Permission to Recover: Sustaining the Caregivers of the Organization
HR, people development, and workplace culture professionals are the steady force behind everyone else’s success—fueling leadership, learning, engagement, and a supportive environment across the organization. Yet the same empathy and dedication that make you effective can also leave you depleted. Burnout and compassion fatigue in HR and Talent Development isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s often the result of organizational norms that reward overextension and overlook the energy it takes to constantly care for others.
This session reframes rest, reflection, and restoration as leadership behaviors—not luxuries. Because sustainable performance doesn’t happen through individual willpower alone. It happens when teams create shared norms that make recovery visible, safe, and expected.
Drawing on neuroscience and whole-person health, this interactive session explores how chronic stress erodes empathy, decision-making, and motivation—and how small, structured team conversations can reset expectations and protect capacity. Participants will leave with a practical framework and a ready-to-use 10-minute conversation they can immediately embed into existing meetings to normalize recovery and strengthen sustainable leadership.
About the Speaker
Beth Ridley is the Founder and CEO of Ridley Consulting Group, a leadership firm that helps organizations turn workplace values into everyday behavior.
Through practical, easy-to-implement tools, Beth supports busy leaders and teams in building clarity, trust, and accountability within their existing routines. Her work is designed to be low-lift, repeatable, and engaging — making behavior change sustainable.
With a background in corporate leadership and management consulting, Beth brings both operational rigor and human-centered strategy to her clients. She is known for translating complex people challenges into simple, actionable practices that reduce friction, strengthen alignment, and support long-term performance.
Her clients include healthcare systems, financial institutions, nonprofits, and professional service firms where employee engagement directly shapes customer experience and results.
Beth holds degrees from the University of Virginia and Tufts University as well as an MBA from Columbia University.
Time
Function
Room/Location
8:45-9:00 a.m.
Networking
Owner Experience Center
9:00-9:15 a.m.
Welcome & Context Setting – The Hidden Cost of Caring
9:15-9:30 a.m.
From Personal Resilience to Cultural Norms
9:30-9:45 a.m.
Recovery as a Leadership Practice
9:45-10:00 a.m.
Embed the Shift Through Structured Conversations
10:00-10:15 a.m.
Next Steps for Immediate Application
10:15-10:30 a.m.
Q & A
Parking:
Park anywhere in the lot, except in Reserved spots. Enter the building using the center main doors. The Owner Experience Center is to the left upon entering. There will be a Welcome to QPS sign out front as well.
Lights, Camera, Learning: Strategically Integrating Video in Learning Experiences
Who remembers the feeling of relief when an A/V cart with a projector or TV rolled into your classroom? Similarly, how do our learners react when a video is included in classroom instruction, an eLearning, or as a standalone unit? They might feel “edutained” or excited for a break in the action that engages them via a different modality.
Video provides a vehicle for presenting content while telling a story or giving concepts a more concrete form. As instructional designers, we are asked to include video in our deliverables for many reasons and have plenty of tools at our fingertips. How are you building and integrating video in learning experiences?
Join the Instructional Design PDN as we explore:
This is part 1 of a 2-part series. Part 1 will focus on video design, and Part 2 will focus on development.
12-12:05pm
Arrival and networking
12:05pm
Program start
12:50pm
Program wrap up
AI Governance and Building the Culture of Innovation
Learning and Development and HR leaders have a key role to play in the rollout of AI initiatives throughout the organization.
Most AI projects fail. Those that succeed share a common set of characteristics. Further, organizations who are successfully implementing AI initiatives share a common set of cultural commitments.
This session will cover:
· Why 95% of AI implementations fail (and why 5% succeed)
· Understanding the "trough of sorrow" for AI in the organization
· The key role of training in building a culture of experimentation
Meet the Speaker
John Rood is founder of Proceptual, an AI governance and training consultancy. Proceptual works with companies of all sizes to implement custom governance programs. John also teaches governance and AI literacy at Michigan State University and the University of Chicago.
Agenda
8:45-9:00am
9:00am
10:00am
Coffee Talk: Volunteer and Board Interest Gathering
Join us for Coffee & Conversation: Shape the Future of SEWI-ATD!
Ready to make an impact in the Southeastern Wisconsin talent development community? Join us for a casual Coffee Talk to explore upcoming Board and volunteer opportunities.
When: Tuesday, June 9th | 8:30 am – 10:00 am
Where: Ally’s Bistro - Menomonee Falls
Perks: Complimentary coffee and breakfast provided!
Serving as a leader in our chapter is a powerful way to give back while leveling up your own career.
Grow Your Network: Build invaluable connections within the SEWI talent community.
Lead the Industry: Stay ahead of emerging trends and help shape our member-led organization.
Develop Skills: Strengthen your leadership, strategic planning, and collaboration muscles.
Time Commitment: Typically 10–15 hours per month.
Whether you are ready to step into a role now or are just curious about the future, this is a low-pressure environment to:
Meet current board members.
Hear firsthand about their experiences.
Learn how these roles drive the success of our chapter.
Can’t make it on June 9th? We’d still love to hear from you! Please reach out to our President-Elect, Melissa Braun, to express your interest or ask questions.
Contact Usadmin@sewi-atd.orgPhone: 608-204-9815Association ManagersSeth TrickelHeather L. Dyer, CAE
