Featured Speaker(s)

Moderator:

Christie Whitney
WITI Director

Speakers:

Krista Lewis
Global Learning and Development Manager
F5

Krista Lewis is the Global Learning & Development Manager at F5 Networks. In this role, she acts as an internal consultant, closely working with constituents such as F5’s business leaders, Human Resources and the major global theatres to drive the development and implementation of corporate-wide learning and development initiatives. These efforts encompass a broad range of areas such as onboarding, team building, performance improvement and leadership development.

Prior to F5, Krista worked as a Training Consultant for Microsoft in the Server/Tools, MBD and Sales/Operations divisions where she developed training programs to address individual and team performance, leadership and public speaking. Prior to that, she was the Assistant Dean of General Education at DeVry University in Fremont, CA, managing faculty in General Education to ensure academic excellence and alignment throughout the campus.

Kathlyn Jones
IT Director�" IT Retail Solutions
REI

Kathlyn Jones is the Information Technology Director of Retail Solutions at Recreational Equipment, Inc (REI). REI is the nation’s largest consumer cooperative providing gear and clothing for active outdoor adventures through 120+ stores across the U.S. and its website www.rei.com. She leads the team of software engineers and solution architects that build technology solutions for both the physical retail stores and the digital retail presence including the rei.com website and mobile solutions. She partners closely with the company’s retail business leaders to ensure that the technology and business strategies are developed and delivered together successfully.

Prior to joining REI, Kathlyn worked for Amdocs (Qpass) and IBM where she led technology teams and created software solutions for customers in multiple industries including Telecommunications, Entertainment, eCommerce, Aerospace, Logistics and Distribution, Insurance, and Government.

Nicole Lipton
Leadership Development Manager
Starbucks Coffee Co

Nicole joined Starbucks Coffee Company in 2012 and has been working in leadership development focusing on high potential development for senior leaders. She is responsible for the intersections of leader development as part of the broader integrated talent management strategy.

Prior to working at Starbucks Coffee Company she was at Microsoft Corporation for over eight years working with the Windows Phone Division to develop the strategy and implementation of their Leadership Development Program. Prior to working in Windows Phone she was in the Entertainment and Devices Division where she had accountability for the Hardware Profession's learning and development and high potential programs. Her first role at Microsoft was in Law and Corporate Affairs developing and implementing their learning strategy for employees and managers.

Prior to Microsoft, Nicole was with Oracle Corporation leading the learning and development account for The Boeing Company. Nicole has her BS in Psychology from Washington State University and a MA in Mental Health Psychology form Antioch University. She is certified in the MBTI and Emotional Intelligence (EQ-I).

Nicole lives in Wallingford and has a 4-year old daughter, Amelia and two cats. She enjoys traveling with her husband and daughter and spending time in the great outdoors.

Chera Jackson
Network Trainer, Global Transportation Operations
Expedia

Chera has been with Expedia for 9 years. During this time she has lead multiple Learning and Development teams to deliver a superb customer service experience. Passionate about the company and people, she lends her time leading one of Expedia's affinity groups - BEEP (Black Expedia Employee Professionals) and facilitating New Employee Orientation sessions. Outside of work she is a very busy sports mom of 3 active boys. Go Lakers!!!

Alicia Scheibner
Manager, Talent Development
Alaska Airlines

Alicia Scheibner is the Talent Development Manager at Alaska Airlines. In this role, she works to create alignment between business strategy and leadership development by providing guidance and support to Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air senior leadership to drive relevant learning and development initiatives forward. Alicia's team offers Alaska and Horizon employees a wide range of support including on boarding, employee engagement, performance management, team building, career counseling, leadership development and succession planning.

Prior to joining Human Resources in 2007, Alicia worked in Horizon Air's call center and held various leadership roles including network analyst and supervisor. Between the two companies, she has been with her organization for 13 years.