D2L Fusion 2026 Executive Summit

Join D2L leadership for a big picture introduction to the major trends we’re seeing reshaping the future of work and learning.

Policy makers are increasingly prioritizing skills readiness as the driving value of public education investment. What are the driving forces behind these public policy changes, where are they durable and where cyclical, and what opportunities and challenges do they present?

In this session, David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, will explore new data on a fundamental shift in the collective psyche: the transition from a “scarcity mindset” to one of “precarity.” Driven by a state of “permacrisis”—defined by factors such as rapid technology advancement, economic instability, and global conflict—today’s learners and employees have moved beyond worrying if they have enough resources to questioning whether the systems themselves will hold.

This keynote will center the conversation for the remainder of the day on how we re-build our systems of learning to offer a sense of certainty and structural resilience in an increasingly fragile world.

As traditional education and training models are being disrupted by economic and technological forces, learner and employer expectations are evolving for workforce readiness and upskilling. Focus is on accelerated, skills-based, low-cost, ongoing, and shovel-ready training.

This session facilitates a dialogue between leaders in higher education and workforce learning. Moving beyond standard partnership models, panelists will discuss the evolving roles and responsibilities of each in addressing the current needs of the workforce and ensuring individual readiness. We will explore strategies for modernizing the “Workforce Development Compact” to ensure economic stability for the next generation.

The imperative for updating workforce readiness pathways is increasingly recognized, but innovating longstanding structures, policies, practices, and mindsets is challenging in the face of higher education traditions.

How do institutions and businesses move from aspiration to delivery in evolving their roles and approaches? How do they define and address a mutually beneficial model while maintaining, respectively, their academic mission and business priorities?

Facilitated, small-group discussions to serve as a collaborative forum to synthesize the day’s discussions. Engage with fellow executives to distill these high-level insights into a concrete roadmap of takeaways and actionable next steps to drive structural resilience back at your organization.

Join your fellow attendees and summit speakers for a relaxed gathering and exclusive early access to the Fusion Evening Event. This is a chance to network and connect with your peers over your curiosities and questions from the day’s summit.

Drinks and light snacks will be served.