Panel Discussion: Earning a Seat at the Table

Many organizations understand the importance of learning and development (L&D) to drive the business forward, earning L&D a well-deserved seat at the table. As a valued business partner, L&D professionals must learn to communicate the return of investment (ROI) of their learning programs and the value of training to stakeholders. In this panel discussion, thought leaders will share key insights on some of the challenges learning leaders might face when trying to earn a seat at the table such as data literacy, communicating with stakeholders and aligning training with business objectives.

		Dr. Theresa Horne Director, Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity \| Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) Dr. Theresa R. Horne is director of the office of diversity and equal opportunity of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). In this capacity, Dr. Horne exercises leadership of the diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) and equal employment opportunity (EEO) teams supporting approximately 14,000 federal employees and contractors.Dr. Horne manages, directs and coordinates the day-to-day operations and strategic vision of the office. She is responsible for interpreting EEO policy and regulations to implement higher level actions that directly shape the culture at DCSA and improve operations throughout the agency.
		Jaimie Krause, Ph.D. Director, Learning and Development \| Indeed Jaimie Krause, Ph.D. is an educational psychologist who leads a global learning and development organization at Indeed focused on enabling go-to-market strategy for sales, client success and support teams.Two key focus areas drive her work: Emphasizing the importance of workplace well-being so leaders, teams and individual contributors can deliver their best work (e.g., the impact of growth mindset on workplace productivity and engagement). Supporting enablement professionals to develop the business acumen and evaluation rigor required to demonstrate business impact and return on investment (ROI).
		Thomas Fenstermacher, CPTM Director of Training \| Trellis Rx Thomas Fenstermacher, CPTM is training director for Trellis Rx. He is responsible for the development and deployment of training initiatives across the organization. After receiving numerous awards at institutions of higher learning for his teaching style and classroom outcomes, Thomas became a Certified Professional Training Manager (CPTM) to elevate his role and ultimately bring that style and flair into the corporate space.
		Heather Balcerek, CPTM Senior Manager, Corporate Learning & Development \| Maximus Heather Balcerek is a Certified Professional in Training Management with 15+ years of experience launching, leading and facilitating successful employee development programs across multiple industries with Amazon, Apple and Verizon. Currently, she is senior manager of corporate learning and development at Maximus. Her programs focus on the development for senior leaders, director level and above. She specializes in building programs from the ground up and reviving programs that lost their way. She is the host of the leadership development podcast, Connect the Dots-Lead the Way.

		Dr. Theresa Horne Director, Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity \| Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) Dr. Theresa R. Horne is director of the office of diversity and equal opportunity of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). In this capacity, Dr. Horne exercises leadership of the diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) and equal employment opportunity (EEO) teams supporting approximately 14,000 federal employees and contractors.Dr. Horne manages, directs and coordinates the day-to-day operations and strategic vision of the office. She is responsible for interpreting EEO policy and regulations to implement higher level actions that directly shape the culture at DCSA and improve operations throughout the agency.
		Jaimie Krause, Ph.D. Director, Learning and Development \| Indeed Jaimie Krause, Ph.D. is an educational psychologist who leads a global learning and development organization at Indeed focused on enabling go-to-market strategy for sales, client success and support teams.Two key focus areas drive her work: Emphasizing the importance of workplace well-being so leaders, teams and individual contributors can deliver their best work (e.g., the impact of growth mindset on workplace productivity and engagement). Supporting enablement professionals to develop the business acumen and evaluation rigor required to demonstrate business impact and return on investment (ROI).
		Thomas Fenstermacher, CPTM Director of Training \| Trellis Rx Thomas Fenstermacher, CPTM is training director for Trellis Rx. He is responsible for the development and deployment of training initiatives across the organization. After receiving numerous awards at institutions of higher learning for his teaching style and classroom outcomes, Thomas became a Certified Professional Training Manager (CPTM) to elevate his role and ultimately bring that style and flair into the corporate space.
		Heather Balcerek, CPTM Senior Manager, Corporate Learning & Development \| Maximus Heather Balcerek is a Certified Professional in Training Management with 15+ years of experience launching, leading and facilitating successful employee development programs across multiple industries with Amazon, Apple and Verizon. Currently, she is senior manager of corporate learning and development at Maximus. Her programs focus on the development for senior leaders, director level and above. She specializes in building programs from the ground up and reviving programs that lost their way. She is the host of the leadership development podcast, Connect the Dots-Lead the Way.