ATD Buffalo Niagara upcoming events

April Coffee Connection (Wednesday, April 22, 2026)

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:30:00 GMT

Enjoy your morning coffee while we talk, share, grow, and recharge at ATD Buffalo Niagara's monthly networking Coffee & Connections event. We will be chatting and sharing the tools we LOVE to support learning.

This casual setting is a place to share best practices, explore ideas, develop and refine your work, and brainstorm solutions for challenges you're facing.

We'll be there from 7:30 am - 9 to share stories. Coffee Connections - Building our talent development community one cup at a time!

Mid-Atlantic Series: Why AI and Skills Strategies Fail Without Execution Visibility (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Mid-Atlantic Series: Why AI and Skills Strategies Fail Without Execution Visibility Making Work Visible Before You Transform It

Organizations are investing heavily in AI, skills platforms, and workforce transformation initiatives. Yet many leaders still struggle to answer a fundamental question:

What work is actually happening inside the organization?

Without visibility into how work truly gets done across teams, tasks, and informal workflows, even the most advanced talent strategies struggle to deliver results.

This session introduces the concept of Execution Visibility, a practical framework for understanding the relationship between work, skills, and AI adoption.

Participants will explore why traditional approaches such as job descriptions, competency models, and skills taxonomies often fail to capture the real dynamics of execution.

Through practical examples and applied frameworks, attendees will learn how to:

• Identify hidden work and execution friction across teams
• Connect skills data to real work instead of static job structures
• Understand where AI can realistically augment work and where human capability remains essential
• Help HR, L&D, and talent leaders play a strategic role in organizational transformation

Participants will leave with a practical diagnostic lens to better understand how work actually happens inside their organizations and how that visibility shapes smarter talent and transformation decisions.

About Kason Morris

Kason Morris is a future of work strategist and talent architecture leader who helps organizations understand how work happens in modern enterprises. He created the Execution Visibility framework to help leaders uncover the relationship between work, skills, and emerging technologies like AI. For nearly two decades, Kason has led global workforce transformation in talent strategy, job architecture, skills intelligence, and learning systems. His work addresses a core challenge: What work is actually happening in the company, and how should it evolve in the AI era? Kason also founded LifeWork, a platform helping professionals design resilient careers. He believes organizations must make execution visible to transform work, and individuals must make their capabilities visible for career freedom. Kason is also a proud #GirlDad to four daughters.

Speaker Website: https://kasonmorris.com

Speaker Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasonmorris

This monthly webinar series is offered by the ATD Mid-Atlantic Chapters – Regional Programs Consortium which is comprised of the following eleven ATD chapters:

Appalachia
Buffalo Niagara
Central PA
Greater Philadelphia
Long Island
Maryland
Metro DC
Mid NJ
New York City
Northern NJ
Pittsburgh

Cooperatively, these chapters bring together the very best speakers from around all our networks to provide world-class presenters and content! We look forward to sharing these webinars with you for the rest of 2026!

Online Event Recording Policy:

By activating your webcam while attending this online event, you consent to be recorded. Your entry and webcam activation constitutes your consent to such recording for any purpose in connection with the event. If you do not agree to the foregoing, please do not activate your web camera during the event.

Monthly New Member Orientation (Wednesday, May 06, 2026)

Wed, 06 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Join us to learn more about your member benefits and meet new members. We will cover updating your profile, member benefits, national and power membership options, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and the Mentor Now program.

This meeting will occur the first Wednesday of each month.

Utilizing Restorative Practices in the Workplace (Thursday, May 14, 2026)

Thu, 14 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Description:

By encouraging dialogue, empathy, and accountability, R.P. can increase employee engagement and promote positive culture. Holding meetings (check in circles) strengthens connections throughout departments. Equipping leaders with skills such as active listening and how to facilitate difficult conversations creates a strong and resilient workforce that fuels genuine caring among employees. Encouraging growth by building and strengthening relationships amongst employees.

Presenter: Laura Heeter, Restorative Practices Consultant

I am implementing restorative practices in a wonderfully diverse school community. I support staff in dealing with challenging student behavior and engage in practices that foster a strong and supportive school environment.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-heeter-a52452121/

ATD Buffalo Niagara Chapter has been pre-approved by the ATD Certification Institute to offer educational programs that can be used towards initial eligibility and recertification of the Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD) credentials. This program qualifies for a maximum of 1 point.

May Coffee Connection (Wednesday, May 20, 2026)

Wed, 20 May 2026 11:30:00 GMT

This casual setting is a place to share best practices, explore ideas, develop and refine your work, and brainstorm solutions for challenges you're facing.

We'll be there from 7:30 am - 9 to share stories. Coffee Connections - Building our talent development community one cup at a time!

Monthly New Member Orientation (Wednesday, June 03, 2026)

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

This meeting will occur the first Wednesday of each month.

The ROI of Human Connection (Tuesday, June 16, 2026)

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Description:

The ROI of Human Connection” shows L&D and people leaders how to build trust in the first 90 seconds, turn conflict into opportunity, and to stop living for other people by connecting with yourself. Backed by research and stories, attendees leave with simple tools to drive behavior change and measurable impact.

Presenters:

Braden Eads brings over 10 years of experience in customer success across varying leadership capacities, consistently delivering outstanding results in every role. With an MBA from the University of Utah and a bachelor's degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Braden has developed a deep understanding of both the strategic and human elements that drive organizational success. Throughout his career, Braden has managed and scaled teams to achieve remarkable outcomes. His expertise lies in building strong, authentic connections whether with customers, colleagues, or stakeholders that lead to sustained growth and innovation.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Braden’s ability to captivate an audience is rooted in his rich history in the arts - being a performer since he was 14.

As a former member of the Tabernacle Choir on Temple Square and a lead performer in various stage productions, he knows how to engage and inspire audiences of all sizes.

Our time together will never be boring.

Braden is passionate about helping organizations harness the power of human connection to drive success. Whether leading a team or building customer relationships, his insights and experience offer actionable strategies that resonate and deliver lasting impact.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradeneads/

Monthly New Member Orientation (Wednesday, July 01, 2026)

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

This meeting will occur the first Wednesday of each month.

Monthly New Member Orientation (Wednesday, August 05, 2026)

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMT

This meeting will occur the first Wednesday of each month.

Monthly New Member Orientation (Wednesday, September 02, 2026)

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMT

This meeting will occur the first Wednesday of each month.

Monthly New Member Orientation (Wednesday, October 07, 2026)

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

This meeting will occur the first Wednesday of each month.

Monthly New Member Orientation (Wednesday, November 04, 2026)

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 17:00:00 GMT

This meeting will occur the first Wednesday of each month.

Monthly New Member Orientation (Wednesday, December 02, 2026)

Wed, 02 Dec 2026 17:00:00 GMT

This meeting will occur the first Wednesday of each month.