ATD Central Pennsylvania upcoming events

Podcasting as a Learning Strategy: From Concept to Launch (Virtual) (05/20/2026)

Wed, 20 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Program Description:

Podcasts aren’t just for marketing or entertainment — they’re becoming a practical, flexible tool in the modern learning ecosystem. In this session, you’ll hear how organizations are using podcasts to extend training, reinforce key messages, and reach learners in the flow of work.

d'Vinci Interactive's Ashlea Novalis will share how JULIE integrates podcasts into its training approach. Beth Buchanan will discuss how Penske Logistics leverages podcasts to support workforce development. Susan Cort will walk through how d’Vinci built its Powered by Learning podcast and outline the practical steps for launching and sustaining a podcast of your own.

Identify effective use cases for podcasts in training, reinforcement, leadership development, or knowledge sharing.

Evaluate whether podcasting is an appropriate modality for their specific audience and learning objectives.

Outline the key logistical components required to launch and sustain a podcast (planning, equipment, production, distribution).

Develop a basic action plan for piloting or integrating podcasts into their learning strategy.

Our speakers for this session will be Susan Cort, Beth Buchanan, and Ashlea Novalis.

Our Speakers:

Beth Buchanan, Senior Instructional Designer/Project Manager: Beth’s experience is a blend of writing and editing, storytelling, and curriculum development and design. She is passionate about the connections between narrative and learning and is at her best when she can bring her creative energy to a project. She is also a skilled instructional designer with expertise in clarifying complex subjects, managing projects, and building strong client relationships. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Maryland College Park and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing (fiction) from the University of Oregon.

Ashlea Novalis, Instructional Designer/Project Manager: With a customer-first mindset, Ashlea brings a wealth of experience in curriculum development, education, and professional training to her role as instructional designer and project manager. Ashlea’s career began in the Baltimore City Public Schools, where she wore many hats, including ESL teacher, professional development facilitator, English teacher, and curriculum developer. Her recent work as an instructional designer includes creating courses for the United States Secret Service. Ashlea holds a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education/English from Slippery Rock University and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix.

Susan Cort, Marketing & Public Relations Director: Susan leads marketing and communications for d’Vinci, where she collaborates with clients, partners, and industry leaders to share insights that advance learning and development. She produces and hosts d’Vinci’s award-winning podcast, Powered by Learning, and curates thought leadership for the company’s blog and digital channels.
Susan brings decades of communications experience spanning corporate communications, media relations, and broadcast journalism, including work as a television anchor and reporter. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in broadcast journalism from Ithaca College.

ATD Capability aligned to this event:

Organizational: Professional Business Insight

Personal: Technology Application

Understanding how work design, workforce capability, and emerging technology intersect to support organizational performance and transformation.

Knowledge of communication technologies and their applications, for example video conferencing, web-conferencing, audience response systems, and presentation software.

Skill identifying, defining, and articulating technology system requirements to support learning and talent development solutions.

Associated credits: 1.25

Visit our calendar of events to see what is happening in the ATD Central PA chapter.

Regional Webinar Series 2026: Start to Finish: Practical AI Across the Learning Design Process (05/27/2026)

Wed, 27 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Program Description:

This webinar is hosted by the Pittsburgh, PA chapter.

Start to Finish

Practical AI Across the Learning Design Process

AI is increasingly embedded in the tools learning and development professionals use, but its role in day‑to‑day design work is often unclear. This session offers a practical, start‑to‑finish walkthrough of the learning design process, showing where AI can support thinking, design, and review without replacing professional judgment.

Using a simple, end‑to‑end example, participants will explore how AI can be applied during early idea generation, the design of ILT activities and eLearning interactions, and final content review. The session emphasizes real‑world decision points and includes guided participation, reflection questions, and discussion to help attendees connect the examples to their own work. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of where AI fits into the learning design process, and where it does not.

About the Speaker:

Andy Marsula is a Lead Instructional Designer with over 18 years of experience guiding learning initiatives from early concept through delivery in complex, regulated environments. He currently leads instructional design efforts at UPMC, where he supports systemwide education initiatives, manages large‑scale regulatory learning programs, and helps teams bring structure and clarity to under‑framed learning requests.

Andy’s work sits at the intersection of instructional design, prioritization, and workflow design. He is known for helping stakeholders move from vague ideas to clear, performance‑aligned learning solutions while preventing scope creep and improving downstream decision‑making. His approach emphasizes practical design judgment, respect for learner time, and building learning that has a clear purpose from start to finish.

In addition to his day‑to‑day design and leadership work, Andy has presented on learning workflows, governance, and technology at industry conferences, and is a published contributor to The Learning Guild, where he has written on using AI as a support tool for instructional design rather than a replacement for professional expertise. He brings this grounded, process‑focused perspective to his sessions, helping learning professionals see how emerging tools can responsibly support the work they already do.

ATD Capability aligned to this event:

Developing Professional Capability: Technology; Learning Design

Associated credits: 1.25

ATD Recertification Credits:

ATD Mid-Atlantic Regional Webinar Programs are pre-approved through the ATD Greater Philadelphia Chapter by the ATD Certification Institute for continuing education credits. These credits are based on the ATD Capability Model may be applied towards recertification by Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD) credential holders.

Visit our calendar of events to see what is happening in the ATD Central PA chapter.

Battlefield Stomp: Using the Battle of Gettysburg to Teach Leadership Skills (In-Person) (06/16/2026)

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Program Description:

Are you looking for fresh ways to break the "death by PowerPoint" cycle? Join the Central PA Chapter of ATD for an evening with Higher Ground Leadership at Gettysburg on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 (Rain date: June 23).

This session isn't just a history lesson—it’s a live demonstration of experiential learning in action.

Why Talent Development Professionals Should Attend:

As L&D and talent leaders, we are constantly searching for training modalities that actually "stick." This "Battlefield Stomp" offers a premier example of how to:

Leverage Place-Based Learning: See how physical environments can be used to anchor complex leadership concepts like initiative, integrity, and the growth mindset.
Master the "Mobile" Debrief: Observe how to facilitate high-impact discussions outside of a traditional boardroom setting.
Translate History to Modern KPIs: Learn how to bridge the gap between 19th-century tactics and 21st-century workplace challenges, such as navigating difficult conversations with supervisors and managing through a crisis.

Event Details

The Experience: We will travel by van to key sites, including McPherson Ridge and Little Round Top, analyzing the leadership of figures like Buford, Reynolds, and Chamberlain on the very ground where they stood.
Snacks: We'll stop midway through the event for light refreshments
Networking: Stick around at 7:30 p.m. for an optional post-program dinner at the Appalachian Brewing Company (ABC) on Steinwehr Avenue.

Get Ready to Step Outside

If you are interested in innovative alternatives to classroom training, this is an evening you won't want to miss. Come prepared for a brief history of the farm, high-level leadership analysis, and a sunset debrief with your fellow ATD peers.

Register to reserve your spot on the van: Please wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather!

ATD Capability aligned to this event:

Professional: Career and Leadership Development

Skill in facilitating the career development planning process, for example helping employees identify needs and career goals, and preparing development plans.

Knowledge of leadership development practices and techniques, for example formal training programs, job rotation, and coaching and/or mentoring.

Skill in sourcing, designing, building, and evaluating leadership development experiences.

Associated credits: 2.5

Visit our calendar of events to see what is happening in the ATD Central PA chapter.