North American Learning Executive Summit

The North American Learning Executive Summit is a premier gathering of industry leaders, learning & development executives, and experts dedicated to exploring innovative strategies, emerging trends, and best practices in the dynamic world of talent management.

January 13 - January 15, 2025

The Hilton Austin | Austin, TX

Attendees
+
of attendees are Director level and above
%
Global Organizations
+
Renowned Speakers
+

Join This Year's Conversation

NALES gathers Chief Learning Officers (CLOs), SVPs, VPs, and Directors of Learning Development, Workforce Enablement/Development, and Head of Leadership Development to share insights, foster innovation, and build invaluable connections. Dive into a thoughtfully curated environment that brings together thought leaders, allowing you to explore new ideas and engage in meaningful discussions. Join the conversation at NALES and be part of a community dedicated to pushing the limits of leadership development success.

Featured Speakers

Year after year, we bring to the stage today's thought leaders and innovators

Brian Glaser

Brian Glaser is a seasoned learning and development executive with a passion for leveraging technology to drive innovation and growth. As the Chief Learning Officer at Google, he leads the strategic direction of learning initiatives, ensuring that Google employees have access to cutting-edge resources and opportunities for professional development. With over two decades of experience in the tech industry, Glaser has a proven track record of designing and implementing high-impact learning programs that empower individuals and teams to thrive in dynamic environments. His visionary leadership has been instrumental in fostering a culture of continuous learning and knowledge-sharing at Google. Prior to joining Google, Glaser held leadership roles at several prominent technology companies, where he honed his expertise in learning strategy, organizational development, and talent management. He holds a master’s degree in Educational Technology from Stanford University and is committed to staying at the forefront of educational innovation. Beyond his professional endeavors, Glaser is deeply passionate about education and believes in the transformative power of learning to drive positive change in individuals and communities worldwide. He is an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and actively champions initiatives to create a more inclusive learning environment at Google and beyond. In his role as Chief Learning Officer, Glaser continues to spearhead initiatives that empower Googlers to unlock their full potential, drive innovation, and make meaningful contributions to Google’s mission of organizing the world’s information and making it universally accessible and useful. His strategic vision, combined with his dedication to lifelong learning, makes him a driving force in shaping the future of learning at Google and beyond.

Brian Glaser

Vice President & Chief Talent and Learning Officer

Google

Ramona Arora

Ramona Arora

Vice President, Learning & Talent Solutions, Enterprise Career Development,

The Walt Disney Company

Sandra Humbles

Sandra Humbles has over 30 years of experience and currently serves as Johnson & Johnson’s first Chief Learning Officer since 2021. She spearheaded the creation of a new learning and development framework for the company’s employees.

Previously, she was the Vice President of Global Education Solutions for MedTech, where she developed learning strategies and implemented Virtual Reality for surgeon education. Her work influenced educational approaches globally.

Currently, Sandra Humbles leads a global team focused on the future of learning and development at Johnson & Johnson. Her leadership aims to make learning a key component of the organization’s success. She is dedicated to fostering professional growth within the company, envisioning an integrated approach to learning and development that benefits all employees.

Her contributions have supported both individual progress and the realization of Johnson & Johnson’s goal to combine heart, science, and ingenuity for global health impact.

Sandra Humbles

Chief Learning Officer

Johnson & Johnson

Victoria Feldman

Victoria Feldman is an accomplished professional with over a decade of experience in learning and development strategies. As the Head of Learning and Development at Amazon, she spearheads initiatives to nurture talent and cultivate a culture of continuous growth within the organization. Victoria’s expertise lies in designing innovative training programs that empower employees to reach their full potential. With a keen focus on leveraging technology and data-driven insights, she ensures that Amazon remains at the forefront of employee development practices. Victoria is dedicated to creating inclusive learning environments that foster collaboration and drive business success.

Victoria Feldman

Head of Learning and Development

Amazon

Jennifer Buchanan

Jennifer is the Vice President of Walmart Academy, the learning arm of the world’s largest retailer, where she leads the design and delivery of learning experiences that enable over 2 million associates to build skills for now and the future. She has experience in various learning and development roles at Department of Defense, American Express, Walmart and Sam’s Club, where she has launched award-winning programs that have enhanced the learning culture, career development, and performance of the frontline and supply chain workforce.

Jennifer holds an Executive Program for Leadership Acceleration certificate from Harvard Business School Executive Education, a Master’s degree in Education from the University of South Florida, and a Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University. She has published multiple articles on learning and development topics and has been recognized as a Top 50 Learning and Development Professional and a CLO LearningElite Finalist. She is passionate about creating learning opportunities that empower associates to achieve their career dreams and contribute to the success of the organization.

Jennifer Buchanan

Vice President, Walmart Academy

Walmart

Shannon Custard

Shannon leads the Global Competence Development & Learning Organization at IKEA (Ingka Group), the leader in building sustainable life at home. Her organization is responsible for developing the global strategy for learning, competence development, skills, job architecture, and learning technology across 30 countries and 177,000 co-workers. With over 20 years in talent management, she has a strong background in supporting retail, digital, and corporate teams in talent acquisition, succession, learning, skills, and development. Shannon is passionate about delivering talent management programs that create equity for frontline employees, enhance leadership, and help teams achieve strategic goals.

Shannon Custard

Global Head of Learning

IKEA

Vaishali Ahuja

Vaishali Ahuja

Vice President of Human Resources, Region Americas

BMW Group

Martin Stöckl

Martin Stöckl is the Senior Vice President and Head of Leadership & Talent Development at Airbus, where he is responsible for fostering a strong culture of leadership and cultivating top talent across the organization. With over two decades of experience in human resources and organizational development, Martin has established himself as a thought leader in talent management and leadership training.

Before joining Airbus, Martin held several key HR positions in various global companies, where he demonstrated a consistent track record of driving strategic initiatives that empower employees and enhance organizational performance. His expertise lies in designing comprehensive talent strategies, implementing leadership development programs, and creating inclusive work environments that support innovation and growth. Martin holds a master’s degree in organizational psychology and is known for his ability to inspire teams and guide leaders through complex challenges. His passion for developing people and promoting diversity has earned him a reputation as a strategic partner and a champion of positive organizational change. In his free time, Martin enjoys mentoring young professionals, staying updated on industry trends, and participating in community service initiatives.

Martin Stöckl

SVP Talent, Leadership & Organisation

Airbus

Katie Lackey

Katie Lackey serves as Vice President of Global Learning and Talent Management at Honeywell, a multinational conglomerate known for its cutting-edge technology and solutions across various industries. In this role, Katie leads the development and execution of strategic initiatives to cultivate a high-performing, inclusive, and skilled workforce across Honeywell’s global operations. With a strong background in human resources and organizational development, she leverages her expertise to drive employee engagement, professional growth, and talent optimization. Katie is known for her strategic mindset and collaborative approach, fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation. She is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within Honeywell, ensuring the company’s talent strategy aligns with its business objectives. Prior to her current position, Katie held various leadership roles in talent management and organizational effectiveness.

Katie Lackey

Vice President of Global Learning & Talent Management

Honeywell

Jeff Orlando

Jeff is Chief Learning Officer at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), overseeing the company’s learning and leadership strategy and execution. Jeff believes we have a special responsibility in the healthcare sector to stay on the cutting-edge – our skills, capabilities and performance directly translate to the medicines and therapies we deliver for our patients.

Prior to BMS, Jeff led learning, organization development and talent teams at Medtronic and Deloitte. At Medtronic, Jeff led learning and development evolution and supported the company’s multi-year culture change journey. At Deloitte, Jeff oversaw various functions including executive development, leadership development and performance management and related talent practices. Earlier in his career, Jeff advised Fortune 100 companies in the pharmaceutical and entertainment sector on human capital matters.

Jeff has a M.A. in Social-Organizational Psychology from Columbia University, and a B.A. in Psychology and French from Susquehanna University, where he served as a Presidential Fellow and was a member of the Honors program.

Jeff regularly speaks on topics related to talent, learning and innovation – having shared the stage with leading academics, NFL coaches and prominent educators. Jeff’s work has also been featured in publications such as People & Strategy and Harvard Business Review. Jeff’s professional affiliations include the Society for Industrial-Organizational Psychology (SIOP).

Jeff is engaged in community service, having recently served on the board of Heights Philadelphia, a leading non-profit focused on college success, economic mobility and workforce success.

Jeff lives in the Philadelphia area with his wife and two school-aged daughters.

Jeff Orlando

Chief Learning Officer

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Ashley Walvoord

Ashley Walvoord is the Head of Talent Management at Verizon. With a dynamic approach to Talent Transformation, Performance Management & Development, Assessments, Talent Intelligence, and Digital HR for Talent, Ashley guides a team of Industrial-Organizational Psychologists and professionals to drive impactful change for the Fortune company. With a passion for systemic talent solutions and democratizing talent for the masses, she works to grow awareness and enablement as companies work through their talent strategies.

Ashley brings a wealth of experience to her role, having previously worked in recruiting, employee engagement and listening, training, team dynamics, and employee well-being across public and private sector clients. Her leadership is marked by a profound commitment to inclusion, culture, innovation, and leadership development. Ashley’s strategic direction ensures that Verizon remains at the forefront of talent management practices, fostering an environment where employees can thrive and excel.

Holding a Master’s and Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the University of South Florida, Ashley’s expertise is grounded in a deep understanding of the science behind effective talent management. She is dedicated to giving back to the community, volunteering her time in business development for education, diversity, and social-emotional learning initiatives.

Ashley’s forward-thinking and dedication to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and inclusivity have redefined talent management at Verizon, positioning the company as a leader in the industry.

Ashley Walvoord

Associate Vice President, Talent Management

Verizon

Ana Maria Sencovici

Ana Maria Sencovici (AMS) is an interdisciplinary Human Capital Leader with a stand-out track record of translating business needs into tangible, scalable talent solutions, with a focus on transformational and innovation-driven initiatives. She is currently the Chief Talent Officer of the Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), a vacation industry leader with a global fleet of 65 ships across five best-in-class brands traveling to approximately 1,000 destinations. In her role, AMS oversees the company’s learning, development and performance functions as well as its diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in support of the organization’s mission to deliver the best vacations responsibly.

Prior to RCG, AMS was the global head of Change and Organizational Advisory Services at Genpact, a professional services firm where she managed a global team advising clients on learning, talent and change transformations, as well as designing award-winning employee development programs.  Previously, she served as the head of Learning and Development Bridgewater Associates where she stood up its first learning and development function and was a founding member of the company’s talent council.

AMS is an unabashed neo-generalist, a stubborn status-quo disruptor, and a passionate practitioner of applied empathy, embracing the tensions in the space of “and”:  the practical and the conceptual, the soft and hard,  and the slow and fast. She has an MBA in Change Management from the Wharton School of Business, an MA from Bryn Mawr College and a BA from Haverford College. AMS lives in South Florida with her husband, Juan, and two sons Luca and Mateo.

Ana Maria Sencovici

Chief Talent Officer

Royal Caribbean Group

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Empowered by Real & Measurable Strategies

Empowered by Real & Measurable Strategies

The North American Learning Executive Summit 2025 is designed to ensure every attendee walks away with real & measurable strategies to bring back to their organizations. 

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