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.

In this Episode:00:00 Introduction

00:25 Welcome to the Tried and Tested podcast

00:33 Isabelle introduces Ian Browne

01:01 Driving innovation in a traditional professional environment

01:13 Ian’s journey from accounting to credentialing

02:46 Teaching and early successes in professional education

03:28 Being recruited to Chartered Accountants Ireland

04:06 History of Chartered Accountants Ireland and the profession

04:36 Major merger and growth of the organization

05:21 How early assessment transformation helped during COVID

06:00 Supporting other organizations during the pandemic

06:40 Mid-episode message from Isabelle

07:24 How the program evolved before, during, and after COVID

08:04 Moving assessments online and redesigning them

09:10 Ensuring consistency and integrity of online exams

10:15 Designing assessments for auto-scoring

11:02 Faster results and impact on student preparation12:16 Rolling out redesign across multiple exam tiers

13:52 Upgrading syllabus to match emerging technologies

14:17 Launching Project Athena

15:49 Rethinking the entire learner experience

16:37 Automating student onboarding and reducing wait times

17:52 Global recognition for AI innovation

18:35 Overhauling practical experience systems

19:12 Fully adaptive learning model rollout

20:22 How adaptive learning improves competency and outcomes

21:41 Continuous assessment vs one-point exams

22:30 Data insights from student learning journeys

23:32 Building community and peer-to-peer learning online

24:48 Creating shared learning environments

25:38 Introducing virtual tutoring with generative AI

26:51 Reducing support lag with automated responses

27:21 Reimagining the entire learning ecosystem

28:02 The importance of stakeholder engagement

29:01 Increasing flexibility with more annual exam intakes

30:43 Why innovation led to double-digit growth

31:52 The power of community in transforming the profession

32:33 Closing thoughts and teaser for part two

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.

In this energizing episode of Tried and Tested, host Isabelle Gonthier sits down with Johnna Georgieva, Senior Psychometrician and Director of Assessments at the Dental Assisting National Board, to explore the evolving landscape of micro credentials.

Johnna shares her personal journey into the world of psychometrics and how a chance mentorship led to a 20-plus year career in credentialing. Together, Isabelle and Johnna discuss why micro credentials are surging in popularity, particularly in healthcare, and how they provide accessible, stackable learning opportunities that empower professionals to upskill on their own terms.

Together, they also discuss:

• Why there is no single definition of micro credentials and why that can be a strength
• How micro credentials support workforce agility and retention in times of staffing shortages
• The role of AI and adaptive learning in shaping the future of credentialing
• How organizations can ensure quality and credibility in their micro credential offerings

Whether you are a testing professional, educator, or lifelong learner, this episode offers a timely and practical look at how micro credentials are opening new doors for individuals and institutions alike.

In this special episode of Tried and Tested, recorded live in London during the E-Assessment Association Conference, host Isabelle Gonthier sits down with two trailblazers in the UK assessment space: Matt Wingfield, Managing Director of EdTech Horizons, and Tim Burnett, Founder of Education Tech Consulting and the Test Community Network.

Together, they explore the evolving role of AI in assessment, from its cautious early adoption to its growing potential as a driver of innovation. They discuss how regulators are influencing the pace of change, sometimes enabling progress and other times holding it back. The conversation also highlights the urgent need to reimagine assessment design for a tech-integrated world, the opportunities digital tools present for promoting equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and the growing shift from traditional credentials to more flexible micro-credentials and proof-of-skill models.

From the power of formative testing in Welsh schools to global conversations about AI literacy and environmental impacts, this episode explores the challenges and promises of assessment transformation. Whether you're navigating regulation, innovation, or inclusion, this is a must-listen for anyone invested in the future of testing.

In this episode of Tried and Tested, host Isabelle Gonthier welcomes Kim Cohen, Vice President of Credentialing at ISACA, for a deep dive into the future of certification in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. Kim shares her remarkable 30-year journey in the industry and how saying "yes" to opportunity shaped her career. The conversation centers on ISACA’s groundbreaking innovations, including their newly launched Advanced AI Audit certification, and how the organization is reimagining credentialing through specialization, stackable pathways, and performance-based assessment. Kim and Isabelle explore the balance between innovation and psychometric rigor, how ISACA ensures global relevance through localization, and the critical role of partnerships and community engagement in scaling new programs. Tune in to hear how ISACA is building future proof credentials and empowering lifelong learners to stay ahead of the curve. Whether you're a credentialing professional, testing expert, or simply passionate about education and technology, this episode is packed with insights to inspire your own innovation journey.

What does it take to prove the value of certification in a changing industry, and how do you reconnect with a new generation of workers who aren’t convinced credentials matter?

In this episode of Tried and Tested, PSI’s Chief Assessment Officer, Dr. Isabelle Gonthier, sits down with Rebecca Sutter, Chief Technical Officer at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Together, they explore ASE’s unique role in shaping standards in the skilled trades, how data-backed research uncovered the ROI of certification, and what other credentialing organizations can learn from ASE’s approach to job task analysis, stakeholder engagement, and program reinvention.

From survey insights showing a 40% productivity boost for credentialed auto techs to personal reflections on navigating cultural barriers in vocational testing, this is a must-listen for anyone in credentialing, workforce development, or vocational education.