University of Phoenix Senior Director of Learning and Development Barbara Schifano presents on innovative talent development solution at ATD-Utah Learning Insights Conference 

Schifano shares insights on leveraging digital tools to create a custom talent strategy experience with successful adoption by employees

University of Phoenix is pleased to share that Barbara Schifano, senior director of learning and development, joins the 2024 Association for Talent Development (ATD) Utah Chapter Learning Insights Conference in West Valley City, Utah, an event bringing together workplace learning, talent development, human resources (HR), and coaching professionals. Schifano will lead a breakout session, “A Fresh Approach to Talent Planning,” on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at 3:10 p.m. CDT, on the innovative new talent development model adopted this year by the University’s Human Resources.

“Annual talent planning provides a unique change opportunity for leaders to recommit to investing time in building employee skills now and for future workforce needs,” shares Schifano.  “At University of Phoenix, our HR team embarked on a journey to reimagine our approach to talent planning with the goal of optimizing the process and maximizing our ROI. I am pleased to share our new approach to talent planning and its key transformational elements.” 

Over the last year, Schifano along with Deborah Reuterman, Sr. Director, Human Resources, and Bekah Roberts, Program Manager, Talent Management, rebuilt the University’s talent planning model, retiring the 9-block model and introducing a dynamic Development Framework that places emphasis on growth and learning. 

Themed “Embrace Change, Accelerate Growth,” the ATD Utah conference invites workplace learning professionals to discuss and explore topics within development and collaboration, instructional design, evaluating impact and performance, and talent strategy.

During the session, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the new methodology that places employee development at the center of the process. “Traditional approaches result in ineffective leadership practices: labeling employees, debate about box placement, and substantial time justifying potential,” shares Schifano. “Our approach focuses on development needs, efficiently leverages technology to track talent decisions, and moves us to alignment on skill development and career aspirations.” Schifano will also be sharing initial results from the first year of implementing the new model.

Schifano has over 20 years of experience in learning and development, and currently leads the talent development organization at University of Phoenix, transforming learning opportunities into meaningful experiences and creating engaging programs across the employee lifecycle to connect and inspire employees to achieve their best. Her career began in Operations at American Express, where she learned the gold-standard of leadership. Deeply committed to volunteering her time to create learning opportunities and resources that foster growth and development in others, Schifano has served on several non-profit boards and is the past President ATD-Utah. She holds a master’s degree in strategic communications and leadership from Seton Hall University and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD). Additionally, she is certified in Predictive Index, Kirkpatrick’s Four Levels of Evaluation, and Situational Leadership.

Learn more here about the ATD-Utah Learning Insights Conference.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit  phoenix.edu/blog.html.