ATD Research Triangle Area upcoming events

Leadership & Change-Agility for Uncertain Times (May Monthly Event-Virtual) (12 May 2026)

Tue, 12 May 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Leadership & Change-Agility for Uncertain Times

Description:

This session focuses on the mindsets and behaviors that help leaders stay grounded, make clear decisions, and guide others through ambiguity. It emphasizes resilience, adaptability, and creating momentum even when the path ahead is unclear.

Presenter: Heather Balcerek

Heather Balcerek is a senior learning and development leader who specializes in practical, human‑centered approaches to leadership. She brings deep experience from roles across major global companies, helping leaders build resilience, navigate uncertainty, and guide their teams with clarity and confidence.

ATD Capability Model:

Personal: Collaboration & Leadership

Professional: Career & Leadership Development

Organizational: Organization Development & Culture, Change Management

Essential Practices to Bring L&D Innovation to Life: Learning Trends & Innovations SIG (Virtual) (19 May 2026)

Tue, 19 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Learning Trends & Innovations SIG (Virtual): Essential Practices to Bring L&D Innovation to Life

Innovation is a subject that a lot of people talk about but are not sure how to get started with. In this session we'll explore fresh ideas for L&D practitioners and departments to harness the power of innovation.

You'll leave ready to:

Apply new ways of thinking to your L&D processes, services, and solutions
Explore practical tools and approaches for sparking innovation
Reframe your role as an L&D practitioner to drive meaningful, innovative change

Mark L. Sheppard, General Motors

A veteran of more than 35 years in learning & development across a broad spectrum of industries and contexts, Mark brings an eclectic and consultative perspective to the challenges facing L&D leaders and practitioners. He has fulfilled a variety of roles, from subject matter instructor through individual contributor to Director of Education. He is currently the L&D Lead for Diagnostics with General Motors, and is based out of the Oshawa Elevation Centre in Southern Ontario. Mark holds a Diploma in Graphic Communications, a Certificate in Adult Training & Development, a Masters Degree in Learning & Technology, and a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management.

ATD Capability Model:

Personal: Collaboration & Leadership

Professional: Instructional Design

Organizational: Consulting & Business Partnering

Social Learning on Draft: Durty Bull Brewing Company, Wednesday, May 27 (27 May 2026)

Wed, 27 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Social Learning on Draft at Durty Bull Brewing Company

Looking to unwind after a long day? Want to exchange ideas, share advice, or connect with fellow Learning & Development professionals? Join us for an evening of great conversation, fresh perspectives, and refreshing drinks. Whether you have questions, insights, or just want to chat with like-minded peers, this event is for you!

ATD ICE 2026 Recap and Teach Back (June Monthly Event) (09 Jun 2026)

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT

ATD ICE 2026 Recap and Teach Back

Session Description:

ATD’s International Conference & EXPO (ICE) is coming to Los Angeles from May 17–20! Several board and chapter members will be attending to learn from top industry experts and gather fresh inspiration.

Join us afterward for a special recap event, where ATD Research Triangle Area (ATD RTA) Chapter members will share key takeaways and teach back highlights from selected conference sessions. Don’t miss this opportunity to catch the conference insights and highlights!

ATD Capability Model:

Personal: Lifelong Learning
Professional: Career & Leadership Development
Organizational: Future Readiness

For any inquiries, feel free to reach out to us at admin@tdrta.org.

From Mentorship to Sponsorship - Leveling Up Your Career Growth Ally Actions: Learning Trends & Innovations SIG (Virtual) (23 Jun 2026)

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Learning Trends & Innovations SIG (Virtual): From Mentorship to Sponsorship - Leveling Up Your Career Growth Ally Actions

In the age of AI, uniquely human skills like advocacy, influence and sponsorship are trending as an essential counterbalance. Join this session to learn why sponsorship is a game-changer for career advancement, yet often overlooked and underutilized in organizations. In this workshop, participants will explore the key distinctions between mentorship and sponsorship, discover why sponsorship is a powerful ally action, understand the role of advocacy in professional growth, and learn how to build and sustain impactful sponsorship relationships. Through practical strategies and actionable insights, attendees will gain the tools to become effective sponsors or protégés, fostering a more equitable workplace and building human-first leadership skills.

Sertrice Shipley is the CEO & Founder of Plan to Action, a culture and inclusion consulting firm and the co-author of Inclusalytics: How Diversity Equity and Inclusion Leaders Use Data to Drive Their Work. Prior to leading Plan To Action, she made significant contributions as Co-Owner & Chief Consulting Officer of Mattingly Solutions. Her dynamic consulting has benefited clients like the National Association of Women Business Owners, Koppers, and American Humane, delivering comprehensive culture solutions ranging from strategic planning to employee listening assessment to learning and development. A respected inclusion and culture thought leader and public speaker, Sertrice has been invited to speak at prominent events like the Society for Human Resource Management, the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and various city Chamber events across the United States. Beyond her professional endeavors, she is deeply committed to community service and sits on various boards. Sertrice is located in Raleigh, NC with her husband Abraham and dog Winston.

ATD Capability Model:

Personal: Collaboration & Leadership, Cultural Awareness & Inclusion

Professional: Career & Leadership Development

Organizational: Talent Strategy & Management, Future Readiness

"Where Do I Click Again?": How to Build Consistency in eLearning (E-Learning SIG - virtual) (25 Jun 2026)

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

"Where Do I Click Again?": How to Build Consistency in eLearning

JUNE eLearning SIG (virtual)

Presented by Elsa Trunnell

*** Zoom link to join this session will be sent to registered attendees three times: Immediately upon registration, 3 days prior to the event, and at the start time of the event. Please let us know if you do not receive the link. ***

Session Description:

When learners have to deal with confusing interfaces, cumbersome processes, and distracting formats, it’s easy for your message to get lost in the shuffle. This one-hour session focuses on how to build consistency into all levels of your eLearning projects to make your materials seamless and coherent. You’ll learn how to use consistency to build organizational culture, centralize navigation, standardize learning and development policies, and unify visual design. You will leave with a few quick wins you can use right away to get learners asking “how can I apply this knowledge?” instead of “where do I click again?”

About the Speaker:

Elsa Trunnell graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Communication, with a concentration in interpersonal and organizational communication. After starting her career as an HR Administrator, she quickly decided to specialize in talent development because of her interests in process improvement and instructional design. Currently working in Organizational Development, Elsa develops and edits internal trainings, facilitates onboarding, and builds resources for other employees. She likes to say that her job is to make other people’s jobs easier!

Elsa combines practicality and visual appeal in every project, making training content that’s concise and fit for purpose, but still engaging and enjoyable. Some of her favorite projects to date have been a company-wide learning challenge, a guide for managers of new employees, and a redesign of online employee resources.

The ATD RTA eLearning SIG is hosted by Ricky Fisher and Zoe Fruchter.
Please contact us here with any questions or to propose a future topic.

Member Social (August Monthly Event) (11 Aug 2026)

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Member Social

ATD Capability Model:

Professional:

Organizational:

Personal:

Schedule of Events:

Dinner and Networking 6:00-6:30pm

Presentation: 6:30-7:30pm

Networking 7:30-8:00pm

For any inquiries, feel free to reach out to us at admin@tdrta.org.

Emerging Tools: What’s Worth Your Time? - Learning Trends & Innovations SIG (Virtual) (18 Aug 2026)

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Learning Trends & Innovations SIG (Virtual): Emerging Tools: What’s Worth Your Time?

Presenter TBD

ATD Capability Model:

We’ll take a moment to honor the achievements and milestones that made this year shine, recognizing the members, volunteers, and partners who helped make 2025 one to remember.

Whether you’ve been part of our chapter for years or are just getting to know us, this event is the perfect way to connect, celebrate, and be inspired for the year ahead!

Event Details:

Networking & Drinks: 6:30 – 7:00 PM

Program & Celebration: 7:00 – 8:30 PM

Come for the community, stay for the memories; and let’s toast to another amazing year of learning, growth, and impact together!

ATD Capability Model:

Personal: Communication; Collaboration & Leadership; Cultural Awareness & Inclusion

Professional: Career & Leadership Development

Organizational: Business Insight

For any inquiries, feel free to reach out to us at admin@tdrta.org.