At its 2025 International Conference & Exposition in Washington, DC, the Association for Talent Development (ATD) recognized outstanding contributions from professionals and organizations shaping the future of talent development. The annual awards spotlight excellence in practice, leadership, innovation, and advocacy within the talent development field.
“These winners’ accomplishments advance knowledge in the talent development profession and contribute to increasing workforce capability and organizational competitiveness,” said Tony Bingham, ATD President and CEO.
Honoring Influential Talent Development Professionals
ATD recognized leading individuals whose work has driven impactful change and innovation across organizations and industries. Highlights include:
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Talent Development Outstanding Professional Award:
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Myra Roldan, UnDesto AI – External Practitioner
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Tim Wu, Chailease Financial Holdings – Internal Practitioner
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Dissertation Award:
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Amber Barger, Columbia University Teachers College
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Talent Development One to Watch Award:
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Stephen Scheib, Merck & Co.
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Talent Development Champion Award:
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Adam Grant, organizational psychologist and Wharton professor. Recognized for advocacy and influence outside the TD profession.
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Talent Development Thought Leader Award:
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Whitney Johnson, renowned author and thought leader, honored for her prolific contributions to Harvard Business Review and MIT Sloan Management Review.
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Recognizing Organizations Making a Difference
Several organizations were acknowledged for aligning talent development with broader societal and business impact:
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Talent Development for Good Award:
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SprintRay, for leveraging talent development to drive community transformation and industry innovation.
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ATD Certification Institute Champion Award:
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Saudi Aramco, for exceptional dedication to advancing professional certification and standards in the TD field.
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Excellence in Practice: 49 Award-Winning Initiatives
ATD honored 39 companies with 49 Excellence in Practice (EIP) Awards, recognizing measurable results achieved through high-impact practices. The awards span a wide range of categories, including:
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Career Development
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Change Management
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Coaching and Mentoring
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Customer Service Training
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Diversity and Inclusion
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Integrated Talent Management
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Leadership and Management Development
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Learning Technologies
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Performance Improvement and Consulting
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Sales Enablement
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Onboarding and more
These awards affirm the role of strategic talent development in driving both organizational success and societal progress.
Advancing the Future of Work
The ATD 2025 awards underscore a growing global recognition of talent development as a business imperative. By celebrating innovative practices and individuals who lead by example, ATD continues to spotlight the professionals and organizations shaping a more capable, inclusive, and agile workforce.
