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LEADING THROUGH CHANGE
April 10-11, 2017
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
A Leadership Adventure!
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The field of Learning and Development stands at a critical crossroads. As AI, emerging technologies, and evolving professional landscapes reshape the nature of work in almost all fields, this moment offers L&D leaders an incredible chance to significantly influence our businesses.
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In this Mastermind, you will develop your Learning and Development leadership skills and widen your professional community as we explore how to embrace these challenges, seize the opportunities, and convert new capabilities into tangible business results.
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​​​​​​The program includes:
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Six 2-hour Virtual Interactive Sessions: May–October 2026
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One-on-One coaching sessions
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Peer-to-Peer community feedback
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Optional in-person event
Nadine van Veen
Director,
Learning and Development
Ferrara, Chicago
"Participating in this six-month development program was one of the most meaningful professional experiences I’ve had as a learning leader. It challenged me to slow down, step back, and re-examine how I show up at a time when the world of work is being reshaped by unprecedented change"
Kostantinos "Gus" Vellios
Sr. Director,
Employee Experience and Development
NORC at the University of Chicago
"The program pushed me to consider my learning and development philosophies, those values and beliefs, both espoused and tacit, that guide my practices. The facilitators encourage you, along with your peers, to deconstruct and then reconstruct your established learning approaches and practices in a different light."
GO BEYOND THE BASICS!
Mastermind groups are common across many industries, and they leverage the power of facilitated questions, micro-training, and small group dialogue to gain advanced leadership skill sets, along with a mindset that helps navigate complex issues. A Mastermind is not a conference, but rather a 6-month, community-driven, experiential, leadership development experience.
WHO IS IT FOR?
This L&D Leadership Mastermind is for those decision-making leaders of Learning and Development programs whose positions includes any of the following:
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Primary P&L responsibility for a business
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Leadership of a team of Learning and Development professionals
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Regular interaction with business leaders
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Decision-making autonomy
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Recognized thought leader in Learning and Development
LOGISTICS​
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A Small Cohort of L&D Senior Leaders
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2026 Mastermind Cost
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$1,199: (Early Bird—before April 15)
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$1,299: (after April 15)
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Participants are placed into community groups (C-Groups) with 5 or less colleagues for the duration of the journey.
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While there are no costs associated with this virtual version, we do ask that anyone signing up do so knowing they can make the majority of the six sessions and commit to the following principles:
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Protect Confidentiality
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Commit to Addressing Key Issues with Candor
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Share Your Experiences
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Be Open and Vulnerable
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Be Present (all virtual sessions will be "Video On" for participants).
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Gina Webster
Senior Learning Manager,
Firm Functions
McKinsey & Company, NYC
"I really appreciated connecting with others and hearing how different organizations are tackling similar challenges. Those conversations were a highlight for me, and I’d definitely recommend this course to a peer looking for both practical outcomes and thoughtful, real-world exchange."
Sabina Reinhardt
Senior Manager,
Partner Development
White & Case LLP, NYC
"The mastermind​ truly exceeded my expectations. Rod and Bob facilitate thoughtful conversations that push participants to clarify and elevate the value they deliver to their organizations and communities. The caliber of dialogue and peer contribution was exceptional, making this​​ a rare opportunity to learn alongside leaders from a wide range of industries"​​​
Leadership Themes
Know Your Mind
Assess Your Needs
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Creating a Training and Development Philosophy
- Aligning Your L&D Practice
- The Role and Business Impact of L&D
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Future-proofing L&D
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Influencing Stakeholders
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Acknowledging and Responding to Pain Points
Your hosts for the 2026 L & D Mastermind
Rod C. Taylor is an award-winning educator, scholar, author, and the founder and CEO of Performance Learning Concepts. He's been active in teaching, leadership training, and speaking for over 30 years. Rod's taught at Stanford, Indiana University, and the Honors College at Tennessee State University, and served as a Faculty Fellow at the Design School in Paris, France (d. School Paris-Est) and an Artist in Residence at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. A longtime musician, he lives in Nashville with his wife, Kristen, where he’s had the pleasure of playing bass with a variety of artists, including Victor Wooten, the Warren Brothers, Krista Detor, Cindy Morgan, Chuck Rainey, and Jenee Fleenor.
Bob Tweedie, MS
Bob Tweedie has over 20 years of experience in leading learning and leadership development functions at Morningstar, Deloitte Global, and Revantage, a Blackstone portfolio company. He partners with leadership teams to align current/future organizational objectives with talent requirements, works with teams to drive better outcomes, and sits with individuals to foster their development at all levels of their career. Bob is also an adjunct faculty member at Northwestern University in the Masters of Learning and Organizational Change program. Bob loves to spend his spare time outdoors with his wife Celine and three children aged 12, 14, and 17. He is a soccer coach for AYSO, and also an avid runner, biker, and swimmer.
2026 Agenda
Session 1: May 15, 12:00–2:00 (CST)
Creating a Learning and Development Philosophy
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Session 2: June 26, 12:00–2:00 (CST)
Aligning Your L&D Practice
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Session 3: July 31, 12:00–2:00 (CST)
The Role and Business Impact of Learning and Development
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Session 4: August 28, 12:00–2:00 (CST)
Influencing Stakeholders
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Session 5: Sep 25, 12:00–2:00 (CST)
Future-proofing L&D: Leveraging AI
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Session 6: Oct 9, 12:00–2:00 (CST)
L&D Philosophy Presentations/Reflections
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Virtual Session Logistics:
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The first hour of each session will be highly interactive exploration of that month's topic.
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Aideen Shea
Vice President
Learning and Development Director
Byline Bank, Chicago
"I would recommend this program to any experienced peer. The program is most valuable for those that have deep experience in their role and are looking to both improve and accelerate."
Heather Justus
HR Manager—Learning
ZS, Chicago
"The L&D Mastermind program offered me an opportunity to connect with other learning leaders in a small and intimate setting, facilitating meaningful conversations on common challenges, best practices, thought-leadership and innovation."
