ATD Cascadia upcoming events

Board of Directors Meeting - June (Tuesday, June 16, 2026)

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The board meeting is open to any interested person.

Please indicate your interest in attending by registering in advance.

This will be a Zoom session and access will need to be given.

ATD Cascadia's Learning over Lunch - How to Facilitate Hot Topics to Maintain Cool Heads (Thursday, June 18, 2026)

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Are you looking for a friendly and collaborative opportunity for knowledge sharing? Join fellow Talent Development professionals for ATD-Cascadia’s free Learning Over Lunch series.

Please note: To continue offering high-quality programming and to ensure the sustainability of our chapter, we are now implementing a $10 fee for non-members to attend networking events including our Learning Over Lunch series.

This session will focus on Facilitation structures that support psychological safety and nuance in team decision-making.

Take aways:

1. A model for understanding how disagreements can lead to conflict, and how to keep the process productive.

2. Two facilitation techniques learners can use with their groups tomorrow.

3. An opportunity to compare notes about how hot topics in our region are impacting other teams.

About the Pacific Northwest Facilitators Guild (PNWFG):

The PNWFG is a professional collective of independent facilitators and small firms serving Oregon and Washington, starting in the Portland/Vancouver metro area.

We exist because organizations in this region deserve better access to skilled facilitation when it matters most: the high-stakes conversations, the stalled innovations, the cross-functional tangles, the decisions that keep getting deferred. Our members bring a range of methodologies and deep experience working with teams under pressure.

For talent development professionals, the Guild offers a local bench of vetted practitioners you can call on when your organization needs outside facilitation support, whether that's a single session or a complex multi-stakeholder engagement. We complement the professional development work that groups like ATD already do by focusing on the practitioner side: making sure skilled facilitators are findable, collaborative, and ready to work.

This Month's Topic: How to Facilitate Hot Topics to Maintain Cool Heads

Agenda items:

Group discussion and sharing

Details:

Date & Time: June 18 2026 - 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Format: Virtual discussion with small group breakouts

Additional Information:

Please be prepared to join via video (if possible) and actively participate in small group discussions.
Zoom access information will be emailed to you prior to the program.

Bring your ideas, experiences, and questions to what promises to be an engaging and forward-thinking session!

Capability Areas: Developing Professional Capability, Developing Professional Capability, Training Delivery and Facilitation,Lifelong Learning

ATD - Cascadia Chapter In Person Coffee Connect (Tuesday, July 07, 2026)

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

ATD CASCADIA COFFEE CONNECT: Southwest Washington Spotlight

Join fellow learning and development professionals for a relaxed Coffee Connect hosted by ATD Cascadia. This casual morning meetup is a chance to connect, catch up, and build community with others in the Cascadia L&D network.

Why Attend:

Enjoy easy, informal conversation with L&D peers
Meet new faces and reconnect with the ATD Cascadia community
Share ideas, perspectives, and experiences over great coffee
Build meaningful relationships in a welcoming, low-key setting

Whether you’re a longtime ATD Cascadia member or new to the community, this is a simple, friendly way to start your day and stay connected.

Grab a cup, pull up a chair, and spend the morning with the Cascadia L&D community

Please: Register online so we have an idea of the number of people to expect. Thanks!

Questions: Email Hunter at programs@tdcascadia.org.

Learning Leaders SIG - Practical Uses of AI for Learning Development: Storyboards, Visuals, and Narration (Tuesday, July 07, 2026)

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 19:00:00 GMT

This is the last of the series focusing on AI in L & D.

July 7 - Session 3: Practical Uses of AI for Learning Development: Storyboards, Visuals, and Narration

The ATD-Cascadia Learning Leaders Special Interest Group (SIG) is an informal discussion group where Talent Development leaders can talk about their challenges, successes, and what they are learning along the way. Our desire is to build a community of learning leaders who share best practices and feel supported in their work.

Please join us during the first Tuesday of every month at Noon for an hour of sharing insights and support with your colleagues.

By attending the Learning Leaders SIG, you will have an opportunity to:

Connect with other learning leaders to share current issues

Gain actionable insights on delivering a talent development strategy

Receive valuable advice and support from your peers

Intended Audience

Talent Development Leaders (managers and above) who are members or future members of ATD-Cascadia.

By talent development, we are specifically looking for those who:

Manage a staff of trainers, instructional designers, learning designers

Lead the learning and development function for an organization

Serve as external consultants who advise on talent development strategy

Have positions such as: Manager/Director of L&D/Training, Chief Learning Officer, Head of Talent Development, or HR leaders responsible for Talent Development

If you are not in a formal L&D leadership position, but want “a peak behind the curtain,” feel free to reach out to Dan Vetter or Dan Bilderback to learn more about this group and see if it is something that appeals to you.

Dan Bilderback, CPTD

Dan has been working in the field of Talent Development since 2006 and is currently the Director of Talent Development at SELCO Community Credit Union, based in Springfield, OR. A longtime member of ATD, Dan earned his CPTD designation in 2011 and was one of the co-founders of the ATD-Cascadia Lane County Geographical Interest Group (GIG). Dan is passionate about partnering with others to create learning solutions that are effective, timely, and fun!

In his spare time, Dan is a part time professional musician who loves traveling, wine tasting, and playing music with his wife, Corrina. Their border collie, Milo, keeps them active and happy!

Dan Vetter, CPTD

Dan has been improving human performance for 35 years. For 12 years he worked inside a Fortune 500 company developing and facilitating workshops for thousands of participants. Since 1994 he has worked his training magic with over 100 clients. Dan was the 2004 President of American Society for Training and Development – Cascadia Chapter. He is actively involved in Oregon Organizational Development Network and is leading their pro-bono Community Consulting Program. Additionally, he serves as an adjunct faculty member for Portland State University helping mentor and develop the trainers of tomorrow. In 2009 he was one of the earliest NW training professionals to earn the prestigious “Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD)” designation from the Association for Talent Development (ATD).

Dan lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife Carmen who is a glass artist. He loves sailing, hiking, cycling, and trips to the Oregon Coast.

Career & Leadership Development, Coaching, Collaboration & Leadership, Lifelong Learning, Talent Strategy & Management, Future Readiness

ATD Cascadia's Learning over Lunch - Before, During, After: Reflection Strategies for Learning That Lasts (Thursday, July 16, 2026)

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Are you looking for a friendly and collaborative opportunity for knowledge sharing? Join fellow Talent Development professionals for ATD-Cascadia’s free Learning Over Lunch series.

What if everything you know about reflection is backwards? Most of us save reflection for the end—a quick debrief, maybe a plus/delta. But the brain forgets fast. By the time we get to "So, what did you learn?" most of it's already gone. When we weave reflection throughout the learning experience—before, during, and after—we work with the brain, not against it. People retain more, apply faster, and remember what matters. You'll discover why when you reflect matters as much as what you reflect on.

Take aways:

This workshop supports leaders in navigating difficult conversations with confidence by helping them understand how the brain responds to stress and perceived threat.

Participants explore

the neuroscience of emotional regulation,

reflect on their personal stress and safety cues, and

practice practical tools for staying grounded, clear, and effective during high-stakes conversations.

About Katrina Kennedy:

Katrina, known as the "trainer's trainer,” is a facilitator, speaker, and author with 25+ years in learning and development. Author of the book, Learning That Lasts, she has helped thousands of subject matter experts design and deliver engaging learning experiences in a variety of industries. She shares training insights and ideas at www.katrinakennedy.com.

This Month's Topic: Before, During, After: Reflection Strategies for Learning That Lasts

Agenda items:

Group discussion and sharing

Details:

Date & Time: July 16 2026 - 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Format: Virtual discussion with small group breakouts

Additional Information:

Please be prepared to join via video (if possible) and actively participate in small group discussions.
Zoom access information will be emailed to you prior to the program.

Bring your ideas, experiences, and questions to what promises to be an engaging and forward-thinking session!

Capability Areas: Developing Professional Capability, Learning Sciences, Instructional Design, Training Delivery and Facilitation

Board of Directors Meeting - July (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The board meeting is open to any interested person.

Please indicate your interest in attending by registering in advance.

This will be a Zoom session and access will need to be given.

Learning Leaders SIG -Protecting DEI Programs in the Current Climate (Tuesday, August 04, 2026)

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Please join us during the first Tuesday of every month at Noon for an hour of sharing insights and support with your colleagues.

By attending the Learning Leaders SIG, you will have an opportunity to:

Connect with other learning leaders to share current issues

Gain actionable insights on delivering a talent development strategy

Receive valuable advice and support from your peers

Intended Audience

Talent Development Leaders (managers and above) who are members or future members of ATD-Cascadia.

By talent development, we are specifically looking for those who:

Manage a staff of trainers, instructional designers, learning designers

Lead the learning and development function for an organization

Serve as external consultants who advise on talent development strategy

Have positions such as: Manager/Director of L&D/Training, Chief Learning Officer, Head of Talent Development, or HR leaders responsible for Talent Development

Dan Bilderback, CPTD

In his spare time, Dan is a part time professional musician who loves traveling, wine tasting, and playing music with his wife, Corrina. Their border collie, Milo, keeps them active and happy!

Dan Vetter, CPTD

Dan lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife Carmen who is a glass artist. He loves sailing, hiking, cycling, and trips to the Oregon Coast.

Career & Leadership Development, Coaching, Collaboration & Leadership, Lifelong Learning, Talent Strategy & Management, Future Readiness

Board of Directors Meeting - August (Tuesday, August 18, 2026)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The board meeting is open to any interested person.

Please indicate your interest in attending by registering in advance.

This will be a Zoom session and access will need to be given.

ATD Cascadia's Learning over Lunch - Grounded Leadership: Staying Effective in High-Stakes Conversations (Thursday, August 20, 2026)

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Are you looking for a friendly and collaborative opportunity for knowledge sharing? Join fellow Talent Development professionals for ATD-Cascadia’s free Learning Over Lunch series.

This workshop supports leaders in navigating difficult conversations with confidence by helping them understand how the brain responds to stress and perceived threat. Participants explore the neuroscience of emotional regulation, reflect on their personal stress and safety cues, and practice practical tools for staying grounded, clear, and effective during high-stakes conversations.

Take aways:

• Normalize emotional reactions – Understand that stress responses are a natural biological reaction, not a personal failure or lack of capability.

• Increase self-awareness – Learn to recognize personal signs of being in a stress state versus a safe state, and how each impacts communication and problem-solving.

• Build regulation skills – Leave with practical tools to shift from a stress response into a calm, productive “safe zone” during challenging conversations.

About Elle Christensen:

Training & Development Manager

OrePac Building Products

Elle Christensen is the Training and Development Manager at OrePac Building Products, where she supports leadership development across the organization. A graduate of Mount Holyoke College (Class of 2015) with a degree in Critical Social Thought, Elle brings a strong foundation in systems thinking and human behavior to her work. She is also an alumna of Gonzaga University (Class of 2018), where she earned a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership. Elle’s work focuses on building leadership capability by helping people understand the neuroscience behind predictable human reactions and apply that knowledge to stay calm, clear, and connected.

This Month's Topic: Grounded Leadership: Staying Effective in High-Stakes Conversations

Agenda items:

Group discussion and sharing

Details:

Date & Time: August 20, 2026 - 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Format: Virtual discussion with small group breakouts

Additional Information:

Please be prepared to join via video (if possible) and actively participate in small group discussions.
Zoom access information will be emailed to you prior to the program.

Bring your ideas, experiences, and questions to what promises to be an engaging and forward-thinking session!

Capability Areas: Developing Professional Capability, Building Personal Capacity, Communication, Emotional Intelligence & Decision Making

Learning Leaders SIG -Proposing Solutions When You Can’t Guarantee ROI: How to Protect the L&D space When Times Get Lean (Tuesday, September 01, 2026)

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Please join us during the first Tuesday of every month at Noon for an hour of sharing insights and support with your colleagues.

By attending the Learning Leaders SIG, you will have an opportunity to:

Connect with other learning leaders to share current issues

Gain actionable insights on delivering a talent development strategy

Receive valuable advice and support from your peers

Intended Audience

Talent Development Leaders (managers and above) who are members or future members of ATD-Cascadia.

By talent development, we are specifically looking for those who:

Manage a staff of trainers, instructional designers, learning designers

Lead the learning and development function for an organization

Serve as external consultants who advise on talent development strategy

Have positions such as: Manager/Director of L&D/Training, Chief Learning Officer, Head of Talent Development, or HR leaders responsible for Talent Development

Dan Bilderback, CPTD

In his spare time, Dan is a part time professional musician who loves traveling, wine tasting, and playing music with his wife, Corrina. Their border collie, Milo, keeps them active and happy!

Dan Vetter, CPTD

Dan lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife Carmen who is a glass artist. He loves sailing, hiking, cycling, and trips to the Oregon Coast.

Career & Leadership Development, Coaching, Collaboration & Leadership, Lifelong Learning, Talent Strategy & Management, Future Readiness

Board of Directors Meeting - September (Tuesday, September 15, 2026)

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The board meeting is open to any interested person.

Please indicate your interest in attending by registering in advance.

This will be a Zoom session and access will need to be given.

Learning Leaders SIG -How to Incorporate Organizational Development (OD) Principles Into L&D (Tuesday, October 06, 2026)

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Please join us during the first Tuesday of every month at Noon for an hour of sharing insights and support with your colleagues.

By attending the Learning Leaders SIG, you will have an opportunity to:

Connect with other learning leaders to share current issues

Gain actionable insights on delivering a talent development strategy

Receive valuable advice and support from your peers

Intended Audience

Talent Development Leaders (managers and above) who are members or future members of ATD-Cascadia.

By talent development, we are specifically looking for those who:

Manage a staff of trainers, instructional designers, learning designers

Lead the learning and development function for an organization

Serve as external consultants who advise on talent development strategy

Have positions such as: Manager/Director of L&D/Training, Chief Learning Officer, Head of Talent Development, or HR leaders responsible for Talent Development

Dan Bilderback, CPTD

In his spare time, Dan is a part time professional musician who loves traveling, wine tasting, and playing music with his wife, Corrina. Their border collie, Milo, keeps them active and happy!

Dan Vetter, CPTD

Dan lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife Carmen who is a glass artist. He loves sailing, hiking, cycling, and trips to the Oregon Coast.

Career & Leadership Development, Coaching, Collaboration & Leadership, Lifelong Learning, Talent Strategy & Management, Future Readiness

Board of Directors Meeting - October (Tuesday, October 20, 2026)

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The board meeting is open to any interested person.

Please indicate your interest in attending by registering in advance.

Please note that the meeting location may either be in a secure building where you will need to receive instructions prior to the meeting to gain access. Or, this will be a Zoom session and access will need to be given.

Learning Leaders SIG -How Do You Convince Your Company that L&D Still Matters? (Tuesday, November 03, 2026)

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Please join us during the first Tuesday of every month at Noon for an hour of sharing insights and support with your colleagues.

By attending the Learning Leaders SIG, you will have an opportunity to:

Connect with other learning leaders to share current issues

Gain actionable insights on delivering a talent development strategy

Receive valuable advice and support from your peers

Intended Audience

Talent Development Leaders (managers and above) who are members or future members of ATD-Cascadia.

By talent development, we are specifically looking for those who:

Manage a staff of trainers, instructional designers, learning designers

Lead the learning and development function for an organization

Serve as external consultants who advise on talent development strategy

Have positions such as: Manager/Director of L&D/Training, Chief Learning Officer, Head of Talent Development, or HR leaders responsible for Talent Development

Dan Bilderback, CPTD

In his spare time, Dan is a part time professional musician who loves traveling, wine tasting, and playing music with his wife, Corrina. Their border collie, Milo, keeps them active and happy!

Dan Vetter, CPTD

Dan lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife Carmen who is a glass artist. He loves sailing, hiking, cycling, and trips to the Oregon Coast.

Career & Leadership Development, Coaching, Collaboration & Leadership, Lifelong Learning, Talent Strategy & Management, Future Readiness

Board of Directors Meeting - November (Tuesday, November 17, 2026)

Wed, 18 Nov 2026 01:00:00 GMT

The board meeting is open to any interested person.

Please indicate your interest in attending by registering in advance.

This will be a Zoom session and access will need to be given.

Learning Leaders SIG - Learning Leaders’ Show and Tell: What We Accomplished and What We Learned in 2026 (Tuesday, December 01, 2026)

Tue, 01 Dec 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Please join us during the first Tuesday of every month at Noon for an hour of sharing insights and support with your colleagues.

By attending the Learning Leaders SIG, you will have an opportunity to:

Connect with other learning leaders to share current issues

Gain actionable insights on delivering a talent development strategy

Receive valuable advice and support from your peers

Intended Audience

Talent Development Leaders (managers and above) who are members or future members of ATD-Cascadia.

By talent development, we are specifically looking for those who:

Manage a staff of trainers, instructional designers, learning designers

Lead the learning and development function for an organization

Serve as external consultants who advise on talent development strategy

Have positions such as: Manager/Director of L&D/Training, Chief Learning Officer, Head of Talent Development, or HR leaders responsible for Talent Development

Dan Bilderback, CPTD

In his spare time, Dan is a part time professional musician who loves traveling, wine tasting, and playing music with his wife, Corrina. Their border collie, Milo, keeps them active and happy!

Dan Vetter, CPTD

Dan lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife Carmen who is a glass artist. He loves sailing, hiking, cycling, and trips to the Oregon Coast.

Career & Leadership Development, Coaching, Collaboration & Leadership, Lifelong Learning, Talent Strategy & Management, Future Readiness

Board of Directors Meeting - December (Tuesday, December 15, 2026)

Wed, 16 Dec 2026 01:00:00 GMT

The board meeting is open to any interested person.

Please indicate your interest in attending by registering in advance.

This will be a Zoom session and access will need to be given.