NovoEDTalks

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, we sit down with Andrea Whittaker, Global Learning & Development Leader at Mars, to explore how the company fosters a culture of curiosity and growth across its vast and varied workforce. Andrea shares how Mars embeds learning into the flow of work, balances global strategies with local impact, and designs experiences that go beyond traditional training. We talk...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Chantelle Nash, Director of Functional Training and Enablement at BAE Systems, shares how her team supports a highly regulated frontline workforce through streamlined training and effective communication strategies. She discusses the challenges of balancing compliance with operational demands and the importance of foundational processes, voice-of-customer feedback,...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, we sit down with Brissa Ramos, Senior Manager of Sales Enablement at ServiceNow, to explore how she’s rethinking partner enablement in today’s fast-moving tech landscape. With over two decades of experience, Brissa shares her unique perspective on supporting sales and pre-sales partners through AI-powered tools, hybrid learning models, and continuous feedback loops....

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, we sit down with Fola Ajisafe, Associate Director of App Development for Learning Technology at Verizon, to explore how his team builds and delivers user-centric learning technologies that support a global workforce. Fola shares how he balances in-house innovation with external vendor solutions, ensures high adoption and engagement through continuous feedback and da...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Mary Ng shares how she’s building strategic talent management from the ground up at City of Hope, focusing on practical application and human-centered design. She discusses the power of informal feedback, repeat engagement, and democratized mentorship as key indicators of program success. Mary also explores how her team is thoughtfully integrating technology—from AI...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Arlene Mabrey shares how her work at the intersection of equity, mentoring, and leadership development is transforming traditional approaches to talent growth. She discusses the importance of visibility, connection, and intentional systems design—highlighting how technology and AI can power more personalized, inclusive mentorship experiences. With wisdom, warmth, an...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Brian Dennis, a Field Trainer at Growmark with extensive experience in learning and development, discusses how his team adapts to the evolving workforce, focusing on strategic planning, generational diversity, and continuous feedback. He shares insights into the tools and methods they use to assess skills gaps, measure training effectiveness, and drive behavioral ch...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Erica Cason, an experienced learning and development facilitator, to explore the challenges and opportunities in employee training and workforce development. Erica shares insights into onboarding new hires, addressing skills gaps, and leveraging technology to enhance continuous education programs. She also discusses the importance of learner f...

In this episode of NovoEdTalks, Emily Wilson, Manager of Leadership Development for the American Red Cross Disaster Cycle Services, shares insights into training a predominantly volunteer workforce. She discusses the unique challenges of preparing volunteers—who lack the traditional incentives of paid employees—for high-stress disaster response roles and how the organization is evolving its leader...

In this NovoEdTalks episode, Hakeem Basheer, Senior Manager of Learning and Development Programs at Carnival Cruise Line, discusses the complexities of delivering high-impact learning across a diverse, global workforce in the cruise industry. Hakeem shares how Carnival Cruise Line balances shipboard team members' and corporate employees' unique training needs, leveraging technology, data-d...

In this episode of NovoEdTalks, Melissa sits down with Cassie Matheson, a workforce development and international talent acquisition manager for a major healthcare system in Ohio. Cassie shares insights into the challenges of recruiting healthcare professionals post-pandemic, from declining nursing school enrollments to shifting immigration policies for international hires. She also discusses inno...

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Marco Alvarado from TELUS Digital delves into how AI and technology are reshaping talent acquisition and workforce management. He shares innovative strategies, including using AI-powered tools to streamline recruitment, enhance candidate experience, and improve quality assurance processes. Through insights on continuous learning, hybrid AI-human approaches, and comm...

In this episode of NovoEdTalks, Lynn sits down with Nick Bartlett, Senior Head of Learning Content at the CFA Institute, to explore the evolving landscape of learning and development in the finance sector. Nick shares insights from his journey into L&D, the unique challenges faced by finance professionals, and how emerging technologies like AI and peer-to-peer learning are shaping the future o...

In the two-part Season 1 finale of NovoEDTalks, three industry thought leaders, Cara Halter, Matt Donovan and Judy Albers, participate in a roundtable discussion to explore AI's growing influence on L&D strategies. The episode features clips from L&D professionals interviewed throughout Season 1, offering diverse perspectives on AI-driven innovation in the workplace. Together, they dive in...

In the two-part Season 1 finale of NovoEDTalks, three industry thought leaders, Cara Halter, Matt Donovan and Judy Albers, participate in a roundtable discussion to explore AI's growing influence on L&D strategies. The episode features clips from L&D professionals interviewed throughout Season 1, offering diverse perspectives on AI-driven innovation in the workplace. Together, they dive in...

In this episode of NovoEdTalks, Melissa sits down with Megan Harkless, an Organizational Psychologist specializing in workplace dynamics and change management. Megan shares her insights on the challenges of adapting to hybrid and remote workforces, fostering collaboration, and leveraging AI for personalized learning. She emphasizes the importance of flexibility, learning agility, and emotional int...

In this episode of NovoEd Talks, Teodora Georgieva-Diaz, a Senior Learning Solutions Consultant at Telus Digital, shares insights from her 16-year journey in the learning and development field at the company. Teodora discusses how the industry has evolved, especially in response to changing learner needs and technological advancements. She highlights the importance of data-driven approaches, the g...

In this episode of NovoEdTalks, Melissa is joined by Jeremy Fegert, Senior Manager of Enterprise Learning at Baker Tilly, to discuss innovative approaches in leadership and professional development. Jeremy shares insights on balancing traditional and digital learning methods, the impact of rapid organizational growth, and the role of technology in enhancing employee development. He also highlights...

In this episode of NovoEdTalks, Melissa sits down with Molly Reed, Manager of Enterprise Learning and Development at Conagra. Molly shares insights on integrating learning into the flow of work, addressing skill gaps with structured frameworks, and leveraging technology like NovoEd and AI tools to enhance employee development. She also highlights the success of Conagra’s Supply Chain Academy and i...

In this episode of NovoEdTalks, Melissa speaks with Jiri Kroupa, a Talent Acquisition Partner at Red Hat, about his 10-year journey within the company. Jiri discusses the unique challenges of recruiting in the tech industry, Red Hat’s open-source culture, and the importance of continuous learning in a fast-evolving workplace. He also highlights the value of internal training programs, personal acc...

In this episode of NovoEdTalks, Lynn chats with Jim Everidge, Market Director of Enterprise Platforms at TiER1 Performance. Jim shares insights into how organizations can streamline their learning and development ecosystems, highlighting the importance of technology, AI, and skill-based training to enhance employee performance. He also discusses future trends in L&D, emphasizing the need for a...

In this episode of NovoEdTalks, Terry Godfrey, Senior Training Developer at TC Energy, shares insights from his 30+ years in training and development, focusing on the challenges and evolution within the energy industry. He discusses his role in creating dynamic training programs that blend adult learning methodologies with industry-specific needs, emphasizing the importance of relationships and ad...

In this episode of NovoEdTalks, Melissa interviews Cassidy Browning, Manager of Learning Solutions at Indeed. Cassidy shares her extensive background in education, human resources, and the arts, emphasizing how these fields influence her approach to learning and development. The discussion covers the importance of optionality in learning, the use of technology and tools like digital whiteboards an...

In this episode of NovoEdTalks, we sit down with Jane Cooke, Learning & Development and Knowledge Manager at Toyota Motor Sales. Jane shares her extensive background in learning and development, her role at Toyota, and her unique approach to fostering critical thinking skills among call center reps. We delve into the importance of social learning, continuous improvement, and how making trainin...

In this episode of NovoEdTalks, we hear from Lindsay Russell, a seasoned learning experience design manager in the MedTech industry with over 20 years of educational experience. Lindsay shares her journey from teaching high school Spanish to her current role, highlighting the challenges and strategies involved in engaging diverse learners, particularly during the rise of remote work. She discusses...