NovoEDTalks

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Voltage Control’s VP of Learning Experience, Erik Skogsberg, shares how facilitation competency turns messy, fast-changing work into momentum. He breaks down a practical leadership framework that centers on being purposeful, inclusive, clear, crafted, and adaptive, then shows how to build those muscles with guided reps, reflection, and real team practice. Erik also...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Will Campbell, Director of Learn and Development for JLL’s Google Americas account, shares how he serves a vast, role-diverse workforce that ranges from reception and culinary teams to engineers and facilities leaders. He dives into making learning truly point-of-need—keeping resources relentlessly findable, focusing on skills over titles, and using assessments to s...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Michelle Goad from Delaware North shares how a 40,000-person hospitality workforce is upskilled through intentional onboarding, a hospitality mindset built on proactive empathy, and multi-level leadership academies. She outlines a data-informed talent review process that surfaces capability gaps and powers targeted learning paths in a new LMS that personalizes conte...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, we sit down with Amy Ashley, Director of Learning & Development at Caterpillar, to explore how a global organization with over 113,000 employees builds a culture of continuous learning. Amy shares how her team empowers employees to own their development, balances human-centered skills with technological innovation, and aligns programs with evolving business and...

Jennifer Rice, SVP of Learning & Organizational Development at Universal Music Group, shares how her team supports 10,000+ employees across labels and countries by embedding change readiness, innovation, and hybrid culture into programs for every level. She details a data-driven L&D model, tight people business partner intake, bespoke and just-in-time learning, mentorship, plus coaching th...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Madison Gattis, Director of Client Experience at TED@Work, shares how her career in nonprofits, consulting, and organizational transformation shaped her belief in learning as a driver of workplace happiness and mobility. She explores today’s most pressing challenges, from developing Gen Z and mid-level managers to preparing organizations for AI, while highlighting s...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Kim White, IO psychologist and founder of WOW Consulting, shares how fast-growing companies can “work on what matters” by aligning people, processes, and purpose. She unpacks today’s L&D pressures such as diverse learner needs, time constraints, and AI disruption, and urges a shift from one-size-fits-all courses to contextual, human-supported learning enhanced b...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Jessica Pharm, Learning and Development Program Manager at Alaska Airlines, shares how she builds equitable, people-first programs that empower employees across all levels, from frontline workers to emerging leaders. Jessica highlights initiatives like educational assistance, career workshops, and the Developing Emerging Leaders program, which are designed to close...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, we sit down with Sue Novak, Dealer Engagement and Experience Training Manager at BMW of North America, who brings over 20 years of global experience in learning and development, HR, and leadership coaching. Sue shares how she and her team are addressing the fast-paced challenges of the retail automotive world by building adaptable, trust-based training programs that...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Nicole DaCosta, a learning and talent development leader and belonging and inclusion strategist, shares how onboarding, inclusion, and human connection shape impactful employee experiences across industries. Nicole offers insight into creating agile, accessible learning strategies that meet diverse employee needs while reinforcing business goals. From leveraging AI-...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, bestselling author and COO of Notion, Laura Ashley-Timms, shares how operational coaching can transform overwhelmed managers into confident, people-centered leaders. She discusses the data-backed results of embedding coaching into daily workflows—highlighting a landmark study that showed a 74x ROI per learner and a 70% increase in time spent coaching. With insights...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Dr. Benjamin Granger, Chief Workplace Psychologist at Qualtrics, shares how organizations can create powerful learning environments by focusing on leadership development, honest employee feedback, and the cultivation of critical “meta-skills.” Drawing on global data and real-world case studies, he explores how technology can facilitate confidential, two-way conversa...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Maris Krieger, Senior Director of Talent Learning & Development at Hearst Corporation, shares how the small but mighty team she is a part of is building agile, personalized learning experiences for 15,000 employees across a diverse portfolio of industries. She takes us inside Hearst’s rapid AI upskilling initiative, discusses the power of co-creation with busine...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Matt Barry, Head of Global Learning Solutions and Field Platform Training at a global life sciences company, shares how his team is rethinking scale, personalization, and relevance in global L&D. He breaks down how they empower local field trainers, connect global efforts through strategic learning solutions, and center empathy and relationship-building to drive...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Cassandra Limoges, Manager of Learning and Development at Denny’s Restaurants Canada, shares how she supports 75 locations through people-first leadership and deeply embedded values-driven programs. Drawing from decades of experience in hospitality, Cassandra discusses the importance of shifting away from reactive training toward relationship-centered development th...

On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Michael Martin, Senior Director of Sales Enablement at Calix, shares how his team uses AI-powered tools, just-in-time microlearning, and real-time simulations to scale impactful training for a busy global salesforce. He explains why aligning with leadership, reinforcing learning through practice, and treating enablement as a proactive, diagnostic function are key to...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Anne Griswold, Whole Brain Catalyst at Herrmann International, shares how whole brain thinking can transform leadership development and team dynamics across all levels of an organization. She discusses how cognitive diversity, agile thinking, and strategic learning ecosystems can close skill gaps, foster collaboration, and drive measurable business results. With a s...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Jim Mathrusse, Director of Curriculum Development for Cloud Operations at Microsoft, explores what it takes to build scalable, role-based learning in a complex, fast-moving organization. He shares how his team personalizes learning for both office-based and data center employees, builds learner confidence through structured role paths, and integrates just-in-time tr...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Andreia Gadioli, a senior learning leader in the casino and hospitality industry, shares how she’s using learning programs to build confidence, connection, and psychological safety in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment. From onboarding 6,000 employees during a pandemic to piloting innovative approaches that blend empathy with technology, Andreia reflects on the p...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, we sit down with Elizabeth Gomez, Director of People Experience at Costa Farms, to explore how she supports a diverse workforce ranging from farm workers to corporate professionals. Elizabeth shares powerful strategies for fostering a people-centric culture, including failure-based learning, paid learning during work hours, and human-centered technology adoption. Fr...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Jennifer Boyd, a human resources leader at a global retail chain, shares how her team supports over 9,000 employees through adaptable, tech-forward learning strategies and mentorship programs. She explores the evolving challenges of workforce development across generations and emphasizes the need to stay ahead of technological shifts while maintaining human-centered...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Swati Valsangkar, Senior Manager of Leadership Development at Atos, shares how she is transforming leadership development and mentoring to meet the needs of today’s evolving workforce. She discusses how Atos is leveraging technology, AI, and digital platforms to deliver personalized, flexible, and globally accessible learning experiences—while also building strong a...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Andrea Mead, Senior Director of Learning & Development at Gannett, shares how she is scaling impactful mentoring, coaching, and sales enablement across a dispersed workforce. She discusses balancing traditional hands-on training with emerging technologies like AI role-play simulations and call coaching tools, while fostering a community where managers and reps s...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, we hear from Zac Coontz, Senior Manager of Training and Quality at iQor, as he shares how technology and data-driven strategies are transforming frontline employee development and retention. Zac details how his team has dramatically reduced attrition through innovative onboarding, mentoring, and AI-enabled learning experiences. He also reflects on lessons learned ov...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Eddie Brasher, Learning and Development Manager at Starbucks, to explore how L&D can power digital transformation and inclusive leadership. Eddie shares how his team supports finance professionals through capability roadmaps, tech-enabled learning, and mentoring programs that build confidence and unlock potential. Tune in to hear his insig...