101: Learning Leaders as AI Change Agents: Leading Transformation

Michelle Lentz, Innovate + Elevate Strategies

11:25 AM – 12:30 PM ET / 8:25 AM – 9:30 AM PT

AI is transforming organizations, and learning leaders have a unique opportunity to lead the way. But AI adoption brings challenges like resistance, fear of job displacement, and skill gaps that can derail success. This session equips you with targeted change management strategies designed to address these challenges and measure AI’s impact effectively. You’ll learn how to adapt proven change management models, such as Kotter’s and ADKAR, to support AI adoption while addressing resistance. We’ll explore how to foster cross-departmental collaboration, identify AI champions, and most critically establish key metrics to measure success. These metrics will balance technological adoption with human development and ethical outcomes. Through real-world case studies, discussions, and actionable examples, you will leave equipped to guide your teams through AI transformation.

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201: Virtual Training in 2026 & Beyond

Cindy Huggett, Cindy Huggett Consulting, LLC

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PT

It’s been 5 years since most organizations abruptly moved all their training programs online. Virtual training is still a viable learning solution, and in many situations it’s the best option. At the same time, it’s a good idea to step back and consider if your strategy is still meeting organizational needs, achieving desired results, and will be sustainable for the future. This interactive session provides 5 specific questions that every organization should ask related to its learning strategy going into 2026. These questions will help you examine your current offerings to help you determine which programs should remain virtual, and which should go back in person. They will also help you assess if your tech platforms adequately support what is needed for learning. In addition, we’ll examine three proven success factors in all virtual learning initiatives and help you benchmark against them. You will leave with a blueprint for successful virtual learning that includes an action plan that you can immediately use in your organization.

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301: Uncover Hidden Flaws: Red Teaming Your Training Plans

Kelly Shambaugh, Blissivity, LLC

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM ET / 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM PT

Discover the transformative power of red teaming in training and development. A technique aimed at overcoming cognitive biases and groupthink, red teaming provides a systematic approach to challenge assumptions and improve strategic planning.

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401: L&D’s Role in Supporting Skills Transformation

Koreen Pagano, Rising Tide Cooperative

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM PT

Organizations have recognized the value of skills in making more informed people-decisions across their business, but most are just at the beginning of their skills journey. L&D has a unique opportunity to play a key role in skills transformation, but what does that look like? This session with provide a blueprint for organizational skills transformation, including how to get started, the complexity of skill data, high-impact use cases for skills, and how L&D can play a critical role in the skills transformation journey. You will leave this session prepared with the information you need to engage your organization in deciding the what, why, and how of skills transformation, and a guide for how L&D can engage in that transformation.

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501: Igniting Critical Thinking, Curiosity & Creativity in the Workplace

Erin Donovan, Fuel Training Consultants

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM ET / 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM PT

It is time for a revolution in L&D! In an age where innovation and adaptability determine the survival of organizations, superficial skill-building is no longer enough. Organizations must shift toward understanding how to encourage employees to challenge outdated paradigms, embrace curiosity, and use critical thinking and collaboration as the foundation of every project.

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601: Agentic AI at Work: What L&D Must Be Ready for in 2026

Josh Penzell, Imagination Applied

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PT

Everyone’s waiting for AI to get “better.” For hallucinations to disappear. For the system to finally be perfect. Spoiler: it won’t. GenAI is probabilistic, which means it will always make mistakes. And agentic AI? That just means we’re giving those mistakes legs. It’s error on the move. Which, let’s be honest, makes AI less like a tool and more like… us.

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701: Redesigning L&D to meet the Speed of Business

Ina Novikava, EPAM

Nastia Padvishenskaya, EPAM

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM ET / 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM PT

In an era where change is the only constant, Learning and Development (L&D) teams must evolve to stay ahead. This talk, “A Journey to Real-Time L&D,” will explore the critical need for L&D team reorganization to address the demands of a fast-paced, dynamic business environment. You will learn how restructuring L&D teams to be more flexible and agile can lead to faster response times and greater innovation. The session will highlight the benefits of building cross-functional teams that drive continuous improvement and adaptability. You will learn how to create an L&D structure that not only meets immediate needs but also anticipates future challenges, fostering a culture of innovation and rapid learning. As a result of this session, you will be able to: Develop strategies to restructure L&D teams to be more flexible and responsive to immediate needs, gain insights into methods for improving the speed and efficiency of L&D responses to organizational demands, and develop foresight strategies to anticipate and prepare for future learning needs and organizational changes.

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801: Panel: Future in Progress: What’s Next for L&D?

Mercedez Jones, Wintrust Financial Corporation

Harry Tong, Brivo

Pam Hogle, The Learning Guild

Ashley Cooks, EmpowerHER Strategies LLC.

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM PT

Capping off the conference, this dynamic closing panel brings together emerging L&D leaders who are redefining what it means to lead in a time of rapid change. Join us Thursday, December 4, from 4–5 PM Eastern, as panelists explore how the next generation of learning leaders is reshaping team dynamics, embracing new responsibilities, and adopting fresh approaches to learning and leadership. Together, we’ll examine what’s changing in the work itself and what skills and mindsets will matter most heading into 2026. Hosted live on Airmeet, this interactive session invites your questions and participation as we look ahead to the future in progress for L&D.

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