Queens Talent & Coaching Conference

The Queens Master of Science in Talent & Organization Development (MSTOD) program, Executive Coaching Certificate and the Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) offer a conference to the public each year.

Queens 2025 Talent & Coaching Conference is a dynamic one-day in-person conference exploring the interconnected worlds of Talent Development and Professional Coaching. Three morning sessions will dive into talent development strategies, examining how organizations can effectively identify, nurture, and retain top talent while creating robust development pathways for all employees. The three afternoon sessions will shift focus to the power of coaching in organizations, featuring sessions on both organizational coaching approaches and the practice of professional coaching. This conference brings together thought leaders, practitioners, educators, and organizational leaders to share insights, best practices, and innovative approaches that can help organizations thrive through the strategic development of their people.

Conference Details

Registration

Participants can register for a half-day, morning, afternoon, or full day. All registrations include lunch.

McColl graduate students and Queens faculty/staff attend free.

Agenda

Morning Sessions – Talent Development Focus

Session 1: Enhancing Performance and Well-being in a Hyper-Connected Workplace

Lorrina Eastman, HRCatalyst

In today’s dynamic and interconnected work environments, fostering effective collaboration and social engagement is more essential than ever. However, workplace burnout and collaborative overload also present ongoing challenges. This presentation explores research-backed strategies for building robust networks that elevate both employee performance and well-being. Attendees will uncover practical tools and approaches to strengthen social connections and enhance collaborative efficiencies, ensuring a thriving and productive workplace culture.

Session 2: Building a Learning Culture: Strategies to Foster Continuous Development

Deb Lord, OrthoCarolina
Devi Anna Walters, Duke Energy

Session 3: Maximizing Returns on Talent Development: Mentoring as a Missing Link

Dawn E. Chanland, DBA, Queens University of Charlotte

A Gartner research report, Gartner: Top Five Priorities for HR Leaders in 2025, revealed that despite significant investment, leadership development programs are falling short of expectations. Only 36% of HR leaders surveyed believe their programs are effectively preparing leaders to tackle future organizational challenges. This session will explore the importance of mentoring as a vital component of executive coaching and leadership development programs. We will differentiate between mentoring and coaching and discuss strategies that empower coaches and leaders to build developmental relationships during and after these programs. Additionally, the session will outline how talent management professionals can incorporate mentoring into formal programs and foster a mentoring culture to enhance learning, career satisfaction, performance, and visibility among high-potential and high-performing employees.

Afternoon Sessions: Organizational & Professional Coaching Focus

Session 4: AI and Coaching: Expanding Possibilities for Leaders and Coaches

Jonathan Kirschner, AIIR Consulting

Megan Marshall, AIIR Consulting

AI is transforming the coaching landscape, offering new ways to develop leaders, enhance executive coaching, and support organizational growth. In this session, participants will explore the essential leadership skills needed to operate effectively in an AI world and how these can be developed through executive coaching. Through a live AI coaching demo and a facilitated discussion, attendees will gain insight into AI’s role in coaching and leadership development. Whether you are an executive coach, an organizational leader, or a student, this session will expand your understanding of AI’s impact on leadership coaching.

Session 5: Exploring Group Coaching: Transforming Collective Potential While Supporting the Needs of the Individual

Toni Taylor, PCC, Coaching Pathway, LLC

This comprehensive session offers coaches a deep dive into the art and science of group coaching, exploring the nuanced strategies for creating powerful collective learning experiences while honoring individual growth goals. Drawing from ICF-accredited best practices, participants will learn how to design group coaching structures that balance individual needs with overarching team objectives, create meaningful group dynamics, and facilitate transformative collaborative learning environments. The session will compare a variety of coaching models, highlight techniques and methodologies for navigating group coaching, and provide participants with a framework for group coaching skills and professional impact.

Session 6: Speaking with the Insiders: Delivering Value with Internal Coach Cadres

Taia Graham, ACC, Lowe’s; Catie Harrison, PCC, Wells Fargo; and Jen Suckow, ’24, OrthoCarolina

Moderated by Paul Joyce, Executive Leadership Institute at Queens University of Charlotte

A moderated panel discussion with three business leaders from different industries who have accountability for (1) establishing and developing their companies’ internal coaching capabilities and (2) realizing value through the delivery of those capabilities. The one-hour panel will include discussion on topics such as:

1. Value proposition and business case to form internal coaching capabilities
2. Sourcing and equipping an internal coach cadre
3. Benefits and limitations of using internals and externals
4. Measuring and reporting on value delivery

Sponsors

Are you interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact Greg Berka (berkag@queens.edu) for sponsorship packages.

Sponsors

ICF Charlotte | McColl Executive Leadership Institute

Conference Contacts