Central Ohio ATD upcoming events

COATD Networking Event @ Ohio Brewing Company (24 Jun 2026)

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 21:00:00 GMT

We’re throwing our biannual networking bash at Ohio Brewing Company, and you’re invited! Come hang out, swap summer plans, meet new people, and get to know your COATD board members.

Perks? It’s free for COATD members, and your registration comes with a free drink ticket.

And because doing good feels really good, we’re collecting donations for Star House! Bring along hygiene items, like deodorant, sunscreen, bug spray, toothbrushes, or toothpaste—and help us spread some love to teens who need it.

Let’s connect, give back, and kick off summer in style!

COATD Instructional Design SIG - July 7 (07 Jul 2026)

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Tuesday, July 7

12-1

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP - virtual

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN SIG

The Instructional Design SIG provides COATD members a forum to gain knowledge,
learn about best practices, and share resources with one another.

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN SIG LEADER

TORI SMART
Tori Smart is currently living in Ohio, but has also lived
in several states across the country giving her exposure
to character building experiences.

As an Instructional Designer she is dedicated
to elevating talent through providing learners
with meaningful educational opportunities.

During her career as a leader and patient family advocate,
Tori has worked with diverse populations coaching them
towards their best outcomes, and enhancing their wellbeing.

COATD Organizational Development SIG - July 17 (17 Jul 2026)

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 11:30:00 GMT

Friday, July 17

7:30 - 8:45

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP - virtual

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SIG
We provide a forum for COATD members to gain knowledge, learn about best practices, and share resources with one another. In addition, this forum will champion the efforts around diversity, equity, and inclusion for talent development professionals to embrace our multicultural workforce.

MEET YOUR ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SIG LEADER

MARY HELD

Mary coaches leaders on how to get maximum engagement from their employees and the highest level of performance and productivity from their teams.

She is a business coach, and her focus is on the development of high performance teams.

In business, like any other area, teams don’t just spontaneously come together.

The level of engagement and performance you get from your team depends on the quality of leadership in the organization and the degree to which top leaders and managers throughout the organization are committed to training, coaching, and mentoring talent in the workforce … and promoting teamwork as a way of life.

COATD Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion SIG - July 23 (23 Jul 2026)

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Thursday, July 23

12 - 1

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP - virtual

DIVERSITY, EQUITY,
& INCLUSION

ABOUT THE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION SIG
We provide a forum for COATD members to gain knowledge,
learn about best practices, and share resources with one another.

In addition, this forum will champion the efforts around diversity, equity,
and inclusion for talent development professionals to embrace
our multicultural workforce.

MEET YOUR DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION SIG LEADER

MAT STUCKEY

Mathew has over 10 years of learning and development experience, most recently as a Senior Talent Development Trainer for Columbus State Community College (CSCC).

In addition, he has been an advocate
for LGBTQIA+ issues.

While at NiSource, Mathew was a founder and
President of the LGBTQIA+ ERG, NiPRIDE, implementing a variety of companywide initiatives.

Currently, Mathew is the co-lead for PRISM, the CSCC LGBTQIA+ ERG
and is a graduate of United Way’s Project Diversity/Pride Leadership program.

COATD Technology SIG - August 11 (11 Aug 2026)

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Tuesday, August 11

12 - 1

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP - virtual

TECHNOLOGY

ABOUT THE SESSION

The Technology SIG is an open forum discussion about
all things L&D Technology with occasional short presentations.
Come with questions and answers.
If you have an L&D Tech question, this is for you.

ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY SIG

Technology is constantly changing and growing in demand,
and it can certainly enhance your training.

Topics may include elearning, video, mobile, virtual ILT, gamification, accessibility, LMS, software/online tools, automation, augmented reality, artificial intelligence or other topics.

We provide a forum for COATD members to network, share and learn best practices and trends in technology that supports talent development.

Have a question or just want to keep up? Come join us!

MEET YOUR TECHNOLOGY SIG LEADER

Todd is an Instructional Designer and Curriculum Developer with a background in elearning, multimedia, project management, accessibility, user experience design, gamification, visual design, and more.
He has been a leader in non-profits for many years including Toastmasters, Nationwide’s Accessibility Advocate Forum, and Central Ohio ATD (4 years as VP of SIGs and 6 years as Technology SIG leader.)

He has taught adult education classes at OSU, presented at WSU, UI and several industry conferences on multimedia, usability, gamification, automation
and how to speak. He enjoys creating experiences
that train, communicate and entertain audiences.

In addition to working as an Instructional Designer and Curriculum Developer, past roles include Art Director, Multimedia Touch-screen Kiosks Developer,
and Usability Specialist.
For the past 20 years he was a Learning and Performance Consultant
at Nationwide and now works for the Ohio Department of Aging.

COATD Independent Consultant SIG - August 18 (18 Aug 2026)

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Tuesday, August 18

12 - 1

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP - virtual

INDEPENDENT CONSLUTANT

ABOUT THE INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT SIG

The Independent Consultant SIG fosters collaboration and continuous learning among a diverse group of independent professionals working to make a positive impact in the field of Learning & Development.

MEET YOUR INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT SIG LEADER

Jake Harter, MHRM, PHR, is a Fractional Talent Management Consultant and owner of BellevueHRM.

He specializes in elevating organizations from "good"
to "great" by creating institutional programs
and processes that foster thriving, proactive,

and agile workforces.

With a proven track record supporting global
Fortune 500 companies and family-owned businesses, coupled with a Master's in Human Resources Management and a Professional in Human Resources® certification,
Jake excels in identifying high-potential employees, managing complex
change management programs, and driving revenue growth through
strategic workforce planning.

COATD Leadership Development SIG - August 19 (19 Aug 2026)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Wednesday, August 19

12 - 1

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP - virtual

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

ABOUT THE LEADERHIP DEVELOPMENT SIG

No successful organization exists without effective leadership. It is the primary driver for growth, development, and innovation.

For the participants in this SIG, leader development is not only what they do, but also what they love to do, and we enjoy learning from each other’s experiences, history and ideas.

Join us to discuss current leadership trends and how we are developing the leaders of today and tomorrow.

MEET YOUR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMET SIG LEADERS

Dr. Adam Bowman, Psy.D., SHRM‑CP, PHR, is an organizational psychologist, executive coach, and Senior Training Consultant at Sedgwick, where he has been a dedicated team member since 2007. He specializes in developing leaders and managers through programs such as Sedgwick’s STAR and SOAR initiatives and partners closely with leadership on engagement, coaching, and organizational development strategies.

With expertise in leadership development, conflict resolution, organizational justice, and employee development, Dr. Bowman designs and facilitates learning experiences for professionals across the insurance and healthcare industries. He also brings extensive experience as a court mediator, facilitator, and organizational consultant, supporting individuals and teams in navigating complex interpersonal and organizational challenges.

Adam is a passionate educator, teaching graduate psychology courses at Grand Canyon University and Southern New Hampshire University. He is also actively involved in the Central Ohio chapter of the Association for Talent Development (ATD) and serves on the leadership team of Sedgwick’s Neurodiversity and Disability Colleague Resource Group (CRG).

Dr. Bowman holds a doctorate in Personal and Organizational Psychology and maintains both SHRM‑CP and PHR human resources certifications.

Ankit Shah is a dynamic and purpose-driven leader with more than a decade of experience in talent development, culture & engagement, and workforce development across a wide range of industries. With a career rooted in service and impact, Ankit has built a reputation for helping organizations create spaces where professionals across generations can thrive, collaborate, and grow.

Drawing from his multifaceted career journey, Ankit specializes in aligning talent strategies with cultures of belonging, translating human connection into business success. He is known for turning complex challenges into practical, people-centered solutions that resonate across organizational levels, from the frontline to the C-suite.

Ankit serves as the Co-Chair for the COATD Leadership Development SIG, where he partners to curate and facilitate high-impact programming for leaders across industries. Additionally, he serves as the Professional Development Chair for the OSU Alumni Association’s Franklin County Club, where he creates and delivers relevant development programming for a multigenerational alumni community. He also serves as a Brand Ambassador for the Central Ohio Belonging Consortium, helping expand awareness, engagement, and membership for the organization.

Ankit holds a BS in Early Childhood Education from the University of Toledo and a MEd in Higher Education Administration with specialization in Student Affairs from North Carolina State University. He graduated with his second master’s degree, an MA in Workforce Development & Education with specialization in Adult Education & Human Resources Development from The Ohio State University.

2026 COATD Connect: Talent & Learning Summit (08 Sep 2026)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT

SAVE THE DATE!!

Central Ohio ATD’s Connect: Talent & Learning Summit builds on what we’ve learned over the past year and provides real, cutting-edge solutions aligned with adult learning theory. You will learn how to utilize new strategies, increase engagement, make learning more accessible, and improve performance by leveraging the power of our community's knowledge and experiences.

Register soon - early-bird registration ends on July 31st!

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

We are excited to announce that this year’s conference features...

Kassy LaBorie

Title: We Don't Need Less Tech. We Need More Joy.

In a world shaped by constant notifications, artificial intelligence, automation, and digital communication, many people are asking the same question: how do we stay meaningfully connected without losing ourselves in the process?

In this thought-provoking and highly interactive keynote, Kassy LaBorie explores how joy, creativity, self-expression, presence, and intentional human connection help us remain fully human and fully expressed in increasingly technological environments.

Blending powerful stories, audience interaction, practical insight, and moments of reflection, this experience challenges audiences to rethink the role of artistry, play, participation, and humanity in the way we communicate, lead, collaborate, and learn.

Because the future does not belong only to Artificial Intelligence. It also belongs to Intentional Humanity.

About Kassy

Kassy LaBorie is a Human-Centered Futurist, a globally recognized pioneer in virtual training, and the two-time bestselling author of Interact and Engage! 75+ Activities for Virtual Training, Meetings, and Webinars and Producing Virtual Training, Meetings, and Webinars. Known for her bold energy and practical tools, Kassy equips audiences to embrace new technologies, engage their people, and shine using her signature Y-O-U Framework: Your Invitation, Own the Tools, Unleash Your Presence.

COATD Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion SIG - September 17 (17 Sep 2026)

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Thursday, September 17

12 - 1

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP - virtual

DIVERSITY, EQUITY,
& INCLUSION

ABOUT THE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION SIG
We provide a forum for COATD members to gain knowledge,
learn about best practices, and share resources with one another.

In addition, this forum will champion the efforts around diversity, equity,
and inclusion for talent development professionals to embrace
our multicultural workforce.

MEET YOUR DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION SIG LEADER

MAT STUCKEY

Mathew has over 10 years of learning and development experience, most recently as a Senior Talent Development Trainer for Columbus State Community College (CSCC).

In addition, he has been an advocate
for LGBTQIA+ issues.

While at NiSource, Mathew was a founder and
President of the LGBTQIA+ ERG, NiPRIDE, implementing a variety of companywide initiatives.

Currently, Mathew is the co-lead for PRISM, the CSCC LGBTQIA+ ERG
and is a graduate of United Way’s Project Diversity/Pride Leadership program.

COATD Organizational Development SIG - September 18 (18 Sep 2026)

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 11:30:00 GMT

Friday, September 18

7:30 - 8:45

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP - virtual

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

MEET YOUR ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SIG LEADER

MARY HELD

COATD Technology SIG - October 13 (13 Oct 2026)

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Tuesday, October 13

12 - 1

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP - virtual

TECHNOLOGY

ABOUT THE SESSION

The Technology SIG is an open forum discussion about
all things L&D Technology with occasional short presentations.
Come with questions and answers.
If you have an L&D Tech question, this is for you.

ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY SIG

Technology is constantly changing and growing in demand,
and it can certainly enhance your training.

Topics may include elearning, video, mobile, virtual ILT, gamification, accessibility, LMS, software/online tools, automation, augmented reality, artificial intelligence or other topics.

We provide a forum for COATD members to network, share and learn best practices and trends in technology that supports talent development.

Have a question or just want to keep up? Come join us!

MEET YOUR TECHNOLOGY SIG LEADER

COATD Independent Consultant SIG - October 20 (20 Oct 2026)

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Tuesday, October 20

12 - 1

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP - virtual

INDEPENDENT CONSLUTANT

ABOUT THE INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT SIG

MEET YOUR INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT SIG LEADER

Jake Harter, MHRM, PHR, is a Fractional Talent Management Consultant and owner of BellevueHRM.

He specializes in elevating organizations from "good"
to "great" by creating institutional programs
and processes that foster thriving, proactive,

and agile workforces.

COATD Leadership Development SIG - October 21 (21 Oct 2026)

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Wednesday, October 21

12 - 1

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP - virtual

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

ABOUT THE LEADERHIP DEVELOPMENT SIG

No successful organization exists without effective leadership. It is the primary driver for growth, development, and innovation.

For the participants in this SIG, leader development is not only what they do, but also what they love to do, and we enjoy learning from each other’s experiences, history and ideas.

Join us to discuss current leadership trends and how we are developing the leaders of today and tomorrow.

MEET YOUR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMET SIG LEADERS

Dr. Bowman holds a doctorate in Personal and Organizational Psychology and maintains both SHRM‑CP and PHR human resources certifications.

COATD Organizational Development SIG - November 13 (13 Nov 2026)

Fri, 13 Nov 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Friday, November 13

7:30 - 8:45

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP - virtual

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

MEET YOUR ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SIG LEADER

MARY HELD