In this forward-looking episode of Tried and Tested, host Isabelle Gonthier is joined by Janet Garcia, CEO of PSI and President of ETS, for a timely conversation on what’s next for assessment as the profession looks toward 2026. Recorded at PSI’s headquarters in Olathe, Kansas, the discussion reflects on the shifting landscape of credentialing and licensure and the growing responsibility assessment organizations carry in protecting public trust.

Janet shares her predictions for the coming year, highlighting how artificial intelligence is reshaping the entire assessment lifecycle—from content development and delivery to how competence itself is defined in an AI-enabled workforce. The conversation explores evolving expectations around relevance, data-driven decision-making, and whether traditional single-point exams can continue to meet the needs of rapidly changing professions.

The episode also takes a deep dive into test security, examining how emerging technologies present both new risks and powerful solutions. Janet outlines how AI, advanced identity verification, biometrics, and continuous monitoring are being used to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated threats while preserving exam integrity at scale.

Whether you’re a credentialing leader, testing professional, educator, or regulator, this episode offers practical insight into the trends and decisions that will shape assessment, AI adoption, and test security in 2026 and beyond.

In this special episode of Tried and Tested, host Isabelle Gonthier opens the new year with a curated look back at the most meaningful moments from the podcast’s 2025 conversations. Featuring standout clips and Isabelle’s personal reflections, this episode revisits the insights, innovations, and expert perspectives that shaped last year’s dialogue across credentialing, licensure, test design, and the evolving test-taker experience.

Following a simple, narrative-driven format, Isabelle introduces each featured moment—offering context from the original episode, highlighting key takeaways from her guests, and sharing why the clip still resonates as we move into 2026. From competency models and workforce readiness to emerging technologies and multi-modal testing, this collection showcases the themes that defined 2025 for PSI’s global audience.

Whether you’re catching up after the holidays, exploring episodes you missed, or seeking inspiration for the year ahead, this highlight reel delivers a thoughtful, energizing start to 2026—celebrating the conversations that continue to shape the future of testing and credentialing.

In this episode of Tried and Tested, host Isabelle Gonthier sits down with Tony Ellis, Executive Director of the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC), for a deep dive into how competency modeling is reshaping the future of certification and professional development in oncology nursing. Recorded at ONCC’s Pittsburgh offices, Tony shares his unique path into credentialing and the lessons learned across accreditation, competency modeling, and certification program design.
Tony discusses ONCC’s innovative approach to aligning competency profiles, role delineation studies, and test content outlines—creating a more cohesive and strategic framework for developing new credentials. He also highlights ONCC’s work on stackable credentials, assessment-based certificates, and the rigorous research guiding decisions about when a certificate should (or should not) evolve into a full certification. The conversation also introduces the ONCC “Runway” program, an onboarding and development pathway supporting new oncology nurses as they build readiness and confidence.
Whether you’re refining your own certification programs, exploring modular learning pathways, or navigating how competencies can better serve workforce needs, Tony’s insights offer practical, forward-looking guidance for today’s credentialing leaders.

In this episode of Tried and Tested, host Isabelle Gonthier, PSI’s Chief Assessment Officer, sits down at the Conference on Test Security (COTS) with Anna Rubin, Manager of Professional Certification Programs at Cisco. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of test development, test security, and the operational strategies behind protecting one of the world’s most recognized certification programs.

Anna shares her 30-year journey across credentialing, from early work in educational measurement to leading exam innovation at Cisco. She breaks down the organization’s “smart exam development” approach—using templates, frames, and performance-based labs to strengthen exam quality while reducing exposure risk. The conversation also touches on AI-driven pool expansion, the role of SMEs in validating generative outputs, and the balance between rigor and fairness for the minimally qualified candidate.

From commercial cheating threats to the growing impact of AI on data integration and detection, Anna highlights the industry’s need for collaboration and collective action—especially through groups like the Credentialing Integrity Action Alliance.

Whether you’re modernizing a certification program, enhancing your security strategy, or exploring the future of assessment, this episode offers practical insights into safeguarding integrity while elevating the test-taker experience.

In this episode of Tried and Tested, host Isabelle Gonthier sits down at ETS headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey with Ratnesh Kumar Jha, General Manager of Institutional Products at ETS, to explore how English language assessment is evolving for the workplace and beyond. Drawing on ETS’s mission and the global footprint of TOEIC, they unpack what it really means to measure language skills in an age of rapid change, AI, and lifelong learning.
Ratnesh shares his journey from banking into education and assessment, and how that experience shapes his view of testing as a “signaling industry” for skills and employability. He and Isabelle discuss how TOEIC’s evidence-based design supports real-world communication at work, bridges academic study and employment, and helps employers benchmark roles, map career pathways, and support upskilling. From airlines and energy companies to retail and hospitality, they explore how language scores are used in high-stakes decisions and how technology is transforming item development, delivery, scoring, and feedback.
Whether you’re leading a credentialing program, supporting university learners, designing assessments, or hiring global talent, this conversation offers a practical look at how language testing can unlock mobility, enable fair opportunities, and connect multilingual workforces in a fast-changing world.

In this episode of Tried and Tested, host Isabelle Gonthier sits down with Ian Browne, Director of Education at Chartered Accountants Ireland, to explore how the Institute is transforming professional learning for more than 8,500 students across Ireland.

Ian shares insights from his decade-long journey leading one of the most ambitious education transformations in the accounting world. From modernizing assessment and launching Project Athena to integrating AI-driven adaptive learning, Ian discusses how technology and innovation are reshaping the way future accountants learn and succeed.

Drawing on his background in both academia and industry, Ian reflects on how adaptive, data-informed education aligns with the evolving needs of the profession and why this approach represents a powerful model for the future of credentialing and lifelong learning. Tune in for an insightful conversation about how to prepare professionals with the skills, adaptability, and mindset needed to excel in a rapidly changing world.

Tried and Tested host Isabelle Gonthier sits down with Brian Donovan, General Manager of SkillsBox and the ICDL Foundation, to explore how innovation is transforming credentialing. Together, they unpack the evolution from floppy-disk exams to fully automated, in-application testing that mirrors real-world performance. Brian shares insights into how ICDL’s global network is adapting to the rapid pace of technological change, introducing new modules in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing to meet the world’s digital upskilling needs.

From maintaining fairness and validity in testing to improving productivity through AI-driven learning, this episode dives into what it really takes to keep credentials relevant in a world where technology evolves by the hour. Whether you’re an educator, test developer, or lifelong learner, you’ll walk away inspired to embrace innovation while keeping trust and quality at the core of assessment. Filmed live at the 2025 e-ATP conference in Dublin, this is an episode you won't want to miss!

In this episode of Tried and Tested, host Isabelle Gonthier sits down with Dale Cyr, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Inteleos, to explore how certification and credentialing must evolve in today’s rapidly changing world.

With over 25 years of leadership in healthcare certification, Dale shares how Inteleos is reimagining maintenance of certification to prioritize lifelong learning, continuous engagement, and public safety. Drawing on his extensive global experience and innovative leadership, he offers a vision for the future of testing that blends rigor with adaptability.

Together, Isabelle and Dale discuss:

• Why maintenance of certification should be seen as a career-long value driver rather than a checkbox.
• How digital transformation and AI are reshaping credentialing.
• The importance of organizational culture, governance, and board diversity in driving innovation.
• Strategies to balance the needs of a multi-generational workforce while keeping certification relevant.

Dale’s insights, shaped by decades of global leadership and his role guiding Inteleos’s mission, provide inspiration and practical takeaways for credentialing leaders who want to embrace innovation while staying true to their purpose.

In this episode of Tried and Tested, host Isabelle Gonthier sits down with Dr. Lydia Liu, Associate Vice President at the ETS Research Institute, to explore how research is shaping the future of assessment. Dr. Liu shares her inspiring journey into psychometrics, her perseverance in joining ETS, and the pivotal role research plays in advancing testing worldwide. 

Together, they discuss defining and measuring complex skills, innovative approaches to assessment, and the evolving impact of artificial intelligence in education and credentialing. From global collaborations to balancing long-term research with immediate business needs, Dr. Liu offers a compelling perspective on how research can make assessment more meaningful, equitable, and human-centered.

Whether you’re curious about AI in testing, skills for the future workforce, or the global outlook on educational innovation, this conversation provides valuable insights into how assessment is being reimagined for the next generation.

In this thought-provoking episode of Tried and Tested, host Isabelle Gonthier sits down with Rachel Schoenig, founder and CEO of Cornerstone Strategies and board member of the Credential Integrity Action Alliance (CIAA), to unpack one of the most pressing challenges in credentialing today: commercial cheating.

Rachel shares her unique journey from practicing attorney to leading expert in exam security, and how her career path shaped her perspective on protecting test integrity. Together, Isabelle and Rachel explore the growing sophistication of cheating operations, the risks they pose to credentialing programs, and why collective action is critical for the future of testing.

Together, they also discuss:

• The rise of commercial cheating services and how they exploit technology to undermine assessments
• Why these threats go beyond harming individual test takers and put entire industries and the public at risk
• How model legislation is being designed to curb the sale of cheating services and close legal loopholes
• The role of the Credential Integrity Action Alliance in building awareness, advocacy, and cross-sector collaboration
• What organizations can do to adopt a holistic approach to exam security across the entire testing lifecycle

Whether you are a credentialing professional, policy maker, or simply passionate about safeguarding trust in high-stakes testing, this episode offers a timely and important look at how the industry is fighting back against commercial cheating.