February 25, 2026
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM – Good Day Café, 5410 Wayzata Blvd., Golden Valley, MN
This event is limited to 15 people
Retention isn’t just about keeping employees—it’s about creating a workplace where people feel supported and want to grow. In this session, we’ll explore how learning and development can help create that environment.
Whether you’re new to the field or bring years of experience, this interactive session offers a warm, inclusive space to connect and share ideas. We’ll explore key topics in instructional design and talent development, including:
- How L&D supports employee belonging and long-term engagement
- The organizational value created by strong retention
- Retention practices that work—and what L&D can learn from them
Join us for a semi-structured conversation designed to spark connection, insight and practical ideas you can take back to your role.
This program is FREE for all ATD-GTC members. Members may bring one complimentary, registered guest.
By registering for this event, you consent to the use of your image and likeness in photographs and videos taken at the event. These images may be used by ATD-GTC for promotional purposes, including but not limited to, social media, website, and printed materials.
Meet Our Co-Hosts:
Kaydra Weigel, MEd is a Learning Solutions Business Partner at Life Time. She has a diverse array of facilitation and instructional design experience that ranges from education to talent development. In her current role, she develops performance-based learning experiences, partners with cross-functional teams to support organizational development, and recommends and designs targeted learning solutions to address performance challenges. Additionally, she has presented at IUPUI’s Assessment Institute, an event focused on assessment and improvement, and at ATD-GTC’s Unlearning to Drive Change Vision event.
Mary Armstrong is a Verified ATD Master™ Instructional Designer at Aveda Corporation. Her previous 20-year career in journalism included staff jobs at the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota Public Radio and The New York Times. She is the secretary of the board for Wilson’s Image College Scholarship, a nonprofit benefiting African-American scholars from North Minneapolis, and a volunteer for the Association for Talent Development–Greater Twin Cities. Mary has journalism and political science degrees from Indiana University and a graduate certificate in instructional design and technology from Florida State University.