About Dr. David Guralnick

David Guralnick envisions a new approach to education and workplace learning. His vision integrates progressive learning theory, advanced technology, and creative, entertaining storytelling to create learning experiences that help people learn to think critically, reflect, and make thoughtful decisions. David holds a Ph.D. from Northwestern University, where his work synthesized concepts from the fields of computer science and artificial intelligence, instructional design, and cognitive psychology. Over the past 30 years, he has designed and evaluated a variety of simulation-based training applications, performance support systems, online courses, mobile applications, and authoring tools for corporate, non-profit, and university audiences.

David holds a Ph.D. in computer science from Northwestern University, where his work synthesized concepts from the fields of computer science/artificial intelligence, instructional design, and cognitive psychology. Over the course of his thirty years in online learning, he has designed and developed simulation-based training applications, electronic performance-support systems, and specialized authoring tools which allow non-technical people, such as writers and trainers, to build e-learning sites.

Among David’s most notable achievements are the creation of the first learn-by-doing simulation for corporate training purposes and the first authoring tool for a non-technical audience that was specific to e-learning. He has been the recipient of over 200 e-learning design awards, and his work has been featured in Wired magazine, the Wall Street Journal, and Training magazine (as an Editor's Choice). He has been a regular speaker at both industry and academic events since 1991. He is also the author of the recent book How Organizations Can Make the Most of Online Learning.

David is the current President and CEO of Kaleidoscope Learning. He is also the current president of the International E-Learning Association; founder and chair of The Learning Ideas Conference; Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal on Advanced Corporate Learning; Chair of the International E-Learning Awards; and an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University.

About Kate Fessler

Kate Fessler is the senior director of outreach for RISE Up at the NRF Foundation, where she works with organizations across the country – including high schools, workforce organizations and community colleges – to introduce and deliver the RISE Up credentials to learners preparing for first jobs and second chances in retail and beyond. Prior to joining NRF, Kate worked for UVA’s Darden School of Business, overseeing the Board of Trustees and advisory boards, and at the American Staffing Association, where she was the director of education. She also oversaw operations and coaching standards for a D.C. soccer club after playing and coaching the sport for many years. Kate has a B.A. in International Studies from UNC-Chapel Hill and an M.Ed. in Administrative Leadership from Vanderbilt University.

About Dr. David Guralnick

David Guralnick envisions a new approach to education and workplace learning. His vision integrates progressive learning theory, advanced technology, and creative, entertaining storytelling to create learning experiences that help people learn to think critically, reflect, and make thoughtful decisions. David holds a Ph.D. from Northwestern University, where his work synthesized concepts from the fields of computer science and artificial intelligence, instructional design, and cognitive psychology. Over the past 30 years, he has designed and evaluated a variety of simulation-based training applications, performance support systems, online courses, mobile applications, and authoring tools for corporate, non-profit, and university audiences.

David holds a Ph.D. in computer science from Northwestern University, where his work synthesized concepts from the fields of computer science/artificial intelligence, instructional design, and cognitive psychology. Over the course of his thirty years in online learning, he has designed and developed simulation-based training applications, electronic performance-support systems, and specialized authoring tools which allow non-technical people, such as writers and trainers, to build e-learning sites.

Among David’s most notable achievements are the creation of the first learn-by-doing simulation for corporate training purposes and the first authoring tool for a non-technical audience that was specific to e-learning. He has been the recipient of over 200 e-learning design awards, and his work has been featured in Wired magazine, the Wall Street Journal, and Training magazine (as an Editor's Choice). He has been a regular speaker at both industry and academic events since 1991. He is also the author of the recent book How Organizations Can Make the Most of Online Learning.

David is the current President and CEO of Kaleidoscope Learning. He is also the current president of the International E-Learning Association; founder and chair of The Learning Ideas Conference; Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal on Advanced Corporate Learning; Chair of the International E-Learning Awards; and an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University.

The NRF Foundation’s RISE Up Program - Delivering Retail Industry-Recognized Credentials

Kate Fessler and David Guralnick, Ph.D.

RISE Up is the NRF Foundation's training and credentialing program. It provides foundational employability skills to help people land jobs and get promoted in retail and beyond.

The RISE Up courses and exams are industry-recognized and were developed, along with Kaleidoscope Learning, in collaboration with more than twenty retailers, including Walmart, Macy’s, The Home Depot, Burlington Stores, BJ's Wholesale Club and Nordstrom. The RISE Up program is currently used by over 3,000 training partners -- high schools, community colleges, workforce development programs, and others -- across the country. The NRF Foundation has helped more than 500,000 people earn RISE Up credentials.

In this session, we'll describe the RISE Up program and discuss its role as a way for people to earn credentials either within or outside of a school context.

Disruptor and Enabler: Preparing Learners for AI Transformation

Alexandra Urban, Ph.D.

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is revolutionizing online and workplace learning, presenting difficult changes and unprecedented opportunities. This session explores GenAI's disruptive potential to automate tasks and reshape the job market. We'll examine economic opportunities for businesses, the fastest-growing skills required, and upskilling strategies in this dynamic tech environment.

Then, we'll focus on embracing GenAI as an enabler in learning. Discover how this technology can supercharge online learning, offer innovative content delivery, personalize the experience, and add more effective assessment methods. We'll also discuss incorporating GenAI-related content into your upskilling plan, equipping us all with essential knowledge and skills.

About Dr. Alexandra Urban

Dr. Alexandra Urban is the Learning Science Research Lead at Coursera, focused broadly on platform innovation, content design, and online pedagogy. Her background is in Educational Neuroscience, applying how the human brain learns to improve teaching environments. She completed her doctorate in Mind, Brain, and Teaching from Johns Hopkins University, where she created novel interventions for better supporting women in online STEM courses. Before that, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Educational Neuroscience from Brown University and a Master's in Mind, Brain, and Education from Harvard University.

Dr. Urban publishes and presents worldwide at universities, companies, and conferences, sharing new research insights. Most recently, she has led presentations at DEMO Conference hosted by Georgia Tech, the International Society of the Learning Sciences (ISLS) Annual Meeting, gatherings of enterprise managers in Dubai, as well as an onsite with university leadership at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC Chile) in Santiago. She lives with her husband and their dog in the Bay Area, California.