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• Pack Smart, Plan Ahead: Insider Tips for ATD25 Success

  • When
    May 02, 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Zoom - Link sent after registration

  Register

  Headed to ATD25 in Washington, D.C. this May? Whether it’s your very first conference or your first in a while, we’ve got your back! Join ATD Houston’s Melody Davis and Elizabeth Augustine for a practical, fast-paced hour packed with everything you need to feel prepared, confident, and excited for the biggest talent development event of the year.

  In this session, we’ll share real-world tips to help you:

  • Pack like a pro (without forgetting the essentials)
  • Plan your sessions and learning tracks strategically
  • Navigate hotels, shuttles, and local dining options
  • Make the most of your time at the expo and snag great swag
  • Balance networking, social events, and downtime
  • Earn recertification credits and access recorded sessions
  • Connect with fellow ATD Houston members on-site

  You’ll leave with a personalized to-do list, travel tips, and a few insider secrets to help you make the most of every moment. Don’t miss this chance to get ready the smart way—see you there!

  ATD Houston is the premier community for learning and talent development professionals in the Greater Houston area. As a local chapter of the Association for Talent Development, we are committed to supporting our members through high-quality programming, professional development opportunities, and a strong network of peers. Whether you're new to the field or a seasoned practitioner, ATD Houston is your hub for connection, growth, and advancing the future of learning.

  Speakers:

  Melody Davis, PhD, CPTD, is the Vice President of Professional Development at ATD Houston and a passionate advocate for lifelong learning. With over 15 years of experience in training, medical affairs, and talent development, she brings both strategic insight and practical know-how to the conference experience. A seasoned ATD conference attendee, Melody loves helping others navigate events like ATD25 to maximize both learning and connection.

  
  

  Elizabeth Agustin, CPTD is ATD Houston's Vice President of Groups for 2025/2026, where she oversees the planning and organization of Geographic Interest Groups (GIGs) and Special Interest Groups (SIGs) events in collaboration with the Groups Committee volunteers. She most recently attended the ATD24 Conference and Expo in New Orleans and an ATD Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD). Additionally, she serves as a Learning & Development Manager in the manufacturing industry.

  
  

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• Day of Service and Birthday Celebration - Houston Food Bank

  • When
    May 03, 2025
  •  
    1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Houston Food Bank 535 Portwall St. Houston, TX. 77029

  Register

  Get ready to sprinkle some birthday cheer and a whole lot of helpfulness! Join Debbie Richards, past president of ATD Houston, for a special "Day of Service" and birthday celebration at the Houston Food Bank on Saturday, May 3rd, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM CST!

  Let's turn Debbie's 70th birthday into a powerhouse of positive impact as we team up to tackle some super important tasks at the warehouse. Think of it as a party with a purpose! We'll be like food-sorting superheroes, carefully inspecting, sorting, and repackaging donated goodies so they can zoom off to help our Houston community.

  Calling all helping hands for the 5/3 Portwall Afternoon - TEAM A shift!

  Here are instructions to register online for a volunteer shift.

  1. Go to houstonfoodbank.civicore.com to see a complete list of volunteer shifts; you will see some important registration information at the top of the screen
  2. To register, click on the appropriate button at the top of the screen to either log in if you have already created a profile or to create one if you are registering in this system for the first time
  3. Click the "Volunteer Opportunities Calendar" link located in the green bar on the top left next to "My Account"
  4. Click on the shift of interest (May 3 - afternoon).
  5. At the bottom of the pop-up window, click on "Individual Registration".
  6. Complete the form and click "Submit"
  7. The system will send you a registration confirmation e-mail with information about the shift.

  More details: https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/volunteer_needhelpregistering.pdf

  Parking Pointers: If the volunteer parking stars align, you might snag a spot in the front lot. But just in case we have a super squad of helpers (which we hope!), you might be directed to the overflow lot behind the building. Adventure awaits!

  Dress Code for Do-Gooders: Dust off your comfiest casual duds, and definitely rock some closed-toe shoes – safety first, superhero style! Long pants are preferred for maximum comfort during our mission, and a t-shirt with sleeves will complete your heroic ensemble. If you have trusty work gloves, feel free to bring them along for extra grip!

  Ready to roll up your sleeves and spread some joy (and birthday wishes)? Fantastic! Let's make this day a truly memorable one by making a real difference together! We can't wait to see your smiling faces and helping hands!

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• General Meeting: Navigating Change: A Leadership Development Journey

  • When
    May 13, 2025
  •  
    5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Location
    United Way, 50 Waugh Drive, Houston, TX 77007
  • Spaces left
    32

  Register

  Navigating Change: A Leadership Development Journey

  In 2024, Westlake, began delivering leadership programs across the organization. The mandate for leadership programs came after exponential company growth through acquisitions and employee engagement survey feedback. Since 2021, the organization has grown by 10,000 employees and it had become evident that the company needed to develop a strong leadership bench with current and future leaders. Westlake understood that the key to their success was systematically equipping employees with the leadership skills and knowledge needed to excel and grow in their roles and support the organization’s strategy and goals.

  In this session, you will learn:

  • How to deliver leadership training across the organization.
  • How to tailor programs to corporate and frontline employee audiences.
  • How we supported and encouraged collaboration and networking amongst employees.
  • How we are measuring impact of training.

  Westlake received the "Best Practice in Talent Management" at the ATD Houston Pinnacle awards in March. 

  The Pinnacle Awards by ATD Houston is a prestigious annual event that celebrates outstanding achievements in learning and talent development within the Houston area.

  This recognition program highlights and honors the remarkable work of organizations and their dedicated teams as well as individuals who have demonstrated excellence in training, employee development, and performance enhancement.

  ATD Capability Model – Performance Improvement, Learning Technologies

  To learn more about this model see: https://tdcapability.org/

  Speakers

  Crystal Andrus has been in learning and development space for 12 years starting in the oil and gas industry as an instructional designer then moved into manufacturing. She has been at Westlake for 4 years in various learning roles finally transitioning to L&D manager in 2024. She has oversight to enterprise leadership programs, the learning management system and open enrollment calendar for all employees. Crystal is passionate about all things learning and enjoys being that resource to others. She has been a member of ATD Houston since a graduate student. She is a proud alumni of University of Houston earning her Master's in Human Resource Development in 2014.

  Tamara Thomas hails from a small town in Louisiana, but has spent most of her adult life in Houston, Texas. She holds dual Bachelor's degrees in Computer Information Systems and Risk Management/Insurance from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Tamara furthered her education at the University of Houston, earning a Master's degree in Technology Project Management and completing doctorate-level coursework in Learning, Design, and Technology. During her Master's studies, Tamara gained valuable experience at Hewlett-Packard, first in IT Escalations and later as a Learning & Development Business Partner. Currently, she thrives at Westlake as a Learning Program Manager and LMS Administrator. Known for her strategic thinking and meticulous attention to detail, Tamara creates exceptional learning experiences and maximizes learning investments.

  Jasmine John is a Houston native and the HIP Training Supervisor at Westlake with a doctorate focused on Educational Leadership and Instructional Technology. Jasmine's passion lies in creating and leading engaging training opportunities for growth within her organization. Her approach to employee development is rooted in practical, quality-driven training methods and a commitment to continuous improvement of leadership programs.

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• SIG - Career Transition: Career Bites: Breakfast, Resumes & Real Talk

  • When
    May 16, 2025
  •  
    11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    The Coffee House at West End (2nd Floor), 802 Shepherd Dr Houston, TX 77007
  • Spaces left
    1

  Register

  Jumpstart your morning and your career at our first-ever Career Bites session!

  Over coffee and light breakfast, we’re serving up bite-sized coaching, resume reviews, and interview practice to help you confidently navigate your next move.

  Bring your laptop, your latest resume, and be ready to connect! You’ll get practical tips, pair up for peer reviews, and run through interview questions in a supportive, energizing space. Whether you're actively job hunting or just want to stay sharp, this is the career boost you’ve been waiting for.

  Come hungry to learn—and leave with fresh insights and feedback!

  Objectives:
  

  • Provide actionable career support through peer-to-peer resume reviews, interview practice, and coaching insights.
  • Foster community and connection among professionals in career transition or growth mode.
  • Equip attendees with tools and best practices to strengthen their job search strategy, resume presentation, and interview confidence.
  • Create a welcoming, low-pressure environment for learning, feedback, and practice.

  
  Introduce the Career Transitions team’s ongoing support and highlight future opportunities for engagement and development.
  

  ATD Capability Model – • Developing Professional Capability

  To learn more about this model see: https://tdcapability.org/#/

  
  

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• Reset: How to Change What's Not Working with author Dan Heath

  • When
    May 22, 2025
  •  
    11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  
  

  Registration link: https://authors365.com/preview/439952

  We’ve all been there—facing a system that’s inefficient, a team stuck in a rut, or a process that drains time and energy. In business, as in life, the biggest obstacles aren’t always a lack of effort or resources—it’s getting stuck in the way things have always been done. Are you ready to move beyond the stagnation and jumpstart real change? Join us for a conversation with bestselling author Dan Heath as he shares insights from Reset: How to Change What’s Not Working, and discover which small, targeted shifts can unlock meaningful progress in your workplace—and your life.

  Changing how we work can feel overwhelming. Like trying to budge an enormous boulder even an inch, it’s easy to find ourselves stifled by the gravity of the way we’ve always done things. We spend so much time fighting fires while scrambling to meet the “priority of the day” that we lack the energy to shift direction. But the good news is, with the right strategy, we can move that boulder further than we ever thought possible.

  In Reset, Heath shares a powerful yet practical approach for overcoming inertia and unlocking forward progress in any aspect of life. The secret is to find “leverage points” — places where a little bit of effort can yield outsized results—and then thoughtfully rearrange resources to push on those points even further. Heath weaves together fascinating case-studies, ranging from a freakishly effective fast-food drive-thru to an inspirational campaign that saved a million cats, to demonstrate how organizations have successfully tackled inefficiency, empowered teams, and created sustainable change without the frustration of wasted efforts or disengagement.

   

  You’ll walk away with practical strategies that can be applied immediately, including:

  • Recognize hidden barriers to progress and overcome them with strategic small shifts
  • Make smarter, more effective changes without needing more time, money, or resources
  • Find motivation and momentum by focusing on what drives real results
  • How to eliminate wasteful processes and refocus efforts on what truly moves the needle
  • Apply these insights anywhere—whether at work, at home, or in your community

  If you’re ready to rethink outdated processes, drive strategic improvements, and lead change with confidence, don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights from one of today’s top business thinkers.

  When you register, please indicate you heard about the program through ATD Houston!

  About the Author: Dan Heath is the #1 New York Times bestselling co-author (or author) of five beloved business books: Switch, Made to Stick, Decisive, The Power of Moments, and Upstream. His latest book, Reset: How to Change What’s Not Working, debuted on January 21, 2025. His books have been translated into 33 languages and have sold over 4 million copies worldwide. His writing honors include: One of the best nonfiction books of the year, according to Amazon. One of the best audiobooks of the year, according to Apple. And the OWL award for Best Business Book of the Year. Dan hosts a podcast called: “What It’s Like to Be...” In every episode, he interviews someone from a different profession: a couples therapist, a rancher, a Secret Service Agent, and more. It’s consistently a Top 10 podcast in Apple’s Careers category. He has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from the University of Texas at Austin.

  When you register, please indicate you heard about the program through ATD Houston!

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• Webinar: Beyond the Stereotypes: Building Bridges Across Generations

  • When
    May 22, 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Zoom - Link sent after registration
  • Registered
    15 registrants

  Register

  Beyond the Stereotypes: Building Bridges Across Generations

  Today’s workplace isn’t just multi-generational, it’s multi-mindset. With different expectations, communication styles, and ways of working, generational friction is inevitable. But what if those differences were an advantage instead of a barrier?

  This interactive session will break common stereotypes and give you tangible strategies to build a culture of belonging across all age groups. Instead of just discussing inclusion, we’ll actively challenge biases and explore new approaches—so you leave with tools you can implement immediately.

  Expect no-fluff. Just practical ways for leaders, HR professionals, and coaches looking to turn generational diversity into a competitive advantage

  Learning Objectives

  • Decode Generational Diversity: Understand the unique values, work styles, and motivators of Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z.
  • Challenge Stereotypes & Biases: Learn how untested assumptions block collaboration—and how to break the cycle.
  • Bridge the Divide: Apply fresh, research-backed strategies to enhance belonging, communication, and teamwork across generations.
  • Make Inclusion Practical: Walk away with actionable tools to integrate employee wellbeing, adaptability, and trust into your workplace culture.

  ATD Capability Model – Performance Improvement, Learning Technologies

  To learn more about this model see: https://tdcapability.org/#/

  Houria Bellatif is a leadership coach-sultant, facilitator, and speaker who thrives at the intersection of organizational transformation, behavioral science, and real-world leadership development. With 20+ years of global experience spanning Aerospace, Energy, Retail, Government, Healthcare, and more, she helps leaders cut through complexity and implement practical strategies that drive change.

  Founder of Shiftingly LLC, Houria has delivered 1,200+ hours of workshops and coached professionals at every level—from front-line managers to executive leadership teams. Known for interactive, high-impact sessions, she fuses strategy, emotional intelligence, and continuous improvement methodologies to reshape how leaders and teams work together.

  Her philosophy? "Bring curiosity. Be hands-on. Lead the shift."

  
  

  VIRTUAL PRODUCER 

  
  

  www.elsie.co

  
  

  
  

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• General Meeting: Beyond the Gut Feeling: Using Data to Transform Learning

  • When
    June 10, 2025
  •  
    5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Location
    United Way, 50 Waugh Drive, Houston, TX 77007
  • Spaces left
    49

  Register

  Beyond the Gut Feeling: Using Data to Transform Learning

  As organizations increasingly prioritize alignment of business goals and objectives, integrating data analysis into the learning design lifecycle has become more crucial than ever. As a talent development and learning professional, understanding the impact of data on learning design, and ultimately our organizational performance, offers a competitive edge in navigating a rapidly evolving digital landscape. This session will provide you with tools to leverage innovative strategies to analyze both qualitative and quantitative data in your day-to-day design work. Interactive discussions and breakout exercises will allow you to reflect on your current practices and build a data-forward mindset.

  Learner Objectives:

  • Discuss the evolving role of learning designers
  • Explore strategies for analyzing qualitative and quantitative data
  • Cultivate an environment that prioritizes data-driven decision making

  
  

  ATD Capability Model – Performance Improvement, Learning Technologies

  To learn more about this model see: https://tdcapability.org/

  Speakers

  Niv Iyer, originally from Singapore and now based in Houston, Texas, has spent over five years at the crossroads of learning and technology. As an ambitious young professional, she brings extensive hands-on experience in academic research, data science, teaching, and learning experience design. Passionate about leveraging data analytics to help imagine and activate future-ready individuals, Niv is excited to engage with and learn from the audience. In her spare time, she enjoys coding and experimenting with Python (the programming language, not the snake).

  Niv holds a Master's degree in Cognitive Science in Education from Columbia University, where she specialized in learning analytics and intelligent technologies.

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• Webinar: Beyond the Org Chart, Leading Up, Down, and Across

  • When
    June 26, 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Zoom - Link sent after registration
  • Registered
    2 registrants

  Register

  Beyond the Org Chart, Leading Up, Down, and Across

  Leadership isn’t about a title or a seat at the table—it’s about your ability to influence outcomes, relationships, and the environment around you. In today’s dynamic workplace, leadership is everyone’s business. This session explores the concept of 360° leadership—what it truly means to lead in all directions: up to your leaders, across with peers, and down with your teams.

  We’ll dive especially deep into the art of leading up—one of the most critical yet often overlooked leadership skills. Participants will learn how to communicate with intention, anticipate needs, and support their leaders in a way that builds trust and drives alignment. Managing up effectively not only positions you as a strategic partner, it also increases your visibility, impact, and ability to influence decisions.

  Through stories, frameworks, and practical tools, we’ll break down how to build credibility and create influence, no matter your position on the org chart. Participants will learn how to navigate workplace dynamics more strategically, elevate their voice, and align their efforts with organizational goals.

  As a takeaway, participants will create their own Leadership Influence Action Plan—a simple yet powerful tool that helps them reflect on their current leadership impact and identify key strategies to lead more effectively in all directions. This plan will empower them to take immediate, intentional steps to expand their influence and drive meaningful impact—starting right where they are.

  ATD Capability Model – Performance Improvement, Learning Technologies

  To learn more about this model see: https://capability.td.org/

  Speaker:

  With over 20 years of experience in leadership development, executive coaching, and strategic HR, Liz Brashears brings a powerful blend of insight, compassion, and results-driven strategy to every role she steps into. As the former Executive Director of Leadership and Organizational Development at TriNet, she spearheaded enterprise-wide initiatives in leadership training, employee engagement, performance development, recognition, and mentoring. Liz is also an experienced facilitator and keynote speaker, having led sessions on topics such as emotional intelligence, mindset shifts, personal storytelling, and navigating stress in high-pressure environments. Her dynamic approach weaves together research-backed practices with real-world applications, making her sessions both practical and inspiring.

  Outside the corporate setting, Liz is a certified executive and life coach known for guiding individuals through meaningful growth and helping leaders tackle challenges with clarity and confidence. She holds a Master’s in Organizational Behavior with a focus on Executive Coaching from the University of Texas at Dallas and brings deep expertise in behavioral assessments, including certifications in Hogan, DISC, Predictive Index, MBTI, SDI Core Strengths, and the Executive Presence Index (ExPI). A self-proclaimed “assessment junkie,” Liz is passionate about using tools and insights to unlock human potential and develop purpose-driven leaders who engage, inspire, and lead with authenticity.

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• RESCHEDULED Webinar: Demonstrate the Impact and ROI of Talent Investments

  • When
    August 21, 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Zoom - Link sent after registration
  • Registered
    52 registrants

  Register

  Demonstrate the Impact and ROI of Talent Investments

  How we work has forever changed, but one thing that remains the same is the need to show the value of what we do. In fact, given today’s flexible work environment and uncertainty in the economy, showing the value of our work has never been more important. The good news is that it is doable, regardless of your role or the projects for which you are responsible.

  Showing the value of what you do requires ROI thinking–the type of thinking that focuses on results, not activities. It begins with answering the question, “Why?” This helps ensure there is a compelling reason for the work you are doing or the project you are pursuing. This is followed by setting clear expectations so you can design the effort with results in mind. From there it is a matter of collecting and analyzing data and reporting results.

  This session will give participants practice in using these important skills through a review of a case study. Participants will learn strategies to address some of the more challenging areas in an evaluation: collecting data post-program, isolating the effects of programs on improvement in business measures, and converting measures to money.

  ATD Capability Model – Performance Improvement, Learning Technologies

  To learn more about this model see: https://tdcapability.org/#/

  Patti P. Phillips, Ph.D., is the co-founder and CEO of ROI Institute, Inc., a US-based consulting firm that serves for-profit, not-for-profit, government, and non-governmental organizations in 70 countries as they build capability in measurement, evaluation, and human capital analytics.

  An internationally recognized leader in measurement and analytics, Patti is routinely invited to speak at industry conferences worldwide and contributes to the growing amount of research in human capital and human capital analytics. Her expertise is documented in over 70 books, has been cited on CNBC, Euronews, and National Geographic, and published in more than a dozen business journals.

  She and her husband and business partner, Jack J. Phillips, are the recipients of the 2024 Association of Learning Providers (ISA) Thought Leader Award, the 2022 Association for Talent Development (ATD) Thought Leader Award, and the 2019 Center for Talent Reporting Distinguished Contributor Award. In 2019, she was named among the top fifty coaches globally by the Thinkers50 organization and named a finalist for the Marshall Goldsmith Distinguished Achievement Award for Coaching.

  Patti is currently chair of the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp) People Analytics Board, senior advisor for The Conference Board, chair of the International Federation of Training and Development Organizations (IFTDO), and board member of the International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI). She previously served as the vice chair and finance committee member of the United Nations Institute of Training and Research (UNITAR) board of trustees and continues to serve on the UNITAR Evaluation Advisory Committee.

  VIRTUAL PRODUCER 

  
  

  www.elsie.co

  
  

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