ATD-LA News

Member since:

2017

Professional role/position:

Management Consultant

ATD-LA volunteer role/position:

Director of Marketing and Communications

Why do you volunteer for ATD-LA?

Talent Development is the lifeblood of a company. Successful businesses are the result of effective leadership and teamwork in all levels of the organization.

Favorite ATD-LA memory:

Participating in Pepperdine Graziadio Business School's Nonprofit Board Mixer with fellow ATD-LA board members

Member since:

2018

Professional role/position:

Learning Facilitator

ATD-LA volunteer role/position:

New member orientation facilitator

Why do you volunteer for ATD-LA?

I volunteer at ATD-LA because I want to be part of a community that inspires passion and strives to empower all people to be great in their craft. Volunteering also gives me the chance to be involved in activities that interest me beyond what I do at my job.

Favorite ATD-LA memory:

It’s hard to pick just one! I love all the interesting discussions and group activities that happen at ATD-LA events.

Anthony Markovich, a leader of the South Bay GIG, won a free registration to an ATD Education certificate program, compliments of ATD-Los Angeles! In a gesture of appreciation for the chapter's volunteers, Ben Sieke, ATD-LA President, conducted a random drawing for the free registration that included all of ATD-LA's board members, leaders, and managers.  

Vince will be attending the ATD Certificate in Management Development course.

Please join the chapter in congratulating Anthony! And if you are interested in learning more about the benefits of volunteering with ATD-LA, be sure to check out the volunteer page.

Member since:

2002

Professional role/position:

Learning Director, Adult Learning & Workforce Education Group, LLC (alaweg.com)

ATD-LA volunteer role/position:

Special Interest Group Leader - Nonprofit Trainers & Instructional Designers

Why do you volunteer for ATD-LA?

It's such a great resource. How could I not share it with others?! I really enjoy connecting people to resources and providing opportunities to learn with and from other L&D professionals.

Favorite ATD-LA memory:

A while ago, I participated in the mentoring program and had a great mentor Jane Holcomb who was generous with her advice, intentional about the development opportunities she recommended, and just an overall smart entrepreneur. I didn't know it then, but she set me up nicely with the toolbox I needed to make the transition to external consulting one year later. I truly enjoyed all of our conversations, learnings, and ah-has!

On June 28, 2019, the Los Angeles Chapter of the Association for Talent Development (ATD-LA) was recognized for its submission to the ATD “Sharing Our Success” (SOS) program. The national SOS program identifies best practices among local ATD chapters and uses them as models for other chapters.

The SOS submission titled “Navigating SHRM Credit Process and Job Aid” was prepared by Kavita Gupta, Director of Chapter Meetings, and Grant Skakun, Office Administrator.

The SOS described ATD-LA’s process of becoming a SHRM recertification provider, adding events to SHRM’s database, advertising participation in the program, and distributing activity IDs to event participants.  

ATD will recognize this achievement by featuring a description of the project on the Chapter Leader Community’s SOS webpage, including an article in the Leader Connection Newsletter, and recognizing the chapter at the 2019 ATD Chapter Leaders Conference.

This latest recognition reflects the second SOS recognition for ATD-LA over the past three years and the sixth SOS recognition overall for the chapter. ATD-LA was first recognized by the SOS program in 2003.

To learn more about other awards and recognition ATD-LA has received, click here. For more information about opportunities to volunteer with the chapter, click here.

Member Since

ATD (formerly ASTD) member for 8 years, served on two other ATD boards. ATD- LA member since June 2018.

Professional Role/Position

USC Rossier Learning Design Technology Advisory Board Chair.

ATD-LA Role

President-Elect, Director Chapter Meetings.

Why Do You Volunteer for ATD-LA

As a way of giving back to ATD and the L&D community and to learn and grow professionally. Volunteer work has intrinsic rewards and it is always very gratifying to work with students and fellow colleagues that share common interests, meet new people and help an organization achieve its goals.

Favorite ATD-LA Memory

Meeting past presidents and chapter leaders from decades past at the February chapter meeting on leadership presented by Professor Pete Cardon of USC, when chapter leadership was recognized. The stories and advice they shared reinforced why ATD plays such a valuable role in a learning & development professional's life and how many careers are begun, built and renewed from ATD relationships. The LA chapter is 75 years old and its position as a leading chapter was only earned by the hard work of its leaders and contributing members.

Member since:

I have been a member of ATD since 2008 and a member of the local chapter for 5+ years, although not continuously.

Professional role/position:

Professionally, I work for Landmark Theatres as their Director of Training. This is a one person department which I have held for the last decade, although I have worked for Landmark for 30 years total.

ATD-LA volunteer role/position:

I volunteer as the chair for the Westside GIG, and I have volunteered in this capacity since the beginning of 2018, taking it over from Rachel Karu who did it for more than a decade.

Why do you volunteer for ATD-LA?

I volunteer because I need the community. Being a one person department and not having a budget for developing myself, I rely on the networking and friendships I have made along the way through this organization to keep me grounded and inspired.

Favorite ATD-LA memory:

It would be hard to pick one memory. I enjoy the chapter meetings and being inspired by listening to the stories of others the most.

Member since: October 2018

ATD-LA volunteer role/position: Interim Secretary

Why do you volunteer for ATD-LA?: I think that it's a great organization with people who truly care about the profession and the impact that they are making in their careers. I noticed a strong familial energy at the ATD-LA events and wanted to be a part of that welcoming experience. Volunteering was just the icing on the cake.

Favorite ATD-LA memory:  At the last chapter meeting, the former presidents and board members attended, and it was so great to hear about their experiences, their journeys, and where they are now in their lives and careers. 

Member Since: June 2018

Professional Role/Position:  I'm an Instructional Designer at Dine Brands Global where I develop training for IHOP restaurants.

ATD-LA Volunteer Role/Position: I've been helping out on the ATD-LA chapter meeting planning team.

Why Do You Volunteer for ATD-LA? When I moved to Los Angeles, not only was I looking for a new job, I was in search of a professional community to connect with and invest in. From the first chapter meeting I attended, I was struck by the welcome I received and the timely and relevant content shared from the front. I knew I'd be back! I've received so much from this group in the short time I've been involved and wanted to contribute in some way. Luckily for me there were lots of ways to get involved and I found there was a place for me on the chapter planning team. I've enjoyed working with Kavita to help plan ahead for future chapter meetings and am excited for what's on the calendar!

Favorite ATD-LA Memory: The Brain Exchange chapter meeting in January was one of my favorites so far. I love the spirit of generosity in this group and I enjoyed hearing everyone's gems of wisdom at the event. One thing that stuck with me from that evening was when Fred Stevens shared about giving empathetic thought to the commute someone faced in order to get to a training event. Simply acknowledging someone's commute can go a long way to set them at ease and create a space that helps them learn. I love that! And living in Los Angeles, I think we can all relate to the struggle. I've thought of that so many times since he said it. And that was just one of about fifty things I came away with that night. Can't wait for the next one of those!

On March 13, 2019, ATD Los Angeles’ newest Community of Practice launched to a standing-room-only crowd in Chatsworth. The Nonprofit Trainers and Instructional Designers SIG caters to learning professionals working in Los Angeles’ many nonprofit organizations, and was founded by a group of nonprofit talent development professionals led by Esther Ramirios, M.Ed., M.A.

The first meeting of the Nonprofit SIG featured a presentation titled “Tips and Tricks for Quick and Dirty Training” led by Melody Lam, Learning Consultant at Farmers Insurance. Attendees were enthralled, with one participant sharing:

"My staff loved it all! It was excellent and just enough info. [My colleague] is excited to use what was shared on her upcoming presentation … Can't wait for the next meeting!"

“Melody had a great presentation that was engaging, relevant, and informative,” shared Nonprofit SIG founder Esther Ramirios. “All and all, [the event was] a great meet and greet with valuable information...in traditional ATD style!”

ATD Los Angeles’ Communities of Practice are subgroups established to help the chapter better serve our diverse member community, which spans three counties and members working in a multitude of roles and professional specializations. The Communities of Practice (COPs) may be regional – our Geographic Interest Groups (GIG) – or topical – our Special Interest Groups (SIG) – and offer our members another way to network with peers, connect with the Chapter, and gain valuable knowledge and skills. 

The Nonprofit Trainers and Instructional Designers SIG will meet 2nd Tuesday of every other month from 8am-9:30am in Chatsworth. For more information on this group and ATD-LA’s other communities of practice, click here. A complete calendar of upcoming community of practice events can be found here.