Upcoming events

Switch to Calendar View

• Mapping the Hidden Politics That Stall L&D Initiatives

  • When
    Wednesday, January 21, 2026
  •  
    7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
  • Location
    BGSU at Levis Commons
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  Join us as Ericca Ross, MOD, leads a powerful session on Mapping the Hidden Politics That Stall L&D Initiatives.

  Every stalled initiative has (at least) two challenges: the technical work itself, and the informal political landscape that surrounds it. Learning and talent development professionals are experts at the technical side—yet it’s often the political dynamics that determine whether a project gains traction, hits resistance, or quietly disappears.

  In this  interactive session, participants will explore how perceptions, informal influence, and hidden stakeholder motives shape the success—or failure—of organizational initiatives. Through a guided simulation, attendees will dissect a fictional case to identify political bottlenecks, surface unspoken agendas, and map the influence “currencies” people trade in (such as safety, control, credibility, or tradition).

  Participants will leave with a practical diagnostic tool for understanding informal power dynamics, along with a fresh lens for navigating complex organizational environments with clarity and confidence
  

  Why you should attend:

  Diagnose the hidden drivers of resistance: Examine how informal influence, perception gaps, and unspoken stakeholder motives impact decision-making and project execution.
  

  Analyze stakeholder "currencies": Utilize a guided simulation to identify distinct influence currencies (such as safety, control, or tradition) and map how they shape political bottlenecks.
  

  Apply a political mapping framework: Use a structured diagnostic tool to surface invisible power dynamics and select the appropriate influence strategy for stalled initiatives.

  Ericca Ross, MOD, is an organizational development strategist and founder of Ross Collaborative. She specializes in building leadership capability, redesigning talent systems, and helping organizations navigate the informal political dynamics that make or break strategy execution.

  She believes that every organization has two systems: the one on paper and the one people actually live inside. Her work bridges the two.

  With 15+ years of experience in corporate and nonprofit environments, Ericca brings a practical, human-centered approach to learning and organizational change. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Organization Development & Change at BGSU, where her research explores the role of influence and perceptions in organizational performance.

  Show details
• 2026 Book Club - FREE event

  • Start
    Monday, January 26, 2026
  •  
  • End
    Monday, March 23, 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    3 sessions
  • Location
    2611 N. Dixie Highway Perrysburg
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  Join our 2026 GTAC-ATD Book Club!

  We’re excited to launch a three-session learning series featuring Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard - a thoughtful, unconventional look at leadership, culture, and purpose-driven organizations. Perfect inspiration for the new year and a great fit for National Mentoring Month and International Creativity Month.

  Our discussion series will be led by Dr. Lisa Kahle-Piasecki, and will meet at El Vaquero in Perrysburg on:

  • January 26, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm 

  • February 23, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

  • March 30, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

  This is a FREE event open to all; ATD membership not required. If you’re looking to start the year with fresh ideas, good conversation, and a community of L&D and HR professionals, this is your spot.

  Have the book on your shelf already? Great! If not, here’s the link: https://www.amazon.com/Let-People-Surfing-Education-Businessman/dp/0143037838

  Show details
• The Value of Succession Planning

  • When
    Wednesday, March 18, 2026
  •  
    7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
  • Location
    BGSU at Levis Commons
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  Join us as Lesley Herald, Fractional HR Director, leads a practical discussion on The Value of Succession Planning for organizations of all sizes.

  Succession planning is more than just identifying who is next in line. It is a proactive strategy designed to protect your business and strengthen your talent pipeline. In this session, we’ll break down the fundamentals of succession planning, discuss why it matters (no matter the size of the organization), and discuss how to identify what roles should be part of your plan. You’ll learn simple, practical steps to assess readiness, close skill gaps and build a sustainable plan for developing your future leaders. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of succession planning and action steps to ensure your team is prepared and your business is equipped for long-term success.

  Lesley Herald is an accomplished HR and business leader with two decades of experience driving organizational effectiveness, building and supporting effective teams, and elevating employee engagement. She began her career in business leadership roles at two different Fortune 500 companies before transitioning to human resources, where she developed a strong reputation for connecting people strategy to business impact.

  Lesley is the founder of Lesley Herald Consulting, a firm that partners with organizations to help them build high-performing teams, strengthen leadership capability and create cultures where people can succeed. Her areas of expertise include leadership development, employee engagement and the full employee experience lifecycle.

  Show details