Training and Development Leadership Panel
Panelists:
Matt Hirst - Sr. Director, OD, Talent Management, Learning with Gamestop
Senior talent leader and organizational psychologist with a consistent record of growing organizational capability and results through mid- to senior-level leadership roles in organizational development, operations management, human resource development and administration, corporate education, internal communications and branding, and associate relations.
Angie Sanders, CPLP – Sr. Manager at Southwest Airlines University
Angie Sanders serves as the Senior Manager, Leadership and Employee Training at Southwest Airlines University. She and her Team focus on delivering personal and professional development classes for the 50,000 Employees in the Southwest family. Her Team is organized around Leadership and Employee training, First Aid/CPR, and Labor Relations training.
Angie has been in Talent Development for more than 16 years, joining Southwest Airlines in 2011. During her journey to Southwest, she spent most of her years in Training & Development, leading training Teams in various capacities at several financial institutions. She earned her CPLP certification in 2009. In her spare time Angie enjoys cross-fit, organizing, cooking, and spending time with her husband and son.
Wendi Walker-Schmidt – Director, Engagement Solutions-Learning with Inspirus
Wendi Walker-Schmidt serves as Director of Engagement Solutions-Learning for Inspirus in Ft. Worth, TX. For over twenty years she has been responsible for all stages of the learning and development cycle including design, delivery, and evaluation.
As a key leader, she develops strategic learning and development programs, while and managing day-to-day training activities for client organizations. Wendi conceptualizes creative learning and execution solutions and leads projects through to successful completion.
Danyelle Williams-Ackall, SPHR – Instructor, TCU Neely School of Business
As an instructor for the M.J. Neeley School of Business at Texas Christian University, Danyelle brings over 18 years of HR and business experience into the classroom. In addition to business courses at TCU, she has served an instructor for the S/PHR certification class for over eight years. In 2011, she was recognized by HR Southwest as the HR Educator of the Year. She also writes the Human Capital column for Fort Worth Business Press’ CEO magazine.
Danyelle holds a Bachelor's Degree from Texas A&M University (Whoop!) and earned a Master's of Science Degree from UT Arlington in Human Resource Management. In 2001, she achieved the Senior Professional in Human Resource (SPHR) designation and later the Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation. Danyelle is active in her local SHRM Chapter, Fort Worth Human Resource Management Association (FWHRMA), serving as Chapter President in 2012.
In her spare time, Danyelle operates an HR Services firm, Illustrations in Employment. Specializing in employment consulting, the firm is focused on employee relations, management training, and compliance.
Dr. Will Powers - Professor Emeritus
Dr. Powers spent the last 17 of his 45 years in academia at TCU where he served in various capacities, including Chair of the Dept. of Communication Studies and Associate Dean of the College of Communication. He has published over 200 books & articles.
Dr. Powers is currently President and Founder of Concept Keys, Inc. His Key Learning Application System has provided many Trainers and Teachers with a tool to minimize the misunderstandings and maximize the productive outcomes of their trainees and students by leveraging the power of micro learning.
