Conference Day Two

Wednesday, December 10

Want to download a copy of the agenda to share with the team? If so, get yours here.

8:30 am Registration & Breakfast

9:00 am Chair’s Opening Remarks

Retaining Talent Through Strategic Development in Volatile Environments

9:10 am Panel Discussion: How Can Life Sciences Organizations Rethink Talent Development to Retain, Reskill, & Reengage Teams Amid Industry Volatility & Resource Constraints

  • Celeste Brantolino Senior Director, Learning & Development, Exela Pharma Sciences
  • Alissa Bor Executive Director, People & Organizational Development, Syndax Pharmaceuticals
  • Krista Letizia Senior Director, Commercial Learning & Development, Avidity Biosciences, Inc.
  • Jennifer Rekemeyer Senior Director - Learning & Development, Intellia Therapeutics

Synopsis

  • In the face of biotech layoffs, restructuring, and shifting priorities, how can talent development leaders design meaningful learning experiences that reinforce employee engagement and long-term retention?
  • What innovative approaches are helping life sciences organizations cross-train and expand employee scope when traditional career progression is paused and teams are being asked to do more with less?
  • How can L&D leaders creatively adapt external training platforms and internal resources to deliver scalable, culture-aligned development programs that support agility and growth in lean, fast-evolving environments?

10:10 am Action: What Practical Steps Can You Take to Sustain Talent Development During Restructuring & Resource Constraints?

Synopsis

  • Where in your organization are talent development efforts most vulnerable to disruption, and how can you protect learning continuity during change?
  • What pilot initiatives, such as cross-training programs, internal mobility pathways, or lean learning sprints, could you launch to support agility and engagement when career progression is paused?
  • How can you repurpose existing platforms, content, or peer networks to deliver meaningful development without increasing spend?
  • What indicators, such as retention risk, engagement scores, or skill adaptability, can help you track the effectiveness of your development strategy in volatile conditions?

10:30 am Networking & Refreshments Break

Driving Confident AI Adoption Across Scientific & Operational Teams

11:10 am Discover: Driving Scalable AI Adoption Through Change Management, Peer Enablement & Strategic Communication

Synopsis

  • Launching enterprise-wide access to Copilot and ChatGPT by targeting high-impact roles, aligning enablement with workflow realities, and building a clear, supportive journey from awareness to confident use
  • Standing up a mentorship and champion network to foster peer-led learning, build excitement across functions, and ensure sustained engagement with AI tools in scientific and operational contexts
  • Designing communication strategies that demystify AI, address concerns around job impact, and position emerging technologies as enablers of scale, efficiency, and modernized work, aligned with employee demand for smarter tools

11:30 am Develop: How Can Life Sciences Organizations Build AI Adoption Strategies That Are Practical, Inclusive & Sustainably Embedded?

Synopsis

  • What are the most effective ways to tailor AI enablement for high-impact roles in scientific and operational functions, ensuring relevance and usability?
  • How can peer-led learning and champion networks be structured to build trust, reduce resistance, and foster long-term engagement with AI tools?
  • What communication strategies help demystify AI, address job-related concerns, and position emerging technologies as enablers of smarter, more efficient work?
  • How can organizations ensure that AI adoption aligns with compliance, data governance, and scientific integrity while remaining agile and scalable?

11:40 am Action: What Practical Steps Can You Take to Accelerate AI Adoption While Supporting Scientific & Operational Excellence?

Synopsis

  • Where in your organization are teams struggling to move from AI awareness to confident, outcome-driven use, and what barriers are slowing adoption?
  • What pilot initiatives, such as workflow-integrated training, peer mentoring, or targeted enablement for high-impact roles, could you launch to build momentum?
  • How can you align IT, data science, and business leaders to co-own AI adoption and ensure its embedded into daily work with clear governance and support?
  • What metrics, such as usage rates, workflow efficiency, or decision-making speed, can help you track the impact of AI enablement and refine your strategy?

12:00 pm Networking & Refreshments Break

1:00 pm Speed Learning

  • Marca Clark Director, Talent Development, Tarsus Pharmaceuticals Inc.
  • Maya Brannan Director, Senior HRBP, L&D, Brii Biosciences
  • Lisa Moldovan Senior Director - Training & Development, Scaling Biopharma Organization
  • Jackie Engel Director - Learning & Development for Sales & Customer Engagement, Noah Medical

Synopsis

In this quick-fire session, each table will be hosted by a talent development leader who will share the secrets of their most high-impact ‘LEAP’; you then get the opportunity to question the host before moving on to your next table.

Table 1: Activating High-Potential Talent Through Cross-Functional Calibration & Agile Leadership Development

Table 2: Building Buy-In for Learning Innovation Among Established Teams

Table 3: Updating Sales and Onboarding Training to Meet Today’s Learner Expectations

Table 4: Building #oneTEAM Through the Speed of Trust

2:30 pm Chair’s Closing Remarks & End of LEAP TD: Life Sciences 2025