March 17, 2026 8:00AM -9:00AM
Spill the Beans Coffee and Bagels (Mission Valley)
525 Camino De La Reina, San Diego, CA 92108
☕ Coffee. Conversation. Community.
Join us for an in-person Coffee ‘n Conversations at Spill the Beans Coffee n Bagels in Mission Valley on St. Patrick's Day! A relaxed, no-pressure space to connect with fellow learning and talent development professionals.
What is it about St. Patrick's Day? We will discuss this uniquely American holiday and why it has such a hold on our culture.
Hosted by Gregg Ward, ATD San Diego Board Member and the Executive Director of The Center of Respectful Leadership.
Kick off your mentorship journey with a virtual orientation focused on active listening. Mentors and mentees will learn how to listen deeply, ask powerful questions and create a safe space for honest dialogue. A virtual producer will support breakout room logistics, allowing participants to practice what they learn in small groups.
In this session you will:
Explore the art of listening and why it’s critical to building trust and rapport.
Practice asking powerful, open‑ended questions that draw out insights from your partner.
Learn how to create a non‑judgmental space where mentors and mentees feel heard and valued.
You will leave with:
A simple framework for active listening that you can use in every mentorship conversation.
Greater confidence in your ability to show up fully – because great mentorship starts with caring and being present.
Connections with other program participants through interactive breakout exercises.
Speaker: Alan Krieger is a leadership and communication skills trainer who created the T.E.A.M. Communication Styles assessment after recognizing the need for an accessible, low‑cost tool. Since founding Krieger Solutions in 1992, he has provided leadership and people‑skills training to thousands of participants across industries. Alan will share practical tips to enhance listening and communication in mentor–mentee relationships.
Website: https://teamcommunicationstyles.com/about/
Note: Attendance at this orientation and the four subsequent sessions is required for program completion. By attending, you acknowledge that photographs and/or videos may be taken at the event and used for chapter marketing purposes.
Recertification Credits: This program qualifies for 1 ATD recertification point and may be eligible for SHRM/HRCI credit.
Date: Friday, March 20th, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM PST
Location: Virtual (link shared in registration email)
The moment change is announced inside an organization, the default reaction is almost predictable:
“This is going to be hard.”
That assumption alone begins to erode performance before implementation even starts. 70% of change initiatives fail in corporations — not because of flawed strategy, but because leadership mindset determines whether change gains momentum or collapses under resistance.
In this high-impact session, Wani Iris Manly, Esq., TEDx and keynote speaker and former Fortune 500 in-house counsel, introduces the Changing Changes Everything® C.H.A.N.G.E. Blueprint, a leadership framework designed to equip leaders to lead through change differently to increase the probability of successful transformation.
Grounded in real-world corporate experience advising executive teams during mergers, acquisitions, and large-scale disruption, this session equips L&D and HR leaders with:
SPEAKER: Wani Iris Manly, Esq.
Wani Iris Manly, Esq. is a TEDx and international keynote speaker, executive advisor, and former Fortune 500 in-house counsel based in Paris, France, with more than two decades of experience advising leadership teams through mergers, acquisitions, and complex organizational transformation.
She has held legal leadership roles within global corporations including Mastercard, Visa, and Office Depot, as well as other publicly traded companies, where she counseled executives navigating high-stakes growth, risk, and disruption.
Today, she speaks globally on change and leadership, equipping organizations with the mindset and strategic frameworks required to lead through uncertainty with resilience, clarity, and measurable impact — enabling them not just to navigate change, but to thrive through it.
She is the founder of the Paris-based speaking and consulting firm House of Inspirational Business, EURL; the founder of W. Manly, P.A., a boutique intellectual property law firm; and the founder of Where Inspiration Meets Law, LLC, an online legal platform providing legal templates, resources, and education to entrepreneurs and online businesses seeking to protect their brands and intellectual property.
Her core message is simple: Changing changes everything.®
Lone Rock Leadership is proud to sponsor a special event for ATD San Diego! Bring a friend and register now, as space is limited.
Date: Tuesday, March 24
Time: 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
Cost: Complimentary
Includes: Breakfast, Networking, workshop materials including our new book Deliver, parking validations
Registration Link: https://sdcorefour.eventbrite.com
During this event you’ll learn four proven, scalable leadership frameworks, each designed to drive real business outcomes in just 30 days.
Why Attend?
Connect with peers and other leaders
Date & Time: Wednesday, April 1 2026 • 5:30 – 7:30 PM (PDT)Location: San Diego Humane Society – Main Conference Room, 5500 Gaines St, San Diego, CA 92110Registration: Mentorship cohort members only (free).
Our first in‑person gathering explores communication styles and sets the stage for goal setting. Participants will take a four‑quadrant assessment, group by style and discuss how each style influences interactions. You’ll leave with a common language and a personalized goal plan that accelerates bonding between mentor and mentee.
Complete a communication‑styles assessment and learn how your style influences how you give and receive feedback.
Discuss strategies for adjusting your communication to your partner’s style to build trust more quickly.
A completed assessment with insights about your primary and secondary communication styles.
A common language to streamline conversations and avoid misunderstandings.
Speaker: Russell Pitts is a leadership coach and facilitator known for helping teams bridge communication gaps across generations. With two decades of experience in corporate training and coaching, Russell guides participants through reflective activities that build awareness and practical skills for effective conversations.
https://www.coachmeup.consulting/
Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. By registering, you acknowledge that photographs and/or videos may be taken at the event and used for chapter marketing purposes.
Note: Attendance at all onsite cohort gathering sessions is required for program completion. By attending, you acknowledge that photographs and/or videos may be taken at the event and used for chapter marketing purposes.
Recertification Credits: 1 ATD recertification point; SHRM/HRCI credit pending approval.
Join us to discuss this month's article: Learning Experience Design vs User Experience Design
Facilitated by: Pilar Montejo
The RoundTable is an approach that stimulates conversation and insight around the topics and trends affecting our discipline.
The GEMS RoundTable format was developed by Sue Gabriele, President and Owner, Gabriele Educational Materials and Systems. She is missed and fondly remembered.
Note to registrants: This webinar will not be recorded. #PerformanceImprovement #L&DandInstructionalDesign #GEMSRoundTable
To facilitate and/or propose an article for a future RoundTable, please contact Laura Braeunig at laura@nationalitc.com
This Month's Topic: Screen Readers and Focus Order
As accessibility becomes more of an expectation for eLearning, screen readers and focus order become a primary way in which that eLearning is experienced by a significant audience segment. Learn how to do it right in this workshop, along with making it quicker and easier by using the AI now build into Storyline.
Joe has been a session leader at DevLearn and Articuland, and in over 20 years of experience in transferring knowledge, Joe has developed eLearning for four different state agencies in Washington state and now leads a community of practice for eLearning.
John Morley has helped to improve job performance for clients and employers including Genentech, Hitachi Data Systems, Southern California Edison, Kaiser Permanente, and most of the Asian car companies. Author of the book Scriptwriting for High Impact videos, he has taught at Cal State Northridge, lectured at UCLA, and conducted workshops at a variety of professional organizations and conferences, including ADT Tech Knowledge.
An experienced coder, he has developed and managed numerous websites, and developed software used by clients including Saturday Night Live. An external consultant, he is available to help you on a project by emailing: John@IDforHire.biz.
It's an open forum, so come prepared to click along, ask questions, share your own experiences with Storyline, or just sit back and take a look at what Storyline can do.
The workshop is for intermediate to advanced users, but if you are new to Storyline, this is still for you: It will show you what Storyline can do, give you a look under the hood to see how it works, and let you ask questions of practitioners who are using Storyline now.
To click along, you need access to Storyline. If you do not already have access, a free trial is available (once on the page, scroll toward the bottom). https://articulate.com/360/storyline
Note to registrants: This webinar may be recorded for chapter marketing purposes.By registering for this event, you are giving permission to San Diego ATD to make and use at their discretion photos and a video recording of this event that may include you or your property. Although you may choose to not have your face recorded by by not activating your camera, your name and voice may still be recorded.
Developing Professional CapabilityCPTD & APTD Certified
ATD San Diego Chapter has been pre-approved by the ATD Certification Institute to offer educational programs that can be used towards initial eligibility and recertification of the Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD) credentials. This program qualifies for a maximum of 1 point.
Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
What happens when we replace advice with powerful questions? In this interactive session, you’ll be introduced to the foundations of solution-focused coaching, a practical approach used by leaders, HR professionals, and coaches worldwide to unlock insight, ownership, and meaningful action.
Together we’ll explore what coaching is—and how it differs from mentoring, consulting, and managing. You’ll learn key coaching principles including the four pillars of solution-focused coaching, the power of open-ended questions, and the impact of deep listening. You’ll experience how coaching techniques can shift everyday conversations into opportunities for growth and clarity.
Whether you’re a leader, facilitator, HR professional, in Leadership Development or simply curious about coaching, this session will give you practical tools you can apply immediately in your work and conversations. You’ll leave with new perspectives, a deeper appreciation for the power of coaching, and ideas for integrating coaching skills into your daily interactions.
SPEAKER: Nancy Boyer
With vast experience and education in Coaching, Performance Management, Change Management and Human Resources, Nancy Boyer has partnered with senior leaders and organizations around the world to guide them in the solution-focused approach to personal, professional and organizational development.
Date & Time: Thursday, May 7 2026 • 5:30 – 7:30 PM (PDT)Location: San Diego Humane Society – Main Auditorium, 5500 Gaines St, San Diego, CA 92110Registration: Mentorship cohort members only (free)
It’s time to up the bonding! This fun, fast‑paced game show invites mentors and mentees to learn surprising facts about one another. Through trivia and team challenges, you’ll forge deeper connections and discover shared interests. Expect prizes, laughter and new friendships.
Participate in a professionally facilitated game show designed to encourage collaboration and friendly competition.
Share little‑known facts and stories about yourself to build trust and camaraderie.
Identify common interests that can enrich your mentoring conversations.
A stronger sense of community within your cohort.
A deeper understanding of your partner’s experiences and aspirations.
Practical ideas for making mentorship meetings engaging and fun.
Host: John Grindle is founder of Grin Events, San Diego’s premier team‑building company. Grin Events is known for delivering fun, interactive in‑person and virtual team‑building experiences that spark connection and creativity. John’s contagious energy will ensure everyone leaves smiling.
https://grin.events/
Date: Friday, May 22, 2026
Today’s session addresses a challenge leaders across every organization are facing: “Change Management while building Resilience”
Our speaker, Latisha B. Russell, is a recognized Emotional Wellbeing and Executive Coach with more than 20 years of corporate HR leadership experience. She has worked with organizations such as The Walt Disney Company, Bank of America, and Johns Hopkins, helping leaders navigate burnout, change, and high-pressure environments.
Latisha brings a rare combination of business credibility and human insight, grounded in her experience as a former senior HR leader, certified DiSC facilitator, and author of The Naked Truth.
SPEAKER: Latisha B. Russell | Emotional Wellbeing & Executive Coach | Speaker
Latisha B. Russell is a recognized Emotional Wellbeing and Leadership Strategist who helps high-achieving leaders sustain performance without sacrificing themselves. With over 20 years of corporate HR leadership and executive coaching experience, she has supported organizations including The Walt Disney Company, Bank of America, Johns Hopkins, Capital One, and the Federal Aviation Administration through leadership burnout, organizational change, and high-pressure transformation.
Before stepping onto stage, Latisha held various senior HR leadership roles. She later led restructuring and engagement initiatives that generated significant bottom-line impact across multiple organizations.
Today, as Founder of Latisha B. Russell LLC and Co-Founder of Russell Craigwell Consulting, Latisha works with executives and leadership teams navigating visibility, uncertainty, and sustained demand. Through her signature frameworks, including SHIFT and Mental Toughness Without Burnout, she equips leaders to protect capacity, lead with clarity, and build emotionally intelligent cultures that last.
A former adjunct professor, certified DiSC facilitator, and author of The Naked Truth, Latisha brings both professional rigor and lived experience to every engagement, reminding leaders that effective leadership begins with humanity.
Date & Time: Thursday, June 4 2026 • 5:30 – 7:30 PM (PDT)Location: San Diego Humane Society – Main Auditorium, 5500 Gaines St, San Diego, CA 92110Registration: Mentorship cohort only (free)
Great mentors understand and leverage their strengths. During this CliftonStrengths workshop, you’ll identify your top talents, explore how to honor them and learn to communicate them effectively. A 30‑minute interactive exercise will help you pinpoint your top five strengths, followed by group discussion on applying them in mentorship and career development.
Complete a strengths‑based assessment to uncover your natural talents.
Discuss ways to honor and develop your unique strengths and those of your mentee.
Practice articulating your strengths and how they contribute to professional success.
An individualized strengths profile and action plan.
Techniques for leveraging strengths to overcome challenges and stay engaged.
Inspiration from a quote about focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses.
Speaker: Reuben Poon is a CliftonStrengths consultant and coach who has used his own experience navigating Asperger’s syndrome to harness strengths and empower others. Through workshops and coaching, Reuben has helped individuals and teams at organizations with $10M+ payrolls identify and leverage their unique talents. His empathetic approach transforms self‑awareness into action.
https://www.reubenpoon.com/
Date & Time: Thursday, July 2 2026 • 5:30 – 7:30 PM (PDT)Location: San Diego Humane Society – Main Auditorium, 5500 Gaines St, San Diego, CA 92110Registration: Mentorship cohort only (free)
Our final gathering celebrates your achievements and invites you to pay it forward. A panel of past mentors and mentees will share stories of how mentorship has impacted their careers, offering practical ways to continue giving back. We’ll explore opportunities to volunteer with the chapter, serve on committees and become future mentors.
Hear success stories from graduates of prior cohorts and learn how mentorship changed their trajectories.
Discuss the ripple effect of mentorship and how to create your own legacy.
Celebrate your cohort’s journey with certificates and networking.
A renewed commitment to cultivating the next generation of talent.
Concrete ideas for volunteering and serving within ATD San Diego.
A deeper appreciation for the impact of mentorship and the power of paying it forward.
Interested in becoming a speaker? Fill out our speaker proposal form.