ATD Puget Sound Chapter upcoming events

Finding Your True North: Leading from Values and Guiding Principles with Keith Lewis (August 18, 2026)

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 19:00:00 GMT

ATDps: August 2026 Member Event

Finding Your True North: Leading from Values and Guiding Principles

with Keith Lewis | VeraSpark

Whether you're stepping into a new leadership role, navigating a career transition, or simply looking to lead with greater clarity and intention, this session is for you.

Drawing from his own journey and executive coaching experience, Keith Lewis will walk attendees through a powerful, practical process for uncovering core values, organizing them into meaningful themes, and translating them into a personal set of guiding principles.

Because great leadership starts from the inside out, and when you know who you are, every next step becomes clearer.

Takeaways

Leave with a framework you can begin applying immediately, whether you're in an interview, leading a team, or figuring out your next chapter.

Our guest: Keith Lewis, Facilitator/Speaker/Coach

Keith is the president of VeraSpark, LLC, a global executive/leadership coaching, facilitation, and keynote speaking company based in Austin, Texas since 2001.

Keith’s expertise and background includes the following areas:

Effective Leadership
Interpersonal Communication
Coaching for Performance Skills
Giving and Receiving Feedback
True Teamwork

Keith is the author of the book: Sparking Your Inner Leader: A Practical and Passionate Perspective from the Mascot Who Became an Executive Coach. Well known coach Marshall Goldsmith notes, “With a blend of humor, personal reflection, and practical wisdom, this book challenges traditional leadership perspectives and offers a fresh, engaging approach. No matter where you are in your leadership journey, this book will leave you with valuable takeaways and what it means to truly inspire and lead.”

As a senior consultant in Change Management with Anderson Consulting (now Accenture), Keith cultivated his knowledge in organization development, corporate culture and organizational communication. Keith also contributed to the growth of Eagle’s Flight, a global experiential training company, as a Vice President of Business Development. While managing a sales team in Austin, Keith added over $3.5 million in sales and delivered hundreds of programs.

Keith earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Northwestern University, received a Masters in Business Administration from The University of Texas, has a certification in The Leadership Circle 360 Profile and Culture Survey, Accelerated Learning Design and Delivery, various business simulations, and is a graduate of Corporate Coach University.

Keith’s clients have included USAA, Advanced Energy United, Advanced MicroDevices, Freescale Semiconductor, Shell E&P and Shell Services, Baker Hughes, Inc., Granite Construction, Texas Instruments, Leadership Austin, Brinker International (Chili’s), Chick-fil-a, Interos, Enterey Life Sciences Consulting, University of Texas Development, Dell Medical School, Executive Education at Notre Dame, Texas Mutual Insurance, Essential Anesthesia Management, The Business Leadership Center at SMU’s Cox School of Business, The McCombs School of Business at the University ofTexas and the Stagen Leadership Institute.

Keith is a member of the Association for Talent Development (founder of the Collaborative Consultant special interest group) and the International CoachFederation.

Finally, Keith is proud of the fact that: he’s been married for over 30 years, he has 3 wonderful kids, he is a 5 th generation Texan, he served as Willie the Wildcat forNorthwestern University for four years and as Bennie the Bull for the Chicago Bulls for two seasons.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithdlewis/

Career & Leadership Development, Emotional Intelligence & Decision Making, Lifelong Learning, Performance Improvement, Compliance & Ethical Behavior

Registration:

Pre-Registration - Members attend at no charge. There is no walk in availability. Pre-registration is mandatory.

Pre-Registration - Non-Member $20.00. There is no walk in availability. Pre-registration is mandatory.

We are not able to issue refunds after the Friday prior to the meeting. Substitutions are encouraged.

Individual Development Plan (IDP) Workshop (August 19, 2026)

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Join us in a two-part workshop focused on understanding, designing, and completing an Individual Development Plan (IDP).

Session 1 introduces Professional Development strategies, IDP best practices and myths, and self-assessment tools.

Session 2 provides guided, hands-on time to create and refine a personalized IDP and develop an actionable growth plan.

Takeaways:

Define the purpose and structure of IDPs
Identify strengths, growth areas, and development priorities
Create measurable and actionable development goals
Build and refine a personalized IDP
Learn strategies to maintain accountability and track progress

Competencies Developed:

Self-assessment and reflective practice
Strategic goal setting and development planning
Career growth and continuous learning
Action planning and accountability
Collaboration with managers and development partners

After participating in the workshop you'll:

Identify skill(s) you’d like to develop and/or knowledge you’d like to gain.
Build a development plan outlining your professional development goal(s).
Develop and document strategies for achieving the goal(s) you establish in the IDP.

Content to use immediately

A practical IDP framework you can apply right away
Templates for writing measurable development goals
Conversation prompts to use with managers or mentors
IDP Templates and then a completed (or nearly completed) Individual Development Plan

Charlotte McGuire is a recent graduate from Seattle Pacific University (SPU) with her MA in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, and is building a career as a HR and Learning & Development (L&D) professional to follows passions in helping employees grow and develop. From her studies, Charlotte has created and delivered products to clients in related areas including workshops on career development topics of succession planning and IDPs. Her professional experience spans recruitment, administrative operations, and customer-focused roles, giving her a grounded understanding of the employee lifecycle and how to design development experiences that truly support people.

ATD Capabilities - Communication, Collaboration & Leadership, Lifelong Learning, Career & Leadership Development, Coaching, Talent Strategy & Management, Performance Improvement, Future Readiness

Vibe Coding - Technology Special Interest Group (August 27, 2026)

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 19:00:00 GMT

"Vibe coding” is a term that’s quickly gaining attention in the world of AI-assisted development, but what does it actually mean, and how can it be applied in learning and development?

In this session, we’ll cut through the buzz and give you a clear understanding of vibe coding, the tools that make it possible, and the core concepts you need to know to use it effectively. You’ll learn how tools like Lovable and Claude Code turn natural language prompts into working prototypes, while gaining a practical vocabulary that will help you confidently explore this emerging space. Together, we’ll walk through real use cases and build custom learning solutions that address real challenges, from checklists and dashboards to training trackers and interactive tools. By the end, you’ll walk away with working solutions you’ve created your self, plus the knowledge and confidence to continue building with vibe coding long after the session.

By the end of this session, you’ll be able to:

Define vibe coding and distinguish it from traditional development, low-code platforms, and standard authoring tools.
Use core vocabulary (prompt, iteration, prototype, deployment, repository, preview) accurately enough to follow documentation and community conversation without getting lost.
Describe what tools like Lovable and Claude Code do, and identify which one fits which kind of build.
Translate a natural language description of a learning problem into a prompt that produces a working prototype.
Iterate on a prototype through follow-up prompting to refine functionality, fix what breaks, and adjust design.
Evaluate which L&D challenges are good candidates for a vibe coded solution and which are better solved with existing tools.
Build at least one functional solution (checklist, dashboard, training tracker, or interactive job aid) that addresses a real problem in their own work.
Identify next steps, resources, and practice habits for continuing to build after the session ends.

What learners walk away with

A working tool they built themselves, not a demo they watched someone else build
A clear, jargon free definition of vibe coding they can explain to a skeptical manager
Hands-on experience with at least one vibe coding platform
A vocabulary set that makes the rest of the space navigable
A short list of use cases from their own role that are worth building next
The confidence to keep going without a facilitator in the room

Jeff Batt is the founder and head trainer at Learning Dojo, where he teaches L&D professionals to build custom learning experiences using eLearning, web, and AI development tools. With more than 15 years in digital learning and media, he has served as program manager for DevLearn at The Learning Guild and as product development manager at eLearning Brothers. He is also a Pluralsight and Udemy author and an adjunct professor at BYU. Jeff speaks regularly on emerging development technologies including xAPI, HTML5, augmented reality, and mobile development, and now focuses much of his teaching on AI-assisted, or "vibe," coding.

Instructional Design, Training & Delivery, Technology Application, Future Readiness, Livelong learning

Pre-registration is required to have the Zoom log in information sent. We are required to keep track of attendance. Also, there is no real time assistance available for this program.

Know Your Why, Shape Your How: Developing Your Leadership Philosophy - Leadership Development SIG (September 02, 2026)

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 23:30:00 GMT

The Leadership SIG is a community for talent development professionals who want to intentionally grow as leaders while expanding their impact within their organizations and the profession. Through interactive learning experiences including workshops, executive panels, educational sessions, and collaborative discussions, members will develop the leadership capabilities to lead themselves, guide others, advance their organizations, and champion the future of talent development.

Join us for an interactive workshop where we'll explore the values, beliefs, and experiences that shape your unique leadership philosophy. Through guided reflection and exercises, you'll develop a personal leadership philosophy that serves as a compass for decision-making, relationship development, and growth. You'll leave the session with renewed clarity, greater self-awareness, and the confidence to lead with intention and impact.

By the end of this session, you’ll be able to:

Identify your top leadership values and how they show up in your daily actions.
Draft a personal leadership philosophy you can begin using immediately.
Evaluate whether your current leadership behaviors align with your intended impact.
Practice reflection tools that enhance self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
Create one intentional leadership commitment to put into practice after the session.

Melinda Gilliam is the Founder and Impact Partner of Melliam LLC and brings more than a decade of experience in learning and development, specializing in leadership development, coaching, facilitation, and organizational learning strategies that help individuals and organizations grow with intention. She holds a B.A. in Education, an M.S. in Counseling and Adult Development, and the Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD) credential. Guided by the belief that learning is one of the greatest forms of care, Melinda is passionate about creating people-centered learning experiences that inspire growth, strengthen leadership, and create lasting impact.

Career & Leadership Development,Collaboration & Leadership, Lifelong Learning

Pre-registration is required to have the Zoom log in information sent. We are required to keep track of attendance. Also, there is no real time assistance available for this program.

Seattle Networking Interest Group (September 03, 2026)

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Seattle Networking Interest Group

Our Networking Interest Group meets virtually the first Thursday of every month for connection, conversation and conviviality! Whether you’re a current member or curious about becoming one, these structured gatherings are intentionally designed to help you:

Meet talent development professionals from across the Puget Sound region
Discover new ways to get involved with our Chapter
Get the most value out of an ATD Puget Sound Membership
Engage with Chapter Leaders
Experience and learn fun virtual connection building activities you can use at work

Whether you’re an experienced trainer, facilitator, coach, instructional designer, consultant, or aspiring to work in one of the many fields of L&D, these meetings give you the chance to learn from and with others, feel more connected to the industry and get inspired to be an active member of the ATD Puget Sound community.

Can’t join us for the full 90 minutes? No problem! This is your open invitation to a virtual open house: anyone can "Zoom" by, whenever, and for however long you can stay.

Pre-registration is required to have the Zoom log in information sent. Also, there is no real time assistance available for this program.

Seattle Networking Interest Group (October 01, 2026)

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Seattle Networking Interest Group

Meet talent development professionals from across the Puget Sound region
Discover new ways to get involved with our Chapter
Get the most value out of an ATD Puget Sound Membership
Engage with Chapter Leaders
Experience and learn fun virtual connection building activities you can use at work

Can’t join us for the full 90 minutes? No problem! This is your open invitation to a virtual open house: anyone can "Zoom" by, whenever, and for however long you can stay.

Pre-registration is required to have the Zoom log in information sent. Also, there is no real time assistance available for this program.

Thinking with AI Hosted by NextArrow for ATD Puget Sound (October 05, 2026)

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 19:00:00 GMT

ATDps: October 2026 Virtual Member Event

Thinking with AI Hosted by NextArrow for ATD Puget Sound

Researchers warn that passive AI use quietly weakens the critical and creative thinking that makes us most human. The costs are showing up at work: unchecked errors, generic ideas, and polished AI output that someone downstream has to redo. Yet as Marcus Aurelius wrote 2,000 years ago, "What stands in the way becomes the way": the same technology that can erode our thinking can be used to sharpen it.

In this workshop, we'll pair ancient thinkers with modern researchers, from Sun Tzu to Daniel Kahneman, to build the three habits of deliberate AI users: Frame (think before AI thinks), Challenge (think with AI), and Reflect (think after AI thinks), each practiced live on real work challenges. Participants will leave with better results from every AI interaction, and a new mental operating system that transforms AI from an answer machine into a thinking partner.

In this workshop, participants will:

Leave with better results from every AI interaction, and a new mental operating system that transforms AI from an answer machine into a thinking partner.

Our guest:

Robleh Kirce has more than a decade of experience working directly with executive and leadership teams to develop people practices that promote retention, performance, and engagement. His background in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, and insights from working with some of the world’s most rapid-growth tech companies, give him a training style focused on effective tools and practical wisdom. Robleh has worked extensively with international management teams across Europe focusing on training tools that can be translated across cultures. As Managing Partner and a lead facilitator, Robleh brings all aspects of NextArrow’s mission and vision to life. He helps our clients identify learning goals that immediately improve performance and engagement

Performance Improvement

Registration:

Pre-Registration - Members attend at no charge. There is no walk in availability. Pre-registration is mandatory.

Pre-Registration - Non-Member $20.00. There is no walk in availability. Pre-registration is mandatory.

We are not able to issue refunds after the Friday prior to the meeting. Substitutions are encouraged.

Special Instructions:

Instructions to attend the virtual meeting will be included in your confirmation email and on the reminder email the day prior to the program. Please save these instructions. Real time assistance is not usually available.

Seattle Networking Interest Group (November 05, 2026)

Fri, 06 Nov 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Seattle Networking Interest Group

Meet talent development professionals from across the Puget Sound region
Discover new ways to get involved with our Chapter
Get the most value out of an ATD Puget Sound Membership
Engage with Chapter Leaders
Experience and learn fun virtual connection building activities you can use at work

Can’t join us for the full 90 minutes? No problem! This is your open invitation to a virtual open house: anyone can "Zoom" by, whenever, and for however long you can stay.

Pre-registration is required to have the Zoom log in information sent. Also, there is no real time assistance available for this program.

Seattle Networking Interest Group (December 03, 2026)

Fri, 04 Dec 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Seattle Networking Interest Group

Meet talent development professionals from across the Puget Sound region
Discover new ways to get involved with our Chapter
Get the most value out of an ATD Puget Sound Membership
Engage with Chapter Leaders
Experience and learn fun virtual connection building activities you can use at work

Can’t join us for the full 90 minutes? No problem! This is your open invitation to a virtual open house: anyone can "Zoom" by, whenever, and for however long you can stay.

Pre-registration is required to have the Zoom log in information sent. Also, there is no real time assistance available for this program.