Skills Connection Summit in Chicago

Summit Welcome Address

• Ken Roden, Senior Director Product Marketing, D2L

Special Guest Keynote
Natalie Nixon, President and Founder of Figure 8 Thinking

Fireside Chat: Addressing the Skills Gap Connection: Designing a Competency-Based Online Education Program
Dr. Irwin, Executive Dean of University of Memphis, Tamera Maresh-Carver, Managing Director of Learning at FedEx Express, and Joe Kelly, Manager at FedEx Express– Memphis World Hub, will dive into the significance of an effective competency program. The University of Memphis Global partnered with FedEx to provide a competency-based program, the LiFE (Learning inspired by FedEx) Prep Academy. Each organization had high expectations that there would be positive and profitable results, but they never imagined the impact it could have on the life of FedEx employees. This panel will share the different strategies and tools used to provide a self-paced innovative learning experience for FedEx employees, and why it matters beyond the classroom, and beyond the shipping floor.

• Tamera Maresh-Carver, Managing Director Learning, FedEx
• Joe Kelly, Manager, FedEx – Memphis World Hub
• Dr. Richard Irwin, Executive Dean, University of Memphis Global & Academic Innovation
• Moderator: Michael Moore, Senior Product Manager, D2L

Panel: Practical Solutions in Aligning Critical Skills and Desired Outcomes
Listen to a panel of industry representatives that will share stories as it pertains to employees’ skills, organizational outcomes, and how to leverage technology to solve unique challenges with practical solutions.

• James Goldsmith, Learning Architect/Business Advisor, Accenture
• Chris Cramer, Manager LMS, Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada
• Joshua Westfall, Senior Manager, Policy & Programs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
  Center for Education and Workforce
• Moderator: Ken Roden, Senior Director Product Marketing, D2L

Break

The Role of Employers and Education Institutions In the Upskilling Movement
As employers look to find the skilled workers they need, they are increasing looking to partnerships with educational institutions to educate, train and develop current workers and those in their communities with in-demand skills. Jaime will look at the factors driving these partnerships, what employers expect from and contribute to the partnerships and how institutions are stepping up to meet the need.

• Jaime Fall, Director of UpSkill America, Aspen Institute

Roundtable Discussion: Transforming the Learner Experience
During this roundtable discussion, attendees will discuss the why, and the how to deliver lifelong learning and career growth, without needing a multi-year degree program structure. Participants will discuss the possibility of curating workforce learning from existing higher ed content and programs, while capturing and sharing evident of critical skills, ensuring overall success for the organization.

Best Practices in Creating a Skills Strategy for Your Organization
D2L Learning Strategy Team opens up about best practices, including how to plan, blueprint, and execute your Learning and Development strategy for your entire organization.

Kiara Graham, Learning Strategy Consultant, D2L

Thank you and Wrap up

• Moderator: Ken Roden, Senior Director Product Marketing, D2L