Connect 5

What an episode we’ve got today! Get to know Deidre Williams, Vice President, Organizational Effectiveness at EMC Insurance for a wide-ranging conversation including the importance of continuous learning, the secrets of staying AGILE and how a last-minute pivot due to the COVID-19 pandemic led to an award-winning talent development strategy! 

About Deidre Williams

Ms. Deidre N. Williams possesses 20 years in corporate learning and talent development. Throughout her diverse career, she has served in key leadership positions overseeing both domestic and international learning and development training strategies and solutions, project management and business/talent development endeavors with industry innovators Merck & Co., Intrepid Learning Solutions, Total System Services, Inc., and AFLAC.  As a result, and achievement–oriented professional, Ms. Williams has attained extensive trainings and certifications from The Association of Talent Development (formerly the American Society of Training & Development), Harvard University, Development Dimensions International, PROSCI, the SCRUM Alliance, the London Image Institute and the American School of Protocol. She is both a Master Trainer and Master Facilitator and possesses certifications in Human Performance Improvement (HPI), Change Management (CCMP), Agile SCRUM (CSM), and Agile SCRUM Product Ownership (CSPO).  In January of 2023, Deidre obtained her CDE (Certified Diversity Executive) credentialing from the Society for Diversity   

In December of 2018, Deidre relocated to Des Moines, IA and brought her passion and vision for learning to EMC as the new Vice President – Learning and Development. In this role, Deidre oversaw all enterprise learning solutions to include:  industry designations, professional development training, coaching, leadership development, virtual learning, change management and EMC University.  With a fervent desire to align learning solutions with organizational priorities, Deidre and her team have been hyper-focused on ensuring transformative learning experiences for all EMC team members.  In her words, “Learning and Development is laser focused on serving as trusted advisors and active consultative collaborators, engaging in design thinking and customer centricity in all learning solutions. in 2020, Deidre’s role expanded as she became Vice President - Organizational Effectiveness, overseeing enterprise learning solutions via Learning & Development, Leadership Development, EMC University, Talent Development, and Diversity Equity & Inclusion.  Under Deidre’s leadership, in 2021, EMC Insurance Companies was recognized by Chief Learning Officer Magazine as a 2021 Learning Elite Organization.   

Connect with Deidre  
⁠LinkedIn⁠ 
 

Learn more about ATD Central Iowa by visiting ⁠www.atdiowa.org⁠! 

In a wide-ranging conversation, get to know Kai Gillespie, Talent Development Coordinator at IMT Insurance as she shares insights about making organizations more people-centered, the intersection of DEI and talent development and the connection of anthropology and talent development! Plus, Kai runs down "The 5!" 
 

About Kai Gillespie: 

Kai has been in Learning & Development at IMT Insurance for over 6 years and in the Talent Development field for over 10 years. She stumbled into the Talent Development after graduating from college in 2009. Having no job prospects due to being an Anthropology major in rural Iowa during a recession, she stumbled upon the Talent Development field.  

Kai initially fell in love with instructional design while working at Brownells, Inc. and Farm Bureau. After being laid off (and receiving that spot on her TD career bingo card) she earned her Master’s of Science in Leadership Development from Drake University. During her time at Drake, she became focused on organizational development, culture, and making organizations people-focused, and has been able to practice her work (and musings) at IMT Insurance for the last 7 years. 

Connect with Kai on ⁠LinkedIn⁠!  

Learn more about ATD Central Iowa by visiting ⁠www.atdiowa.org⁠! 

Introducing ATD Central Iowa’s own Joey Spivey! Finding your passion in talent development, building an organizational development structure from the ground up and the secrets to honing your personal facilitation style. Plus, Joey runs down "The 5!" 
 

About Joey Spivey: 

Like many, Joey kind of tripped and fell into the world of talent development. He started his career in an entry-level operational role at Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and was looking to take the next step “up the ladder” as soon as possible. A position opened up on the operations training team that supported his department and several others, and the rest was history.  

At Wellmark, Joey was exclusively focused on operational or role-specific training, primarily for Wellmark’s claims staff, where he had the chance to lead a system implementation training project, help establish the onboarding and skill development plan for a brand new role, and take charge of Wellmark’s first attempt at operations-focused e-learning.  

In 2018, he was offered the opportunity to join SHAZAM and truly help build an organizational development function from the ground up. It was an opportunity he simply couldn’t pass up. It was a blank slate, with a supportive leadership team, and an employee population that was ready for a more strategic approach to learning. Over his five years at SHAZAM, he crossed almost everything off the talent development bucket list: LMS implementation, content provider partnerships, employee experience programming, emerging leader cohorts, tenured leadership development strategies, succession planning, DEI strategy, mentoring, employee engagement surveys, performance management. Now, he’s looking forward to his next big opportunity. 

Connect with Joey  
⁠LinkedIn⁠ 
Website 
Twitter: @learnwithjoey 

Learn more about ATD Central Iowa by visiting ⁠www.atdiowa.org⁠! 

Get to know Sara Faas Jones, Director of Training, Education and Quality at Nationwide Insurance as she shares the secrets to measuring and evaluating program effectiveness, transitioning from tactical to strategic work and how to drive accountability and stay organized while navigating rapid change. Plus, Sara runs down "The 5!"  

About Sara Faas Jones

Sara has been working in the performance improvement field in one way or another for over 20 years. Before working at Nationwide, she was a retail store manager and recruited, onboarded, trained, and developed talent. At Nationwide, she’s held multiple learning and performance focused roles, from training coordinator to material design and project management, now leading a team of training and quality professionals focused on performance improvement through results measurement, education, and coaching. Sara holds Masters degrees in Teaching and Learning with Technology as well as Media Design and she's currently working on a Doctor of Education degree in Organizational Leadership. 

Connect with Sara on ⁠LinkedIn⁠!  

Learn more about ATD Central Iowa by visiting ⁠www.atdiowa.org⁠! 

Get to know Kristin Tague, Head of Talent Acquisition and Talent Development at Pella Corporation and she sheds light on the secrets to successfully transitioning to a new company, instilling a coaching mindset and the intersection of talent acquisition and talent development! Plus, Kristin runs down "The 5!"

About Kristin Tague

With over 29 years of experience in HR - 20 of which in the talent development space, Kristin has worked for some amazing companies including Farm Bureau Financial Services, JP Morgan Chase, Principal, American Equity and now Pella Corporation. Her experience started with Executive Development, broadening to a leadership role focusing on a variety of aspects of employee development. With extensive experience building capabilities, from mentorship programs, change management, coaching and designing talent practices, Kristin is passionate about helping us know our people better and ensuring they have the right skills ready for the future.

Learn more about ATD Central Iowa by visiting www.atdiowa.org!

Growing a business in an evolving talent development landscape, how to get consistent, measurable results and how giving back to the community can lead to personal fulfillment and growth. Listen as we chat with Todd McDonald, Founder & President of ATW Training Solutions as he shares wisdom about how to survive and thrive in an ever-changing industry. Plus, Todd runs down "The 5!" 
 

About Todd McDonald: 

Todd McDonald founded ATW in 1999 after spending 15 years in various Human Resource and Training roles in industries such as finance, insurance, banking and manufacturing.  He also served as Executive Vice President of American Media, Inc., the largest producer of training videos at the time with products in 72 countries and 27 languages.   

Todd has authored two books: one on communication between managers and their employees, "I Wish You Would Just..." and the other on time management, "How to Find 100 Extra Minutes a Day."  

Connect with Todd: 

Websites:  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-mcdonald-9a899b1/ 

The joys (and challenges) of starting a business, what it's like to write a book and how a background in theater performance led to a passion for reducing harm in the workplace, listen as Sarah Noll Wilson, President & CEO of Sarah Noll Wilson Inc. takes us on a journey through her career. Plus, Sarah runs down "The 5!"

About Sarah Noll Wilson:

Sarah Noll Wilson, Inc. is who you call when you're ready to do the hard work of leading yourself and leading others.

Sarah Noll Wilson, Inc. is on a mission to help leaders build and rebuild teams. Our goal is to empower leaders to understand and honor the beautiful complexity of the humans they serve. We create a safe, honest environment, preparing people to deal with real-world conflict, have more meaningful conversations, and create purposeful relationships. Working with CEOs, HR leaders, and organizations that care deeply about their employees and understand the connection between employee development, employee satisfaction, and organizational success, Sarah Noll Wilson, Inc. specializes in transforming relationships from good to great.

Through her work as an Executive Coach, an in-demand Keynote Speaker, Researcher, Contributor to Harvard Business Review, and Bestselling Author of "Don't Feed the Elephants", Sarah Noll Wilson helps leaders close the gap between what they intend to do and the actual impact they make. She hosts the podcast "Conversations on Conversations", is certified in Co-Active Coaching, Conversational Intelligence, and is a frequent guest lecturer at universities. In addition to her work with organizations, Sarah is a passionate advocate for mental health.

With 15+ years in leadership development, Sarah earned a Master's Degree from Drake University in Leadership Development and a BA from the University of Northern Iowa in Theatre Performance and Theatre Education - no wonder clients love the energy she brings to their teams! When she isn't helping people build and rebuild relationships, she enjoys playing games with her husband Nick and cuddling with their fur baby, Sally.

Website: https://sarahnollwilson.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahnollwilson

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahnollwilson/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWmL_py6d8rukmwPy51BMKg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.nollwilson

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahnollwilson/

Learn more about ATD Central Iowa by visiting www.adtiowa.org.

Want to hear some stories, experiences and tips to help you learn and grow in your career in talent development? Well, welcome to Connect 5, the exclusive podcast from ATD Central Iowa bringing you the need-to-know information – right from the people who have it – to help you thrive in talent development.