy
- Future-fit succession is adaptive: The best strategies balance:
-
- Immediacy – Act fast when the moment demands it.
- Continuity – Preserve what makes your culture work.
- Generativity – Grow leaders who leave a legacy, not a vacancy.
Measurement & Evaluation: Implementing Learning Analysis Process Models to Measure Talent Development, Program Effectiveness, and Organizational Outcome
Executive to be Announced
Guild Education
Session Details
- Determining the importance of learning analysis in talent development
- Utilizing the key learning analysis models
- Implementing learning systems for measurement and evaluation
- Evaluating the organizational outcomes and impact
- Best practices for measuring learning effectiveness
3:05 pm - 4:15 pm
Pre-Arranged One-To-One Meetings
These mutually agreed-upon conversations are arranged and facilitated by Executive Platforms staff to ensure attendees have valuable discussions about their top-of-mind questions, challenges, and opportunities.
- 3:05 pm – 3:25 pm: Meeting Slot 5/Networking
- 3:30 pm – 3:50 pm: Meeting Slot 6/Networking
- 3:55 pm – 4:15 pm: Meeting Slot 7/Networking
Panel: L&D Team Development – What Does Your Department Look Like and How Are you Setting your Team Up For Success?
Katie Lackey
Vice President Human Resources, Digital IT
Honeywell
Sony Das
VP Learning & Development
Lionsgate
Victor Arguelles
VP Learning Design & Development
Marriott International
Session Details
- The structure of our L&D teams
- How are we developing and empowering our team members?
- Skill development
- Collaboration & Knowledge sharing
- Feedback and support
- Our approach to setting our teams up for success
- Clear vision and strategic alignment
- Data-driven decisions
- Agility and adaptability
- Focus on employee experience
- Leadership development
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Drinks Reception
January 22nd
registration & breakfast
Learning Measurement That Matters: From Completion Rates to Business Results
Session Details
Many L&D teams struggle to connect learning to performance. Join us as we share how to design content and systems that generate actionable analytics.
- Designing assessments that go beyond quizzes
- Embedding analytics in SCORM/xAPI modules
- Using data to iterate and improve learning over time
Chair’s Welcome Address
Ramona Arora
Vice President- Enterprise Career Development
The Walt Disney Company
Enhancing Leadership Development: The Power of Consistent Feedback and Bridging the Gaps
Becky Schmitt
Chief People Officer
PepsiCo
Session Details
- Why consistent feedback is crucial in leadership development
- How to create a feedback-rich environment that drives continuous growth
- Bridging the gaps in leadership skills to ensure sustainable success
Fireside Chat: Transformation in Motion - What It Means for You and L&D
Tulie White
Chief Learning Officer
The Estèe Lauder Companies Inc
Session Details
- In an environment where L&D is often first on the chopping block, how did you advocate for its value—and win?
- Mindset—how has your own mindset evolved during this transformation? And what mindset shifts have been most critical for L&D to remain relevant and indispensable during restructuring?
- How do you model adaptability and courage for your team in moments of uncertainty?
- “Being human”—how do you balance business objectives with empathy when guiding people through uncertainty? And what does a “human-centered” transformation look like in practice within a company like Estée Lauder?
- Given that L&D will remain part of the organization, how is its role expected to evolve in the new structure? Will there be new focus areas or capabilities prioritized in L&D going forward?
- How is L&D evolving to support the skills and mindset needed for the next phase of Estée Lauder’s growth? And what does success look like for L&D one year from now, post-transformation?
- Are there new capabilities or programs you’re prioritizing to support leaders and teams through change?
- How is the company planning to ensure employees stay engaged and supported during this period of change? And what opportunities will there be for employees to grow and reskill in light of the company’s new direction?
- How is Estee Lauder thinking about the future of work in terms of digital tools, hybrid work, or global collaboration?
- What advice do you have for other L&D leaders trying to protect and position their teams during similar times of change?
- What’s one lesson you’ve learned during this transformation that you wish you knew at the start?
Lead Within: Showing Up for Yourself First
AMS (Ana Maria Sencovici)
Chief Talent Officer
Royal Caribbean Group
Session Details
- Reflect on what it truly means to “put your oxygen mask on first” — prioritizing your well-being as the foundation for effective leadership
- Explore tools and coaching frameworks that not only support your growth but also create a developmental playground for others
- Explore why sustainable leadership starts with self-awareness, reflection, and emotional regulation
- Engage in interactive sessions designed to deepen self-awareness and unlock your capacity to lead others with clarity, presence, and intention
Think Differently – Powerful Strategies for Succession Planning & High Potentials
Session Details
- Effective strategies to build a succession plan and high-potential program
- Creating clear metrics and feedback loops to track and measure success throughout a high-potential program
- Evaluating the value and impact of succession planning efforts on decision makers
10:25 am - 11:15 am
Pre-Arranged One-To-One Meetings
These mutually agreed-upon conversations are arranged and facilitated by Executive Platforms staff to ensure attendees have valuable discussions about their top-of-mind questions, challenges, and opportunities.
- 10:30 am – 10:50 am: Meeting Slot 8/Networking
- 10:55 am – 11:15 am: Meeting Slot 9/Networking
Drive Transformation in Learning to Create Impactful and Meaningful Change
Wanda Shoer
Chief Learning Officer
Sanofi
Session Details
- Explore how transformative learning strategies can drive impactful and meaningful change in organizations
- Actionable insights on how learning and development professionals can lead the charge in creating lasting organizational growth and success
Developing Individual Contributors to Become Future Leaders – Cultivating the Right Skillset for Leadership Success
Eileen Cooke
Chief Learning Officer
Amtrak
Session Details
- Developing individual contributors into future leaders
- Key skills and competencies that individual contributors need to develop for leadership roles
- Practical strategies for fostering leadership potential in individual contributors
- How to create a leadership development pipeline within your organization
Empowering Growth with Strategic Learning Analysis
Executive to be Announced
Aptara Corp.
Session Details
- Designing the optimal future state of learning within your organization and unlock the full potential of your training initiatives
- Creating a roadmap to bridge the performance gaps effectively
- Determine areas for improvement and find creative approaches and strategies to enhance your training programs and maximize learner engagement
- Deliver measurable results including ROI, establishing KPIs and evaluating progress and deliver tangible business outcomes
Turn Data into Decisions
Diedre Downing
Chief Learning Officer
StoryIQ
Session Details
-
How to gain influence and drive action with a data-driven mindset
-
Step back from the numbers and consider the business question you are trying to answer
-
Distill information and observations into valuable insights
-
Intentionally communicate your insights and recommendations to align with your audience’s priorities
Executive Lunch Seating
Explore this year’s themed lunch discussions led by industry leaders, where executives engage in focused conversations over a meal, discussing topics they’re passionate about alongside their peers.
Content to be Announced
Megan Reiplinger
Director, Global Learning & Development
TAIT
Cultivating a Continuous Learning Culture
Creative Approaches to Evolving Talent Development Strategies
Reimagining L&D: How Elevance Health Transformed Executive and Enterprise Learning
Ryan Craig
Chief Talent Officer & Interim Chief Human Resources Officer
Elevance Health
Session Details
When Elevance Health made the strategic decision to disband its traditional L&D function, it created space for something new—something modern. Recognizing the need for executive development and scalable growth, the organization launched a transformative learning strategy rooted in skills. From a targeted initiative for the top 250 leaders to a company-wide Skills Academy, Elevance Health is redefining how learning happens—making it more agile, accessible, and aligned to the future of work. What you’ll learn:
-
Why Elevance Health replaced its traditional L&D structure with a skills-first strategy
-
How executive development was prioritized to align and empower senior leadership
-
The design and impact of the “Leading with Skills” Academy in democratizing learning
-
What a modern, skills-based learning environment looks like—and why it matters
The Future of Skill Development in the Age of AI: Seizing the Opportunity to Integrate Learning into the Flow of Work
Heather Stefanski
Chief Learning & Development Officer
McKinsey & Company
Session Details
-
The importance of the apprenticeship (the expert/novice) relationships to learning in the flow of work
-
The impact of technology/AI on capability-building is growing exponentially
-
How technology/AI creates a challenge and an opportunity to bring learning and work together
-
The role L&D organizations as the experts in human development need to play in shaping the future design of technology and work itself
Chair’s Closing Address
January 20th
Badge Pick Up
Panel: The Future of Talent Development, Advanced Technologies and Organizational Transformation
Kimberly Troxell
Head of US Commercial Learning & Development
AbbVie
Katy Jones
Vice President, Global Learning & Leadership Development
Medtronic
Rapti Mitra-Khurana
VP Talent Engagement & Development
NFL
Session Details
- The future of talent development
- How evolving workforce needs are shaping talent development strategies
- The shift from traditional training to personalized learning experienced
- The role of continuous learning in employee growth and business success
- Advanced technologies
- The impact of AI, machine learning and automation on training programs
- Leveraging technology for scalable, data-driven talent development
- How virtual reality, augmented reality and other immersive technologies are changing learning environment
- Organizational transformation
- Adapting talent development to align with the shifting needs of the organization
- The role of leadership in fostering a culture of learning and growth
- How talent development drives overall organizational agility and innovation
Communicate Better: Use the Timeless Language of Color Energies to Connect Teams Across Geography and Generations
Executive to be Announced
Insights Learning and Development
Session Details
Understand how color energy can be used to create a common language that transcends generations, geographies, and technologies, fostering deeper connections and understanding across teams.
- Insights into the power of color energy: Discover how the Insights language of color energy can be used to bridge generational gaps between employees and improve communication within teams.
- Connect across cultures: Learn how to use color energy to foster understanding and collaboration between teams located in different countries and cultures.
- Navigate technological transformation and AI: Explore how color energy can help organizations improve training to guide their employees through the challenges of digital transformation and enhance productivity with change environments.
- To get the most from this talk and glean communications strategies relevant to your own situation and challenges, we recommend you download your own Insights Discovery personal profile before the event.
Drinks Reception
January 21st
Ramona Arora
Vice President- Enterprise Career Development
The Walt Disney Company
Christopher McCormick
Chief Academic Officer
EF Corporate Learning
registration & breakfast
Chair’s Welcome Address
Ramona Arora
Vice President- Enterprise Career Development
The Walt Disney Company
Reimagining Learning at McDonald’s: From Crew to C-Suite
Bethany Tate Cornell
Chief Learning Officer
McDonald's
Session Details
- Modernizing learning and development (L&D) to meet the evolving needs of a global workforce
- Implementing scalable, tech-enabled learning solutions from front-line crew to executive leadership
- Aligning L&D initiatives with business goals to drive measurable performance impact
- Showcasing a variety of innovative programs that support talent growth and operational excellence
Business Strategy and L&D Alignment
Jeff Orlando
Chief Learning Officer
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Session Details
- Integrating technology into learning and development
- Understanding the need for organizations to be agile and adaptable, particularly to unforeseen events, such as acquisitions or industry shifts
- Navigating the importance of stakeholder engaging and building support for learning initiatives among senior leaders
- Focussing on core managerial behaviours that facilitate success
The Science of Learning: Addressing Skill Gaps with Targeted Training
Executive to be Announced
Strategic Education, Inc.
Session Details
- Designing training initiatives to effectively address skill gaps across the workforce
- Understanding how to assess and pinpoint skill shortages within your organization
- Exploring different types of training approaches used to bridge skill gaps
- The role of tailored, learner-centric training programs
- How AI, online platforms, and microlearning are being utilized to provide scalable and flexible training options
Lead. Inspire. Transform: Advancing Excellence Through Coaching
Executive to be Announced
International Coaching Federation
Session Details
- Integrate coaching into leadership development for measurable impact
- Deploy onboarding coaching for leaders
- Drive team collaboration and engagement
- Utilize coaching as a retention and career development tool
- Demonstrate ROI and long-term success through coaching
10:25 am - 12:05 pm
Pre-Arranged One-To-One Meetings
These mutually agreed-upon conversations are arranged and facilitated by Executive Platforms staff to ensure attendees have valuable discussions about their top-of-mind questions, challenges, and opportunities.
- 10:30 am – 10:50 am: Meeting Slot 1/Networking
- 10:55 am – 11:15 am: Meeting Slot 2/Networking
- 11:20 am – 11:40 am: Meeting Slot 3/Networking
- 11:45 am – 12:05 pm: Meeting Slot 4/Networking
Learning & Development – Bottom-Up Approach, Training Managers and Building a Culture of Growth in the Team
Phil Rhodes
Chief Learning Officer
Phillips 66
Session Details
- Understanding the benefits of the bottom-up approach in L&D
- How to train and empower managers to lead learning in their teams
- Creating a culture of growth and continuous development within teams
Putting Skills to Work, in Ways that Work
Vidya Krishnan
Chief Learning Officer
Ericsson
Session Details
- It is essential we attract, retain, re-train, and continually build the future critical skills we need, before we need them. That means being systematic, not programmatic, in how we build skills and put them to work, in ways that work for all
- We’re using skills powered talent practices to help redesign work, giving people more fluidity and flexibility to deploy their critical skills and job role skills to strategic areas
- We have digitalized our jobs and skills architecture and created a skills signature to provide our people with visible simplicity to see and be uniquely seen when it comes to matching their skills and interests– inclusively and intelligently– to opportunities
- We’re learning that in this dynamic landscape, across is often the new ‘up’. Reskilling is the on-ramp for internal mobility, ensuring that the people we have become the people we need, again and again. We are on a continuing journey to harness generative AI and human intelligence to put skills to work, in ways that actually work
Executive Lunch Seating
Explore this year’s themed lunch discussions led by industry leaders, where executives engage in focused conversations over a meal, discussing topics they’re passionate about alongside their peers.
Elevating Your eLearning Engagement Strategies
Amy Schell
Director, Talent Management
Boston Scientific
Adaptive Leadership in Action: Driving Agility, Innovation, and Engagement in the Hybrid Era
Lauren DeAngelis
Chief Learning Officer
Carolinas Credit Union League
How to Use AI Ethically and Efficiently in Your L&D Initiatives
Breanna King
Vice President, Head of Organizational Development & Transformation
Chevron Federal Credit Union
Ground Up: How to Start a Skills-Based Organization
Mili Banerjee-Pal
AVP, Learning & Development
Cincinnati Insurance
Taking the First Step: Practical Approaches to AI in Learning
Remberto Jimenez
Director, Learning & Development
Clear Channel Outdoor
The Talent Blueprint: Mapping Critical Roles and Developing HiPos
Andy Schuster
Vice President, Organizational Development
Farm Credit Illinois
Empowering the Frontline: Building and Retaining a Skilled Trades Workforce
Executive to be Announced
Interplay Learning
From Inclusion to Impact: Designing L&D for a Multigenerational, Multicultural Workforce
Justine Green
VP, Learning & Development
ISG - Infinity Sales Group
Content to be Announced
Robert Madden
Sr. Director of Learning and Professional Development
MAPMG
Navigating Change: Leading an L&D’s Team Through an Organizational Redesign
Rachael Morrissey
Sr Director Training Team East
Maximus
Content to be Announced
Britt Sinha
VP, Chief Learning & Wellbeing Officer
NewYork-Presbyterian
Content to be Announced
Lori Welch
Director, Leadership Development
Southeast Toyota Distributors
From Simulation to Skill: VR’s Role in L&D
Keisha McNeil
Head of Enterprise Learning
Southern California Edison
Content to be Announced
Amy Kickham
Chief Human Resources Officer
Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits, LLC
Talent Synced: Aligning Performance, Calibration & Succession
Sara Rogers
Director of Talent, Learning & Development
Tillamook
Reflecting on the Last Five Years and Charting the Next Five: The Transformative Journey of L&D
Executive to be Announced
TrainingPros
Fireside Chat: Leveraging Technology to Empower Learners at All Levels
Brian Glaser
Vice President, Chief Talent and Learning Officer
Session Details
- Enhancing the learning experience with technology
- Creating personalized learning paths
- Fostering collaboration and engagement
- Measuring and tracking progress
- Preparing for the future of learning
Breaking the Last Taboo in Talent Strategy: Succession Reimagined
Marcia A. Dawkins, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist
Center for Creative Leadership
Daniel J. Smith, Ph.D.
Research Associate
Center for Creative Leadership
Session Details
For decades, leadership succession has been treated like a Game of Thrones episode. Zero-sum, top-down, and cloaked in silence. That story is outdated. Succession is no longer just a boardroom event. It’s a system-wide risk, and opportunity, playing out in real time.
- The story is shifting: Succession isn’t a blood sport. It’s a mindset shaped by culture. The old power-play narrative is giving way to a more human, transparent model
- The crisis is everywhere: Succession gaps don’t just exist at the top. Most organizations neglect non-C-suite roles, draining talent quietly and weakening institutional resilience
- Wisdom transfer is the missing link: The best transitions happen when leaders don’t just leave, they lift. Endorsement and collaboration between generations is an undervalued asset
- AI changes everything: This could be the last cohort to lead all-human teams. Succession plans must now address relational fluency and technological literacy
- Future-fit succession is adaptive: The best strategies balance:
-
- Immediacy – Act fast when the moment demands it.
- Continuity – Preserve what makes your culture work.
- Generativity – Grow leaders who leave a legacy, not a vacancy.
Measurement & Evaluation: Implementing Learning Analysis Process Models to Measure Talent Development, Program Effectiveness, and Organizational Outcome
Executive to be Announced
Guild Education
Session Details
- Determining the importance of learning analysis in talent development
- Utilizing the key learning analysis models
- Implementing learning systems for measurement and evaluation
- Evaluating the organizational outcomes and impact
- Best practices for measuring learning effectiveness
3:05 pm - 4:15 pm
Pre-Arranged One-To-One Meetings
These mutually agreed-upon conversations are arranged and facilitated by Executive Platforms staff to ensure attendees have valuable discussions about their top-of-mind questions, challenges, and opportunities.
- 3:05 pm – 3:25 pm: Meeting Slot 5/Networking
- 3:30 pm – 3:50 pm: Meeting Slot 6/Networking
- 3:55 pm – 4:15 pm: Meeting Slot 7/Networking
Panel: L&D Team Development – What Does Your Department Look Like and How Are you Setting your Team Up For Success?
Katie Lackey
Vice President Human Resources, Digital IT
Honeywell
Sony Das
VP Learning & Development
Lionsgate
Victor Arguelles
VP Learning Design & Development
Marriott International
Session Details
- The structure of our L&D teams
- How are we developing and empowering our team members?
- Skill development
- Collaboration & Knowledge sharing
- Feedback and support
- Our approach to setting our teams up for success
- Clear vision and strategic alignment
- Data-driven decisions
- Agility and adaptability
- Focus on employee experience
- Leadership development
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Drinks Reception
January 22nd
registration & breakfast
Learning Measurement That Matters: From Completion Rates to Business Results
Session Details
Many L&D teams struggle to connect learning to performance. Join us as we share how to design content and systems that generate actionable analytics.
- Designing assessments that go beyond quizzes
- Embedding analytics in SCORM/xAPI modules
- Using data to iterate and improve learning over time
Chair’s Welcome Address
Ramona Arora
Vice President- Enterprise Career Development
The Walt Disney Company
Enhancing Leadership Development: The Power of Consistent Feedback and Bridging the Gaps
Becky Schmitt
Chief People Officer
PepsiCo
Session Details
- Why consistent feedback is crucial in leadership development
- How to create a feedback-rich environment that drives continuous growth
- Bridging the gaps in leadership skills to ensure sustainable success
Fireside Chat: Transformation in Motion - What It Means for You and L&D
Tulie White
Chief Learning Officer
The Estèe Lauder Companies Inc
Session Details
- In an environment where L&D is often first on the chopping block, how did you advocate for its value—and win?
- Mindset—how has your own mindset evolved during this transformation? And what mindset shifts have been most critical for L&D to remain relevant and indispensable during restructuring?
- How do you model adaptability and courage for your team in moments of uncertainty?
- “Being human”—how do you balance business objectives with empathy when guiding people through uncertainty? And what does a “human-centered” transformation look like in practice within a company like Estée Lauder?
- Given that L&D will remain part of the organization, how is its role expected to evolve in the new structure? Will there be new focus areas or capabilities prioritized in L&D going forward?
- How is L&D evolving to support the skills and mindset needed for the next phase of Estée Lauder’s growth? And what does success look like for L&D one year from now, post-transformation?
- Are there new capabilities or programs you’re prioritizing to support leaders and teams through change?
- How is the company planning to ensure employees stay engaged and supported during this period of change? And what opportunities will there be for employees to grow and reskill in light of the company’s new direction?
- How is Estee Lauder thinking about the future of work in terms of digital tools, hybrid work, or global collaboration?
- What advice do you have for other L&D leaders trying to protect and position their teams during similar times of change?
- What’s one lesson you’ve learned during this transformation that you wish you knew at the start?
Lead Within: Showing Up for Yourself First
AMS (Ana Maria Sencovici)
Chief Talent Officer
Royal Caribbean Group
Session Details
- Reflect on what it truly means to “put your oxygen mask on first” — prioritizing your well-being as the foundation for effective leadership
- Explore tools and coaching frameworks that not only support your growth but also create a developmental playground for others
- Explore why sustainable leadership starts with self-awareness, reflection, and emotional regulation
- Engage in interactive sessions designed to deepen self-awareness and unlock your capacity to lead others with clarity, presence, and intention
Think Differently – Powerful Strategies for Succession Planning & High Potentials
Session Details
- Effective strategies to build a succession plan and high-potential program
- Creating clear metrics and feedback loops to track and measure success throughout a high-potential program
- Evaluating the value and impact of succession planning efforts on decision makers
10:25 am - 11:15 am
Pre-Arranged One-To-One Meetings
These mutually agreed-upon conversations are arranged and facilitated by Executive Platforms staff to ensure attendees have valuable discussions about their top-of-mind questions, challenges, and opportunities.
- 10:30 am – 10:50 am: Meeting Slot 8/Networking
- 10:55 am – 11:15 am: Meeting Slot 9/Networking
Drive Transformation in Learning to Create Impactful and Meaningful Change
Wanda Shoer
Chief Learning Officer
Sanofi
Session Details
- Explore how transformative learning strategies can drive impactful and meaningful change in organizations
- Actionable insights on how learning and development professionals can lead the charge in creating lasting organizational growth and success
Developing Individual Contributors to Become Future Leaders – Cultivating the Right Skillset for Leadership Success
Eileen Cooke
Chief Learning Officer
Amtrak
Session Details
- Developing individual contributors into future leaders
- Key skills and competencies that individual contributors need to develop for leadership roles
- Practical strategies for fostering leadership potential in individual contributors
- How to create a leadership development pipeline within your organization
Empowering Growth with Strategic Learning Analysis
Executive to be Announced
Aptara Corp.
Session Details
- Designing the optimal future state of learning within your organization and unlock the full potential of your training initiatives
- Creating a roadmap to bridge the performance gaps effectively
- Determine areas for improvement and find creative approaches and strategies to enhance your training programs and maximize learner engagement
- Deliver measurable results including ROI, establishing KPIs and evaluating progress and deliver tangible business outcomes
Turn Data into Decisions
Diedre Downing
Chief Learning Officer
StoryIQ
Session Details
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How to gain influence and drive action with a data-driven mindset
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Step back from the numbers and consider the business question you are trying to answer
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Distill information and observations into valuable insights
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Intentionally communicate your insights and recommendations to align with your audience’s priorities
Executive Lunch Seating
Explore this year’s themed lunch discussions led by industry leaders, where executives engage in focused conversations over a meal, discussing topics they’re passionate about alongside their peers.
Content to be Announced
Megan Reiplinger
Director, Global Learning & Development
TAIT
Cultivating a Continuous Learning Culture
Creative Approaches to Evolving Talent Development Strategies
Reimagining L&D: How Elevance Health Transformed Executive and Enterprise Learning
Ryan Craig
Chief Talent Officer & Interim Chief Human Resources Officer
Elevance Health
Session Details
When Elevance Health made the strategic decision to disband its traditional L&D function, it created space for something new—something modern. Recognizing the need for executive development and scalable growth, the organization launched a transformative learning strategy rooted in skills. From a targeted initiative for the top 250 leaders to a company-wide Skills Academy, Elevance Health is redefining how learning happens—making it more agile, accessible, and aligned to the future of work. What you’ll learn:
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Why Elevance Health replaced its traditional L&D structure with a skills-first strategy
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How executive development was prioritized to align and empower senior leadership
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The design and impact of the “Leading with Skills” Academy in democratizing learning
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What a modern, skills-based learning environment looks like—and why it matters
The Future of Skill Development in the Age of AI: Seizing the Opportunity to Integrate Learning into the Flow of Work
Heather Stefanski
Chief Learning & Development Officer
McKinsey & Company
Session Details
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The importance of the apprenticeship (the expert/novice) relationships to learning in the flow of work
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The impact of technology/AI on capability-building is growing exponentially
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How technology/AI creates a challenge and an opportunity to bring learning and work together
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The role L&D organizations as the experts in human development need to play in shaping the future design of technology and work itself
Chair’s Closing Address
Please note: This agenda is subject to change based on speaker availability and scheduling.
