ATD Chicagoland Chapter upcoming events

How to... Build Resilience for Change (November 10, 2026)

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

With digital transformation, AI and more, change is hitting teams harder than ever— and as a td practitioner, you're the one trying to steady the ship while everyone else is trying to find their footing. This session is about helping the people around you build real resilience, not just push through. We'll cover why change triggers resistance, how to spot stress points before they turn into burnout or disengagement, and practical ways to coach your stakeholders toward a more proactive, grounded mindset. Walk away with tools you can start using with your stakeholders right away!

Learning Outcomes:

Recognize change resistance in others — understand what drives it and identify the individual stressors your stakeholders may be experiencing.
Coach reframing and stability habits that help leaders and stakeholders stay grounded and manage their own change response more effectively.
Guide your impacted stakeholders from reactive to proactive — and build accountability practices that reinforce resilient behaviors

We're excited to hear from our speaker, Michelle Yanahan:

Michelle Yanahan, Principal and Owner of ChangeFit 360, is a change management thought leader with proven expertise in executing change programs that enhance and grow organizational change management as a strategic business competency.

Michelle has 25 +years of experience in leadership roles in operations, change and project management office (PMO) development.

Michelle holds a Masters in Organizational Behavior from Benedictine University as well as CCMP and Prosci ADKAR change management certifications.

ChangeFit 360 has been recognized by ACMP, ATD, SHRM and ICF as a qualified education provider in support of their professional certifications and is proud to hold a >90% customer satisfaction rate for the past 5 years running.

Rhythm Under Pressure (January 26, 2027)

Tue, 26 Jan 2027 22:30:00 GMT

2027 ATD CHI Kick-off

Jim Perona, a professional musician, will share the story behind Rhythm Under Pressure and how his journey from professional musician to keynote concert speaker has evolved.

Enjoy a live music-infused refelction that helps leaders and teams perform at their best when conditions are at their worst.

Through live music, storytelling, and practical frameworks, audiences discover how high performers adapt when certainty disappears, recover when plans fail, and maintain excellence under pressure.

Event Agenda

4:30–5:00 p.m.: Networking

Reconnect with colleagues, meet new professionals, and enjoy light refreshments.

5:00–6:15 p.m.: Session

Rhythm Under Pressure: A Networking Session Built for People Who Develop People

6:15–6:30 p.m.: Closing Remarks & Wrap-Up

***AIT WORLDWIDE is excited to host us for this event!**

Jim Perona is a keynote concert speaker and internationally recognized classical guitarist who helps organizations perform with greater adaptability, consistency, and confidence when conditions change.

After more than 1,000 professional performances, a career-threatening hand injury, and a life-changing multiple sclerosis diagnosis, Jim discovered that his greatest lessons were not about music. They were about performing under pressure. Those experiences inspired him to create Rhythm Under Pressure, an experiential keynote that blends live music, storytelling, and practical performance principles to help audiences navigate uncertainty and execute when it matters most.

As a performer, Jim has appeared at more than 1,000 events, earned over 750 five-star reviews, performed on the main stage of Chicago’s United Center, and recorded on a Billboard No. 1 album. Today, he brings those experiences to organizations through keynote presentations that transform real-world challenges into meaningful learning experiences.