Meet October's Member of the Month: Katie Lennen!

Tell us about your experience in the Talent Development space including places you've worked, roles you've held, and organizations you're a part of. 

Finding my passion in Talent Development was a journey that began when I reentered the workforce after spending time at home with my three daughters. I discovered a deep love for training and mentoring new employees, which led me to officially start my career in Talent Development at Werner almost seven years ago. During my tenure there, I gained valuable experience in classroom and virtual facilitation, systems and role-specific training, and change management.

In my current role at TaborStreet, I have gained experience in creating and managing professional development programs, developing competency models, and conducting needs assessments.

In addition to my professional roles, I have been an active member of ATD Nebraska since 2021, earning my Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) in 2022 and a Coaching Certificate in 2023. I also joined Omaha ODN in 2022 and currently serve on the board as the Director of Communication. The connections and learning opportunities within these organizations have been incredibly rewarding, and I highly recommend joining if you haven't already!

What are some of your interests, strengths, and unique qualities that would help others get to know you better?

I am an introvert parading as an extravert because I understand the significance of building relationships and connections. On a personal note, I value time with my daughters, reading a mystery novel with an unexpected twist, and steering clear of cooking whenever I can.

What "work related" accomplishment(s) are you the most proud of?

At TaborStreet, I lead projects to successfully develop and launch four professional development programs, which have impacted 84 individual learners. The programs have significantly enhanced employees’ self-awareness, credibility, relationships, confidence, and accountability. While the data speaks volumes, what's truly rewarding is hearing individuals share how these programs have "changed their lives." Witnessing such profound personal and professional growth makes us incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication put into these initiatives by our team and participants.

Favorite quote

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Do you have a lesson you've learned in your career you'd like to share with others?

I have learned that growth is about more than just learning new things, it’s about applying it in meaningful ways. In our field, it's tempting to focus on continuous learning and consume vast amounts of information. The real challenge—and the key to significant impact—is taking action based on that information. When I learn something, I ask myself two critical questions: "How does this alter my thoughts and beliefs?" and "What practical steps can I take to implement this now?" While knowledge is important, it's the consistent changes in behavior that drive progress and lead to new results.

Do you have any favorite books or resources that you think others would find helpful?

Books:

Crucial Conversations by Crucial Learning

7 Steps of Your Career Ladder by Rodrigo Martineli

Closing the Confidence Gap by Kelli Thompson

Resources:

ATD Nebraska and Omaha ODN

Freepik.com

Canva.com

Connect with Katie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-lennen-244948171/

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