ATD Central Massachusetts upcoming events

2026 Friday Morning Central Mash: Networking, Fun & Learning (November 13, 2026)

Fri, 13 Nov 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Talk, share, grow, and recharge at Central Mass ATD's biweekly networking Central Mash event.

This casual setting is a place to share best practices, explore ideas, develop and refine your work, and brainstorm solutions for challenges you're facing. We will be meeting every other Friday, and welcome you at one or all of the sessions as it suits your schedule.

These programs are open to members and non members.

Building our talent development community one cup at a time!

Please register in advance each time! Knowing who is attending our programs helps us make chapter decisions.

AI Hands-On Learning Lab featuring Lovable (November 19, 2026)

Fri, 20 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT

About the AI Learning Lab

The AI Hands-On Learning Lab is a monthly, guided exploration of technology tools with a focus on their AI capabilities. Each session spotlights a specific software and provides learners the opportunity to delve into its distinct AI features through hands-on exploration. The lab will also foster discussions on how these tools can be effectively used across workplace contexts - from getting the job, reducing friction in your workflow processes, and leveling up your learning design.

We will rotate through focusing on an AI tool through one of these three specific lenses:

Job Edition
Ways of Working Edition
Learning Content Edition

Our November Hands-On AI Lab will focus on Lovable!

About Lovable

As instructional designers, we often hit technical barriers when trying to step outside traditional eLearning authoring tools. Lovable is an AI-powered software development platform that lets you scaffold, refine, and deploy full-stack web applications and interactive sites simply by describing what you want in plain English.

In this hands-on lab, you will get direct experience using natural language to build custom learning tools, portfolio showcases, and experimental delivery platforms in real time.

Lovable gives you:

Natural Language UI & Data Generation: Describe your learning interface, feedback loops, or structure in plain text. Chat with the AI to scaffold user interfaces, update backend setups, and build database structures on the fly.
Standard Tech Stack: Lovable generates clean, production-ready code using industry-standard technologies—React for responsive frontends, Tailwind CSS for styling, and Supabase for user authentication and data management.
Full Code Ownership & Developer Handoff: You own 100% of the code built. Sync directly to GitHub, enabling developers or engineering teams to inspect pull requests, audit accessibility/security, or manually extend your build.
Flexible Hosting & Deployment: Instantly launch your learning tools via Lovable Cloud, or export the complete codebase to host in your organization's custom external environment.

How can you use it as an ID?

Rapid Prototyping: Fast-track functional Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) of learning experiences and test interactive UI/UX concepts before committing full development resources.
Custom Landing Pages: Design dedicated product launch pages, course waitlists, and promotional sites for training initiatives or small business offerings.
Internal Tools & Dashboards: Build internal management dashboards, mini-SaaS applications, and custom administrative interfaces to streamline training workflows.

What We'll Do

See how Lovable can be applied directly to common instructional design tasks and portfolio projects:

Alternative Course Hosting Showcase

An experimental build testing how to host and deliver Articulate Rise interactive learning modules outside of a traditional Learning Management System (LMS).
Interactive Interview Portfolio & Q&A Site

A personalized candidate showcase page built for job interviews, organizing responses to specific employer interview topics into an interactive Q&A format.
Interactive Game Prototype (Bioscience Quest)

A rough-draft proof-of-concept demonstrating how natural language prompts can quickly scaffold an educational game experience.

About Your Host

Sarah Harkleroad was born in South Dakota, attended Temple University and Arcadia University in Philadelphia, and resides in the Boston area. She has a Master's degree in Education, is a Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM) and Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and holds certifications in Instructional Design, Agile Leadership, and Lean Six Sigma. She has worked in adult education for over 20 years, teaching thousands from all around the world. Whether it is English as a Second Language, technology skills, or pickleball drills, Sarah is always eager to support and cheer on others in their learning journeys. For the last 10 years, she has led non-profit and for-profit organizations, implementing innovative end-to-end learning ecosystems and knowledge management strategies that impact business goals, engagement, and performance.

Mastermind for Independent Consultants - December (December 03, 2026)

Fri, 04 Dec 2026 00:00:00 GMT

What It Is

A monthly working session for independent leadership and talent development consultants. Sixty minutes, fully virtual, month to month. You come when you have a problem worth diagnosing.

How It Works

You bring a real situation: a stalled client, a positioning question, a decision you are sitting on. Dr. Othman diagnoses it live, separates the problem you named from the one underneath it, and recommends the move. Other consultants add perspective. The diagnostic conclusion stays with the person who has held the room for executive teams across sectors.

What You Leave With
Each session, you leave clearer on the problem you solve and the value only you bring

Schedule

Subsequent opportunities available for monthly sign ups

Who It's For

Independent consultants and small firm owners ready for advanced work. Committed to confidentiality, active participation, and no selling.
Not for beginners or those looking for passive networking.

Registration Details

Monthly, 60 minutes, virtual. Included for members. $10 for non-members. There are no more than 3 people per session.

To join, sign up online or contact administrator@tdcentralmass.org.

When you register here, you are registering for one program. There will be a unique Zoom link for each session.

Host & Facilitator

Dr. Othman is brought in when critical initiatives stall. He uncovers the misalignments in collaboration and execution that keep work from moving, and names what has to change. He has partnered with organizations including Chicago Public Schools and the Massachusetts Department of Early Childhood Education.

Author of Be. Lead. Innovate. MBTI Master Practitioner. Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD). Host of Othman's Leadership Podcast.

Capability Model: Consulting & Business Partnering , Collaboration & Leadership, Communication, Coaching

Mentorship Program - Informational Meeting (December 09, 2026)

Thu, 10 Dec 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Join us for an overview of the 2027 CMATD Mentoring Program! In this informational session, we will provide an overview of the program including the timing, format, matching process, and resources. We will also answer any questions you have about the program. This is a great way to learn about the program to help you determine whether you would like to join.

Overview

- CMATD is offering a one-on-one mentoring program for members to develop professional relationships, grow their careers, and improve skills

Benefits for Mentors

- Share knowledge and expertise with another ATD professional
- Develop a professional relationship with an L&D professional outside your org
- Access to a participant only portal with training and resources

Benefits for Mentees

- Gather support with achieving a development/career goal
- Discuss professional/work challenges in a safe space
- Develop a professional relationship with an L&D professional outside your org

Cohort B Timeline: 5 Month Program

October 8 – Recruitment launches (promote at NEAC)
December 9 (7:00 pm) - Informational Meeting
January 20 - Deadline to sign up
January 27 (7:00 pm) - Program Kickoff Meeting
March 24 (7:00 pm) - Mentor/Mentee Checkpoint
June 23 (7:00 pm) - Program Conclusion/Celebration

Fees & Incentives

- Free for members of Central Mass ATD and Greater Boston ATD
- $10 for non-members
- Must be a member (of our chapter or other chapter) to be a mentor
- Free membership renewal for completing program (mentee must achieve development goal)
- - This will apply for both mentee and mentor members and nonmembers
- Participant will also be recognized for completing program

Sign-Up

- Mentor Sign-Up Form
- Mentee Sign-Up Form

Responsibilities

- Mentors
- - Attend meetings
  - Listen actively
  - Provide clear, constructive feedback

Mentees
- Create development goal
- Set-up meetings
- Prepare meeting agendas
- Must complete development goal to complete program

Matching

- Will be facilitated by VP Mentorship
- Matching based on skills, goals, and interests

AI Hands-On Learning Lab (Holiday scheduling) (December 17, 2026)

Fri, 18 Dec 2026 00:00:00 GMT

About the AI Learning Lab

We will rotate through focusing on an AI tool through one of these three specific lenses:

Job Edition
Ways of Working Edition
Learning Content Edition.

AI Hands-On Learning Lab: Save the date (January 28, 2027)

Fri, 29 Jan 2027 00:00:00 GMT

About the AI Learning Lab

We will rotate through focusing on an AI tool through one of these three specific lenses:

Job Edition
Ways of Working Edition
Learning Content Edition.

Interest in ATD 2027-Boston (We have discount codes) (May 16, 2027)

Sun, 16 May 2027 04:00:00 GMT

ATD's International Conference is COMING TO BOSTON!

That's right! It's right in our backyard! Interested in attending? Complete this form and receive our money saving discount code.

Lowest of low "preview" pricing until 10/31. Here is a schedule of rates.

Remember to use our special chapter code: 1201 and we'll get a small rebate from the registration fees to help support the chapter.