Learning Leader Spotlight: Interviews with corporate L&D leaders

Scott Switalski , Director of Enterprise Learning and Development of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia , joins us to explore why leadership is the most critical skill in any organization, how L&D professionals can function as cultural tugboats, and what it really means to develop people with courage, curiosity and compassion. Scott brings three decades of L&D experience across healthcare...

Peter Plumlee , Talent Development Manager of Ball Horticultural Company , explores why human connection remains L&D's most essential competency in an age of automation, what it really takes to lead a volunteer organization and how vulnerability is reshaping what great leadership development looks like. KEY TAKEAWAYS   00:00 Introduction. 05:17 The unexpected early experience that set the...

Dr. Katie Campbell , Senior Director, Learning and Talent Management of Equifax , shares how she approaches L&D strategy within one of the company's largest business units — bridging corporate vision and workforce execution across performance, succession planning and learning. Katie shares how she thinks about AI's role in reshaping workforce capabilities, why the shift to skills-based models...

Demetrice Bryant , Senior Director, Support Services, Workforce Enablement (Customer Care) of Priceline , joins us to discuss the shift from training delivery to enablement partnerships — covering human-centered design, continuous learning, growth mindset, and what it means to connect L&D directly to business outcomes. From a career that started in a state government training room to leading w...

Phil Rhodes , Chief Learning Officer of Phillips 66 , joins us to discuss what it means to shift L&D from a deliverable function to an enablement function — covering leadership capability, business acumen, data-driven credibility and the test-and-learn mindset he has applied across his 30-year career.  From his early days in the Peace Corps to leading enterprise L&D at an operating comp...

Mary Cooper , Director of Learning and Development at P.F. Chang's , joins us to make the case that L&D leaders who can't speak the language of the business will keep losing the budget fight.  Mary draws on her path from operations to the L&D function to show why business acumen is now a core skill for talent development and learning strategy leaders. For training professionals naviga...

Laura Campion , Director, Revolution Learning Specialist at Pfizer , joins us to discuss how L&D is evolving in the age of AI — from microlearning and embedded performance support to the diagnostic skills that no algorithm can replace.  KEY TAKEAWAYS 00:00 Introduction. 02:04 L&D is one of the few fields where your expertise travels across every industry.  03:30 The three biggest...

We’re joined by Anita Zanchettin , Director, Talent Development of DoorDash , to discuss why leaders are the number-one customer of L&D, how to bring development into the flow of work, and what it really means to adopt a learner mindset in a world of constant change.  Anita shares how she builds leadership training and development strategy at a global scale across DoorDash, Wolt and Deliv...

Dr. Hope Eady , Learning and Development Director, Housing Opportunities and Mission Engagement, of Habitat for Humanity International , believes the most important skill in L&D is the ability to think alongside the business as a true consultative partner. Hope shares how she approaches learning as a transformational experience designed to meet people where they are. Leading L&D across nea...

Jessica Fraser , Director of Learning of Floor & Decor , joins us to discuss how agile methodologies are reshaping instructional design, why a solid process foundation is the prerequisite for effective AI adoption and what it means to move an L&D team from order takers to strategic partners. KEY TAKEAWAYS 00:00 Introduction. 02:00 How an unexpected moment at The Home Depot changed the enti...

To celebrate our 100th episode, Brandon Carson , Chief Learning Officer and Founder of L&D Cares , joins us to discuss the three shifts redefining L&D in the AI age, why the content factory model is ending and what it means for leaders to truly create value in the workforce. Brandon is the award-winning author of “L&D’s Playbook for the Digital Age” and a frequent keynote speaker and e...

Rapti Khurana , Talent Squad Advisor of PortlyAI and former VP of Talent Engagement and Development of the NFL , discusses the shift from content-centric to capability-centric L&D, what the future of learning looks like and why combining scale with intimacy is the defining challenge for learning leaders today. Key Takeaways: 00:00 Introduction. 04:05 The biggest shift in L&D is the move fr...

Dr. Darick Bryant , Director of Learning and Organizational Development of Clean Harbors , joins us to discuss how AI is reshaping L&D, why empathy has become an essential leadership skill and how organizations can use learning as a strategic retention tool for the next generation of workers.  Key Takeaways: 00:00 Introduction. 02:10 With over 24,000 employees across the US, Canada, Puert...

We’re joined by Amanda Archer , Director of Learning Experience at Advocate Health , to discuss how AI is reshaping L&D, why adaptability is the defining skill of this moment and what it really takes to lead a learning team through constant change. Key Takeaways: 00:00 Introduction. 03:05 Amanda's path to L&D started in early childhood education before landing in corporate learning — she d...

Jason Berry , Director of Talent Management of Nolan Transportation Group , joins us to explore how L&D is evolving into a more data-driven, business-aligned function. He shares how teams are proving impact through metrics, adapting team structures with AI and shifting from training delivery to performance enablement. Key Takeaways: 00:00 Introduction. 07:05 Proving L&D impact through data...

AI, agility and business alignment are reshaping the role of L&D.  Karen Massey , Senior Director of Training and Qualification of AWP Safety , joins us to discuss how L&D teams can create measurable business impact. She shares how organizations are embedding AI tools into everyday workflows, why L&D must operate as a strategic partner, and how leaders can use data and metrics to con...

We’re joined by Adrienne Smith , Manager of Global Learning and AI Development at Samsara , to discuss how AI is reshaping L&D and what the rise of agentic AI means for learning teams. Adrienne explains the shift from generative AI tools to agentic AI systems that can take action across multiple tools and workflows. She shares practical advice on where L&D teams should start, how to identi...

In this episode, Kimberly Hill , Senior Director of Global Client Learning at Nielsen , joins us to explore how global client education drives business impact.  Nielsen’s learning strategy has evolved alongside shifting media consumption habits. We dive into in-person training, virtual delivery, microlearning and digital credentials, and discuss how modern L&D must balance accessibility, acco...

Laura Dermody , Ph. D., Director of Platform and Solutions of Boston Consulting Group , joins us to discuss the accelerating pace of change in L&D and how organizations must balance foundational learning science with emerging AI capabilities. Drawing from her experience across K–12, higher education, ed tech and global consulting, Laura shares how workforce upskilling, AI literacy, personaliza...

Adam Morettin , Group Vice President of Learning and Development of U.S. Renal Care , joins this episode to explore how L&D leaders can create meaningful, measurable impact in highly regulated healthcare environments. He shares how personal purpose fuels his work, why AI and snackable learning are reshaping the learning and development space, and how targeting behavior change is more important...

Mary Pelusi , Director of KPMG , shares how AI is reshaping the learning and development sector and what it means for facilitators and leaders. She discusses the rise of generative AI, the shift toward microlearning and the role of the modern facilitator. From ethical AI frameworks to experience orchestration, Mary explains how L&D can embrace innovation while staying grounded in human connect...

On this episode, Liz Ramon , Director of Talent Management of Castle Group , joins us to discuss how learning and development continues to evolve and why L&D plays a critical role in developing confident leaders, adaptable workforces and practical learning experiences that drive performance. Liz shares her career journey into L&D, the shift toward microlearning and learning in the flow of...

Alissa Weiher , Senior Director of Organizational Development, Engagement and Retention of UCHealth , reflects on her 20-year career in learning and development. She shares how L&D has evolved from tactical training to a strategic function shaped by AI, data and cross-functional collaboration while keeping the human experience at the center of change. Key Takeaways: 00:00 Introduction. 02:49 C...

On this episode, Adam Bocken , Vice President of Training and Development of Margaritaville , shares how L&D teams can adapt as learning expectations shift toward speed, accessibility and continuous development. Drawing on nearly two decades with the brand, Adam discusses delivering a consistent guest and team member experience across a global hospitality organization while navigating rapid ch...

Ian Stevens , Director of Learning and Talent Development of Publicis Sapient , shares his 15-year journey across education and corporate learning, offering a grounded perspective on how L&D continues to evolve amid rapid change. Drawing from experience as a former teacher, facilitator and learning strategist, Ian reflects on what it takes to build resilient, business-aligned L&D functions...