AI Powered L&D: The New Core of Business Strategy

Tony Irace

VP Learning Solutions

LinkedIn Profile

Tony has a clear mission helping others improve their performance at work. He has spent his career designing, delivering, organizing, and implementing learning solutions aligned to his clients’ business objectives.

Over his 30-year career, Tony has held instructional design, project management and people

leadership positions. He has extensive experience in instructional design, business transformation initiatives, including building and restructuring learning organizations, learning system selection and procurement, and rollouts of large corporate initiatives.

Most recently, at ESource Corp, Tony has been honing his expertise on GEN AI for L&D. Having completed certifications in Prompt Engineering and Chatbot Development. Tony was a past president and currently is on the Board of Directors for the Northern NJ ATD chapter.

Moderator:  Tony Irace

Tony has a clear mission helping others improve their performance at work. He has spent his career designing, delivering, organizing, and implementing learning solutions aligned to his clients’ business objectives.

Over his 30-year career, Tony has held instructional design, project management and people

leadership positions. He has extensive experience in instructional design, business transformation initiatives, including building and restructuring learning organizations, learning system selection and procurement, and rollouts of large corporate initiatives.

Most recently, at ESource Corp, Tony has been honing his expertise on GEN AI for L&D. Having completed certifications in Prompt Engineering and Chatbot Development. Tony was a past president and currently is on the Board of Directors for the Northern NJ ATD chapter.

Panelists:  Christina France

Christina is a visionary leader in business and training operations, renowned for her innovative approach to human capital management and her strategic prowess. She addresses the often-overlooked balancing of "human debt," driving significant growth, cost reductions, and transformative changes within organizations. Her ability to foster a collaborative and engaged culture ensures sustained success and remarkable achievements.

With expertise in data-driven decision-making and cutting-edge AI technologies, Christina empowers organizations to reach their full potential. Her impactful leadership at companies such as IQVIA, OPTUM, and ALERE has led to substantial cost savings, enhanced training initiatives, and streamlined operations. Christina’s dedication to supporting caregivers and marginalized communities, combined with her strategic insight and operational excellence, makes her an extraordinary asset to any team, driving positive change and organizational growth.

Panelist:  Joe DiDonato

Joe DiDonato, a distinguished C-Level executive renowned for his expertise in growth, AI, and strategic business development. With a remarkable track record in the venture capitalist and business community, Joe has successfully launched and managed over 20 technology-based businesses. His strategic acumen is evident in his achievements at Oracle and PeopleSoft, where he exponentially grew their education divisions. As a thought leader, Joe has contributed numerous articles to Forbes and hosted BCI's Distinguished Leaders Series on PRX, earning him the Learning Industry’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Mr. DiDonato is a pioneer in the application of AI within the Learning and Development (L&D) sector, having designed over 100 AI bots. His unique blend of business leadership, visionary thinking, and innovative prowess positions him at the forefront of the AI in L&D movement. Through our webinars, Joe shares his invaluable insights and experiences, guiding professionals in navigating the evolving landscape of technology and education.

Panelist:  Ron Ateshian

Ron Ateshian is a transformational global learning leader with over 20 years of experience in driving organizational success through impactful training solutions and customer education initiatives. His expertise lies in aligning education with real-world challenges, leveraging processes, technology, and platforms to maximize business impact. Ron has a proven track record of building high-performing teams, achieving cost efficiencies, and consistently exceeding targets. Known as a game changer, Ron possesses an innate ability to get things done, making him a valuable asset to any organization.

Mr. Ateshian believes in a holistic approach to learning and development. He combines his expertise in L&D and Customer Education with the latest advancements in AI to deliver solutions that are not only effective but also scalable and sustainable. Ron’s commitment to excellence and continuous improvement drives him to stay at the forefront of industry trends, ensuring our clients receive the most innovative and impactful solutions available.

Past experiences:

• IQVIA: Director, IQVIA University (2019 - Present)
• Riverbed: Sr. Principal, Learning Strategist, Riverbed Education (2018 - 2019)
• Fireson Consulting: CEO and Chief Learning Strategist (2016 - 2019)
• Red Hat: Senior Manager, Principal, Red Hat University (2011 - 2016)
• GeoLearning: Senior Product Strategist (2009 - 2011)
• CA Technologies: Director, Senior Principal Learning Strategist (2000 - 2009)

Panelist:  Susan Mondano

Susan is the Owner and Chief Talent Development Officer of Infuse2Lead, LLC, dedicated to helping leaders grow and evolve, specializing in leading leaders through change.

She is certified in Change Style Indicator™, Change Navigator™, and is a Prosci® Change Practitioner.  Additionally, she completed ChangeFit 360 Association for Change Management Professionals standard course. She leverages these tools to empower leaders in navigating change, enabling them to drive impactful transformations with confidence and ensuring sustainable success.

Susan is dedicated to staying at the forefront of AI technology to boost productivity and innovation in learning and development, enabling organizations and teams to achieve their fullest potential.  She has achieved her certifications in Chatbot Development and Prompt Engineering from ESource University.

She proudly serves her learning community on the Board of Directors as Vice President of Programs for the Northern New Jersey - Association for Talent Development chapter (NNJ-ATD).