The Practitioner-Scholar: The PennCLO Podcast

In this episode of the Practitioner Scholar, hosted by Melissa Monti, Dr. Ann Schulte, a Penn CLO program alumna and current Senior Vice President of Talent Development and Chief Learning Officer at Procter & Gamble, discusses the integration of AI in talent development and the importance of an always Beta mindset for continuous workplace innovation. 

In this episode of 'Practitioner Scholar', host Lisa-Marie Aird dives into the realm of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) with Maria Luisa Garcia Underwood, a seasoned leader in education and organizational development. Maria, who serves as the CEO of M. Ideas Consulting Services and is also a current CLO student at Penn, shares her journey into DEIB, inspired by her personal experiences as an Afro-Cuban immigrant. The discussion spans Maria's deep-rooted passion for DEIB, her strategies for making DEIB initiatives transformative, and the pitfalls of 'DEI washing'.Maria and Lisa-Marie examine the pressing need for sustained organizational change, leadership roles in fostering inclusivity, and practical steps towards implementing robust DEIB strategies. Furthermore, Maria provides advice for emerging leaders and reflects on how the Penn Chief Learning Officer program has shaped her approach to DEIB, concluding with her vision for a humanity-focused 'everyday' celebration of diversity and inclusion.

In this episode of the Practitioner Scholar, Penn Chief Learning Officer podcast, host Melissa Monti talks with Dr. Kandi Wiens, a senior fellow at the University of Pennsylvania and author of the new book, 'Burnout Immunity.' Dr. Wiens, a graduate of the Penn CLO program, shares her experiences juggling work, school, and family life, leading to a life-threatening wake-up call due to stress. Discussing her research on burnout, emotional intelligence, and organizational resilience, Wiens explores key strategies for combating stress. She also touches on her upcoming book, which offers a practical framework (ARMOR: Awareness, Regulation, Meaningful Connections, Outlook and Recover, Reconnect, and Reimagine) for building resilience and immunity to burnout. Dr. Wiens further discusses her experiences in the CLO program and how it transformed her career, encouraging potential students to balance their work schedules and trust faculty members. Highlighting the importance of defining one’s ‘having it all’ based on personal values, Dr. Wiens believes robust psychological wellbeing, physical health, and strong family relationships form the essence of her success. 

In the inaugural episode of the Practitioner-Scholar, The Penn Chief Learning Officer Podcast, host Melissa Monti talks extensively with Dr. Keith Keating, Chief Learning and Talent Officer for BDO, a global consulting firm. Dr. Keating shares his challenging personal learning journey, having dropped out of formal schooling at 15 and subsequently recognizing the power of learning.They discuss Dr. Keating's detailed insights on effective and strategic learning in the business sector. Dr. Keating emphasizes the role of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, in creating efficient learning frameworks. He also reflects on the shift from a transactional to a strategic approach in learning leadership. They address the talent gap issue in organizations and the need for skills development, retraining, and continued learning among workers. The conversation encompasses views on the value of lifelong learning, design thinking, and the role of learning leaders in alleviating job loss fears associated with AI.The episode also deep-dives into Dr. Keating's cumulative work, "The Trusted Learning Advisor," which looks to redefine the perception of learning leaders in organizations today. The book caters to every L&D practitioner while emphasizing strategic and value-driven relationships.You can connect with Dr. Keating on LinkedIn, or through his personal website If you would like to learn more about the book, visit https://www.thetrustedlearningadvisor.com/ Explore the diverse range of high-quality master’s and doctoral degree programs on the Penn GSE website.

Introducing "The Practitioner-Scholar: The PennCLO Podcast," where we blend academic know-how with real-world practicality. In this series we dive into the strategies and success stories shaping organizational learning and leadership. From dissecting practitioner-scholar approaches to featuring standout individuals from our student and alumni circles, we bring you insights that matter.Whether you're a curious learner, an emerging leader, or a seasoned executive, this is your hub for intellectual engagement and actionable insights. For more information, explore our master’s and doctoral degree programs on the Penn GSE website.