North Dakota ATD upcoming events

Book Club-Strong Ground by Brene Brown (Thursday, April 16, 2026)

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Strong Ground

Our next book is Strong Ground by Brené Brown. We will begin meeting in April and will conclude in May 2026, with virtual meetings held every two weeks to discuss the chapters read.

Everyone is asked to BYOB (Bring Your Own Book). This book can be purchased from Amazon.

The schedule:

4/16/26: Chapters 1-6
4/30/26: Chapters 7-14
5/12/26: Chapters 15-18
5/28/26: Chapters 19-22

Book Club Conversation Catalysts

Brent Johnson, Higher Education Advancement Leader

Brent Johnson is a higher education advancement leader with over 10 years of experience spanning student affairs, conferences and events, and fundraising. In his current work, he focuses on organizational effectiveness through strong systems, thoughtful change management, and staff development. Brent became involved with NDATD while leading a training and facilitation team responsible for onboarding and upskilling team members across services and operations roles. He is especially passionate about helping teams build capacity, navigate change, and align their day‑to‑day work with broader organizational goals.

Leigh Neys, Learning and Development Expert

Leigh Neys, Ed.D., is a learning and development expert with more than 15 years of experience designing and leading impactful training, coaching, and professional development initiatives. She currently serves as a Business Learning Specialist at Farm Credit Services of America, where she develops job-specific training programs, facilitates engaging learning sessions, and partners with leadership to strengthen employee skills and elevate organizational performance. Her diverse background—spanning higher education, community development, and international program leadership—allows her to bring a global, relationship-centered approach to every project. Outside of work, Leigh enjoys spending her spare time with her family at sporting events and traveling.

Vicki Ham, Manager of Team Member Experience and Development for North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services

Vicki Ham is Manager of Team Member Experience and Development for North Dakota’s Department of Health and Human Services. She has a long HR-focused career working in manufacturing, financial services, and healthcare before state government. This is year two enjoying the benefits of NDATD membership. She looks forward to book club as reading is a favorite way to learn, find joy, escape and avoid housework.

Teresa King

Professional Development Session: Deskless by Design: How to Architect Your Frontline Enablement Strategy (Tuesday, June 23, 2026)

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Deskless by Design: How to Architect Your Frontline Enablement Strategy

Eighty percent of the global workforce operates on the frontline, executing strategy in fast-paced, regulated environments. Yet they are often expected to perform, stay compliant, and adapt to change using support models designed for desk-based work. Limited time, shifting priorities, and fragmented information lead to inconsistent performance and declining engagement. This session challenges traditional training methods and reframes frontline enablement around how work actually gets done. We’ll dig into the daily pressures frontline employees face, why well-intended training often fails to stick, and how those realities shape behavior on the job. We’ll explore a modern approach that weaves training, compliance, communication, performance support, and coaching into daily work. Participants will explore how AI, microlearning, and in-the-moment support reinforce critical behaviors, meet regulatory requirements, and drive measurable impact without disrupting operations.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

Identify the unique learning and performance challenges facing your frontline workforce
Apply right-fit learning and support practices within the busy frontline workflow
Empower managers to effectively lead their frontline teams

JD Dillon | Advisor, Speaker, Technologist, Author: The Frontline Enablement Playbook

JD Dillon began his career on the frontline, managing movie theaters and theme parks. With 25 years of experience across operations, talent, and marketing with companies like Disney, AMC, and Kaplan, he’s a trusted authority on performance enablement and a passionate advocate for improving the employee experience. A popular keynote speaker, prolific creator, and author of The Modern Learning Ecosystem and The Frontline Enablement Playbook, JD advises organizations on frontline performance strategy, ecosystem architecture, and AI-enabled solutions that power real work every day. Learn more about his latest projects at jddillon.com.

*This session will be recorded. Paid registrations require a minimum 24-hour notice to be refunded.

Refer A Friend - Help Us Grow Our Learning Community

We love welcoming new colleagues into our chapter. If you refer someone who signs up for a session and they include your name as their referrer, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a complimentary Summit ticket.

Thank you for helping us expand access to meaningful development opportunities.

To find out more, go to our Member Discount Page.

Professional Development Session: Don't Dodge Conflict ... Embrace it (Wednesday, July 15, 2026)

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Don't Dodge Conflict ... Embrace it

Conflict is inevitable but it doesn’t have to be destructive. This session will equip leaders with a new mindset for viewing conflict as an opportunity for growth. It introduces the LEADD Framework for navigating difficult conversations and reframes conflict as a catalyst for development. When handled effectively, conflict can surface new ideas, challenge assumptions, and strengthen relationships. Embracing this mindset empowers individuals and teams to move beyond discomfort and toward growth and turns everyday challenges into opportunities for stronger communication, better decisions, and lasting impact.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

Attendees will leave with practical strategies to transform conflict into collaboration, stronger relationships, and better outcomes.

Jackie Payne - Director of Leadership and Talent Development at Sagency

Jackie Payne, Director of Leadership and Talent Development at Sagency, partners with organizations to strengthen culture, achieve goals, and drive growth by unlocking the potential of their people. With 25+ years of experience, she brings energy, empathy, and strategic insight, helping leaders identify strengths, seize opportunities, and create meaningful impact. Previously, she served as an Enterprise Client Partner at FranklinCovey and held roles at Augustana University, MIDCO, Wells Fargo, and Concordia College. Jackie is deeply committed to her family, faith, and community, and actively volunteers her time supporting causes that bring purpose and connection to those around her.

*This session will be recorded. Paid registrations require a minimum 24-hour notice to be refunded.

Refer A Friend - Help Us Grow Our Learning Community

Thank you for helping us expand access to meaningful development opportunities.

To find out more, go to our Member Discount Page.