Cammy Bean, Senior Solutions Consultant, Kineo

"We’re in the midst of some profound change happening in the L&D field, with the opportunities provided by Gen AI tilting the boat for many of us who’ve been doing what we’re good at for so many years. Many of us found our way to the L&D field quite by accident, finding our way onto a training team because of our deep subject matter expertise, our writing or facilitation skills, our technical chops, or some other creative talent that was needed to support training content development. So where do we re-skill and up-skill, lest we find ourselves under-skilled and obsolete? How do we stay connected to those core aspects of our own identities that pulled us to work in this field while continuing to provide value to organizations?

Let’s have a frank discussion about what’s next for us as individuals and professionals. We’ll workshop different tools to consider our strengths and weaknesses and reflect on the directions in which we want to move. Whether you are exploring your own career path in L&D or leading a team of L&D practitioners with an eye to their future development, together we'll create a clearer vision on direction and heading for what’s next as we chart a course into the vast and unknown future of talent development."

Chris Curtin, CEO, Connected Approach Partners

"In an era where leaders are navigating relentless change, complex teams, and rising pressure to perform, the need for emotionally intelligent, human-centered leadership has never been greater. Enter Kermit the Frog—a surprisingly profound model of what it means to lead with empathy, humility, bravery, and courage.

In this thought-provoking and refreshingly original workshop, Chris Curtin—CEO of Connected Approach Partners—invites attendees to explore The Tao of Kermit, drawing leadership lessons from one of pop culture’s most beloved and quietly powerful figures. From managing chaos with calm to lifting others up while staying true to one’s voice, Kermit shows us that leading with heart is not a soft skill—it’s a strategic advantage.

Attendees will leave with a renewed understanding of what it means to lead in today’s world: embracing emotional courage, elevating the team above ego, and navigating ambiguity without losing their center. If you’re tired of leadership frameworks that forget the human behind the title, this session offers a welcome—and practical—reframe. Attendees will walk away inspired and equipped with real tools for creating trust, resilience, and results through the art of human leadership."