NovoEDTalks is a podcast for training and learning-and-development professionals who want candid, practical conversations. Each roughly 20-minute episode features L&D experts sharing insights and strategies for real-world workplace learning. The show focuses on actionable solutions and expert perspectives for training trailblazers.
Episodes

The Human Advantage: Why Human Skills Matter More in the Age of AI
On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Irina Cavescu, Head of Portfolio at Learnlight, to explore why human skills are becoming more valuable, not less, as AI reshapes how we work. Irina shares how constant change, remote work, generational differences, and increasingly global teams are requiring people to learn, unlearn, and adapt in real time, while making skills like self-awaren

Design for the Real World: Making Learning More Relevant, Human, and Useful
On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with James Lavis, Manager of Training and Development at Kubota Canada, to explore why learning teams need to move beyond course completion and focus on the behaviors and business outcomes they are actually trying to create. James shares why L&D belongs at the beginning of major business initiatives, how just-in-time resources and experiential

Learning Where the Work Happens: Turning Development Into Application
On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Sarah Maday, Senior Learning and Development Manager at a global automotive supplier, to explore how organizations can make development part of the work people are already doing. Sarah shares how her team is moving away from treating every development need as a class or eLearning, instead using real projects, coaching, peer conversations, coho

Leadership Starts With Self-Awareness: Building the Maturity to Lead Others
On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Mark Frederick, a strategic people development leader and corporate learning systems architect, to explore how organizations can create learning systems that develop people while advancing organizational strategy. Mark shares why effective development requires more than delivering courses, emphasizing leadership maturity, self-awareness, indiv

Practice Makes Performance: Building Sales Skills That Actually Stick
On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Becca Hammer, owner of Hammer Enablement Solutions, to explore how continuous practice, coaching, and leadership support turn sales training into real performance. Becca shares why learning must be relevant and immediately applicable, and why sales leaders play a critical role in reinforcing new skills on the job. They also discuss how AI can

Moving Past the Checkbox: Creating Learning That Drives Performance
On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Kari Borroel, Head of Operations, Quality, Learning and Development at AstraZeneca, to explore how learning teams can support employees across complex, global, and highly regulated environments while keeping pace with constant change. Kari shares how her team is moving beyond procedure-heavy, check-the-box training toward more varied, accessib

The Curiosity Advantage: Creating a Culture of Continuous Learning
On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Adriana Bellomo, Associate Director of Learning and Development at a biopharmaceutical solutions organization, to explore how organizations can create learning environments that build meaningful skills while keeping human growth at the center. Drawing on her unique background spanning behavioral neuroscience, microbiology, workforce developmen

Beyond Content Consumption: Designing Learning for Real-World Application
On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Ryan Samia, Director of Talent and Leadership Development at Tractor Supply Company, to explore how organizations can move employees from simply knowing something to actually applying it on the job. Ryan shares how his team is designing learning as an ongoing experience through reflection, peer accountability, manager coaching, and reinforceme

Beyond the Training Factory: How L&D Becomes a Strategic Business Partner
On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Alex Kinney, Director of Learning and Development at Octapharma USA, to explore how L&D teams can move beyond simply delivering training and become true strategic partners to the business. Alex shares why the future of learning depends on creating realistic practice environments, strengthening human skills, and helping employees build capa

The Future of Leadership: Curiosity, Adaptability, and Continuous Growth
On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Stephen Vellecca to explore how organizations can build leadership capability, strengthen human skills, and create learning experiences that drive meaningful behavior change. Stephen shares his perspective on moving beyond traditional training requests to uncover the real business challenges behind performance gaps, while emphasizing the impor

Leading with Care and Challenge: Why Psychological Safety and Accountability Must Coexist
On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Brandon Springle to explore what it takes to build high-performing, human-centered cultures in a world defined by rapid change and accelerating AI. Drawing on neuroscience, behavioral science, and his work in leadership development and succession planning, Brandon shares why psychological safety, accountability, critical thinking, and learning

Learning in the Flow of AI: Building Skills That Evolve with Work
On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Yulia Barnakova to explore how AI is fundamentally reshaping learning, workforce transformation, and professional growth. Drawing from her experience leading AI adoption initiatives and executive learning programs, Yulia shares practical strategies for embedding AI into everyday work, redesigning learning experiences, and helping organizations

The Learning Journey: Moving Beyond One-and-Done Training
On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Audrey Witters to explore what truly transformational learning looks like in today's rapidly evolving workplace. Drawing on her experience launching Stanford LEAD and advising organizations on scalable learning strategy, Audrey shares why curiosity, community, applied practice, and continuous reinforcement are far more powerful than comple

Training That Moves the Business Forward: Lessons from the Manufacturing Floor
On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Sonya Overstreet to explore how learning and development teams can evolve from support functions into true business drivers. Sonya shares how Leadec is approaching workforce development across manufacturing environments by reducing barriers to learning, aligning training directly to business outcomes, and embedding performance improvement into

Beyond Completion Rates: Designing Learning That Actually Changes Behavior
On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with David Posluszny to explore what it takes to build learning experiences that truly drive behavior change and business impact in today’s rapidly evolving workplace. David shares how Air Products is approaching leadership development, workforce capability building, AI adoption, and skills development while balancing the realities of lean teams, o

Leadership Personas: Rethinking Talent Development in Manufacturing
On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Monica Anderton to explore the realities of talent development inside a rapidly evolving manufacturing environment. Monica shares how DS Smith is navigating workforce shortages, leadership development, generational knowledge transfer, and large-scale organizational change following a major acquisition. The conversation also dives into leadersh

Leadership at Scale Through Change and Complexity: Building Human-Centered Leaders in an AI Era
On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Todd Harrison, Vice President of Global Leadership Development at GE Healthcare, to explore how leadership development is evolving in an increasingly AI-driven and uncertain world. Todd shares how his team is developing more adaptable, human-centered leaders through coaching, experiential learning, and scalable leadership programs designed for

The Future of Work Requires 'Meta Skills': Leadership Lessons from Weis Markets
On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa Fiske sits down with Chris Chappell, Director of Learning and Development at Weis Markets, to explore how organizations can build learning cultures that prioritize curiosity, continuous improvement, and real-world application. Chris shares how his team approaches leadership development, durable “meta skills,” AI adoption, and learning measurement across a co

Building Learning That Sticks: How Rotary Scales Development Across 1.2M Volunteers
On this episode of NovoEDTalks, we sit down with Sarah Remijan, Director of Learning and Development at Rotary International, to explore what it takes to drive meaningful learning across a truly global nonprofit organization. Supporting over 1.2 million volunteer leaders across cultures, languages, and regions, Sarah shares how her team designs learning experiences that engage, stick, and translat

Learning Without Limits: Balancing Global Scale and Local Relevance
On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Melanie Lepine, Global Head of Talent and E-Learning at a global real estate services firm, to explore how such a large, global organization is rethinking learning at scale. They unpack the shift from role-based development to skills-based agility, the growing importance of IQ, EQ, and TQ, and how organizations can balance global consistency w

Stop Optimizing for Convenience: Why Experience Beats Convenience in Leadership Development
On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Sara Loncka, CEO of Experience Institute, to explore why traditional approaches to learning and leadership development are falling short in today’s rapidly changing world. Sarah shares how experiential learning, personal motivation, and “learning by doing” create deeper, more lasting behavior change than convenience-driven programs. Together,

Learning That Sticks: Designing for Adoption Across a Global Federation
On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Sara Cavallucci, Director of Training, Development, and Customer Service at GS1, to explore what it takes to design learning that truly works across a global, federated organization. Sara shares how her team embeds learning into the flow of work, prioritizes adoption over attendance, and balances technical expertise with human capability in co

Passing the Torch: Succession, Mentorship and the Future of Organizational Development | Part 2
In this two-part NovoEDTalks Season 2 Finale, Dr. Benjamin Granger (Qualtrics), Karen Ganitsky (3M), and Kathy Burton (Robert Half) unpack how mentoring, succession planning, and knowledge transfer can protect institutional legacy while preparing the next generation of leaders. Across the conversations, they explore the realities of leading across five generations, the rise of inclusive leadership

Passing the Torch: Succession, Mentorship and the Future of Organizational Development | Part 1
In this two-part NovoEDTalks Season 2 Finale, Dr. Benjamin Granger (Qualtrics), Karen Ganitsky (3M), and Kathy Burton (Robert Half) unpack how mentoring, succession planning, and knowledge transfer can protect institutional legacy while preparing the next generation of leaders. Across the conversations, they explore the realities of leading across five generations, the rise of inclusive leadership

Frontline Leadership Matters: Building Capability Where The Work Gets Done
In this Episode of NovoEDTalks, John Jell, Director of Organizational Development at Dole Packaged Foods, unpacks what frontline and people leader development looks like when it’s built for real business constraints. John shares how engagement and exit insights revealed career development as a top driver and how “people planning” can be integrated into annual planning so development is proactive,

Building Leaders at Scale: Inside iQor’s Global Development Engine
In this Episode of NovoEDTalks, we chat with Mark Monaghan, VP of Organizational Development at iQor, to explore how leadership development can scale across 40,000+ employees in 10 countries while staying deeply human. Mark shares how iQor uses a competency model, mentoring structure, and measurable assessments to build internal pipelines—while adapting programs over time to meet evolving workforc

Skills as Strategy: Inside SAP’s Journey to a Skills-Led Organization for 110,000 Employees by 2028
In this Episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa speaks with Caroline Hanke, SVP of People and Culture and Global Head of Organizational Growth and Health at SAP, about what it truly means to become a skills-led organization at enterprise scale. Caroline shares how SAP is unifying skills data, workforce planning, organizational design, and learning to prepare more than 110,000 employees for rapid technolog

Return on Leadership: How Miami Herbert Business School is Developing Agile, Results-Driven Leaders
In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Rony Shir breaks down how Miami Herbert Business School designs modern executive education programs that keep pace with rapid technological and cultural change. She shares why growth mindset, adaptability, and human-centered leadership are the core competencies organizations need now — and how her team blends faculty expertise, organizational insights, AI-enabled to

Skill Forward at Scale: How Comcast Personalizes Learning for 65,000 Employees
In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Comcast VP of Learning and Development, Sara Dionne, shares how her fully centralized uLearn team serves 65,000 employees while still personalizing learning by role, level, and moment of need. She explains Skill Forward, an enterprise skills program that crowdsources priorities from the entire workforce, blends micro-learning with social practice and coaching, and r

Coaching Over Telling: How Amgen Is Rewiring Leadership for Speed and Scale
In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Jamie Worrall, Senior Manager of Global Leadership Development and Coaching at Amgen, takes us inside her work helping district managers shift from a directive, “telling” approach to a culture of curiosity and collaboration. She discusses how her team redesigned Amgen’s manager onboarding into an immersive “Coaching Clinic,” blending virtual emotional-intelligence t

Empowering Trainers Everywhere: iQor’s Model for Scalable, Human-Centered Learning
In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Tarisse Grant-Shelton, Senior Manager of Active Learning Classrooms at iQor, breaks down how she supports a global community of nearly 500 trainers across 40 sites and 10 countries — from brand new classroom assistants fresh off the phones to 20-year veteran facilitators. She shares how iQor’s flipped classroom model, certification pathways, and long-form coaching p

Future-Proofing Talent: How Broadcom Attracts and Retains Next-Gen Technologists
In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Broadcom Learning Experience Researcher Nanxi Meng shares how she’s helping preserve critical mainframe knowledge while preparing the next generation for emerging technologies. She explains how Broadcom partners with universities, leverages data, and builds global learning communities to keep legacy systems vibrant in a modern world. From student mentorships to paid

Nobody Left Behind: How International Motors Built AI Fluency Across the Workforce
In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Tim Foley, Head of AI Adoption at International Motors, shares how his team transformed a company-wide mindset around AI by starting small, building trust, and scaling intentionally. Drawing from 35 years in organizational development, Tim reveals how early adopters, social learning, and a bottom-up approach helped overcome fear and resistance to change. Listeners w

From Misalignment to Momentum: Erik Skogsberg on Collaborative Leadership
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

Beyond Compliance: How JLL at Google Turns Training into Behavior Change
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

Hospitality at Scale: Inside Delaware North’s Talent Development Strategy
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

Social Learning at Scale: How Caterpillar Empowers 113,000 Employees to Own Growth and Share Knowledge
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

Data to Development: How Universal Music Group Links Impact to Internal Mobility
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

Beyond the Shiny Object: Madison Gattis on Aligning Learning & Development with Strategy
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

Work on What Matters: Kim White on Aligning People, Processes, and Purpose
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

Meeting Learners Where They Are: Designing Inclusive Development at Alaska Airlines
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

Driving Change and Building Trust: Inside BMW’s Approach to Dealer Training
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

Leading With Heart: How to Build Belonging Through Learning
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-

From Telling to Asking: The Leadership Shift That Changes Everything
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

Meta-Skills and Mentorship: Building Future-Ready Leaders with Workplace Psychologist Dr. Benjamin Granger
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

Business-Driven Learning: Hearst Corporation’s Bold Approach to Upskilling
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

Leading Through Learning: How a Life Sciences Company Scales Field Training Globally
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

The Power of Pause: How Denny’s Canada Elevates L&D with Heart and Strategy
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

AI Meets Sales Enablement: How Calix Scales Smart, Just-in-Time Learning
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

'Better Thinking for a Better World': The Power of Whole Brain Leadership at Hermann International
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

Scaling Learning at Microsoft: Personalization, AI, and Role-Based Paths
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

Driving Impact at Scale: Blending Technology and Human Connection in Learning
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

Planting Seeds of Growth: How Costa Farms Nurtures Skills, Empathy, and Belonging from the Farms to the Boardroom
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

Designing Learning for Scale: Jennifer Boyd on Building Strategy That Reaches Thousands Across Global Retail
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

Driving Learning That Sticks: Swati Valsangkar on Integrating L&D into the Flow of Work at Atos
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

Sales Enablement Evolved: Andrea Mead’s Take on AI, Mentoring, and Hands-On Learning
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

Retention Through Reinvention: How iQor Uses AI and Mentoring to Keep Talent Thriving
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

Transforming Finance Through Learning: Building Personalized Roadmaps, Measuring Impact, and Leading With Purpose at Starbucks
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

Curiosity at Scale: How Mars Fuels Learning Across a Global Business
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

Training at Scale: How BAE Systems Supports a Regulated Frontline Workforce
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,

Partner Enablement in the AI Era: How ServiceNow is Redefining Sales Training
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.

Digital Innovation in L&D: How Verizon Is Transforming Workforce Development Through Technology
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

Mentorship, Metrics, and Momentum: Strategic Talent Development at City of Hope
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

Mentorship Reimagined: Equity, AI, and the Future of Connection
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

Bridging Generations: Adapting Workforce Training for the Future at Growmark
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

Continuous Learning in the Workplace: Overcoming Time Constraints and Skill Gaps
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

Building Resilient Teams: How the American Red Cross Trains Leaders in Disaster Relief
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

Building a Learning Culture: How Carnival Cruise Line Boosts Engagement and Retention
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

Rebuilding the Healthcare Pipeline: Innovation in Workforce Development
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

Hybrid AI in HR: Balancing Automation and the Human Touch at TELUS Digital
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

The Future of Learning in Finance: Insights from CFA Institute’s Nick Bartlett
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

NovoEDTalks Season 1 Finale: AI’s Role in Shaping the Future of Learning and Development (Part 2 of 2)
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

NovoEDTalks Season 1 Finale: AI’s Role in Shaping the Future of Learning and Development (Part 1 of 2)
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

Learning Agility: The Key to a Thriving L&D Program in a Fast-Paced World
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

Continuous Learning for a Rapidly Changing World: Staying Relevant and Measuring Success with KPIs at TELUS Digital
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

Navigating Leadership Development: Balancing Blending Learning Methods at Baker Tilly
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

Enhancing Employee Development: Molly Reed on Conagra’s Learning Approach
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

Internal Growth at Red Hat: How Training and Accountability Shape Careers
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

Streamlining L&D Ecosystems: Strategies for Simplification and Efficiency from TiER1 Performance's Jim Everidge
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

From Compliance to Innovation: How TC Energy Shapes Employee Training
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
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Yours Truly Johnny Dollar Collection
