ATD Puget Sound Chapter

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ATD Puget Sound Chapter

Together, we create a world that works better. The Puget Sound chapter of the Association for Talent

We are continuing in our efforts to make the Puget Sound Chapter of ATD more visible in the community, more connected to businesses, government and non-profit organizations, and finally, more committed to its members.

06/23/2026

You can't manifest your way out of anything. But you can get clearer on who you are, what you actually want, and the small, repeatable actions that turn vision into momentum.

This 60-minute Zoom workshop blends neuroscience (Dr. Jim Doty, Stanford), the no-nonsense practicality of Barbara Corcoran and Emma Grede, and a fast, hands-on vision board sprint. It's grounded, a little playful, and built for people who roll their eyes at "manifestation" but secretly want a clearer sense of where they're headed.

For ATD members, it's two things at once: a personal reset that makes your next quarter feel intentional, and a workshop design pattern you can borrow for the learners you serve.

Image Description: Event poster with text that reads, "Unlock Your True Self: A 60-Minute Identity Spring (Using a Vision Board). Kate Gerasimova. July 14th, 2026. 12:00 - 1:00 PM. Register now! www.atdpugetsound.org/events." A headshot of Kate Gerasimova is featured.

06/18/2026

Last chance to register!

Curious how AI can actually help you build in Articulate, without turning your course into generic, robotic content? Join us for a practical, real-world session with Tom Kuhlmann focused on how to use AI as a smart production partner across your workflow: drafting outlines, writing dialogue, generating question banks, creating feedback variations, and producing meaningful alt text.

We’ll also dig into the part that matters most: how to QA AI-assisted content so it stays accurate, inclusive, and unmistakably human, protecting learning quality while saving serious development time.

Tom Kuhlmann is Chief Learning Architect at Articulate and the voice behind The Rapid E-Learning Blog, where he shares practical, real-world tips to help eLearning teams build better courses—faster. With 20+ years in the training industry, he’s developed hundreds of hours of eLearning and supported learning projects for organizations including Capital One, Washington Mutual, and Weyerhaeuser.

Image Description: Event flyer for the Tech SIG event. The text reads, "Tech SIG. AI + Articulate: Practical Ways to Speed Up the Build (Without Losing Quality). June 25th, 2026. 12:00 - 1:00 PM. Tom Kuhkmann, speaker. More information: www.atdpugetsound.org." A headshot of Tom Kuhlmann is featured on a blue background.

06/17/2026

Mentor Spotlight: Joe Waddington

Seeing learning through the eyes of every learner.

Joe Waddington believes that learning is a social experience. He shared that “we grow the most when we can share our thoughts, ideas, and challenges with others,” a philosophy that guides both his professional work and his mentoring. Joe described a past mentoring experience where a mentee explored how a screen reader interacted with an eLearning course. Seeing the course through a learner’s perspective opened the door to meaningful improvements and reinforced Joe’s belief that accessibility is rooted in intention. Joe has spent much of his career at the intersection of learning, technology, and public service and now serves as the Curriculum and Training Manager for Washington State’s WA Cares Fund. He develops training that supports residents in accessing long-term care benefits and is active in the learning community through workshops and accessibility initiatives. Connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soulryder

Apply as a mentor: https://forms.gle/QpSnYL66jqzYV2Dy8
Apply as a mentee: https://forms.gle/uJYtsFMkspwAWrss5

Image Description: The mentor spotlight graphic features a headshot of Joe Waddington.

06/16/2026

Attended ATD 2026 in LA? Couldn't make it but want to know what everyone's talking about? Join Puget Sound ATD for an interactive recap of this year's annual conference.

This member gathering brings together L&D professionals from across the region to share standout sessions, emerging trends, and practical ideas from ATD26. Whether you walked the expo floor, attended sessions or followed along from home, this is your chance to hear multiple perspectives, swap notes with colleagues, and explore how the latest thinking in talent development applies right here in the Pacific Northwest.

Image Description: Event flyer for the recap event. The text reads, "ATD26 Recap: Key Takeaways & Conversations. June 18th, 12:00 - 1:00. atdpugetsound.org/events." A Polaroid style group photo from some of this year's participants is featured.

06/15/2026

Last chance to register!

Join Us for the ATD Puget Sound Member Orientation! Whether you’re new to ATD or simply want a fresh look at all your membership has to offer, our virtual orientation is the perfect place to connect. Meet fellow members, or those considering membership, expand your network, and explore the benefits, services, and resources available to help you grow in your talent development journey. Come with questions, leave with inspiration—and get even more out of your membership.

Image Description: Event flyer for the virtual event. The text reads, "Join us for member orientation & networking. Community, connection, & inspiration. June 17th, 2026, 12:00-1:00 pm. atdpugetsound.org/events." An illustration of participants in a virtual meeting is featured on a blue background.

06/10/2026

Mentor Spotlight: Melinda Gilliam, MS

Turning ideas into action through supportive conversations.

Melinda Gilliam approaches leadership with a people-centered philosophy. She believes that “when we prioritize people—building trust, clarity, and connection—incredible results naturally follow.” In her mentoring work, Melinda focuses on helping others turn ideas into action through practical conversations where mentees feel heard and supported. One mentoring experience that stayed with her involved guiding someone through a moment when societal expectations did not align with their own strengths and goals, a reminder of how valuable it is to have a trusted space to pause and reflect. Melinda brings over a decade of experience in higher education and multifamily housing and now serves as the Associate Director of Talent Development at Security Properties Residential. She leads a team devoted to professional growth and enjoys designing programs that empower individuals to thrive in their roles. You can connect with Melinda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melinda-gilliam

Apply as a mentor: https://forms.gle/QpSnYL66jqzYV2Dy8
Apply as a mentee: https://forms.gle/uJYtsFMkspwAWrss5

Image Description: The mentor spotlight graphic features a headshot of Melinda Gilliam, MS.

06/09/2026

Have you registered yet?

Join Us for the ATD Puget Sound Member Orientation! Whether you’re new to ATD or simply want a fresh look at all your membership has to offer, our virtual orientation is the perfect place to connect. Meet fellow members, or those considering membership, expand your network, and explore the benefits, services, and resources available to help you grow in your talent development journey. Come with questions, leave with inspiration—and get even more out of your membership.

Image Description: Event flyer for the virtual event. The text reads, "Join us for member orientation & networking. Community, connection, & inspiration. June 17th, 2026, 12:00-1:00 pm. atdpugetsound.org/events." An illustration of participants in a virtual meeting is featured on a blue background.

06/08/2026

Last chance to register, we hope to see you there! Our member program fee has been reduced to $10.

✅ Free parking
✅ Light refreshments available
✅ Limited to 50 guests only

Join fellow ATD Puget Sound members for an interactive, in-person experience focused on building capability-led organizations and making competency frameworks work in practice. The session will be co-facilitated by ATD Puget Sound’s President, Sherry Johnson Metz, who will guide opening and closing conversations to help participants connect, share perspectives, and ground the experience in the realities of our local L&D community and the challenges you’re navigating today.

At the heart of the session, Acorn’s President, Keith Metcalfe, will lead a dynamic workshop exploring the shift toward capability-led organizations — why so many competency initiatives struggle to gain traction, and what actually makes them stick.

Image Description: Event flyer for the in-person event. The text reads, "Skills in the Age of AI: Why Your Capability Framework Isn't Built for What's Coming. Speaker: Keith Metcalfe, President, Acorn. Speaker: Sherry Johnson Metz, President, ATDps. In-person workshop, June 10th, 2026, 4:00-8:00pm, Mercer Island Community & Event Center."

06/04/2026

Curious how AI can actually help you build in Articulate, without turning your course into generic, robotic content? Join us for a practical, real-world session with Tom Kuhlmann focused on how to use AI as a smart production partner across your workflow: drafting outlines, writing dialogue, generating question banks, creating feedback variations, and producing meaningful alt text.

We’ll also dig into the part that matters most: how to QA AI-assisted content so it stays accurate, inclusive, and unmistakably human, protecting learning quality while saving serious development time.

Tom Kuhlmann is Chief Learning Architect at Articulate and the voice behind The Rapid E-Learning Blog, where he shares practical, real-world tips to help eLearning teams build better courses—faster. With 20+ years in the training industry, he’s developed hundreds of hours of eLearning and supported learning projects for organizations including Capital One, Washington Mutual, and Weyerhaeuser.

Image Description: Event flyer for the Tech SIG event. The text reads, "Tech SIG. AI + Articulate: Practical Ways to Speed Up the Build (Without Losing Quality). June 25th, 2026. 12:00 - 1:00 PM. Tom Kuhkmann, speaker. More information: www.atdpugetsound.org." A headshot of Tom Kuhlmann is featured on a blue background.

06/03/2026

Mentor Spotlight: Joanna Wroblewska

Helping people see the strengths they already possess.

Joanna Wroblewska believes that learning grows out of connection, curiosity, and reflection. She explains that learning “happens through connection, curiosity, and reflection,” and she brings that belief into her mentoring conversations. Joanna shared a past mentoring experience in which a colleague moved from hesitation to confidence after realizing they already had the insight needed to lead. The moment stayed with her because it showed how reflective questions can help people see strengths they already possess. Professionally, Joanna has built her career at the intersection of learning, technology, and organizational development. In her role as an Instructional Designer at Puget Sound Energy, she creates learning experiences that support safety, compliance, and leadership development. She is always happy to connect with fellow learning professionals and curious minds on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-wroblewska

Image Description: The mentor spotlight graphic features a headshot of Joanna Wroblewska.

Address

Seattle, WA

Website

http://www.atdpugetsound.org/

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