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VIDEO

Renewable Raw Materials: BASF’s Exciting Sustainability Initiatives
Sustainability, VIDEO, SUSTAINABILITY, PODCAST

Renewable Raw Materials: BASF’s Exciting Sustainability Initiatives

In the run-up to the 2025 edition of the North American Sustainability & Responsibility Summit series we spoke with Jessica Monserrate and Jordan Keller of BASF, a 150-year-old chemical company with 111,000 employees working in 230 production and R&D sites in 90 countries. BASF is committed to ambitious sustainability targets, including a 25% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero across all scopes by 2050. In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore how BASF is driving sustainability, which role renewable carbon plays, the importance of mass balance and agriculture, and how all of these efforts can provide significant benefits to both customers and the environment. For all this and more, give this episode a listen!

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How Medical Device Companies and CDMOs are Partnering Together to Drive Innovation and Serve Patients Better
LIFE SCIENCES, VIDEO, LIFE SCIENCES, PODCAST

How Medical Device Companies and CDMOs are Partnering Together to Drive Innovation and Serve Patients Better

In the run-up to the 2025 edition of the Medical Device Manufacturing Excellence Summit series we spoke with Shawn McCarthy, Jessica Swanson, and Peggy Hansen of Regenity Biosciences about exciting developments in the Medical Device space, with a particular emphasis on both the power of collaboration and the importance of a regulatory strategy. Regenity is an industry-leading CDMO working with 120 different industry partners and offering special expertise in regenerative devices. In this wide-ranging conversation we talk about industry trends, how medical device manufacturers are evolving to continue to meet the needs of patients, and also about some of the big ideas Regenity wants to share with the executives attending MDMES25. For all this and more, give this episode a listen!

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Unlocking Career Growth at Scale: Leveraging AI and Emerging Technologies for Hyper-Personalized Learning
LEARNING, LEARNING, VIDEO

Unlocking Career Growth at Scale: Leveraging AI and Emerging Technologies for Hyper-Personalized Learning

Ashley Walvoord is Verizon’s Chief Learning Officer, bringing a people-first approach to connecting learning and career development across the employee lifecycle. With a focus on creating a robust skills ecosystem, Ashley is committed to empowering employees at every stage of their careers, ensuring they have the tools and opportunities needed to thrive. She is passionate about leveraging innovative technologies to transform the learning landscape and align it with the rapidly evolving digital world. Under her leadership, Verizon’s talent practices in performance management, assessments, and skills development have been highlighted by leading organizations such as Forrester, Gartner, Harvard Business School, and SHRM. Verizon’s learning and development programs have earned recognition from Training Top 10 Hall of Fame, CLO Learning Elite, Brandon Hall and ATD Best.

Ashley holds a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the University of South Florida, and has published multiple articles, chapters and presentations on the science of work and talent management. Her leadership is marked by a profound commitment to inclusion, culture, and innovation and she is enthusiastic about giving back to the community, volunteering her time in business development for education, diversity, and social-emotional learning initiatives.

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Powering the Workforce of the Future Through Learning & Development: Putting the Employee at the Center to Navigate Their Career Journey
LEARNING, LEARNING, VIDEO

Powering the Workforce of the Future Through Learning & Development: Putting the Employee at the Center to Navigate Their Career Journey

Sandra Humbles has over 30 years of experience and currently serves as Johnson & Johnson’s first Chief Learning Officer since 2021. She spearheaded the creation of a new learning and development framework for the company’s employees.

Previously, she was the Vice President of Global Education Solutions for MedTech, where she developed learning strategies and implemented Virtual Reality for surgeon education. Her work influenced educational approaches globally.

Currently, Sandra Humbles leads a global team focused on the future of learning and development at Johnson & Johnson. Her leadership aims to make learning a key component of the organization’s success. She is dedicated to fostering professional growth within the company, envisioning an integrated approach to learning and development that benefits all employees.

Her contributions have supported both individual progress and the realization of Johnson & Johnson’s goal to combine heart, science, and ingenuity for global health impact.

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Building Learning Strategies to Drive Frontline Equity
LEARNING, LEARNING, VIDEO

Building Learning Strategies to Drive Frontline Equity

Shannon leads the Global Competence Development & Learning Organization at IKEA (Ingka Group), the leader in building sustainable life at home. Her organization is responsible for developing the global strategy for learning, competence development, skills, job architecture, and learning technology across 30 countries and 177,000 co-workers. With over 20 years in talent management, she has a strong background in supporting retail, digital, and corporate teams in talent acquisition, succession, learning, skills, and development. Shannon is passionate about delivering talent management programs that create equity for frontline employees, enhance leadership, and help teams achieve strategic goals.

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The Skills Movement: Preparing for the Future of Work
LEARNING, LEARNING, VIDEO

The Skills Movement: Preparing for the Future of Work

Jennifer is the Vice President of Walmart Academy, the learning arm of the world’s largest retailer, where she leads the design and delivery of learning experiences that enable over 2 million associates to build skills for now and the future. She has experience in various learning and development roles at Department of Defense, American Express, Walmart and Sam’s Club, where she has launched award-winning programs that have enhanced the learning culture, career development, and performance of the frontline and supply chain workforce.

Jennifer holds an Executive Program for Leadership Acceleration certificate from Harvard Business School Executive Education, a Master’s degree in Education from the University of South Florida, and a Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University. She has published multiple articles on learning and development topics and has been recognized as a Top 50 Learning and Development Professional and a CLO LearningElite Finalist. She is passionate about creating learning opportunities that empower associates to achieve their career dreams and contribute to the success of the organization.

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From Turbulence to Comeback: Mastering the Talent Challenge in Aerospace
LEARNING, LEARNING, VIDEO

From Turbulence to Comeback: Mastering the Talent Challenge in Aerospace

Martin Stöckl is the Senior Vice President and Head of Leadership & Talent Development at Airbus, where he is responsible for fostering a strong culture of leadership and cultivating top talent across the organization. With over two decades of experience in human resources and organizational development, Martin has established himself as a thought leader in talent management and leadership training.

Before joining Airbus, Martin held several key HR positions in various global companies, where he demonstrated a consistent track record of driving strategic initiatives that empower employees and enhance organizational performance. His expertise lies in designing comprehensive talent strategies, implementing leadership development programs, and creating inclusive work environments that support innovation and growth. Martin holds a master’s degree in organizational psychology and is known for his ability to inspire teams and guide leaders through complex challenges. His passion for developing people and promoting diversity has earned him a reputation as a strategic partner and a champion of positive organizational change. In his free time, Martin enjoys mentoring young professionals, staying updated on industry trends, and participating in community service initiatives.

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Fireside Chat: Executive Leadership Development: Top50 Program
LEARNING, LEARNING, VIDEO

Fireside Chat: Executive Leadership Development: Top50 Program

Katy Jones is a strategic thought leader in the leadership and talent development space who customizes talent strategies to meet business demands and accelerates growth in leaders and teams. Katy joined Medtronic in February of 2024 as Vice President, Global Learning & Leadership Development, where she has responsibility for leadership development for entry-level employees to executives, along with the organization’s global learning strategy. Prior to Medtronic, Katy was the Head of Leadership Development for Walmart with responsibility for enterprise leadership development, manager enablement, and executive coaching. Katy built her L&D career at Walmart for 10 years through onboarding, internal consulting and facilitation, early talent strategy, employee experience, performance transformation, high potential and executive development, and foundational leadership development across the globe. In recent years, Katy won two Make a Difference Awards at Walmart, one in 2020 for her rapid response work on the corporate intern program and onboarding efforts during the pandemic, and another in 2022 for her work on implementing an HR competency model and development strategy for the Global People function. Katy’s team also was awarded the Josh Bersin HR Hero Award in 2022 for excellence in HR development.

Prior to Walmart, Katy worked in higher education, where she taught public speaking and communication studies, held a leadership role in academic administration, and developed and recruited faculty members. Katy has a BA in Public Relations from James Madison University and an MA in Communication Studies from the University of Arkansas.

Outside of work, Katy recently relocated to Minneapolis, MN with her husband, Kevin; daughter, Charlotte (6); and son, Patrick (4). When she’s not chasing her kiddos, Katy loves travel, live music, sports, and spicy food.

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Panel: Utilizing Data Collection and Analytics to Measure ROI and Training Effectiveness
LEARNING, LEARNING, VIDEO

Panel: Utilizing Data Collection and Analytics to Measure ROI and Training Effectiveness

How are we measuring the effectiveness of training initiatives?
Strategies for using data collection and analytics to identify trends in learning behaviors, track performance, and pinpoint areas where further investment is needed
Identifying areas that require investment for building robust data-collection policies, tools, and training
How can we create smarter training plans that are tailored specifically to our employees’ needs?
Assessing learning experiences quickly according to the changing industry trends or dynamic markets

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Transitioning Towards a Skills-Based Organization
LEARNING, LEARNING, VIDEO

Transitioning Towards a Skills-Based Organization

Katie Lackey serves as Vice President of Global Learning and Talent Management at Honeywell, a multinational conglomerate known for its cutting-edge technology and solutions across various industries. In this role, Katie leads the development and execution of strategic initiatives to cultivate a high-performing, inclusive, and skilled workforce across Honeywell’s global operations. With a strong background in human resources and organizational development, she leverages her expertise to drive employee engagement, professional growth, and talent optimization. Katie is known for her strategic mindset and collaborative approach, fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation. She is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within Honeywell, ensuring the company’s talent strategy aligns with its business objectives. Prior to her current position, Katie held various leadership roles in talent management and organizational effectiveness.

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Supporting Growth: The Vital Role of Leaders in Helping Employees Navigate Their Careers
LEARNING, LEARNING, VIDEO

Supporting Growth: The Vital Role of Leaders in Helping Employees Navigate Their Careers

How can leaders serve as role models by demonstrating a commitment to personal and professional growth?

What steps can leaders take to secure resources and advocate for employee development at an organizational level?

How can leaders identify and remove barriers to career advancement, such as systemic biases or limited opportunities?

What methods can managers use to collaborate with employees on stretch assignments that enhance their skills?

How can leaders cultivate a growth mindset and encourage resilience in employees’ career development journeys?

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Leadership Transformation Through Being More BMW
LEARNING, LEARNING, VIDEO

Leadership Transformation Through Being More BMW

Focusing on effective programs, systems, and processes to engage and retain top talent that will deliver maximum employee retention

Making sure that you are purposeful when designing and building your company culture and aligning leadership on values

Understanding employee eagerness to stay with companies that deliver both upward and lateral development and long term professional growth

Exploring the benefits of developing robust talent review processes

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Lead. Inspire. Transform: Advancing Excellence Through Coaching
LEARNING, LEARNING, VIDEO

Lead. Inspire. Transform: Advancing Excellence Through Coaching

International Coaching Federation Global Enterprise, Inc.
Step into the world of coaching with the International Coaching Federation (ICF), the global force driving the coaching profession forward. With over 60,000 members from over 150 countries and territories, our mission is clear: to elevate coaching’s significance in building a thriving society, making it the core of empowerment for today’s and tomorrow’s generations.
Driven by forward-thinking, excellence, and humanity, our diverse community of members along with our six unique family organizations, unite under the ICF umbrella to empower everyone to become their best selves.
Together, we inspire, transform, and thrive: coachingfederation.org

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How AI Reshapes Leadership Development and the Workplace
LEARNING, LEARNING, VIDEO

How AI Reshapes Leadership Development and the Workplace

Abilitie
Since 2015, Abilitie has been at the forefront of business education and leadership development, crafting lively programs that blend human connection and technology to deliver transformational experiences for organizations, teams, and individuals. Our dynamic offerings, including the flagship 12-Week MBA program, focus on core business skills such as financial acumen, leadership, strategy, and decision-making.

Abilitie’s curriculum helps leaders develop the timeless and universal capabilities required to manage numbers and lead people. We provide more than frameworks and tools. Our expert faculty guides leaders through collaborative and competitive simulations and case studies. We’ve had the privilege of working with thousands of leaders at hundreds of companies across dozens of industries. In our experience, the true challenge of leadership lies in leveraging relationships to drive results and driving results to build relationships at one and the same time.

Trusted by over 100 Fortune 500 clients, including Dell, GE, Coca-Cola, and Southwest Airlines, we invite organizations to discover how Abilitie can enhance employees’ abilities to navigate real-world management and strategy scenarios. Our commitment to leadership excellence has earned us recognition as a leading solutions provider; in 2024 Abilitie was named to Training Industry’s Top 20 Leadership Training Companies list and ranked #842 on the Inc. 5000.

Propel your leaders to their potential today with Abilitie.

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The Speaker Roundtable from BMWS24 — A Conversation About Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Issues and Ideas
LIFE SCIENCES, VIDEO, LIFE SCIENCES, PODCAST

The Speaker Roundtable from BMWS24 — A Conversation About Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Issues and Ideas

For this special episode of Executive Platforms’ bluEPrint Podcast series we had some of the most senior speakers and delegates from the 2024 edition of the long-running Biomanufacturing World Summit series sit down and speak to the challenges and opportunities submitted by attendees of the event as they filled out their delegate profiles, weighted by popularity.

With topics ranging from leadership and culture, to talent attraction, development and retention, to supply chain issues, to commercializing CGTs and other ATMPs, change and disruption throughout the business landscape, and how to serve patients better now and in the future, this wide-ranging conversation sees five senior executives from five very different companies speaking to the issues, ideas, innovations, and inspirations that matter to all of them as guided by a moderator who knows the industry inside and out. It is a fantastic deep dive into what is most relevant to biopharma technical operations leaders today. Give it a listen!

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Navigating the Modalities Landscape: Adapting Manufacturing Strategies for Future Therapeutic Advances
LIFE SCIENCES, VIDEO, LIFE SCIENCES

Navigating the Modalities Landscape: Adapting Manufacturing Strategies for Future Therapeutic Advances

Sanat Chattopadhyay is responsible for the company’s (approx. $64 billion revenue) worldwide manufacturing and supply operations across a global network of sites for pharmaceuticals, vaccines, biologics and animal health products. Merck is known as MSD outside of the U.S. and Canada.

Sanat joined Merck in 2009 as Senior Vice President of Global Vaccines & Sterile Manufacturing Operations, spearheading the transformation of manufacturing and supply chain to grow and globalize its Vaccine business. Under Sanat’s leadership, Merck is currently executing a significant expansion of its biologics and vaccines manufacturing capacity with planned capital investments of more than $20 billion from 2020 through the end of 2024, to reach more patients around the globe.

Before joining Merck, he served as Senior Vice President, Technical Operations & Product Supply, for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. Previously, he worked at Aventis and its predecessor companies as Senior Vice President, Industrial Operations, having served in many positions with increasing responsibilities for global supply chain, technology and manufacturing sites across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Sanat started his career with Hoechst Pharmaceuticals in 1983 and worked in many senior leadership assignments.

Sanat is a graduate in Chemical Engineering and holds a post-graduate degree in Industrial Engineering from India.

Outside of Merck, Sanat is a member of the Board of Directors of Ashland Inc.

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FUTURE READY: Addressing Current Challenges in Biomanufacturing with Reliability, Efficiency, Agility, Data & (High) Yields
LIFE SCIENCES, VIDEO, LIFE SCIENCES

FUTURE READY: Addressing Current Challenges in Biomanufacturing with Reliability, Efficiency, Agility, Data & (High) Yields

Jerry Murry, is Senior Vice President of Process Development at Amgen. Jerry started his career at Amgen in 2006 as Executive Director, Process Development within the Translational Sciences organization in R&D, and was promoted to Vice President, Process Development in 2010. In 2012, Jerry joined the Amgen Full Potential Transformation team as lead of the initiative “Transforming Process Development at Amgen”(AFP3).

In 2014, as part of the integration and reorganization of a new single, global process development team, Jerry was named the head of CMC Lifecycle management with responsibility for Operations Commercialization activities including regulatory filings and launches.

In 2016, Jerry became head of Drug Product Technologies with responsibility for all formulation and product and process development.
In 2018, Jerry was promoted to Senior Vice President Process Development at Amgen with responsibilities for all global Process Development activities.

Prior to joining Amgen, Jerry spent 8 years at Pfizer Central Research and 6 years at Merck Research Laboratories in Process Development.

Jerry earned BA/BS in Biology and Chemistry at Texas Lutheran University, a PhD in Chemistry from University of Utah and was an NIGMS NIH Fellow at Harvard University.

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