Chicago OD Practitioners Network
Topic: Is Board Service Right for HR & OD Professionals or their Clients?
Date: Friday, September 25, 2025
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 by Monday, September 22 (free program). You will receive a Zoom link the week of the program.
Program Description:
Serving on a Board of Directors is a way to make a larger contribution in this world, whether it is non-profit, advisory or corporate boards. It is an excellent route to career advancement for HR and OD professionals and any of their clients by making them more valuable to their companies. Right now, HR and OD professionals are being sought by Boards. In this interactive program we’ll explore:
This interactive discussion and knowledge-challenging session will better prepare you for providing guidance to your clients (internal or external) on when and how to pursue board service. And for yourself or your fellow colleagues, if you see an opportunity is a fit for you. There will be large group discussion throughout along with breakout groups in smaller settings.
Presenter: Janelle Brittain, MBA, Certified Speaking Professional, has a broad depth of experience on a variety of types of boards for 47 years. She has helped over 1000 executives through the journey of pursuing Board positions. She was Director of Boardroom Bound’s Boardology™ Institute, which focused on helping women and minorities obtain their first corporate board position. Ms. Brittain was a Managing Director with Mastermind Advisory Board whose mission was to put brilliant minds on private company Advisory Boards. And as CEO of the Dynamic Performance Institute LLC, she advises all types of Boards on how to be more effective, which includes strategic planning, board assessment and board interventions.
Program Format:
Initial presentation, with large group & small group interactive discussions blended in. Informal Zoom atmosphere. We 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 by Monday, September 22 (free program). You will receive a Zoom link during that week of the program.
Join us at noon CT on Tuesday, September 30th for an interactive webinar with ATD Chicagoland President, Dr. Ana Bedard on From Hardworking to High-Impact: Realizing the Potential of First-Generation Professionals. First-generation professionals—often from underrepresented backgrounds—are more self-motivated, loyal, and driven than their peers whose parents were professionals. However, they often face hidden barriers that limit their impact, which I summarize as – they don’t know how to be the valuable contributors they are committed to being. This 1-hour virtual session explores how organizations can help first-gen (and all) employees shift from dependable contributors to high-value performers. Drawing on Liz Wiseman’s Impact Players research, we will share behaviors and mindsets that drive high performance. Participants will: Recognize the unique value that first-generation professionals bring to the workplace Name the unique challenges first-generation professionals face Identify the "impact player" mindset Learn five behaviors and two essential skills of high-value contributors Brainstorm ways to embed insights into onboarding, ERGs, development programs, and other organizational vehicles *First-gen professionals are the first in their family to work in a professional role. An indicator of the population size is that 42% of 2016 college grads were first in their family to earn a degree. Black and Hispanic students were nearly twice as likely as White students to be first-gen professionals. About our speaker: Dr. Ana Bedard is a visionary leader and the founder of ThriveOn Talent and the President of ATD Chicagoland Chapter. With over 25 years of experience in leadership and inclusion.Dr. Ana has helped dozens of companies drive change and achieve higher performance by developing leaders and inclusive organizations. In addition to her extensive consulting experience, she led executive development initiatives at AbbVie, a Fortune 100 pharmaceutical company. ThriveOn Talent specializes in the life sciences and manufacturing fields. Dr. Ana writes about leadership and inclusion on her blog. She earned her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and her Ph.D. in theology from Loyola University Chicago, where she wrote her dissertation on undocumented immigration and the common good.
Join us at noon CT on Tuesday, September 30th for an interactive webinar with ATD Chicagoland President, Dr. Ana Bedard on From Hardworking to High-Impact: Realizing the Potential of First-Generation Professionals. First-generation professionals—often from underrepresented backgrounds—are more self-motivated, loyal, and driven than their peers whose parents were professionals. However, they often face hidden barriers that limit their impact, which I summarize as – they don’t know how to be the valuable contributors they are committed to being.
This 1-hour virtual session explores how organizations can help first-gen (and all) employees shift from dependable contributors to high-value performers. Drawing on Liz Wiseman’s Impact Players research, we will share behaviors and mindsets that drive high performance.
Participants will:
*First-gen professionals are the first in their family to work in a professional role. An indicator of the population size is that 42% of 2016 college grads were first in their family to earn a degree. Black and Hispanic students were nearly twice as likely as White students to be first-gen professionals.
About our speaker:
Dr. Ana Bedard is a visionary leader and the founder of ThriveOn Talent and the President of ATD Chicagoland Chapter. With over 25 years of experience in leadership and inclusion.Dr. Ana has helped dozens of companies drive change and achieve higher performance by developing leaders and inclusive organizations. In addition to her extensive consulting experience, she led executive development initiatives at AbbVie, a Fortune 100 pharmaceutical company.
ThriveOn Talent specializes in the life sciences and manufacturing fields. Dr. Ana writes about leadership and inclusion on her blog. She earned her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and her Ph.D. in theology from Loyola University Chicago, where she wrote her dissertation on undocumented immigration and the common good.
This networking event will inspire meaningful conversations as you connect and share with other Talent Development professionals.
Register now to join us for a Monday morning virtual cup of coffee!
Ever faced a question that made your heart race or your thoughts stall? Most of us freeze, fumble, or fall into filler words. But it doesn't have to be that way. Join us noon CT on Tuesday, October 21st when ATD Chicagoland and G. Riley Mills, co-founder of Pinnacle Performance Consulting, for a webinar that demystifies the art (and science) of handling challenging questions. This webinar is FREE for all participants! Unlock the principles from neuroscience, as well as performance techniques borrowed from professional actors to build trust and credibility in the moment. Learn how to:
Ever faced a question that made your heart race or your thoughts stall? Most of us freeze, fumble, or fall into filler words. But it doesn't have to be that way.
Join us noon CT on Tuesday, October 21st when ATD Chicagoland and G. Riley Mills, co-founder of Pinnacle Performance Consulting, for a webinar that demystifies the art (and science) of handling challenging questions. This webinar is FREE for all participants!
Unlock the principles from neuroscience, as well as performance techniques borrowed from professional actors to build trust and credibility in the moment.
Learn how to:
This isn't just theory. It's training that transforms. About our speaker: G. Riley Mills is the cofounder and CLO of Pinnacle Performance Company, an Emmy Award-winning writer, and author of Synergy and Sparks (Wiley). Named a Top Leadership Speaker by Inc., he's spoken at Columbia, London Business School, ATD International Conference, and even Buckingham Palace. A regular contributor to Forbes, he's also written for Fast Company and Inc. Magazine.
This isn't just theory. It's training that transforms.
G. Riley Mills is the cofounder and CLO of Pinnacle Performance Company, an Emmy Award-winning writer, and author of Synergy and Sparks (Wiley). Named a Top Leadership Speaker by Inc., he's spoken at Columbia, London Business School, ATD International Conference, and even Buckingham Palace. A regular contributor to Forbes, he's also written for Fast Company and Inc. Magazine.
Thank you to our generous event sponsor
Event Overview ATDChi is brewing up a fresh batch of networking and learning at our quarterly Sip & Share event. It's the perfect place for talent development professionals to mix, mingle, and stir up new ideas.
Why Attend?
Network on Tap: Make meaningful connections and build relationships with local L&D professionals.
Freshly Brewed Ideas: Share your challenges and solutions, and get inspired by new perspectives in talent development.
A Blend of Learning: Sip on knowledge and stir up new strategies to take your skills to the next level.
Who Should Attend?
ATDChi members and sponsors only
Topics on Tap
You’ll rotate through roundtables steeped in real-world relevance, with themes like:
Leadership Development, like:
How Can We Develop Leaders at All Levels, Not Just Executives? – What strategies help cultivate leadership skills among individual contributors and middle managers?
Can Leadership Be Taught, or Is It Natural? – What roles do learning and development play in shaping great leaders?
Organizational Development
What Makes Workplace Training Effective (or Ineffective)? – From your own experiences, what training approaches have worked well or fallen flat?
What Was the Impact? – What are some ways to measure whether training is having a real impact on the business?
Instructional Design
Making Learning Stick: Strategies for Retention – How can we design training that learners remember and apply?
Is E-Learning the Future, or Is In-Person Training Here to Stay? – What are the benefits and challenges of digital vs. in-person learning?
Plus more flavorful L&D topics based on member interest
This isn’t just another event — it’s the perfect blend of learning and networking. Sip, share, and shake up your professional development with fellow ATDChi members.
