Chicago OD Practitioners Network
Topic: Navigating the Meta-Crisis: Why Workplaces Feel Chaotic and What We Can Do About It
Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
Location: Virtual, via Zoom
Time: 7:45-8:00 AM, CDT networking
8:00-9:30 AM, CDT program
Register: Send an email to CODPNetwork@gmail.com before Monday, October 26 (free program). You will receive a Zoom link the week of the program.
Program Description:
Many of us are on the front lines of seeing traditional playbooks fray under continuous global and organizational noise.Organizations face unprecedented levels of employee burnout, information overload, and systemic lag. As exponential technological advancements clash with linear human biological limits and hyper-lean workplace designs, people across every function are fundamentally overwhelmed.
In this session, we'll use a working framework as a diagnostic lens to facilitate an open, peer-driven discussion that harvests the room's collective wisdom. Together, we will unpack why organizations (and the world) feel so chaotic and explore practical solutions for each section of the model.
Attendees will walk away with a shared understanding of interventions to diagnose and reduce employee "cognitive drag," and persuasive strategies to help executive sponsors pivot from short-term efficiency to long-term organizational capacity.
About the Speaker
Abigail Baker is a co-chair for the CODPN and a strategic advisor and transformation leader with over a decade of experience driving organizational change and business excellence across global enterprises. Her career has revolved around aligning leadership priorities, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and executing large-scale programs to deliver measurable impact. From building Change Centers of Excellence to managing enterprise-wide transformations, she has worked with Fortune 500 companies, multinational clients, and top consulting firms, helping organizations stay agile and efficient amidst evolving demands. With expertise in areas such as strategic planning, change management, and technology-driven innovations, she strives to optimize processes and cultivate adaptability on a global scale.
Throughout her career, she has partnered with C-suite executives and senior leaders to develop and roll out impactful strategies tailored to their unique objectives. Her portfolio includes leading organizational redesigns, workforce planning, mergers and acquisitions preparation, and digital tool implementation, such as Salesforce integrations and AI-driven workstreams. She takes pride in developing tailored communication strategies that ensure clarity and alignment across diverse teams and fostering collaborative solutions that drive long-term success. Her work with global organizations has encompassed projects like strategic portfolio management, Generative AI adoption, and high-impact training programs, all of which embody her passion for purposeful transformation.
Program Format:
Mix of presentation (brief), large group & small group interactive discussions. Informal Zoom atmosphere. We will ask that all participants keep their camera on during the entire program, to promote good involvement and interaction.
To register, send an email to CODPNetwork@gmail.com before Monday, October 26 (free program). You will receive a Zoom link the week of the program.
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