NovoEDTalks

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, we sit down with Brissa Ramos, Senior Manager of Sales Enablement at ServiceNow, to explore how she’s rethinking partner enablement in today’s fast-moving tech landscape. With over two decades of experience, Brissa shares her unique perspective on supporting sales and pre-sales partners through AI-powered tools, hybrid learning models, and continuous feedback loops. From co-creating enablement experiences with learners to reimagining sales simulations with roleplay-free practice using Bongo AI, Brissa’s approach is all about empathy, experimentation, and measurable impact.

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, we sit down with Fola Ajisafe, Associate Director of App Development for Learning Technology at Verizon, to explore how his team builds and delivers user-centric learning technologies that support a global workforce. Fola shares how he balances in-house innovation with external vendor solutions, ensures high adoption and engagement through continuous feedback and data, and creates dynamic, personalized learning experiences like digital hubs. His forward-looking approach to skill development, ROI measurement, and tech agility offers a roadmap for empowering learners and driving workforce transformation at scale.

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Mary Ng shares how she’s building strategic talent management from the ground up at City of Hope, focusing on practical application and human-centered design. She discusses the power of informal feedback, repeat engagement, and democratized mentorship as key indicators of program success. Mary also explores how her team is thoughtfully integrating technology—from AI to LMS platforms—to enhance learning while staying future-ready.

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Arlene Mabrey shares how her work at the intersection of equity, mentoring, and leadership development is transforming traditional approaches to talent growth. She discusses the importance of visibility, connection, and intentional systems design—highlighting how technology and AI can power more personalized, inclusive mentorship experiences. With wisdom, warmth, and actionable insight, Arlene encourages us to mind our lives, find our light, and build ecosystems where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Brian Dennis, a Field Trainer at Growmark with extensive experience in learning and development, discusses how his team adapts to the evolving workforce, focusing on strategic planning, generational diversity, and continuous feedback. He shares insights into the tools and methods they use to assess skills gaps, measure training effectiveness, and drive behavioral change across multiple levels of the organization. Brian also highlights the role of technology in enhancing virtual learning experiences and supporting employee development in a dynamic industry.

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Erica Cason, an experienced learning and development facilitator, to explore the challenges and opportunities in employee training and workforce development. Erica shares insights into onboarding new hires, addressing skills gaps, and leveraging technology to enhance continuous education programs. She also discusses the importance of learner feedback, organizational support, and evolving strategies to ensure employees stay engaged, adaptable, and prepared for the ever-changing demands of the workplace.

In this episode of NovoEdTalks, Emily Wilson, Manager of Leadership Development for the American Red Cross Disaster Cycle Services, shares insights into training a predominantly volunteer workforce. She discusses the unique challenges of preparing volunteers—who lack the traditional incentives of paid employees—for high-stress disaster response roles and how the organization is evolving its leadership development programs. Emily also highlights the Red Cross’s shift toward more experiential and applied learning, aiming to improve supervisor effectiveness and volunteer retention in an era of continuous disaster response.

In this NovoEdTalks episode, Hakeem Basheer, Senior Manager of Learning and Development Programs at Carnival Cruise Line, discusses the complexities of delivering high-impact learning across a diverse, global workforce in the cruise industry. Hakeem shares how Carnival Cruise Line balances shipboard team members' and corporate employees' unique training needs, leveraging technology, data-driven insights, and competency frameworks to drive learning outcomes. He also discusses the impact of digital transformation, post-COVID shifts in onboarding, and how a culture of mentorship and engagement improves retention and employee development.

In this episode of NovoEdTalks, Melissa sits down with Cassie Matheson, a workforce development and international talent acquisition manager for a major healthcare system in Ohio. Cassie shares insights into the challenges of recruiting healthcare professionals post-pandemic, from declining nursing school enrollments to shifting immigration policies for international hires. She also discusses innovative workforce strategies, including early engagement programs for students, immersive VR training, and adapting to evolving technology to support the future of healthcare.

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Marco Alvarado from TELUS Digital delves into how AI and technology are reshaping talent acquisition and workforce management. He shares innovative strategies, including using AI-powered tools to streamline recruitment, enhance candidate experience, and improve quality assurance processes. Through insights on continuous learning, hybrid AI-human approaches, and community-driven initiatives like free boot camps, they demonstrate how companies can adapt to the rapidly changing demands of the modern workplace while maintaining a human-centered approach.