Capital Region Chapter of ATD

OUR STORY

Founded in 1964, the Capital Region ATD is part of the world’s largest association dedicated to workplace learning and performance professionals. ATD’s members come from more than 100 countries and connect locally in more than 130 U.S. chapters and with more than 30 international partners.

The Capital Region Chapter has approximately 170 members who work and live in the Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. Our diverse membership includes training and development professionals employed in the public and private sectors as corporate trainers, New York State Agency trainers and independent consultants.

OUR APPROACH

The Capital Region ATD Chapter is dedicated to creating a workforce that is ready to tackle the future of our organizations. Creating a future ready workforce requires expertise and exceptional programming. CRATD provides members opportunities to learn the newest trends in talent development, grow their professional understanding of the industry, and network with industry leaders in the Capital Region.

CHAPTER LEADERSHIP

Your Capital Region ATD Chapter Board is a diverse collection of professionals in a variety of industries. Meet your chapter leadership group by reading their bios, or visiting their LinkedIn page (via the link provided). Each of our leaders are the Chairperson of a committee within our CRATD community. Click here to find out more about our volunteer committee opportunities.

Cassandra Bixler, President

Cassandra Bixler is a Practice Leader for the Change Management and Learning Development Practice at New York State Technology Enterprice Corporation (NYSTEC). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Niagara University and has more than 20 years of experience consulting for New York State government agencies on large-scale technology and program implementations. She has served on the CRATD Board since 2019.

Dominique Wheeler, Vice President - Strategy

As an agent for change and empowerment, Dominique Wheeler shares her electrifying energy in every endeavor. As an educator and community leader, Dominique sets out to support the development of underserved communities affording opportunities through cradle to career. Dominique is a native of Brooklyn, NY, and embarked on her educational journey on the campus of the State University at Albany, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a Master of Arts in Organizational Communication. She has served on the CRATD Board since 2024.

Khamali Brown, Vice President - Membership

Khamali Brown is the CEO of GBGE Consulting empowering leaders with strategies to navigate change. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Utica College, now Utica University. For more than 20 years Khamali has worked in the education and training field within the government, non-profit, and for-profit sectors. Her experience includes program administration, curriculum development, training and coaching. She has served on the CRATD Board since 2024.

Lisa Grossman, Vice President - Marketing & Communications

Lisa Grossman is a Principal Consultant at New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation (NYSTEC) and has extensive technical experience, with a focus on education technology and management information systems. Lisa is an experienced college level instructor in both traditional and virtual classroom settings and has worked extensively to provide staff development classes, statewide, for New York State proprietary applications. Lisa holds a degree in Information Systems from the State University of New York (SUNY) Empire State College. She has served on the CRATD Board since 2020.

Lana Gossin, CPTD, Vice President - Programs

Lana Gossin is the Learning and Development Supervisor for New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation (NYSTEC) and has extensive experience in curriculum development, instructional design, performance improvement, training delivery, project management, technical editing, coaching, and development of digital learning products and solutions. Lana earned her a Masters in Education from the College of St. Rose and her Bachelors in Political Science, State University of New York (SUNY) Brockport. She has served on the CRATD Board since 2019.

Holly Boucher, Board Member at Large

Holly is a Talent Development professional with more than a decade of experience in supporting the growth and development of individuals and teams in a variety of settings, including education, financial services, non-profit, and retail. She believes in the potential that every person has to identify and grow their talents as well as learn and enhance their personal and professional lives with new knowledge and experiences. Her passion is to spark a love of learning and the development of a growth mindset in everyone she meets! Holly is a two-time SUNY graduate earning her bachelor's degree in Childhood and Special Education from the College at Geneseo and her master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from the University at Buffalo. She has served on the CRATD Board since 2024.

Danielle Schaff, Board Member at Large

Danielle Schaff is a Senior Consultant and Learning and Development Specialist at New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation (NYSTEC) with expertise in project management and learning technologies. She has over twenty years of experience in learning and organizational development. Danielle is a life long learner and holds an MBA in Nonprofit Management from Walden University, a Masters in Education from the College of Saint Rose, and a Bachelors in Art and Architectural History from Wesleyan University. She has served on the CRATD Board since 2024.