The conversation around Generative AI in Learning and Development has been extensive, but too often, it remains generic. We hear examples of automating basic tasks, perhaps even generating simple content like talking head videos. But this kind of surface-level application doesn't empower L&D to rise above bottom-line expectations. It doesn't unlock our strategic potential.

AI is capable of so much more.

Image prompt: Generate a hero image for a professional development event. The image should depict a diverse group of Learning and Development professionals collaborating in a modern, strategic forum setting. They are actively discussing and sharing ideas, looking engaged and forward-thinking. Subtle visual elements representing AI – such as flowing lines symbolizing interconnected data or knowledge, abstract patterns suggesting enhanced insight, or integrated digital displays showing clean, conceptual graphics related to AI applications in learning – should be woven into the environment without being dominant or fría. The emphasis should be on the human element of collaboration and strategic discussion. Convey an atmosphere that is empowering, optimistic, and professional, reflecting a collective exploration of how to strategically apply AI to elevate L&D practices. The overall style should be clean, modern, and visually engaging, suitable for a banner or hero section on a website or promotional material.

At this forum, you will hear directly from the practitioners who are already proving it. Join us to learn how they are leveraging AI strategically to design truly impactful learning experiences and drive significant, purposeful change in L&D. This isn't about checking boxes; it's about understanding how AI can help you build what really matters.

Agenda:

• 6:00 - 6:15 PM: Networking, Chapter Business
• 6:15 - 6:45 PM: Revolutionizing Learning Technology with Ai-Powered Copilot Agents
  At the forefront of innovation in enterprise learning, the EDDY ID Assistant and Eddy Training Evaluator are AI-driven Copilot Agents designed to transform how instructional content is created and evaluated. These tools are part of Southern California Edison’s broader strategy to embed generative AI into learning workflows, driving efficiency, insight, and impact.
  
• 6:45 - 7:15 PM: AI Mindset for L&D Professionals
  We'll explore the evolving mindset around AI, especially in the context of Learning & Development. Attendees will discover real-world use cases relevant to L&D, with practical tips on how to get started and avoid overwhelm. The session emphasizes thoughtful, effective use of AI and includes a live demonstration to showcase better AI interaction techniques.
  
• 7:15 - 7:45 PM: Securing Approval for "AI Assistant": A Collaborative Success with IT
  AI systems often require large datasets to function effectively, which can involve sensitive employee, customer, or proprietary business information. Inadequate security measures or improper handling can lead to unauthorized access, data leakage, or regulatory compliance violations (e.g., HIPAA). In this presentation, we discuss the successful implementation of Articulate 360 AI Assistant, a specialized software designed for instructional designers. We will share the three key success factors that helped us obtain approval from our IT cybersecurity team. Our collaboration with IT highlights the importance of effective communication and a strong partnership in successfully implementing the AI Assistant software.
  
• 7:45 - 8:00 PM: Take-aways, Closing

Speakers

Michelle Strbich	Michelle Strbich, MSED, is a Senior Manager of Change Enablement and AI Adoption Expert who helps humans thrive with AI. With over two decades in change management, Michelle masterfully integrates innovative technologies with a human-centered approach. Her current focus at Verizon involves leading digital workplace launches for generative AI tools, empowering 200,000 global employees. Michelle's passion is being the "human voice in the AI revolution," guiding organizations through digital transformation with ease and intention. Get ready to explore how AI can elevate adult learning in a casual, fun, and truly innovative way!
Grace Manjengwa	Grace Manjengwa is a senior manager for Enterprise Learning at Southern California Edison. She brings over 25 years of experience in learning and development, with a focus on enterprise learning technologies and delivering training solutions for company-wide system and software implementations.
Sharon Hahn	Sharon Hahn is a seasoned leader in operational excellence and learning innovation, currently serving as Manager of Enterprise Design & Learning Technology. With a distinguished 29-year tenure at Southern California Edison (SCE), Sharon has led transformative initiatives across the enterprise. She holds a Master Black Belt certification in Lean Six Sigma and brings over 11 years of hands-on experience in process reengineering, driving measurable improvements in efficiency and quality. Today, Sharon is at the forefront of immersive learning technologies, focusing on the development of virtual reality (VR) training programs within metaverse environments. She is also pioneering the design and deployment of customized AI, Copilot agents, to enhance workforce capability and engagement.
Adriana Viveros	Adriana Viveros is a Senior Instructional Designer at the County of Orange with 15 years of experience in learning and organizational development. She specializes in designing engaging learning experiences that support employee development and organizational success. Adriana holds a Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology from California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), and is passionate about creating impactful, user-friendly training solutions for the public sector.

ATD Capability Model

Each ATD-OC Learning Event will be aligned to at least one Talent Development  Capability, as identified by ATD National.

This program aligns with:

To find out more about the ATD Capability Model for the Training and Development Profession, visit http://tdcapability.org.

Earn Professional Professional Development Points

This program is worth .5 Professional Development points.
Find out more about APTD/CPTD Certifications here.

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Accessibility

ATDOC events are accessible to all participants. If you have questions or require special accommodations or auxiliary aid related to a disability for you to participate in the event, please notify us at least three weeks in advance by message to ocoffice@atdoc.org, with subject line "ADA Accommodations," outlining your needs and request for accommodation.

We will make every effort to work with you to accommodate your need.

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PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO RELEASE

By registering for this event, I hereby give the Association for Talent Development, Orange County Chapter, its clients, agents, and assigns, full permission to use, publish and copyright photographic images, film images, video images, sound recordings, and any reproductions from these materials of me and/or my property or any part thereof, either in conjunction with or without using my name, and make changes or alterations therein and/or alterations thereto Worldwide in perpetuity. Some places these images and recordings may be used and posted include, but are not limited to, the Internet, emails, social media, etc.

If I do not provide permission, I understand I will not activate my web camera during the session.

Your industry is changing more rapidly than ever before, bringing a barrage of discussions about disruption, agility, and resilience. Professionals who adapt quickly can seize new opportunities and manage their careers.  

What does it really take to create a leadership development program that helps people navigate rapid change?

About Our Presenters

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Capability Alignment

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Accessibility Statement

Inside the Design

In this candid, behind-the-scenes session, you’ll get an insider’s view of the creative process, design decisions, and real-world challenges faced when developing impactful learning experiences for leaders and teams. Discover the inspiration behind the program, the frameworks that shaped it, and the pivotal choices—both strategic and unexpected—that brought it to life. You’ll hear honest stories about obstacles and iterations, and walk away with practical insights for your own work in leadership and team development.

Learning Objectives:

Session Outline:

About our Presenter: 

Amy Waninger

Amy C. Waninger (she/her) is the Founder & CEO of Lead at Any Level, where she improves employee engagement and retention for companies that promote from within. Amy offers assessments, advisory services, and training on essential skills for inclusive leaders. She is the author of eight books including Network Beyond Bias: Making Diversity a Competitive Advantage for Your Career. Amy is a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP), Certified Diversity Executive (CDE), and Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach. She is also a Member of National Speakers Association and a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner. She’s been named a Top 100 HR Influencer globally, five years in a row, and has served clients and audiences on all seven continents, including Antarctica! Her other credentials include two degrees from Indiana University and a “World’s Best Mom” coffee mug.

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ATD Capability Model

Each ATD-OC Learning Event will be aligned to at least one Talent Development  Capability, as identified by ATD National.

This program aligns with:

To find out more about the ATD Capability Model for the Training and Development Profession, visit http://tdcapability.org.

Earn Professional Professional Development Points

This program is worth .5 Professional Development points.
Find out more about APTD/CPTD Certifications here.

Return to Top

Accessibility

ATDOC events are accessible to all participants. If you have questions or require special accommodations or auxiliary aid related to a disability for you to participate in the event, please notify us at least three weeks in advance by message to ocoffice@atdoc.org, with subject line "ADA Accommodations," outlining your needs and request for accommodation.

We will make every effort to work with you to accommodate your need.

Return to Top

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO RELEASE

By registering for this event, I hereby give the Association for Talent Development, Orange County Chapter, its clients, agents, and assigns, full permission to use, publish and copyright photographic images, film images, video images, sound recordings, and any reproductions from these materials of me and/or my property or any part thereof, either in conjunction with or without using my name, and make changes or alterations therein and/or alterations thereto Worldwide in perpetuity. Some places these images and recordings may be used and posted include, but are not limited to, the Internet, emails, social media, etc.

If I do not provide permission, I understand I will not activate my web camera during the session.

Are you a team leader who’s tired of seeing good people disengage, or projects suffer from a lack of true team spirit? You're not alone. Many dedicated managers like you are grappling with a silent challenge: workplace isolation. It subtly erodes team morale, productivity, and even retention. But what if the key to unlocking your team’s full potential isn't just better communication, but a deeper understanding of genuine human connection?

About Our Presenters

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Capability Alignment

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Accessibility Statement

Communication Is Not Connection

Workplace loneliness is a hidden force impacting 72% of global workers. Research from Gallup, Cigna, and Deloitte have found that socially disconnected employees are 7x more likely to be disengaged, miss work 5x as often, and quit 3x as much. Learning how to build meaningful connection at work has become paramount in an age of growing isolation and loneliness. Join Wall Street Journal bestselling author Steven Van Cohen in this fun, interactive workshop, where you'll learn the secrets for moving team members from isolated to all-in.

Learning Objectives:

Session Outline:

About our Presenter: 

Steven Van Cohen

Steven Van Cohen is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, internationally recognized leadership consultant and executive coach. His latest book is Connectable – How Leaders Can Move Teams From Isolated To All In. For over a decade, Steven has helped leading organizations like Salesforce, Home Depot, Komatsu, Bank of America and Blackstone improve worker well-being, reduce employee disconnection and boost team belonging. Dubbed “The Leadership Whisperer,” Steven’s top-ranked insights have been featured in CNBC, Forbes, Fortune, Fast Company, and Inc. Steven holds a Master of Science in Organizational Development from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Illinois. He is the CEO of SyncLX (a consultancy working with many Fortune 500 companies) and Partner at Rivet, a tech company dedicated to building more meaningful connection at work. He resides in sunny California with his wife and two daughters. When he’s not speaking or consulting you can find him attempting to play golf, playing live music with friends, or watching his kids build sandcastles at the beach.

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ATD Capability Model

Each ATD-OC Learning Event will be aligned to at least one Talent Development  Capability, as identified by ATD National.

This program aligns with:

To find out more about the ATD Capability Model for the Training and Development Profession, visit http://tdcapability.org.

Earn Professional Professional Development Points

This program is worth .5 Professional Development points.
Find out more about APTD/CPTD Certifications here.

Return to Top

Accessibility

ATDOC events are accessible to all participants. If you have questions or require special accommodations or auxiliary aid related to a disability for you to participate in the event, please notify us at least three weeks in advance by message to ocoffice@atdoc.org, with subject line "ADA Accommodations," outlining your needs and request for accommodation.

We will make every effort to work with you to accommodate your need.

Return to Top

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO RELEASE

By registering for this event, I hereby give the Association for Talent Development, Orange County Chapter, its clients, agents, and assigns, full permission to use, publish and copyright photographic images, film images, video images, sound recordings, and any reproductions from these materials of me and/or my property or any part thereof, either in conjunction with or without using my name, and make changes or alterations therein and/or alterations thereto Worldwide in perpetuity. Some places these images and recordings may be used and posted include, but are not limited to, the Internet, emails, social media, etc.

If I do not provide permission, I understand I will not activate my web camera during the session.

AI. Green technology. Augmented reality. All these topics are popular nowadays. Companies are either using them directly or developing products that incorporate them. Organizations need people who have the aptitude to learn technically complex topics quickly. The technical staff are these people. For a variety of reasons, though, technical professionals can struggle with effectively communicating these topics, especially to non-technical audiences.

Talent Development leaders can help overcome this challenge by developing speaker training programs for the technical staff.

In this session, we will discuss why developing a speaker program makes sense, what developing a speaker program entails, and how to track the usefulness of the program.

This session is for Talent Development professionals who recognize the issue of their technical staff struggling to convey technical information that others in the organization can understand and appreciate and are open to the idea of establishing speaker training programs to address the issue.

By the end of this session, members will be able to:

1. Identify and address specific challenges technical staff face in public speaking.
2. Discover effective methods for providing opportunities to practice speaking and get constructive feedback.
3. Understand the importance of tracking progress and measuring the impact of speaker training programs.
4. Receive reasons to implement speaker training programs for the technical staff.

Agenda:

6:00 PM — Welcome / Informal Networking 

6:10 PM — Structured Networking

6:25 PM — A Little Chapter Business

6:30 PM — Main Event

7:30 PM — Closing/Informal Networking

What To Bring

The Administrivia