ATD Central Iowa upcoming events

Making the Most of ATD-CI Membership (Thursday, August 06, 2026)

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Making the Most of ATD-CI Membership

New to ATD-CI, interested in learning about ATD-CI, or just want to get more out of your membership? This free session walks you through everything the chapter has to offer.

We'll talk through your membership options, point you toward ways to connect and get involved, opportunities to learn and grow, and show you where to find what's coming up on the website and LinkedIn.

Whether you're brand new, a longtime member, or just curious, you'll leave knowing exactly how to make ATD-CI work for you.

Open to new members, current members, and anyone considering membership.

Your presenters:

Gerard Krupke, VP of Membership

Gerard is a Training and Development Business Partner at Wright Service Corp, where he supports leadership and talent development across the organization. With over 20 years in learning and leadership — plus a growing focus on how AI can boost team and individual effectiveness — Gerard is passionate about helping people get better results, at work and beyond.

Kelly DiAllesandro, Director of Membership

Kelly is a Patient Experience Partner with UnityPoint Clinic, where she works alongside providers, clinic leaders, and care teams to make the patient experience feel smoother for everyone involved. Her days are a mix of team trainings, on-site facilitation, and one-on-one provider observations with coaching that turns real moments into real growth.

Tech SIG: Blank Page to Blueprint: Designing an AI Curriculum That Sticks (Friday, August 07, 2026)

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

You know AI training needs to happen. You just don't know where to start. In this session, Lauren Fischels walks through how to design an AI learning curriculum from scratch — drawing from her own experience building a program for a workforce that ranged from enthusiastic early adopters to "not interested." You'll leave with a repeatable framework for scoping and scaling AI learning in your organization, no matter where your learners are starting from.

Topics will include:

Assessing your workforce's AI readiness
Choosing a phased framework that meets learners where they are
Designing for the full spectrum — from skeptics to power users
Selecting tools and content that fit your org's risk tolerance and culture
Getting stakeholder buy-in without a dedicated L&D budget

The Technology/E-learning Special Interest Group (SIG) brings the talent development community together for collaborative discussions and workshops to explore e-learning and technology in training. Tech SIG events are hosted by Shelby Fourez (Athene, sfourez@athene.com) and Lauren Fischels (Ruan, lfischel@ruan.com).

Cost: FREE for ATD Central Iowa Chapter Members, $20 for non-members

ATD-CI Monthly Board Meeting (Monday, August 17, 2026)

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Hello Chapter Members! You are welcome to attend our monthly Central Iowa Chapter ATD Board Meetings, where we focus on chapter operations, governance, and strategic planning. Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month.

If you would like to observe a meeting, please sign up to receive the Google Meet link.

Questions? Let us know! Email us at president@atdiowa.org.

Leadership SIG: Rewiring Workplace Relationships (Friday, August 21, 2026)

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 13:30:00 GMT

What if there are no “difficult people”—only dysregulated people navigating the pressures of a fast-paced, ever-changing world? What if the key to stronger collaboration, compassion, and trust is looking beyond surface-level judgments to understand why people show up the way they do? In this talk, Vanessa McNeal shows how to recognize dysregulation in real time, regulate your own responses, and shift interactions from reactivity to connection.

Facilitator Bio:
Named a Top 10 Rising Speaker of 2026, Vanessa McNeal is a resilience and well-being expert at the intersection of burnout, nervous system regulation, and human connection. She hosts Rewired Live, a live coaching experience and holds a Master's in Social Work specializing in Trauma-Informed Care. Vanessa teaches neuroscience-backed frameworks that help leaders think, lead, and live differently

The purpose of the Leadership SIG is to explore new possibilities, share best practices, and build relationships in order to develop your leadership ability and develop leadership capacity in others.

The Leadership SIG meets the third Friday of each month from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. The SIG is hosted by Aaron Barber (Sammons Financial Group, abarber@sfgmembers.com) and Tony Giudicessi (ITA Group, tgiudicessi@ITAGroup.com). If you have any questions, comments or ideas for the SIG, please connect with one of them.

Cost: FREE for ATD Central Iowa Chapter Members, $20 for non-members

Fall Member Meet-Up - Happy Hour at Gilroy's (Tuesday, September 01, 2026)

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

No presentation. No agenda.

Just good food, good drinks, and great conversation with fellow members.

When	Tuesday, September 1 · 4:00–6:00 PM
Where	Gilroy's, West Des Moines
Cost	Free for members
Capacity	Limited to 40 members

What's Included

Free appetizers · One free drink · Happy hour specials 4–5 PM

Click Here to Claim Your Spot!

From Learning Provider to Strategic Partner: How Talent Development Creates Business Impact (In Person Event) (Friday, September 11, 2026)

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Join us in person for a live panel featuring four L&D and HR thought leaders.

Talent Development professionals are increasingly expected to do more than design and deliver training. They're expected to influence strategy, solve complex business challenges, and build organizational capability. But what does that look like in practice? Join a panel of leaders representing HR technology, consulting, higher education, financial services, and manufacturing as they discuss how they've built strategic partnerships, navigated competing priorities, and demonstrated the value of learning. You'll leave with fresh perspectives, practical ideas, and actionable insights to help elevate your own impact.

Learning Objectives:

Define what being a strategic partner means across different organizations and industries.
Discover practical ways to build trust and influence with business leaders.
Examine how learning leaders connect development initiatives to business outcomes
Identify one mindset, question, or action you can apply immediately to increase your strategic impact.

Meet the Thought Leaders You’ll Be Learning From

Karla Vos - Senior Talent Development Manager, Vermeer Corporation
Sheila Grebert - Director of Learning and Development at Principal
Malinda Shultice - Consultant, ISU Professor and Clinical Risk Manager at CareAgents by K&B
Nick Malcom - Senior Director, People Operations, Carrot

Leadership SIG: Would You Work for You? Your Brand Is Leading Before You Do (Friday, September 18, 2026)

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Your leadership brand is being defined every day, whether you are intentional about it or not. It shows up in how you communicate, how you make decisions, and how people feel when they work with you. But the real question is: Would people choose to work with you? In this interactive session, participants will explore how personal brand directly impacts leadership effectiveness, team trust, and workplace culture. Through reflection and practical exercises, attendees will examine the gap between how they see themselves and how others experience them. Participants will leave with clear strategies to align their actions with their values, strengthen their leadership presence, and intentionally use their gifts both inside and outside of the workplace to expand their impact.

Facilitator Bio:
Paula Bell is the CEO of Paula A. Bell Consulting, LLC, a dynamic speaker, author, consultant, and coach specializing in business analysis, leadership, career and life development, and cultivating inclusive, equitable, and culturally responsive environments. With over 21 years in corporate America, she has led multi-million-dollar projects across industries, transforming businesses through strategic and sustainable solutions. Through her mind, body, and soul coaching model, Paula empowers individuals to discover their purpose, elevate their personal brand, and achieve meaningful success. As a certified life and career coach, community leader, and group fitness instructor, Paula blends discipline, movement, and mindset into her holistic coaching practice. She is also a passionate community leader who integrates principles of resilience, purpose, and empowerment into every client engagement, supporting both personal breakthroughs and professional growth.

The Leadership SIG meets the third Friday of each month from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. Meetings are held virtually. The SIG is hosted by Aaron Barber (Sammons Financial Group, abarber@sfgmembers.com) and Tony Giudicessi (ITA Group, tgiudicessi@ITAGroup.com). If you have any questions, comments or ideas for the SIG, please connect with one of them.

Cost: FREE for ATD Central Iowa Chapter Members, $20 for non-members

ATD-CI Monthly Board Meeting (Monday, September 21, 2026)

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

If you would like to observe a meeting, please sign up to receive the Google Meet link.

Questions? Let us know! Email us at president@atdiowa.org.

KinetIQ Live!: Signal & Noise (Thursday, September 24, 2026)

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 21:30:00 GMT

ATD Central Iowa's newest event is back, and this time KinetIQ Live! is tackling workplace assessments head-on.

What's the difference between feel-good new-age pseudoscience and meaningful, validated insights?

How do talent development and HR practitioners sift through thousands of psychometrics to find one that actually works for their organization?

And why the heck is DiSC spelled like that?

All of these questions and more will be answered as eight expert practitioners dig into what works, what doesn't, and why it matters in a fun, fast-paced, action-oriented format.

This isn't a night of sales pitches. It's a night of healthy skepticism, science-informed practice, and meaningful action.

Individual GA and Reserved Group seating available. Ticket includes heavy apps and two drink tickets.

Questions? Email preselect@atdiowa.org.

Real Leadership Begins Within: Lead Yourself. Lead Others. Lead the Change. (Friday, October 09, 2026)

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Great leaders aren’t born—they’re developed, through self-awareness, intentional coaching, meaningful conversations, and hard work. In this engaging, hands-on workshop, participants learn how to lead from within while using a coach approach to positively influence others.

Drawing on concepts from Leading the Team Within, (Ann Wright) and the OSCAR Coaching Model (Andrew Gilbert and Karen Whittleworth) this session equips leaders to transform everyday conversations into opportunities for clarity, growth, and connection. Participants will examine how self-leadership, purpose, and confidence directly influence communication, decision-making, and team performance. Guided by Ann, they will also explore how traits often viewed as negative, can be reframed into leadership strengths—enabling more confident decisions for themselves and the teams they lead.

Through reflection, discussion, and hands-on application, attendees will build confidence, sharpen communication, and strengthen connections that drive meaningful impact. Participants will practice coaching and be coached, strengthening their ability to ask curiosity-driven questions with clarity and impact.

Walk away with practical tools and one clear action you can apply immediately to lead and influence more effectively—one conversation at a time. Whether you’re leading team members, collaborating across departments, or striving to grow personally, this session equips you to lead from within and make a lasting difference.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Actively listen and ask powerful, curiosity-driven questions that build trust and connection by utilizing a coach approach-one conversation at a time
Apply the OSCAR Coaching Model to lead and influence others through everyday conversations
Increase self-awareness and confidence by reframing perceived weaknesses into leadership strengths
Lead and positively impact others by strengthening communication and relationships to foster collaboration, engagement, and team performance

ATD-CI Monthly Board Meeting (Monday, October 19, 2026)

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

If you would like to observe a meeting, please sign up to receive the Google Meet link.

Questions? Let us know! Email us at president@atdiowa.org.

Spark the Experience: Leading with Energy, Empathy & Presence (Friday, November 13, 2026)

Fri, 13 Nov 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Fatigue is contagious. Talent developers feel it first. In a world where hybrid work, rapid change, and emotional overload are the new normal, leaders are burning out while trying to keep everyone else motivated.

This session explores how emotional intelligence and body language shape the transfer of energy across teams and learning environments. Using neuroscience, behavioral research, and real-world examples, Dr. Claire Muselman teaches how to identify compassion fatigue, reset emotional energy, and communicate with confidence and authenticity.

Through interactive exercises and practical takeaways, participants will learn how to use their tone, posture, and nonverbal cues to create belonging, trust, and engagement. They’ll leave with a deeper understanding of how presence and self-awareness influence facilitation, leadership, and culture. When we intentionally manage our energy, we elevate our impact and the entire learning experience. Attendees will leave recharged, refocused, and ready to spark connection, confidence, and curiosity in every room they enter.

After the session, the learners will be able to:

1. Recognize the signs of compassion fatigue in themselves and others.

2. Apply emotional-intelligence strategies to build empathy, boundaries, and resilience.

3. Use body language, tone, and micro-expressions to strengthen presence and connection.

4. Design micro-moments of belonging and energy renewal within training and leadership settings.

5. Facilitate with renewed confidence and authenticity to elevate learner engagement.

Meet The Speaker:

Dr. Claire Muselman is the Chief Operating Officer of WorkersCompensation.com and a Professor of Practice at Drake University specializing in Leadership, Human Resources, and Organizational Behavior. She is also Co-Director of the Master of Science in Leadership program and a nationally recognized keynote speaker. With more than 250 published articles on leadership, emotional intelligence, and neuroscience, Dr. Claire blends academic insight with real-world application to help leaders communicate with clarity, compassion, and confidence. Her signature style, bright, dynamic energy, brings science to life through practical, human-centered strategies that elevate energy and impact. Known for her work with Captive Resources, CLM, and executive education programs, she empowers organizations to build cultures of empathy, accountability, and connection. Whether teaching in the classroom or speaking on stage, Dr. Claire’s mission is to make leadership feel both brilliant and deeply human.

ATD-CI Monthly Board Meeting (Monday, November 16, 2026)

Mon, 16 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

If you would like to observe a meeting, please sign up to receive the Google Meet link.

Questions? Let us know! Email us at president@atdiowa.org.

Building Comfort Zones for Engagement (Friday, December 11, 2026)

Fri, 11 Dec 2026 15:00:00 GMT

This workshop is designed for Learning & Development professionals who facilitate experiential or participatory learning and want to more effectively engage groups that arrive hesitant, skeptical, or resistant. Crossed arms, eye rolls, and quiet withdrawal are often less about unwillingness and more about unclear expectations, perceived exposure, or unexamined assumptions about what participation is supposed to look like. Drawing from challenge-course facilitation and real-world team-building programs, Janie shares examples and stories from the field that illustrate how choice operates in practice—and how intentionally designed invitations can support comfort, engagement, and readiness. The session explores the concept of “comfort zones” and offers practical approaches for designing experiences that invite participation without pressure or manipulation.

At the end of this session, learners will be able to:

1. Identify and understand facilitation techniques that foster choice, inclusion, and curiosity-driven participation by reflecting on

how language, activity structure, and environment shape natural engagement and willingness to step outside comfort zones.

2. Leverage Experiential Activities for Learning: Participants will experience and practice playful, interactive activities that promote

connection, and inclusion, and together explore how to translate these methods into professional development settings.

Meet the Speaker:

Janie Jeffries, MA, TRS, CCM (she/her/ally) is a Lead Facilitator of the Stowe Heights Challenge Course, a program of Community Youth Concepts (CYC) in Des Moines, Iowa. With a Master’s in Therapeutic Recreation and over 20 years of experience in Experiential Education and facilitation, Janie brings deep expertise in designing programs that foster meaningful connection and engagement. Her work is grounded in the belief that intentional, experience-based learning builds bridges—to ourselves, to one another, and to the environments we navigate. Inspired by mentors who nurtured curiosity and compassion, Janie designs learning experiences that are authentic, inclusive, and rooted in human behavior, decision-making, and growth.

ATD-CI Monthly Board Meeting (Monday, December 21, 2026)

Mon, 21 Dec 2026 18:00:00 GMT

If you would like to observe a meeting, please sign up to receive the Google Meet link.

Questions? Let us know! Email us at president@atdiowa.org.