Staying ahead in today’s rapidly evolving learning landscape requires more than just great content—it demands innovative strategies that drive engagement, impact, and revenue. Learning by Association is designed to equip professional development and learning professionals like you with the tools and insights needed to keep your programs competitive and forward-thinking.

This one-day micro-conference will provide actionable takeaways, expert-led discussions, and a fresh perspective on how to create high-impact learning experiences that resonate with modern learners.

Join us for a day of learning, networking, and collaboration—plus a closing reception to strengthen your new connections.

Meet the Speakers

Jeff Cobb, Tagoras

Jeff Cobb is a co-founder and managing director of Tagoras, co-host of the weekly Leading Learning Podcast, and author of multiple books, including Leading the Learning Revolution: The Expert's Guide to Capitalizing on the Exploding Lifelong Education Market. As a strategic advisor and entrepreneur with more than two decades of experience in the global market for lifelong learning he has helped hundreds of organizations in the learning business maximize the reach, revenue, and impact of their offerings. Jeff serves on the board of directors of the Family Firm Institute and recently completed two 3-year terms on the governing board of NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement, to which he was specifically appointed as an education thought leader. Jeff speaks and writes regularly on the future of learning and the transformative power of lifelong learning for individuals and businesses in the global economy of the 21st century.

Celisa Steele, Tagoras

Celisa Steele has spent more than 20 years working in the world of adult lifelong learning, continuing education, and professional development. In 2007, she co-founded Tagoras, which serves associations and other organizations in the business of continuing education and professional development, offering market assessment, strategy, and technology audit services. She also co-founded Leading Learning, which provides a range of resource to help trade and professional associations and other learning businesses maximize their reach, revenue, and impact, including the Leading Learning Podcast, which she co-hosts with Jeff Cobb.

Bucky Dodd, ClearKinetic LLC

Bucky Dodd, Ph.D. is the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Consultant at ClearKinetic, a boutique consultancy specializing in creating one-of-a-kind education and training solutions.

As a creative designer, master facilitator, and results-driven strategist, Dr. Dodd brings a wealth of experience and expertise to developing education and training solutions that unify sound learning and business practices. He has been recognized internationally for his consulting and design expertise and has a proven record of leading innovation initiatives in associations, corporate, government, and education organizations.

Lee Gimpel, Better Meetings

Lee Gimpel helps organizations deliver trainings, conferences, and retreats that improve engagement, connection, and learning. As the founder of Better Meetings, he works with associations to produce sessions that go beyond lectures and encourage real participation, valuable networking, and lasting community. Lee has worked with clients such as the National Association of Realtors, Nursing Organizations Alliance, National Recreation and Park Association, and World Bank. An expert on collaboration and engagement, he is often quoted in media outlets like USA Today, Associations Now, Association Forum, and Forbes about innovative ways to bring people together to share ideas, develop solutions, and leverage knowledge.

Diane Elkins, Artisan Learning

Diane Elkins is the co-founder of Artisan Learning, a custom learning design firm specializing in Articulate Storyline, Lectora, and Captivate. She has built a reputation as a national e-learning expert by being a frequent speaker at major industry events for ATD, The Learning Guild, Training Magazine, and ASAE.  She is also the co-author of the popular E-Learning Uncovered book series as well as E-Learning Fundamentals: A Practical Guide from ATD Press. She is the Chair of the Professional Development Advisory Council for the American Society of Association Executives and a founding board member of Inspire Accessibility, a consortium of learning providers looking to champion accessibility in the e-learning industry.

Sue Ebbers, Change By Design

Dr. Sue Ebbers is CEO of the award-winning performance improvement consultancy group Change by Design, now in operation for 17 years. Change by Design thrives on strategically transforming the people and processes who drive organizational success into being more effective, efficient and sustainable contributors on behalf of the customers, members and clients they serve.

Based in Tallahassee, Florida and with team members all over the United States, Sue and her team of experts have consistently delivered highly acclaimed results for associations and non-profits, Fortune 500 companies and other corporate entities, federal and state government departments and agencies, and private for-profit companies. They do this through delivering exceptional bespoke services and products, such as customized certification and licensure exam solutions, aligned training of all kinds, association professional development strategy, organizational assessment, analysis, and redesign, change management, strategic and tactical planning, evaluation, and policy analysis.

Daita Serghi, Senior Education Manager, AASHE

Daita Serghi, PhD, is a scientist by training with over 20 years of experience in higher education and sustainability, specializing in leading and innovating learning programs. As Senior Education Manager at AASHE, she develops and implements education strategies, overseeing professional learning programs, including virtual and in-person workshops, webinars, and conferences. She has a passion for innovating learning experiences, training speakers, and facilitating engaging sessions using liberating structures and other techniques. Daita has also organized Open Space events (see article in Associations Now) to foster dynamic knowledge sharing. Previously, she held roles at the University of Hawai‘i System as a lecturer, interim System Sustainability Coordinator, and annual Summit Coordinator. She is a LEED Green Associate, an ISSP Sustainability Excellence Professional (SEP), and holds advanced degrees in Biological Sciences from Columbia University.

Accessibility

ASAE is committed to providing an outstanding experience for all participants. We strive for full access to the activities of these events based on an awareness of participants' needs and appropriate planning. Please refer to the ASAE Meetings Accessibility Policy. Accessibility accommodations relating to mobility, hearing, vision, or other areas may be provided.

We ask that requests for reasonable accommodations be made as early as possible, and well in advance of the event via the registration process. Onsite requests will be accommodated to the best of our ability; however, available resources may be limited. Please email Learning & Meetings to request specialized accommodation for this program.