2025 Board of Directors Election

Influence how ATD-Orange County supports your professional development needs!  Share your voice in electing the next slate of ATD-OC Chapter Leaders! 

Voting closes Saturday, September 28, 5 pm PT

Voter Eligibility and Requirements:

  • Must be an ATD-OC member in good standing who joined on or before September 29, 2024.
  • Each member is allowed to submit a single ballot. (If more than one ballot is submitted by a member, the last ballot received will be counted as the official ballot.)
  • You may write in candidates. Any write-in candidate(s) must meet the qualifications as stated in the bylaws to be elected.

Candidates and Statements

Listed below are the open positions and slate of candidates with their statements.  

President

President-Elect


Kim-Khue Chieffo


This is a non-elected position.

Kim-Khue Chieffo has been a mainstay of ATD-OC’s Talent Development team for years, starting as the Change Management SIG co-leader and progressing to VP of Talent Development in 2019 - 2021, and President-Elect in 2022-2024. She’ll be applying her Change Leadership expertise as she assumes the Chapter Presidency in 2025.

Why did you join the ATD-Orange County Board?

I wanted to give back to the community and continue our tradition of life-long learning, sharing knowledge, and supporting other professionals to grow in their personal and professional lives.

What did you get out of your role?

I've learned to flex my leadership skills and style while working with wonderful leaders across ATD National. Access to the resource materials developed by ATD thought leaders and opportunities to connect with leaders in the talent development field have added to my transformative growth as a leader in the for-profit and non-profit world.

What is your proudest accomplishment of the past year?

Resilience! I've remained resilient, continuing to serve on the Board with ever changing marketplace demands, contributing to the Chapter's success, and keeping the positive energy going. Thank you to our awesome Board and members!

Past President

President


Lynn Nissen

This is a non-elected position.

Lynn Nissen is a Learning and Development professional with 10+ years’ experience in Bio Tech, Manufacturing, and High-Tech organizations.  She has been a member of ATD-OC since 2018.

As President Elect, she supported the President in achieving the chapter goals, to prepare for the position of President and learn new ways to contribute her skills and abilities.

As VP Talent Management, she was able to meet many new members and volunteers.  She has been passionate about helping volunteers find an opportunity that makes them happy.  This understanding of what motivates our volunteers and chapter members will inform her viewpoint as President Elect.

Lynn believes that ATD-OC provides Learning and Development professionals with a broader understanding of their profession, through its programs and learning opportunities, through the interaction with other members and through an investment in their own skill development and growth.

The benefits of a professional network can be challenging to quantify. For members of ATD-OC, the professional enrichment is enhanced, by a sense of community and professional relationships. 

Her question for every chapter member is, “What are your career goals and how can ATD-OC help you achieve them?” 

In addition to all things training and learning, she also enjoys reading, visiting gardens, and spending time with her family.


Candidates

 Chief Financial Officer


James Skee

I am honored to be nominated for as a candidate for Chief Financial Officer of ATD-OC. My experience in leadership, strategic planning, and financial management make me a strong fit for this role. As a current member of our Finance Committee, I’ve had a hands-on opportunity to learn about the role from our current CFO, Michele Bivens. I’ve also been able to make contributions such as enhancing our monthly financial reports. More importantly, being CFO would both give me the opportunity to continue giving back to the Chapter and our members, while also demonstrating my commitment to learning through service through new growth opportunities.

As Director of Learning & Development at NexusTek, I've managed budgets, led strategic initiatives, and ensured that L&D programs are aligned with business objectives. My technical skills, particularly in Microsoft 365, Excel, and Power BI, have been key in streamlining processes and generating insights that drive decisions throughout the organization. My background in IT management and project management also equips me to handle the complexities of budgeting and financial reporting.

Moreover I'm passionate about giving back to the community. I have served our Chapter as both a member of the Finance Committe and Certifications Manager. I’ve also been a mentor to first-generation college students at USC, where I received my undergraduate degree; and as a volunteer alumni interviewer of scholarship candidates at my graduate institution, UC Berkeley.

I’m excited and honored for this opportunity to continue serving the Chapter.


Vice President, Marketing &

Vice President, Programs


Paul Venderley
As a dedicated long-time member, Paul has held several key board positions, including President and VP of Programs. Last year, in his role as VP of Marketing, he significantly elevated the visibility of our leadership team and enhanced the exposure of our events and community. This year, Paul is broadening his impact by taking on two pivotal roles that will undoubtedly benefit from his extensive experience and deep knowledge.


 Vice President, Membership


Cyndi Nagel

With over two decades of experience in Human Resources, learning and development, and talent acquisition, I am a capable leader, passionate about creating impact, driving employee growth and development, and delivering organizational success. As the Global Learning and Talent Development Manager at Belkin International, I manage all aspects of learning and development initiatives for our global audience of over 1000 employees. My goal is to transfer this knowledge in my role as VP of Membership.


Vice President, Professional Development - Workshops



Doaa Saleh


I am excited to submit my candidacy for the role of Vice President, Professional Development - Workshops. With a strong foundation in talent development and a commitment to empowering individuals through education, I believe I can make a meaningful contribution to our chapter.

Since I started my career in the L&D space, I’ve been driven by the belief that professional development should be an inspiring and transformative experience. I designed and implemented numerous programs that build skills and ignite a passion for growth in participants. My approach is grounded in the idea that with the right tools and opportunities, learning can profoundly impact both individuals and organizations.

In this role, I am eager to leverage my experience in instructional design and talent development leadership to provide workshops that resonate with learners and provide value. My goal is to ensure that every workshop we offer is relevant, engaging, and aligned with the needs of our community.

Thank you for considering my candidacy. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing success of ATD-OC and to help our chapter continue to lead in the field of talent development.


Vice President, 

Talent Management



Anthony Harmetz

I’m a longtime ATD-OC volunteer (including Past President, VP Workshops and managing the Total Trainer Programs for several years) with over 20 years’ experience designing, developing, delivering and implementing training and other learning initiatives.

My objective is to match volunteers with opportunities that align with their professional aspirations and/or expertise. By doing so, I aim to foster the development of their skills while simultaneously strengthening our chapter through the cultivation of a vibrant, collaborative, and continuously learning community.


Open Positions

ATD Orange County is still searching for a professional who is driven by personal growth, value collaborative efforts, and are committed to making a significant impact in the field of talent development

President-Elect


Open



What are we looking for?

The President-Elect will have a vision to shape the future of talent development in Orange County. This will be your chance to influence this Chapter to become the professional organization you believe it should be! 

You will have the platform to influence and inspire, while forging meaningful connections and honing skills that will set you apart in the professional world. 




Secretary


Open


What are we looking for?

The central hub of any non-profit organization, the Chapter Secretary is responsible for supporting a well-run community. From Board meetings to fundamental communication with the ATD National organization, ATD-OC relies on this volunteer to break down silos and stay aligned with its core vision.


 VP of Professional Development - Total Trainer University



Open

 

What are we looking for?

Total Trainer is the flagship professional development program offered by ATD-Orange County. You will be a steward for the program, ensuring that it retains its relevance in an everchanging L&D profession. This is an exciting time to influence the next generation of talent developers. Come on board!






Sponsors and Partners




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