Maura Lemon is a corporate educator and strategic advisor with a proven ability to drive employee engagement and business transformation. She has held leadership roles at top organizations like Disney, Warner Bros., and FDH Aero, where she designed impactful learning programs, led organizational change, and aligned workforce development with business objectives. Known for her consultative approach and cost-effective talent solutions, Maura consistently delivers measurable improvements in satisfaction, retention, and performance. A trusted leader with strong coaching skills, she excels at building high-performing teams and fostering a culture of growth and collaboration. Maura holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and a BA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and remains committed to advancing talent development as a key driver of organizational success.

Tim Erickson is a seasoned Learning and Development professional with over 10 years of experience, including 5 years as an independent consultant, specializing in leadership development, coaching, and human capital strategy. He currently serves as Sr. Learning & Development Partner at Partners, a Walt Disney company, where he designs and implements impactful leadership programs. Tim holds a Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and certifications in Executive Coaching, Hogan Assessments, and Lean Six Sigma. Passionate about advancing the L&D profession, he is dedicated to creating strategies that enhance employee engagement, professional growth, and organizational success.

Welcome John, to the Leadership Team

Anupa Naik is a veteran Learning & Development professional with a comprehensive background in a variety of leadership and consulting roles, industries, and Fortune 500 companies such as AIG, L‘Oreal USA, United Airlines, and more. A Chicago native, she earned a Master’s degree in Adult Education from Loyola University Chicago, then moved to New York City where she lived, worked and also served on the Board of ATD New York. Now a new resident of the Southern California area, Anupa is excited to collaborate with the local L&D community, share experiences and explore opportunities to build our collective expertise and grow in our careers.

Valerie Quezada has 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry ranging from clinical to commercial manufacturing with a variety of responsibilities. Her current role at Takeda Los Angeles is Instructional System Designer, supporting multiple business units. In this capacity she develops eLearning, designs various curricula, and facilitates training sessions. She recently obtained her M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology from California State College, Fullerton and in addition holds a B.S. in Animal Science from California State Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo. In her spare time, she explores the local trails with her horse Cowgirl.

Jeff Trovinger is a Talent Development leader and consultant with 15 years' experience in crafting people-centric talent solutions for non-profit organizations, government agencies, and retail, sales, and distribution companies. His passion for excellence and commitment to continuous learning and growth are alive in what he’s professionally realized: MBA in Organizational Leadership from Mount Saint Mary’s University (Los Angeles), ATD Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD), ATD Master Trainer certification, SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SCP) and TMI Talent Management Practitioner. From his Midwest roots to current home in Long Beach (a dream come true), Jeff’s career journey from Training Coordinator to Director and everything in between has shaped his overarching perspective on developing human potential – build connection and trust, lean into strengths, and always be learning and willing to adapt. As he embarks on this new chapter as a member of the greater Los Angeles ATD community, he is thrilled to learn from, collaborate with, and bring fresh perspectives to the current and next generation of Talent Development professionals who are also inspired and committed to making a difference in others’ personal and professional lives.

Van Nguyen has twenty years of experience within the realms of marketing and advertising. She has occupied esteemed positions, such as Vice President and President, within numerous advertising agencies, where she adeptly spearheaded cross-functional teams and provided mentorship to individuals throughout her career. Most recently, she undertook the role of Director of Marketing, where she was instrumental in the development and training of a cohesive team within the department. As a fervent proponent of Talent and Development initiatives, she uniformly espouses a “people first" philosophy in all organizations with which she engages.

Co-Leader, Professionals in Transition Special Interest Group (SIG)

Kesha Thomas Clark is an experienced professional currently working to transition into the learning and development field. Recently, Kesha worked with UCLA’s Office of Undergraduate Admission and the Association for Talent Development—Orange County chapter to facilitate leadership workshops to executive staff and senior managers. Driven by a desire to help people, Kesha is interested in leveraging her unique experience in business and the nonprofit sector to create impactful strategies and learning experiences that support professional growth and organizational success.

Co-Leader, Professionals in Transition Special Interest Group (SIG)

James Oakley is an Instructional Designer and eLearning Developer who specializes in the electrical, engineering, and technical spaces. He started out his career as a High School English Teacher and then took his passion for education into adult learning. Most recently, James developed a comprehensive curriculum of eLearning and Instructor-Led training courses for Critical Facility Engineers in Meta Data Centers across the globe. In this space, James makes meaningful and results driven training experiences for Fortune 500 companies.

Leader, Young Professionals Special Interest Group (SIG)

Shania Sharma is a Learning Experience Designer with four years of experience creating engaging and impactful learning programs. She started her career as a people skills training vendor building live training for organizations such as Subway, Calendly, and Asana. Currently, she works at a healthcare organization, training staff on topics such as patient-centered care, leadership, and clinical excellence. Shania is passionate about building communities that foster growth, belonging, and shared purpose, and practices this in her personal and professional life.

Mentorship Program Manager