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Chris Curtin founded Connected Approach Partners to be both the “positive irritant” and “serial encourager” to leaders and organizations with this aim: to help them curate their Leader Approach and achieve their full potential. Through his 20+ years of HR-related experience, Chris has been a coach, partner, strategist and change agent to leaders within Fortune 100 companies including RTX Corporate, Pratt & Whitney (a division of RTX), and GE. As an executive HR Leader, Chris led large global teams of HR business partners, Talent professionals, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion experts while serving as a trusted advisor to C-Suite and executive leaders. Chris now leverages this experience to provide high-level solutions to leaders and organizations across the globe. Chris resides in New England with his wife, two children, and the family’s mini-goldendoodle. He serves on the Board of Directors for Suffield Community Aid, an organization that provides supportive health and social services for Suffield residents in times of need. In his spare time, Chris enjoys exercising, cheering for the Boston Celtics, and collecting SAAB cars.

Chris Curtin

In an increasingly complex world, resilience is more essential than ever, especially for government workers. It's often misunderstood as merely "powering through" tough times, but it's much more than that. True resilience is the capacity to thrive amid adversity, drawing strength from difficult experiences and emerging stronger. With the current landscape marked by political uncertainty, misinformation, and global unrest, understanding and cultivating resilience is crucial. Here, we explore seven key insights into building resilience, both individually and within government organizations, and how it can serve as a strategic advantage in public service.1. Controlling Our Perception of the WorldIn an era of misinformation, managing perceptions is crucial for government workers. While external events are uncontrollable, we can control our responses by critically assessing information and seeking diverse perspectives. This balanced approach helps navigate challenges, maintaining public trust and integrity.2. The Right Stuff to Practice ResilienceTraits like perseverance, adaptability, and a commitment to public service are key for resilience in government workers. Recognizing and nurturing these traits helps navigate uncertainties, such as policy changes and public scrutiny. Resilience, developed over time, prepares for future challenges and ensures effective governance.3. Resilience as a Team EffortResilience is not just individual; it's a collective effort, especially in the public sector. Organizations should cultivate a culture of mutual support and collaboration. By working together, teams can better navigate crises, strengthening public sector performance.4. The Role of Leaders in Bridging Individual and Organizational ResilienceLeaders play a pivotal role in aligning individual strengths with organizational goals, fostering open communication and continuous learning. They set the tone for handling challenges and setbacks, creating a resilient culture. This leadership style, focusing on leading oneself, others, and circumstances, is crucial in public service.5. The Importance of RelationshipsStrong relationships are vital for resilience, providing essential support during difficult times. Building connections with colleagues and the community offers practical and emotional support, helping government employees cope with stress and maintain a positive outlook.6. Organizational Support for ResilienceOrganizations must invest in employees' well-being, providing mental health support, flexible work arrangements, and professional development. When employees feel valued and supported, they are more likely to engage fully, enhancing the organization's resilience and benefiting the public.7. Resilience as a Strategic Advantage in Public ServiceResilience is a strategic advantage, enabling government organizations to handle disruptions and seize new opportunities. Whether navigating policy changes or adapting to societal shifts, resilience helps maintain momentum and strengthens public trust, driving long-term success.ConclusionResilience is a foundational element crucial for government workers. It is an ongoing journey involving individual and collective efforts. By focusing on how we perceive challenges, leveraging our innate strengths, fostering supportive relationships, and creating a resilient organizational culture, government leaders can navigate adversity more effectively. Resilience is not just about surviving tough times; it's about thriving through them and using them as opportunities for growth to unleash your potential and cultivate success in public service.

Building Resilience: Thriving in Public Service Challenges

Chris Simonsen is an e-learning consultant, learning strategist, and instructional designer who is passionate about new learning innovations. He has had titles such as instructional technologist, instructional systems specialist, instructional designer, and e-learning consultant. Simonsen has successfully designed and developed cutting-edge learning strategies, including microlearning, blended classroom and online curriculums, gamification, and playlists, among others. If there’s a newest and greatest learning strategy out there, Simonsen probably has it in his tool box.

Chris Simonsen

What is Demo Day?

This free, half-day event offers you the opportunity to see live demos from five leading AI-augmented learning tech solutions. Each 30-minute demo allows you to see the solution in action, ask questions, and request additional information. Selecting new technologies for your organization is a tough decision and a big investment. Let ATD Demo Day help you learn about the benefits of a variety of options at once.

Who is it for?
Anyone who is currently searching for innovative solutions using AI, interested in transforming their L&amp;D workflow with generative AI, or scaling and automating enterprise training programs.

Demo Day Agenda: (All times below are Eastern Standard Time)

11:55 a.m.–12 p.m.— ATD Introduction &amp; Welcome
12–12:30 p.m.—Practical AI Solutions for Real Business Impact (Strategy.AI)
12:45–1:15 p.m.—Critical Reskilling: AI Workforce Transformation (Ascendient Learning)
1:30–2 p.m.—Be An AI Ninja – Must Try Tips! (Get Control)
2:15–2:45 p.m. —The Human Side of AI: Building Resilience Through Change (ELB Learning)
3–3:30 p.m.—AI &amp; Learning and Development: Beyond the Button (MadCap Software)


Session Descriptions:

12–12:30 p.m. ET – Strategy.AI Demo

Practical AI Solutions for Real Business Impact


Transform your L&amp;D function with AI! Discover how to identify skills gaps, personalize training, and measure impact to prove your value to business leaders. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your capabilities!


Join this session to:


	Discover how, in just 15 minutes, you can use AI to identify skill gaps and recommend personalized solutions for thousands of employees—scaling L&amp;D impact faster than ever before.
	Uncover how AI fosters cross-department collaboration, transforming siloed teams into knowledge-sharing powerhouses.
	Use AI to transform how learners engage with PowerPoint presentations—what used to be a boring reading exercise can now become a personalized, two-way experience!


Speaker: Andrew Leong-Fern, Founder and CEO, Strategy AI

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12:45–1:15 p.m. ET

Critical Reskilling: AI Workforce Transformation

AI is creating change across the workforce, with the World Economic Forum estimating that 59% of workers will need significant upskilling or reskilling by 2030; however, most organizations lack the training resources or strategies to adapt to these challenges. Ascendient Learning leverages over 60 years of IT training experience to deliver instructor-led training solutions customized to your business needs, ranging from company-wide awareness training to highly technical multi-week bootcamps.

Join this session to:


	Understand the impact that AI will have on the technical workforce.
	Identify key skills needed for AI-enabled job roles.
	Learn how to develop and implement an upskilling strategy that develops in-house talent to fill these growing requirements.


 

Speaker: Brian Carlson, Alliances and Strategic Accounts, Ascendient Learning

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1:30-2:00 p.m.

Be An AI Ninja – Must Try Tips!

Unleash your inner AI Ninja with our action-packed session for L&amp;D professionals! Join bestselling author Mike Song and the Get Control Training team as we countdown the top 10 AI tips for ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and more. Discover hidden features, best practices, and essential tools embedded in MS Teams and Windows, including time-saving tricks like using Collections for prompt templates. Boost efficiency, streamline workflows, and maximize the potential of AI in your organization. Trusted by 20% of the Fortune 500, this session delivers high-impact insights designed to empower you and your team. Don’t miss this game-changing experience!


Join this session to:


	Build More Effective Prompts.
	Discover Hidden ChatGPT &amp; Copilot Features.
	Save 20 minutes a day.


Speaker: Mike Song, Get Control

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2:15-2:45 p.m.

The Human Side of AI: Building Resilience Through Change


ELB Learning can help you empower your team to thrive in an AI-driven world. This session will explore how we can help you raise your team’s AI literacy, craft custom AI solutions, and guide your organization through change with tailored adoption plans. You’ll learn how we can help you create AI roadmaps, deploy cutting-edge tools, and foster a culture of innovation. By understanding the human side of AI adoption, you can seamlessly integrate technology into your workflows and align it with your business goals for lasting success.


Join this session to:


	Discover practical ways to integrate AI tools into daily workflows and upskill teams.
	Learn how to design and deploy AI-enabled solutions to meet your unique business needs.
	Identify effective change management strategies for smooth AI adoption and sustained growth.


Speaker: Josh Penzell, VP of AI Innovations and Solutions, ELB Learning

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3:00-3:30 p.m.

AI &amp; Learning and Development: Beyond the Button

AI is more than a simple tool for generating text—it’s reshaping how organizations manage, control, and deliver their content. As learning and development teams navigate the challenges of content proliferation, consistency, and proprietary control, they must carve out a strategic role in the enterprise AI ecosystem. Join us as we explore a smarter approach to AI—one that goes beyond automation to empower organizations with vetted, reliable, and controlled content. Discover how MadCap’s intentional AI strategy is rethinking learning content's role in an accelerating AI environment.


Join this session to:


	Explore how AI is transforming how organizations manage, control, and deliver content.
	Discover why learning and development teams must take a strategic role in AI adoption to address content challenges.
	Learn why a smarter AI strategy goes beyond automation to ensure vetted, reliable, and controlled content.



Speaker: Chris Kocher, MadCap Software

ATD Demo Day: Augment L&D with AI 

A little over a year ago, LinkedIn launched its AI-powered coaching chatbot. You can ask it for advice on workplace issues, and it will help with suggestions on how to build skills, tackle issues, or move your career forward. Could this be the future for coaching at scale?The prospect of deploying an AI-powered virtual coach that could support thousands of employees simultaneously with their workplace challenges and aspirations is an attractive one. Imagine the savings on coaching and the benefits for employees of having access to a coach, round the clock, to respond to their every need almost instantly.Can AI replace a human coach?For incoming, younger employees, this may be just what they’re looking for: A recent survey found 66 percent of 25–34 year-olds would rather talk to AI about their problems than a loved one.And it’s easy to see why. With the power of generative AI, a chatbot can communicate with empathy. People report that the experience feels just like texting with an actual human, leading to concerns that we are rapidly becoming too attached to or dependent on these AI companions.The potential of providing this kind of support to employees is not without risk. While the interactions feel real, we must remember that the chatbot has been trained to mimic empathy. It knows what an empathic response to challenges and vulnerability sounds like and gives a seemingly appropriate reply. But it lacks genuine human empathy. It doesn’t actually care like a person may.Unlike a human coach, AI can’t think, feel, or relate to a person. No matter how sophisticated its language model, a coaching chatbot lacks the nuances of personal connection—and it cannot draw on a lifetime of emotional intelligence to offer support. Without that vital human connection, AI cannot effectively deliver workplace coaching.What are the benefits of AI in the coaching process?Where AI can significantly enhance coaching is by automating some logistical aspects, such as coaching provision and mechanics, making it easier and more efficient to build strong, effective coaching relationships. For example, AI can analyze hundreds of data points to match an employee with a suitable coach, increasing the likelihood that the two individuals will work well together, rather than leaving it to chance or asking an employee to choose from a list of coach bios.AI can then manage administrative tasks, such as scheduling calls, taking notes, and curating personalized content and learning materials from the vast quantity of resources organizations provide to their employees. This helps employees take post-coaching action and removes the administrative burden of managing the relationship, driving greater engagement and improving ROI.When deploying coaching at scale across all levels of the organization, AI platforms can minimize administrative overhead for learning and development (L&D) teams while delivering a seamless, engaging employee experience.AI also has the potential to analyze data from across an organization’s HRIS, recognizing patterns and identifying employees who could benefit most from coaching. For example, AI can detect factors that increase the probability that key employees could become flight risks, thereby creating an opportunity to intervene with career development resources before they decide to leave the organization. What’s next?It’s inevitable that AI will advance exponentially, potentially even creating life-like avatars that mimic human interaction. Until we have artificial general intelligence (where machines can truly think like humans), behind those lines of code, AI-powered coaching misses the spark of humanity that makes coaching so effective.Learn how you can offer scalable, personalized career coaching—that’s powered by people and technology—to employees at all levels of your business within your budget. 

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