Our Mission: 

Engage the talent development community to connect locally and evolve professionally.

2021 EVENT SPEAKER BIOS

To learn more about our Event Speakers see below for their short bios (alphabetical order by last name).

Nanci Appleman-Vassil, MA, NCC, BCC, CSP

Speaking at: March 2021 e-Learning SIG Panel Discussion

Nanci is a highly successful business owner and Certified Speaking Professional® with more than 25 years of experience delivering training, organizational development, executive coaching, and corporate consulting interventions with a focus on change management, developing leaders and managers, and building high-performing teams. She specializes in facilitating individuals, groups, and organizations toward better solutions for increased engagement and effectiveness.

Nanci consults with organizations in a variety of fields such as technology, health care, engineering, manufacturing, education, and retail. Past and present clients include Red Hat, Grifols, Nomacorc, Governor's Institute, Ipreo, MetLife, Cree, John Deere, and GSK.

As the Corporate Training Manager for R.H. Donnelley (now SuperMedia, Inc), the largest independent sales, marketing and publishing company for the Yellow Pages industry, Nanci provided a full range of training and organization development services, including identifying, coaching, and developing managers and other upper-tier employees to build a high-performance culture. She also designed and conducted a corporate-wide inclusion assessment process, and co-created a leadership and professional development series for all new managers and high-potential individual contributors. As the Performance Training Team Leader, she developed an infrastructure for technical and team training in RHD’s Morrisville, NC location.

As the Director of Programs for the NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Science in Alexandria, VA, Nanci designed a team-based infrastructure to better serve their existing and new clients from around the world. She was accountable for five profit and loss centers; designed and implemented tracking systems to curtail costs and increase profitability; and prepared statistical reports on the financial status of each workshop or line item for that center. She also designed and executed strategic business and marketing plans for several profit centers.

Nanci holds an MA in Counseling from the University of Colorado and a BA in Psychology and Education from the University of Denver. Nanci is certified as a facilitator for a variety of products and services including MBTI, AchieveGlobal, Situational Leadership, DDI, and a variety of VitalSmarts and Stephen Covey programs. She is a member of the Association for Talent Development (ATD) and the former president of Finance and Administration for their RTP chapter, as well as being ATD’s former National Advisor for Chapters and a Southeast Area Coach. Nanci has also served as a board member for Meals on Wheels of Wake County, NC. She is currently a member of the NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Science and the National Speakers Association (NSA), and she is a board member for the NSA’s Carolinas chapter.

An accomplished author, Nanci recently released the book 18 Common Mistakes Small Business Owners Make, and she contributed chapters to Public Speaking Secrets and GPS for Success.



Robb Bingham, Learning and Communication Strategist 

Speaking at: October 2021 Partner Lunch & Learn

Robb Bingham, (M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, University of South Florida) holds multiple awards for helping companies get strategic with training – especially in the space where learning intersects with communications and performance improvement. One company estimates a measurable savings over $3M within the first year of implementing one of Robb’s design solutions.

Robb has served organizations in a number of different roles, from Trainer, Designer, Developer, and Producer, to Team Lead, National Curriculum Manager, and External Consultant and is the creator of the Converging Solutions Problem Solving Model.

Robb also spent several years (back in the dark ages) performing and directing on the dinner theatre circuit. Now as a training and communication coach, he talks practically about ways to apply communication and theatre arts practices, to improve one’s authenticity, credibility, and relevancy when presenting to audiences of 1 to 1000.



Thomas Bosket, SALT Program Manager 

Speaking at: March 2021 Learning Trends & Innovations SIG 

Thomas Bosket was awarded his MFA from Yale University in 1995. His long career as an educator includes notable positions as teacher of art, media and design at Yale University, Pratt Institute and Parsons School of Design. He is regarded by the New York Times as one of the world's leading color theory experts. He has pursued drawing, as a human behavior rather than a product, as it plays a dominant role in supporting creating learning environments. His most recent venture is the co-founding of ENGN {engine} a progressive educational organization focused on connecting civics, art and life.



Brian Boyle, Founder, CrossTrainer Elearning


Speaking at: April 2021 Monthly Program

Brian Boyle, Founder, CrossTrainer Elearning, and Co-founder, Crosstrainer Mixed Reality, is a training designer, technologist, and founder of the award winning CrossTrainer®. For over 20 years he's shared his future focus, graphic vision and learning design perspective to create innovative and engaging training across multiple industries, including pharmaceutical, manufacturing, retail and more. In recent years, Brian has focused on designing mixed reality products that deepen learning experiences. In 2019, Brian’s TEDx talk “VR Therapy: Unlocking the Potential of VR” paved the way for a new line of patient-facing CrossTrainer health care applications. Brian lives in southeastern MA with his wife and 2 young daughters.



Tyrone Campbell, Wellness Manager, Hyatt Regency

Speaking at: September Learning Trends and Innovations SIG

As part of Hyatt’s Global Care and Cleanliness Commitment, the company is promising that each property around the world will have a position responsible for hygiene and wellbeing. Mr. Tyrone Campbell is the Wellness Manager at Hyatt Regency Jacksonville.

His primary goal is to ensure the staff feels safe at work. In addition to his management responsibilities, he works to ensure colleagues are trained in safety practices, cleanliness standards are communicated and healthy initiatives are created and implemented.



Michael Cannon, Sr. Director, Red Hat University

Speaking at: February 2021 e-Learning SIG Panel Discussion

Michael joined Red Hat in March 2015 as Senior Director, Red Hat University. In this position he leads a global team of over 60 L&D professionals responsible for manager and leadership development, technical development, sales development, and professional development for all Red Hat employees. Prior to joining Red Hat, Michael held leadership positions for multiple learning and development teams at Cisco and IBM. Michael has a Masters degree in Education from George Washington University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech, and spent six years as an officer in the US Navy.

You can learn more about Michael at: www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcannon1/


Erin Carson, Senior Manager - Diversity & Inclusion, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants

Speaking at: March 2021 Training 101 SIG

Erin Carson is the Senior Manager of Diversity & Inclusion, with a focus on Young Member Initiatives, at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. Her responsibilities include managing the AICPA’s Young CPA Network, Leadership Academy, EDGE Experience conference, We’re About Success Program and Emerging Partner Training Forum. Additionally, she is the staff liaison for the Young Member Leadership Committee.

Erin joined the AICPA as part of the Academic and Career Awareness team in 2010. During her time on the student team, she worked on both high school and college-level initiatives and was responsible for the oversight of AICPA’s website and online community for college students. She was also responsible for developing, maintaining and leveraging strategic partnerships with key organizations that provide services to college-level accounting students.

Prior to joining the AICPA, Erin was part of the Interactive Team at Capstrat, helping bring organization and order to web development projects for her clients. She also worked as Marketing Coordinator at G4S Compliance & Investigations, developing strategies for increasing current business, gaining new business from potential clients and providing overall support to the sales team.

Erin graduated from the University of North Carolina at Asheville with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications in 2006. She also earned a certificate in Technology and Communications from the University of North Carolina in 2014. Erin earned her Project Management Professional certification in 2017.


Lei Comerford, Executive Coach and Master Facilitator

Speaking at: September 2021 Special Lunchtime Monthly Program

Lei partners with organizations and associations to amplify and elevate their internal communication skills, relationships, and leadership effectiveness. With healthcare and hospitality corporate industry experience and a passion for learning & development, Lei brings 15 collective years of coaching, mentoring, consulting, training and facilitation experience to her audience and clients.

She is known for being a thought partner and has a passion for helping others reach beyond their goals through increased self-awareness with an objective to empower effectiveness and engagement with each attendee or client!

She is a master facilitator certified in a variety of assessment tools, holds the ACC accreditation through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and is a John Maxwell Team Certified Speaker, Coach and Trainer.


Monica Cornetti, Founder, Sententia

Speaking at: October 2021 Monthly Program, November 2021 Gamification Workshop

Monica works with individuals and organizations who want to learn how to think differently to achieve uncommon results. A gamification speaker and designer, Monica was rated #1 among the “Gamification Gurus Power 100” by RISE in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018; and was also recognized as a Top 3 Finalist in the “Gamification Guru of the Year Award” by the World Gamification Congress held in Barcelona, Spain.

Monica is the Founder and CEO of the Sententia Gamification Consortium. She authored Totally Awesome Training Activity Guide: Put Gamification to Work for You, and is a co-author of Deliberate Fun: A Purposeful Application of Game Mechanics to Learning Experiences. Monica is hired for her skill as a gamification speaker and is considered at the top of her field in gamification design for corporate learning. She is a graduate of Seton Hill with a BA in psychology, and The University of Houston-Victoria where she earned a Masters Degree in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship.



Dr. Suzanne Ehrlich, Assistant Professor, University of North Florida (UNF)

Speaking at: August 2021 e-Learning SIG

Dr. Suzanne Ehrlich is an Assistant Professor and program co-director in the Educational Technology, Training and Development program at the University of North Florida (UNF). She has presented nationally/internationally on the topics of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) mindset in the workplace and access in learning design. Her latest publication includes her co-authored article on Adopting a Universal Design for Learning Mindset in the Workplace. Her service includes roles such as annual chair with the local chapter of the Association of Training and Development (ATD NEFL) of Northeast Florida and current program chair of the AERA SIG for workplace learning.



Brandi Einhorn, Certifications and Evaluation Manager, NetApp

Speaking at: February 2021 e-Learning SIG Panel Discussion 

Brandi Einhorn is currently the NetApp Learning Services Evaluation Manager. She works across technical audiences to create a strategy to measure success for partners, customers and NetApp employees. She grew the presence of the program and increased visibility at NetApp’s Insight event where she was a moderator of a panel about creating certification exams and the role of the Subject Matter Expert (SME). Prior to NetApp she worked in multiple roles at Lenovo and helped found Lenovo United, which promoted Lenovo CSR at the annual One Young World events. She has two young daughters and wants to set a good example in her work.


Ryan Gottfredson, Ph.D., Leadership Researcher and Consultant

Speaking at: September 2021 Monthly Program  

Ryan Gottfredson, Ph.D. is a cutting-edge leadership development author, researcher, and consultant. He helps organizations vertically develop their leaders primarily through a focus on mindsets. Ryan is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author of “Success Mindsets: The Key to Unlocking Greater Success in Your Life, Work, & Leadership.” He is also a leadership professor at the College of Business and Economics at California State University-Fullerton. 



Cortney Harding, Founder and CEO of Friends with Holograms

Speaking at: May 2021 Learning Trends & Innovations SIG  

Cortney Harding is the founder and CEO of Friends With Holograms, a transformational VR/AR agency focused on creating innovative, powerful, and effective experiences for training. Clients include Walmart, Verizon, Accenture, PWC, Coca-Cola, and Eunoe Health. She is also the winner of multiple awards, including “Best VR/AR” at Mobile World Congress, SXSW Innovation Award Finalist, and Top HR product by HR Executive.



April Hennessey, Digital Learning Specialist

Speaking at: July 2021 eLearning SIG

April is a Digital Learning Specialist who designs, develops and deploys content that aligns client goals with learner-centric design. She’s passionate about creating space for a productive learner experience, especially as it pertains to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. In her personal time, April enjoys spending time with her three kids and her wife, reading voraciously, listening to podcasts, serving as a school board trustee, and volunteering at The People’s Market, which provides access to whole foods and food security to families across Bloomington.


Florence Holland, EdD, Expert Consultant and Trainer, Strategic Planner, Communicator

Speaking at: February 2021 Training 101 SIG

Florence is a visionary leader, bridge builder, dedicated and hardworking professional with more than 15 years of strategic planning and hands-on expertise. She has worked with businesses and led strategic planning around talent development. She also has extensive education experience working with secondary and post-secondary students, securing resources, and implementing effective programs.

She has a well-rounded academic background, with practical knowledge of and experience in change management and diversification. Her proven ability to develop solid working relationships with business leaders, campus administrators, faculty and staff, the local community, and various stakeholders helps foster stronger external and internal communications. She brings exceptional interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills to all her roles.

Why DEI? - "Until everyone in our society has the ability to go to work in a place where they truly can bring their full selves without fear of retaliation, then my work is not done. We should be a society that understands when one brings their whole self to work then innovation and the true actualization of the organization will happen. I’m committed to DEI until that day." -- Florence Holland, EdD



Alyssa Kaszycki, Learning Product Manager, Training Industry, Inc.

Speaking at: February 2021 Monthly Program

Alyssa Kaszycki is the learning product manager at Training Industry, Inc. and a doctoral candidate in the industrial-organizational psychology program at North Carolina State University.



Karen Koukou-Twaglee, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager

Speaking at: August 2021 Learning Trends and Innovations SIG

Karen Koukou-Twaglee is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Higher Education Leader, Philanthropist, Change Agent, and a Motivational Speaker. She leads Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Strategic Education, Inc. In her current role as leader of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, she has developed and led Support Circles to provide safe and brave spaces to have courageous and respectful conversations, Conscious Inclusion Training, the SEI Mentor Program, advocated and gained approval for Juneteenth as a paid company holiday. Karen is a founding member of the CEO’s Council on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and she currently serve as a member of the Strayer University President's Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

In addition to Karen’s role at Strategic Education, Inc., she is also the CEO and Founder of The Power to Do Something (PDS) non-profit organization. PDS is 501c3 an international non-profit whose mission is to educate, empower, and inspire underprivileged girls, women, and orphans in Africa to reach their fullest potential, beginning with Liberia. She has been honored with many different awards for her work with her non-profit and has been interviewed on MPR and the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. She was also featured on the front page of the Star News, and international publications both in Paris and Liberia. This fall, Karen will be presenting at the Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research in the United States (SIETAR-USA). Karen holds a Masters in Higher Education Leadership and Administration, with an emphasis in Higher Education Program Administration with distinction from Capella University, and Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.



Edward M. Marshall, Ph.D., PCC, Adjunct Professor

Fuqua School of Business & Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University

Speaking at: March 2021 Chapter Monthly Program


Edward Marshall's career has focused on leadership and team development, collaborative organizational change, executive coaching, and helping corporations transform their leadership cultures. In 2016, after 40 years in business, he joined the faculty of the Fuqua School of Business and the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University, where he teaches leadership courses. He is Founder and Managing Partner of The Marshall Group, LLC, a collaborative leadership, team development, and change consulting firm, based in Chapel Hill, N.C. He has worked with C-suite executives at Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft, DuPont, Marriott, IBM, and Philips, as well as entrepreneurial and mid-sized firms. In his many engagements, he has served as an executive coach, culture and organizational change strategist, team developer, and facilitator.


His work has taken him beyond clients in North America to South Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe. He has facilitated more than 100 change initiatives in technology, healthcare, and manufacturing companies, ranging from strategic alliances and business process redesigns, to mergers, IT integrations, and cultural transformations. As an ICF-certified executive coach, Dr. Marshall has helped many senior executives, helping them to reach their professional goals.

Edward is best known for developing the best-practice Collaborative Method (sm), which won the Excellence in Practice Award from the Association for Talent Development. In 2015, he was recognized by Trust Across America with a Lifetime Achievement Award as a Top 15 Trust Thought Leader. As a pioneer and leader in the field of collaborative leadership, team development, and cultural transformation, Edward has authored two Knight-Ridder best-selling business books, Transforming the Way We Work: The Power of the Collaborative Workplace, and Building Trust at the Speed of Change, and has been a contributing author to four other books on trust and culture change. For 23 years, he was a nationally syndicated columnist writing In the Workplace column for The Triangle Business Journal. His latest book, Leadership’s 4 the Evolution: Collaboration for the 21st Century (2020), is the third in a series of books on collaborative leadership.



Whitney Martin, Manager, Learning Development at Marriott International

Speaking at: February 2021 e-Learning SIG Panel Discussion

My learning development journey began about 15 years ago in the sales and service industry, where I developed and facilitated ILT and created performance support resources. Since then, I’ve continued to grow my instructional design toolkit by designing learning experiences in various industries, including finance, higher education, legal, healthcare, and tech.

I’ve spent the last 3 years designing and developing digital learning in the hospitality industry at Marriott International. Most of my work is within systems training development, but I also get to dabble in other areas like brand, operations, sales, revenue management, and corporate disciplines (HR, finance, etc.). I’m currently an ID lead for a project that involves creating almost 3,500 learning deliverables; it’s allowed me to grow my project management skills and broaden my network.

With a passion to continuously grow and a thirst for knowledge, I completed my graduate studies in 2016 with a MS in Instructional Technology from ECU.

My WHY: Learning is constantly evolving—trends, technology, how we learn. Every project is different. Every deliverable is different. As a lifelong learner and avid problem solver, the variety, ability to help others grow, and challenge of creating impactful learning experiences are what drive me.


Forrest McFeeters, Ph.D.

Speaking at: June 2021 Learning Trends and Innovations SIG

Forrest McFeeters, Ph.D. has extensive skills in developing online courses, and leading, facilitating and supporting stakeholders through sound instructional design. His experience also includes managing academic distance education programs and facilitating training and government programs. These programs, being offered in order to design and execute learning and development offerings and curricula best enable sales teams, university departments, and training centers to produce desired business and learning outcomes.

He also has project manager experience where he collaborates with the clients to ensure coordination for the purpose of filling specific course development needs under contracts. He also develops and implements project initiatives in resource plans to achieve the objectives within the constraints.

Throughout his career he has excelled in a number of positions that have enhanced his skills in managing portfolios for a variety of delivery modalities including self-paced e-learning, synchronous and asynchronous, traditional instructor-led, leader-led, experiential, formal, informal, social, coaching, performance support, etc.

In his nearly three decades of experience in instructional design, training and management experience he ensured the effectiveness of all courses that he has been challenged to produce through extensive quality assurance, which includes applying a balanced mix of corporate experience with a deep knowledge of adult learning, competencies, performance support, and experiential learning to ensure the availability and use of highly effective, practical, and scalable learning solutions.


Hadiya Nuriddin, CEO and Learning Strategist, Duets Learning 

Speaking at: May 2021 Monthly Program

Hadiya Nuriddin has two decades of experience in learning strategy, instructional design, elearning development, and facilitation. She worked in corporate learning before choosing to found her firm, Duets Learning, where she's worked with a wide array of companies on a variety of topics. She speaks at events and industry conferences and travels teaching courses for the Association for Talent Development (ATD). Hadiya holds an MEd in curriculum studies, an MA in writing, and the Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) designation. She is the author of the book StoryTraining: Selecting and Shaping Stories That Connect, published by ATD.


Jenny O'Donnell, Digital Learning Strategist, Lenovo

Speaking at: February 2021 e-Learning SIG Panel Discussion

Jenny is a Digital Learning Strategist in Lenovo’s Global Learning team and works across all countries and all business units to collect, assess, and resolve the digital learning needs of employees. She began her career at Lenovo seven years ago as a Senior Instructional Designer where she developed training courses for internal and external sales representatives and then transitioned into a Program Manager role, leading the creation of product education materials. 

She holds a Master’s Certification in K-12 technology instruction and a Master’s Certification in Instructional Technology and Design from Western Kentucky University and a Bachelor’s in Education from Murray State University. 


Jenny has spent over twelve years in global corporate training within the tech industry—previously working for both Cisco and HMS. Prior to corporate training, Jenny worked in K-12 education, starting as an elementary classroom teacher and transitioning into Middle/high School technology--leading the Student Technology Leadership Program, holding a chair on the district technology board, and creating a multi-district professional development program for teachers to assist them in increasing technology usage within the classroom. 


Laura Paramoure, EdD, CEO of eParamus

Speaking at: Special Lunch June Monthly Program

Laura Paramoure, EdD, has 25 years of experience in performance improvement, training design, and evaluation. She is the author of ROI by Design™ (2014) and a featured speaker on the topic of return on investment for training organizations. Her private sector experience includes Director of Training and Development with Parata systems where she was responsible for the establishment and deployment of both domestic and international training. She is currently the CEO of eParamus, a company which helps organizations of all types and sizes optimize and verify the impact of their training programs.



Jonathan Peters, PhD, Chief Motivation Officer, Sententia

Speaking at: October 2021 Monthly Program, November 2021 Gamification workshop

Jonathan Peters, PhD, has spent over a decade studying the science and art of motivation and persuasion. As a speaker, he has helped audiences from Melbourne, Australia to Augusta, Maine more effectively communicate with their customers and team-members. Since joining the Sententia team, he had applied his knowledge and study to make learning more enticing, engaging, and encouraging through gamification. Jonathan is co-author of Deliberate Fun: A Purposeful Application of Game Mechanics to Learning Experiences. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, though he calls Austin, Texas home.



Manisha Sachdev, Instructional Designer


Speaking at: July 2021 eLearning SIG

Manisha Sachdev is a New York based Instructional Designer who loves making learning come alive through visual storytelling. Her design solutions translate information into dynamic, digestible, and performance driven content. She holds a Master’s Degree in Digital Media Design for Learning from NYU. Her experience with designing and developing learning programs for both Corporate and Academic clients enable her to fit into various roles and environments with ease.She is specifically attuned to evoking curiosity in people by experiencing the magic that can happen when new ideas and knowledge are fostered, integrated, and shared. As a lifelong learner, the science of learning is what drives her passion and creativity. She is especially dedicated to the advancement of Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace and beyond.


Adam Surgan, Project Manager at AICPA

Speaking at: October 2021 Training 101 SIG

Adam Surgan, Project Manager at AICPA. Adam has taken a winding road to the world of project management while maintaining a solid footing in his first love, education. After 7 incredible years teaching middle school special education, he moved into the world of instructional technology at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and later at SAS. From there he embarked on a new adventure working on course design at Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, eventually moving into a project manager role focusing on the development of online learning. Adam’s current focus at the Association is on learning delivery, and he continues to seek out new opportunities to expand his knowledge and experiences in the training and development field. 


Brian Tarallo, Managing Director at Lizard Brain

Speaking at: January 2021 e-Learning SIG

Brian Tarallo, Managing Director at Lizard Brain, is a facilitator who specializes in visual methods and virtual meetings. He works with healthcare, federal and state government, defense, engineering, and education, and consulting industries. He is a Certified Professional Facilitator (CPF) with the International Association of Facilitators (IAF) and a Certified Virtual Facilitator (CVF) with the International Institute for Facilitation (INIFAC.) He is also a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Master Practitioner, one of 160 globally. He is the author of the forthcoming book, "Surviving the Horror of Online Meetings," which will be available on Amazon in early 2021. Since 2016, he's taught hundreds of facilitators how to be at their best online.


Nick Tillem, Learning Technologies Manager at Procter and Gamble

Speaking at: August 2021 e-Learning SIG

Nick Tillem is a Learning Technologies Manager for Corporate Quality Assurance at Procter and Gamble. Nick is graduating in July 2021 with a Masters in Ed Tech, Training and Development at the University of North Florida (UNF). He is passionate about accessibility and fostering training that support inclusivity. 


Carla Torgerson, MEd, MBA, Head of Learning Experience Strategy at TorranceLearning, Instructional Strategy & Design Expert, Author

Speaking at: February 2021 e-Learning SIG Panel Discussion

Carla Torgerson, MEd, MBA has nearly 20 years of experience as an instructional designer and instructional strategist. Always interested in the latest learning trends, she has authored numerous blogs and articles on a variety of topics, including eLearning, mobile learning, and microlearning. She also developed MILE, the MIcroLEarning Design Model© and is the author of The Microlearning Guide to Microlearning and Designing Microlearning (with Sue Iannone).

Carla currently leads Learning Experience Strategy at TorranceLearning, which helps organizations connect learning strategy to design, development, data and ultimately performance. In addition to strategic consulting and design, Carla is the product manager for TorranceLearning’s Eleventure® course series and the ID Ways of Working (WoW!) professional development community.

Connect with Carla on LinkedIn for insights and announcements:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlatorgerson/


Nekol Tseklenis, Chief Operating Officer-Driving Company Growth and Making Change for the Better

Speaking at: February 2021 e-Learning SIG Panel Discussion  

With over 20 years of experience, Mrs. Tseklenis brings a wealth of knowledge working with fast growing, highly competitive companies. Nekol has consulted with Fortune 1000s and many elite worldwide brands. Mrs. Tseklenis maintains a proven track record working with senior-level executives, including the C-Suite. Nekol has ensured implementation of solutions that align with business objectives, improve efficiencies and drive profitability. As a world-class and innovative leader, Mrs. Tseklenis has successfully built high-performing teams that consistently exceed revenue targets. Nekol embraces an agile philosophy, leading change management in fast-growing industries.



Adrian West, VP Timely Text, ATD RTA Learning Leader Round Table Facilitator

Speaking at: February 2021 e-Learning SIG Panel Discussion, Learning Leader Round Tables

Adrian West is a career communicator who supports TimelyText associates on the job while assisting with recruiting and business development. TimelyText is truly a niche staffing vendor, specializing exclusively in placement of Corporate Communication professionals--Instructional Designers, Tech Writers, and other content professionals. Adrian leads the behind-the-scenes mentoring system that is the hallmark of TimelyText’s service to its associates. Having spent much of his early career as an independent contractor, Adrian is in his element mentoring others in the field.

An active member (and perennial sponsor) of ATD-RTA, Adrian has spoken at many local gatherings to offer interviewing tips, salary negotiation assistance, and valuable insights about the job market for corporate communicators, here, in the Raleigh/Durham area.

Since the summer of 2018, Adrian has co-facilitated two Roundtable groups for corporate Learning Leaders in the Raleigh/Durham area. The Roundtables meet monthly, over lunch, to exchange helpful hints, feedback, and ideas. The interchange has been very successful, even inspirational, and he learns something new at every session!

Adrian is a strong believer in the power of networking, which can provide an especially important countermeasure to economic recessions, business downturns/layoffs, and even unforeseen restrictive impositions such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

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