Learning is changing and evolving —fast.

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Jessica Pharm, Learning and Development Program Manager at Alaska Airlines, shares how she builds equitable, people-first programs that empower employees across all levels, from frontline workers to emerging leaders. Jessica highlights initiatives like educational assistance, career workshops, and the Developing Emerging Leaders program, which are designed to close opportunity gaps and create inclusive growth pathways. With a focus on adaptability, learner mindset, and thoughtful use of technology, she emphasizes that leadership is less about titles and more about influence, advocacy, and continuous development.

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, we sit down with Sue Novak, Dealer Engagement and Experience Training Manager at BMW of North America, who brings over 20 years of global experience in learning and development, HR, and leadership coaching. Sue shares how she and her team are addressing the fast-paced challenges of the retail automotive world by building adaptable, trust-based training programs that emphasize immediate applicability and human connection. From co-creating customer experience programs in Las Vegas to integrating technology mindfully, Sue offers rich insight into how leadership development must evolve without losing its humanity.

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, bestselling author and COO of Notion, Laura Ashley-Timms, shares how operational coaching can transform overwhelmed managers into confident, people-centered leaders. She discusses the data-backed results of embedding coaching into daily workflows—highlighting a landmark study that showed a 74x ROI per learner and a 70% increase in time spent coaching. With insights from her acclaimed book and award-winning STAR® Manager program, Laura explores how technology, behavioral science, and human connection can come together to unlock performance, retention, and engagement across organizations. Laura’s book: The Answer Is a Question: The Missing Superpower that Changes Everything and Will Transform Your Impact as a Manager and LeaderAvailable in all formats from Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Answer-Question-Superpower-Everything-Transform/dp/0117093912 and all other major retailers – full list available here: https://theanswerisaquestion.com/buy-now The multi-award-winning programme STAR® Manager:http://STARmanager.global You can also connect with Laura via LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-ashley-timms/

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Dr. Benjamin Granger, Chief Workplace Psychologist at Qualtrics, shares how organizations can create powerful learning environments by focusing on leadership development, honest employee feedback, and the cultivation of critical “meta-skills.” Drawing on global data and real-world case studies, he explores how technology can facilitate confidential, two-way conversations that surface true employee needs—and why mentorship and human connection are more essential than ever in an AI-driven world.

In this episode of NovoEDTalks, Maris Krieger, Senior Director of Talent Learning & Development at Hearst Corporation, shares how the small but mighty team she is a part of is building agile, personalized learning experiences for 15,000 employees across a diverse portfolio of industries. She takes us inside Hearst’s rapid AI upskilling initiative, discusses the power of co-creation with business leaders, and explores the balance between technical and evergreen “power” skills. Throughout, Maris emphasizes the need to treat learning as a business driver—not a support function—and to move fast, personalize deeply, and never be afraid to experiment.