NovoEDTalks

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Jessica Pharm, Learning and Development Program Manager at Alaska Airlines, shares how she builds equitable, people-first programs that empower employees across all levels, from frontline workers to emerging leaders. Jessica highlights initiatives like educational assistance, career workshops, and the Developing Emerging Leaders program, which are designed to close opportunity gaps and create inclusive growth pathways. With a focus on adaptability, learner mindset, and thoughtful use of technology, she emphasizes that leadership is less about titles and more about influence, advocacy, and continuous development.

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, we sit down with Sue Novak, Dealer Engagement and Experience Training Manager at BMW of North America, who brings over 20 years of global experience in learning and development, HR, and leadership coaching. Sue shares how she and her team are addressing the fast-paced challenges of the retail automotive world by building adaptable, trust-based training programs that emphasize immediate applicability and human connection. From co-creating customer experience programs in Las Vegas to integrating technology mindfully, Sue offers rich insight into how leadership development must evolve without losing its humanity.

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Nicole DaCosta, a learning and talent development leader and belonging and inclusion strategist, shares how onboarding, inclusion, and human connection shape impactful employee experiences across industries. Nicole offers insight into creating agile, accessible learning strategies that meet diverse employee needs while reinforcing business goals. From leveraging AI-driven tools to preserving the human spark in development, she emphasizes the importance of building cultures where people grow, belong, and lead with heart.

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, bestselling author and COO of Notion, Laura Ashley-Timms, shares how operational coaching can transform overwhelmed managers into confident, people-centered leaders. She discusses the data-backed results of embedding coaching into daily workflows—highlighting a landmark study that showed a 74x ROI per learner and a 70% increase in time spent coaching. With insights from her acclaimed book and award-winning STAR® Manager program, Laura explores how technology, behavioral science, and human connection can come together to unlock performance, retention, and engagement across organizations.

Laura's book: The Answer Is a Question: The Missing Superpower that Changes Everything and Will Transform Your Impact as a Manager and Leader

Available in all formats from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Answer-Question-Superpower-Everything-Transform/dp/0117093912

and all other major retailers - full list available here:

https://theanswerisaquestion.com/buy-now

The multi-award-winning programme STAR® Manager:

http://STARmanager.global

You can also connect with Laura via LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-ashley-timms/

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Dr. Benjamin Granger, Chief Workplace Psychologist at Qualtrics, shares how organizations can create powerful learning environments by focusing on leadership development, honest employee feedback, and the cultivation of critical “meta-skills.” Drawing on global data and real-world case studies, he explores how technology can facilitate confidential, two-way conversations that surface true employee needs—and why mentorship and human connection are more essential than ever in an AI-driven world.

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Maris Krieger, Senior Director of Talent Learning & Development at Hearst Corporation, shares how the small but mighty team she is a part of is building agile, personalized learning experiences for 15,000 employees across a diverse portfolio of industries. She takes us inside Hearst’s rapid AI upskilling initiative, discusses the power of co-creation with business leaders, and explores the balance between technical and evergreen “power” skills. Throughout, Maris emphasizes the need to treat learning as a business driver—not a support function—and to move fast, personalize deeply, and never be afraid to experiment.

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Matt Barry, Head of Global Learning Solutions and Field Platform Training at a global life sciences company, shares how his team is rethinking scale, personalization, and relevance in global L&D. He breaks down how they empower local field trainers, connect global efforts through strategic learning solutions, and center empathy and relationship-building to drive impact. Matt also shares why getting learners to pause and reflect — even in fast-paced environments — can be the most powerful tool for transformation.

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Cassandra Limoges, Manager of Learning and Development at Denny’s Restaurants Canada, shares how she supports 75 locations through people-first leadership and deeply embedded values-driven programs. Drawing from decades of experience in hospitality, Cassandra discusses the importance of shifting away from reactive training toward relationship-centered development that drives sustainable performance. She also explores the evolving role of technology, the need for mindset shifts post-COVID, and her belief that true leadership begins with genuine care, connection, and influence.

On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Michael Martin, Senior Director of Sales Enablement at Calix, shares how his team uses AI-powered tools, just-in-time microlearning, and real-time simulations to scale impactful training for a busy global salesforce. He explains why aligning with leadership, reinforcing learning through practice, and treating enablement as a proactive, diagnostic function are key to lasting behavior change. Michael also reflects on the evolving role of technology in talent development — and why truly valuable training must always respect the time and context of its learners.

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Anne Griswold, Whole Brain Catalyst at Herrmann International, shares how whole brain thinking can transform leadership development and team dynamics across all levels of an organization. She discusses how cognitive diversity, agile thinking, and strategic learning ecosystems can close skill gaps, foster collaboration, and drive measurable business results. With a strong call to “use your voice,” Anne encourages L&D professionals to champion human connection and learning as core drivers of organizational success.