Harnessing AI in Talent Development: Tools for a Competitive Edge
Unlock the transformative potential of AI in Talent Development by exploring innovative
strategies to enhance your role and propel organizational excellence in this engaging session.
Lei Comerford; CEO
Embark on an enlightening journey to explore how generative AI and tools like
ChatGPT are becoming integral to learning and development. This session is
tailored for learning professionals at various stages of AI adoption—from the
curious and cautious to the enthusiastic adopters—and will guide you through the essentials of embracing AI. We aim to transform AI curiosity into practical strategies by offering in-depth insights and tools you can use immediately. By participating in this session, you'll transition from AI curiosity to clarity, equipped with the knowledge and tools to become a pioneering leader in the digital learning era. Embrace the AI revolution in learning and development with us, and redefine your approach to talent growth, innovation, and success.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn what generative AI is and how it can be applied in learning and development to make training more effective and engaging.
- Discover how to gain AI knowledge and the skills valuable for learning and development professionals, setting you apart in your field.
- Learn 3 ChatGPT input/output combinations that you can begin utilizing in your role to immediately experience efficiencies, YES… saving you valuable time.
- Create an action plan to use AI in your learning and development role, aligning with your career growth and organizational goals.
Speaker Bio:
Lei Comerford is an award-winning Executive & Leadership Coach, Workshop Facilitator, and Certified AI Consultant with over 25 years of strategic and operational leadership experience in healthcare and hospitality. Her background spans pharmacy benefit management, biopharma, and consulting services, ultimately guiding her into Learning & Development, where she discovered a deep passion for coaching and empowering leaders.
As founder of her own leadership development practice, Lei works with a diverse range of clients, including HR and L&D professionals, coaches, leadership teams, and organizations. A PCC-accredited ICF coach, she was recently named one of the 2025 Top Coaches in America by Top Coach Awards. Known for her warm, welcoming presence and deep commitment to growth, Lei designs and facilitates transformative workshops and retreats focused on cognitive diversity, Whole Brain Thinking, and core leadership competencies. Her signature program, the Advancement Leadership Development Program, equips emerging leaders to lead with confidence and prepare for what’s next.
With a mission to “Help Leaders Advance,” Lei blends cutting-edge AI fluency training with human-centered coaching to challenge the status quo and guide clients from surviving to thriving. Whether speaking at SHRM and ICF conferences, leading AI webinars, facilitating on-site training, or coaching one-on-one, Lei empowers leaders to unlock what’s possible—with integrity, positivity, and a growth mindset.
Lei currently volunteers with the ATD Nashville Chapter as a Board Member, serves as an Advisor for The Healthcare Business Woman’s Association Ambassador program, mentors through The Vanderbilt University Women in Business program, and gives back via coaching services through the Humanitarian Coaches Network. She resides in the Nashville, TN area.
https://www.leicomerford.com/
Model Domain:
Build Personal Capability - Emotional Intelligence, Communication
Develop Professional Capability - Technology Application, Career and Leadership Development
Impact Organizational Capability - Future Readiness, Organization Development and Culture
Event Details:
Program Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm Eastern Time
Program Cost: Current Chapter Members Free | Guests $10.00 | Students $5.00
*Registration will close at 5:00pm ET on Thursday 1-15-2026
*Registrants will receive an e-mail containing the link and login instructions prior to the event.
Smoky Mountain 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.
