Member Spotlight

Each month we take a moment to recognize a Chapter Member and share a little bit about them.  We hope you find their stories engaging!

September 2024

Name:  Dr. Jennifer Smith

Position and Employer:  Vice President, Organization Effectiveness and Training

How long have you been with your employer and/or in your position?  18 months

How long have you been a member of ATD Hawkeye Chapter?  3 months

What is a typical workday like for you?  A typical workday is focused on developing programs and curriculum for security officers, leaders, and emergency response personnel that account for compliance and regulatory issues as well as service delivery and leadership development. As the organization moves through its second year of building a learning organization, I spend my days also examining aspects of organizational culture, process improvement, and challenging norms that inhibit the growth and stability of the organization.

What do you enjoy most about ATD Hawkeye Chapter?  The ATD Hawkeye chapter affords me the opportunity to connect with other professionals in this domain and develop my own skills, abilities, and awareness.

Name a professional challenge you have experienced and share how ATD Hawkeye has helped you overcome it. The professional challenge I encountered as my organization's only Iowa based leader is isolation. Being able to connect with other talent development focused individuals helps.

What piece of advice related to talent and development has made a significant impact on you and your work?  The best advice and mentoring I have been given is to ensure that the desired outcome is clear. Having a clear understanding of the impact and outcome a talent development experience needs to achieve is fundamental to everything that flows from that point. It is such a simple concept, but one that I have used to get derailed or unclear projects back on track repeatedly.

What is your favorite part of the learning and development field?  I absolutely love seeing people embrace their awesome. Being able to watch people learn a new concept, or try something they didn't think they could do is incredibly rewarding.

What are your greatest strengths, and what are your current development goals? My greatest strength is my self-awareness. I have been fortunate to have an incredibly diverse personal and professional life that has taught me lessons I carry into every interaction I have. This makes me incredibly open-minded and willing to take risks. I am currently working on my second book on identity development and the impact of trauma and grief, and a Masters in Family Therapy. I am incredibly interested in the impact of trauma on military relationships and how they develop. Working through these processes are the focus of my current development goals.

Who is currently one of your favorite speakers or authors, and why? Susan Cain is who I am currently listening to. She is the author of Quiet and Bittersweet. I tend to fall in love with speakers and authors who are willing to dig into the tougher topics in developing as people.

What are your hobbies or favorite things to do with your team? I love reading, attending arts and culture events, contributing to my community, spending all the time I can in nature with my dogs, love my gym time, and traveling. I serve as a Trustee for Brucemore Historical Site, Vice Chair of the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission, Adjunct Professor in Leadership for the University of Charleston (WV), Coach and Instructor for The Honor Foundation, Volunteer for All Secure Foundation, Volunteer for the Speaker and DEI committees for EntreFest, and Parent to a 17-year old football and soccer player.

RECENT MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS

Would you like to be featured in the Member Spotlight?  Submit your information HERE!