Keynote Speakers
Jennifer De Vries, CPT, is the President and Chief Solutions Architect for BlueStreak Learning. Jennifer has over 20 years of experience in managing elearning programs for companies such as IBM, Motorola, and Thomson NETg. She frequently writes on the topic of elearning for industry journals and is best known for her groundbreaking report about rapid elearning published by Berson & Associates. Her company, BlueStreak Learning, focuses on helping organizations successfully start and grow high-quality, customer-focused elearning programs.
Marty Rosenheck, Ph.D., CPT, is Chief Learning Strategist and VP at Cedar Interactive. Marty has been helping people and organizations develop award-winning performance-based training for over 25 years. Based on his doctoral work in cognitive science, Marty developed a learning approach called Performance Centered Learning®, which accelerates learners' speed to proficiency through the application of cognitive learning research. He has shared his ideas in numerous presentations, workshops, and industry publications, including CLO Magazine and Training Today.
Session Speakers
Dave Anderson is an e-learning designer with more than 13 years of experience in online training. His portfolio includes custom e-learning design for NASCAR, Mercedes, Tufts University, Delta, and America West Airlines. As Community Manager at Articulate, he works with the e-learning community, helping users get the most from their tools, while finding creative ways to build more engaging courses. He also shares e-learning tips and tricks in Articulate's Community Forums.
Brigitte Barrett-Johnston is the Director of Curriculum for The Nielsen Company. As part of the Global Learning Services division, Brigitte liaises with businesses across the organization to develop and design curriculum plans and online training for Nielsen's international employees and clients. Brigitte has a degree in Communications; an extensive background in television, media, training, and development; and classroom and online teaching experience.
Jeffrey Berk has 15 years of experience in e-learning. As Chief Operating Officer for Knowledge Advisors, he manages internal and customer-facing operations and formulates strategic solutions. Previously, Jeffrey was a leader of the Benchmarking Group at Andersen. He is also a certified public accountant, holds an MBA from the University of Chicago, and is an Adjunct Professor at Loyola University of Chicago. He recently coauthored and published the book Human Capital Analytics.
Allison Black is the Client and Media Services Manager for KnowledgeShift. She is a certified project manager and has several years of experience assisting with large training project initiatives. She develops content, does voice over work, and writes scripts. Allison also has a second life as a professional improv artist and actress. She has performed at SecondCity, Annoyance, Comedy Sportz, and the Comedy Shrine.
Paul Dahl has been working for associations for over 10 years. In his current role as Distance Learning Coordinator for the Council of Residential Specialists, he focuses on how to continually improve the learning experience of members attending the association's webinars. Paul is a member of ASTD.
David Denz is Vice President of Learning Design and Application at Illumen Group. He has over 20 years experience as a marketing and advertising professional with clients that include Quaker Oats, Sears, Brunswick, Baxter, and U.S. Cellular. The past four years, Dave has applied his creative and communication experience to learning through the blending of content, technology, and imaginative delivery. Dave holds a B.S. from Purdue University and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
Ed Duffy, M.Ed., is a learning professional with 13 years of consulting experience for leading Fortune 500 companies and non-profit organizations. Ed helps to solve their business problems and move employees into action through the delivery of compelling communications and training programs. He currently operates his own company, Ed Duffy Communications.
Jim Goldsmith is a Senior Manager in the Capability Development group at Accenture. He has over 27 years of experience in developing and managing a wide range of training and capability initiatives. Jim enjoys finding the right tools and approaches for business capability needs and opportunities. His clients have included Aetna, Caterpillar, and CNA Insurance. Jim has an MBA from the University of Connecticut and is a Master Judge for the 2010 Brandon Hall Awards.
Joe Gorup is the founder and CEO of CourseAvenue. He focuses on the integration of adaptive technologies—such as screen readers and voice command software—with e-learning courses. Joe has led numerous sessions on Section 508 compliance and e-learning, including as a co-presenter at the U.S. Government Section 508 Coordinator meeting and with the U.S. Department of Education for ASTD's Washington D.C. chapter. He holds a B.S. in Systems Analysis from Miami University (Ohio).
Christina Griffin is a Learning Strategist for Accenture. She ensures that learning experiences are phenomenal and align with business strategies. Christina has 17 years of experience in synchronous and asynchronous e-learning and has developed over 3,500 hours of learning. Her primary focus is merging virtual technologies with learning and collaboration approaches to submerge learners in the process of learning. Christina's clients have included American Express, American College of Surgeons, and Time Warner Cable.
Molly Heilmann is the Vice President of Client Relations at Centrax. She helps clients define individual training solutions and identify the best e-learning design for their key business criteria and environment. Molly has a background in technology account management and experience in starting, owning, and operating a small business. She has a B.A. English from the University of Michigan.
Michael Henry, M.S.Ed., is an eLearning Producer for Point-Productions. He has been teaching online courses, using synchronous environments and asynchronous simulations, for over 15 years. As Associate Director of Instructional Development at KU Edwards Campus, Michael pioneered interactive, multimedia, web-based learning environments. He has over 20 years of television production experience, has taught production, and has produced corporate training videos and instructional programming for PBS. Michael's research interests focus on social presence in mediated instruction.
Steve Lowenthal is CEO of Kineo U.S. and has over 15 years of experience in e-learning. Steve began his e-learning career by spending 7 years as a solution consultant at CognitiveArts. He went on to positions at University HealthSytem Consortium and SAI Global. Steve's speaking experience includes eLearning Guild events, the Chicago Learning Leaders Conference, and the 2009 Chicago eLearning & Technology Showcase.
Becky Lucas, CPT, has over 20 years of experience in the training industry. She has managed, designed, and developed both custom and rapidly developed web-based training. Becky has an M.S. in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University. She is the president and founder of Training Partners Plus, Inc. and the chief learning officer of RetailTraining.com.
M.E. Majeske, JD, is a Consultant for Owl's Ledge LLC. She has over 20 years of experience in the legal profession and has spent the majority of that time in training and the project management of litigation cases. M.E. proudly identifies herself as both an accidental trainer and an accidental project manager.
Deb Mansfield, a Lead Analyst for Exelon Corporation, has over 20 years of experience in information technology and has held roles in programming, management, process improvement, and training (development and delivery). Deb currently focuses on integrating SharePoint into training functions, developing eLearning with Lectora and Plateau and managing a software implementation project. She has a B.A. in Computer Science, a certificate in Organizational Development and is working toward PMP certification. She is a member of ASTD, CCASTD and PMI.
Judy Martins is the Chief Learning Officer for Mid American Regional Training INStitute. She has over 26 years of experience as a director of learning and development and holds a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Education. Judy has designed and implemented six corporate universities, which included e-learning as part of the blended learning curriculum. She is a long-time a member of ASTD and an experienced facilitator and "enter-trainer."
Nancy Munro is founder and CEO of KnowledgeShift. She has over 18 years of experience in helping organizations implement and deploy learning strategies. Nancy has worked with Motorola, Eaton, and Kraft Foods as well as small to mid-sized firms. She specializes in helping clients to address performance challenges and to align structural capabilities with revenue goals.
Dannette Nicastro is an eLearning Design Consultant for Alliant Quality Partners. She has been designing and developing for the virtual environment for the past 10 years. Dannette has a passion for creating meaningful, motivational, and memorable learning experiences. She believes that a training design is successful when participants walk away saying, "Now THAT was worth my time!" Dannette is a member of ASTD, the eLearning Guild, and the Chicago Lectora User Group.
Christine O'Malley is Director of Creative Learning for Alliant Quality Partners. She has over 20 years of experience in corporate training and 8 years in e-learning. She specializes in custom e-learning solutions developed in Lectora that are learner-centric and purposeful, with a splash of creativity to stimulate learner interest. Christine received her eLearning certification from CLARK Training & Consulting, is a student of Michael Allen, and is founder of the Chicago Lectora User Group.
Tsvetana Prieto has eight years of experience in graphic design, web animation, and video production. As a Multimedia Developer for Centrax, Tsvetana develops websites and video projects and produces graphical visual presentations for e-learning, video-based training programs, and PromoBytes. She has also created visual standards and processes, along with video storyboards. Tsvetana has worked on award-winning programs for BP and Emory University. She has a Bachelor's degree in Digital Multimedia Technology from Andrews University, Michigan.
Brian D. Richardson, PMP, is the founder and principal of Richardson Consulting Group, Inc., a professional services firm with expertise in change management and human performance. Brian has worked with clients for over 17 years to improve human performance and create lasting change. He has experience in e-learning, process redesign, knowledge management, performance support, and related disciplines.
Amanda Schulze is the Director of Distance Learning for the Council of Residential Specialists. She has over 10 years of experience in learning and development. One of Amanda's greatest strengths is leveraging technology as a learning platform to create dynamic learning experiences. This fall, she will start the Doctorate in Learning Technologies program at Pepperdine University and will focus her research on global e-learning. Amanda is a member of CCASTD.
Marcia Singery has over 16 years of sales and instructional design experience. She has developed or project-managed the development of over 19 e-learning courses. Marcia has designed courses on such topics as advanced listening skills, placenta triage, and call center response training. In 2008, Marcia held a lead role in an innovative, collaborative Articulate e-learning project. For the past two years, she has focused on e-learning design and development using Articulate.
Mark Steiner has been president of his e-learning consulting firm, mark steiner, inc. since 2001. Since 1992, he has designed, developed, and managed custom e-learning and interactive media programs for a variety of clients. His roles have included group director, lead instructional designer, and lead programmer. Mark holds an M.S. in Industrial Training. He has instructed graduate-level courses on e-learning and has spoken at training and e-learning conferences in the United States and Europe.
Trish Uhl, PMP, CPLP, is CEO of Owl's Ledge LLC. She has received Training magazine's Top Young Trainer Award and co-authored two books, 10 Steps to Successful Teams and Fortify Your Sales Force: Leading and Training Exceptional Teams. She has spoken at the ASTD International Conference & Exposition. Trish is passionate about helping learning and performance professionals become willing and able to address the complexity, change, and chaos involved with building the 21st-century workforce.
Thomas Voigt is the Director of Learning Technology for The Nielsen Company. As part of the Global Learning Services division, Thomas and his team of instructional designers produce and deploy a wide array of online training for Nielsen's international employees and clients. Thomas has a degree in Education; an extensive background in graphic design and broadcast, print, and advertising media; and experience in classroom teaching and public speaking.