A Journey of Professional Growth and Lasting Impact

Who are the more than 5,000 talent development professionals who have earned the APTD or CPTD credential? Get to know the talented and diverse community:

Wendy Abruzzini is a Senior Instructional Designer. She earned the Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD®) credential in 2022.

Why did you pursue the APTD/CPTD?
My CPTD journey was about finding direction and inspiration. After 15 years in talent development, I thought, “What’s next?” I wanted to deepen my contributions and expand my knowledge: “How can I enhance my impact in a learning organization?” “How can I serve my clients more effectively?” “How can I refine my skills?” Most importantly, “How can I engage in more meaningful, cross-functional conversations?” These were some of the questions that motivated me. The Impacting Organizational Capability section of the CPTD model especially captured my interest. This capability gave me the opportunity to explore all dimensions of talent development. Pursuing the CPTD certification felt like the perfect way to connect the dots and move forward with my development.

How have you benefited from the credential—professionally and/or personally?
Obtaining my certification has significantly broadened my professional network. I have built relationships with fellow CPTD professionals and CPTD candidates worldwide, which has given me valuable insights into the talent development landscape across global organizations. Opportunities for coaching, volunteering, and collaboration with TD professionals have provided me with a sense of community and an outlet for professional growth. My expertise is now recognized—even by those I have never met—and I have the CPTD credential to thank!

What advice would you share with others considering certification?
Before beginning the certification process, you must have your “why” fully defined. Write it down and keep it close by. When fatigue, procrastination, or overwhelm during your studies creeps in, reminding yourself of your “why” will motivate you to keep going. Connecting with a chapter cohort study group can also provide accountability and encouragement throughout the process.

What does having your credential mean to you?
My CPTD credential symbolizes my commitment to excellence. I’m proud to have taken the extra step to deepen my knowledge and grow both professionally and personally. As someone living with a nonvisible disability, I had to work extra hard to find creative ways to encode the content and relate it to my experience. Passing the exam felt like one of my greatest achievements!

How did you get into the talent development field?
I fell into talent development by accident. I was a junior project manager on a strategic initiatives team and ended up becoming the sole trainer for all enterprise-wide initiatives. I traveled around the United States training vast audiences at all professional levels. Soon I discovered that I was a trainer—not a project manager. After six years of training facilitation, I fell in love with instructional design. Thankfully, I had a lot of mentors and leaders who believed in me and helped me grow. I fell in love with the industry and never looked back!

What is the most unusual job you’ve had?
Tour guide at the Disneyland Resort

Have you earned the APTD or CPTD? Share your story with the community.