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 members 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.

Lana Gossin, CPTD, President Elect

Lana Gossin is a Senior Consultant 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.

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, equipping 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 training and organizational development within the government, non-profit, and for-profit sectors. Her experience includes program administration, curriculum development, training, and coaching. At the heart of Khamali’s work is a core belief: organizational transformation begins with empowering individual growth. She has served on the CRATD Board since 2024.

Renee Walrath, Vice President - Finance

Renee Walrath brings vision, resilience, and unwavering commitment to her role as President and CEO of Walrath Recruiting, Inc. Since founding the firm I 2010 she has transformed it from a one-room office into one of the Capital Region’s most respected executive search, recruiting, and staffing agencies. Renee earned her B.B.A in Accounting from Siena College, laying the foundation for a business that thrives across a wide range of industries. A people-first leader, Renee is deeply invested in the success of her clients, candidates, and team members. Her approach goes beyond recruitment; it’s about building long-term relationships and delivering career solutions that create lasting impact. Renee is a two-time Albany Business Review Power 50 honoree and leader of a New York State Certified Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE).

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 learning 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.

Katie Bruce, Vice President - Programs

Katie Bruce began her corporate learning and development career at GE, where she was a member of the Jack Welch Management Development Institute team known as Crotonville. She then moved onto executive and leadership development at Boeing, where she helped to shape Boeing’s future leaders with memorable experiential learning experiences. Currently, she is the Relationship Manager for Horizon Leadership Development. Before L&D, she worked in marketing and advertising, and taught marketing and business at various local colleges while simultaneously working in global event management. An entrepreneur at heart, she founded L&D Pros Consulting, LLC in 2021 and Date & Olive Grazing Co., in 2024. Katie holds an MBA from Sage Graduate School and an EdD from Wilmington University.

Danielle Schaff, Vice President - Educational Initiatives

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 Certified PMP and a lifelong learner. She 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.

Christopher Walrath, Vice President - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Chris Walrath (he/him) is the Vice President of Growth at Walrath Recruiting, where he drives strategic initiatives to expand client partnerships and deliver innovative, data-driven talent acquisition solutions. With over a decade of experience in recruitment strategy and organizational development, Chris is passionate about helping businesses build high-performing, inclusive teams that thrive in today’s evolving workforce. A 2025 Albany Business Review 40 Under 40 honoree, Chris brings expertise spanning talent acquisition, organizational strategy, operations and learning and development. He is committed to embedding equity into every stage of the employee experience and cultivating environments where both individuals and organizations can succeed. Chris also serves as co-chair of the Capital Region Chamber’s Young Professionals Network Campus Connect Steering Committee.