This month, we are pleased to feature Board Member

Kathy Hartung-Kramer

Title: Learning Experience Designer

Company/Organization: Thrivent Financial

Length of time as a NEWATD Member: I’ve been a board member for the                last 4 years and a member on and off for more than 10 years.

Favorite Book: The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron 

Favorite ATD Event/Speaker: The Latest Dish on Delivery from Talent Development Master Chefs with Wendy Gates Corbett 

This month, we are pleased to feature Member

Maliki Krieski

Title: Sr. Training Specialist

Company/Organization: Plexus Corporation

Length of time as a NEWATD Member:   4 years

Favorite Book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

Favorite ATD Event/Speaker: Kristen Zavo

NEW-ATD is pleased to announce our Member Spotlight of the Month!

We are proud to acknowledge the important work of our members, provide additional career exposure within the Talent Development community, and help you to get to know a colleague just a little bit better! If you are interested in nominating another member for the spotlight, contact Tonya Dittman at tonyad@performainc.com

          

Can you share an example of an ATD event/topic that you particularly enjoyed and why?

It’s hard to choose just one! I really enjoyed the themed approach Wendy Gates Corbett took for her event, The Latest Dish on Delivery from Talent Development Master Chefs, and the way she incorporated ideas from other Talent Development Leaders. And of course, the applicable delivery techniques shared. Enhancing your Coaching Culture with Gulan Pulito Coaching & Consulting was a great program and the coaching model and powerful coaching questions shared are extremely helpful.  And huge “Aha’s” and takeaways from The Emperor's New Clothes - Fooling Ourselves about Training Impact with Nick Howe from Area9 Lyceum. I also took Nick’s recommendation that the book The End of Average by Todd Rose was “required” reading for all L&D professionals and ordered the book before the program was over. I highly recommend it! 

In your opinion, what does it mean to have a learning / growth mindset?

Being flexible and open to change. Being curious and always seeking/pursuing knowledge, new skills and abilities. Being self-aware and invested in your own growth; don’t wait for others to “teach” you. Approach everything with a learning/growth mindset “what can I learn from this?”  And then being able to apply these learnings to your daily life.

Post 2020, how do you believe learning and development will change/evolve?

Learning is as important as ever with the pace of change and the shift in skills needed as jobs continue to evolve.  I believe learning will continue to move digital, personalized and adaptive (with the help of AI). Learning will increasingly occur in the flow of work. And with the move to virtual in 2020 due to Covid19, virtual learning is here to stay! 

What advice do you have for someone interested in a career in learning & development (L&D)?

Check it out! It’s an exciting field that is constantly changing. Educate yourself - there are a variety of specialties, opportunities and career paths in the field of learning and development. Network with people, job shadow, find mentors. Seek learning opportunities specific L&D and the many facets of L&D. Become a member of and/or volunteer with NEWATD!

Who has made the most positive impact in your life (OR who has contributed the most to your love for learning and why)?

 I was lucky to have a manager early in my career who believed in me fully and gave me a lot of opportunities and a variety of roles with increasing responsibilities. She provided direction and support and development opportunities when needed but let me find my own way.  I learned so much during that time and it set a foundation for future roles - to believe in myself, seek out information and feedback, find learning opportunities and mentors, and apply what I was learning. I feel lucky to have had that experience early in my career, and also to have had several leaders who shared these same leader qualities throughout my career. 

        

Can you share an example of an ATD event/topic that you particularly enjoyed and why? 

The Latest Dish on Delivery from 6 Training Master Chefs.  This event supplied tips, tricks, and best practices that were applicable in many different training environments and with varying audiences.  One of the most important takeaways I received from attending this event was as times change, developers need to look for new and engaging ways to offer training and ensure that those they are training get the best value from the training possible!

In your opinion, what does it mean to have a learning / growth mindset?

Having a learning/growth mindset means treating each day like a clean slate full of endless opportunities!  This slate provides us with the opportunity to seek out, learn, and continuously improve.  Each day we are blessed with numerous opportunities and our ability to dig into these opportunities and really learn from them is a big part of having a learning/growth mindset.  Each experience can provide you an opportunity to learn and grow.  Reflect on those experiences, learn from those opportunities, and always remain open to new experiences and opportunities!

Post 2020, how do you believe learning and development will change/evolve?

The change management and adaptability required in 2020 has opened up some fantastic opportunities for the future of learning and development.  For example, within the company I am employed for, we have found that it is more convenient for many people to attend online training, and as a result, attendance has increased.  We have had to be more creative in our approach and utilization of resources and tools in order to provide the same level of learning transfer.

What advice do you have for someone interested in a career in learning & development (L&D)?

Don’t be afraid of extending your boundaries and taking on those stretch assignments.  Connect with others both inside and outside of learning and development to get their perspective and ideas.  Although there is a lot of value in structured Learning and Development training programs, there is extreme value in seeking out new experiences that will expand your learning from another perspective.

Who has made the most positive impact in your life (OR who has contributed the most to your love for learning and why)? 

My grandfather, William Kennedy!  My grandfather was colorblind but always dreamed of being a Flight Instructor.  He knew and believed in his heart that his calling was to be a Flight Instructor.  So, he followed that passion and was a Flight Instructor in Oklahoma for over 40 years and a lifelong learner.  His passion, drive, and determination inspired many around him and definitely shaped my drive and motivation to work harder and never give up.  He believed that knowledge was power and the more you learned the more valuable your knowledge became!  His passion for learning and helping others learn was very inspiring!