Transforming Talent Development at the ATD Utah Conference
Barbara Schifano, Senior Director of Learning and Development at University of Phoenix, will take the stage at the 2024 Association for Talent Development (ATD) Utah Chapter Learning Insights Conference. The gathering brings together people who build learning at work—leaders in talent development, human resources, coaching, and workplace learning—to exchange what’s working, compare notes, and leave with practical ideas they can use.
A Fresh Approach, Built for What’s Next
Schifano will lead an afternoon breakout session titled "A Fresh Approach to Talent Planning." She’ll walk through the talent development model University of Phoenix adopted this year and why it fits today’s shifting workforce needs. The focus is pragmatic: make talent planning clearer, more actionable, and easier to sustain over time so leaders can actually use it.
"Annual talent planning presents a unique chance for leaders to commit to nurturing employee skills, preparing them for future challenges," Schifano remarked. Her team has been reworking how the University plans and invests in talent, zeroing in on simpler processes and clearer measures of return on investment (ROI) so effort translates into growth.
Redefining Talent Planning
Partnering with Deborah Reuterman, Sr. Director of Human Resources, and Bekah Roberts, Program Manager for Talent Management, Schifano examined the longstanding 9-block model and chose to redesign it. Out of that work came a Development Framework that puts continuous growth and learning at the center. The goal is to move conversations away from labels and toward targeted development that helps people build skills and take the next step in their careers.
The conference theme, "Embrace Change, Accelerate Growth," mirrors that intent. It invites participants to grapple with how organizations develop people, collaborate across teams, and adopt talent strategies that keep pace with change.
Insights into Workforce Development
Attendees can expect a practical method that keeps employee development front and center—the kind of approach that helps leaders build strong teams and support career progress. Schifano notes that traditional tools often trigger debates about categorization and ratings. Those debates can swallow time and attention that would be better spent clarifying skills, matching opportunities, and aligning aspirations with business needs.
"Our revamped approach emphasizes the development needs of our workforce and integrates technology to track talent decisions efficiently," Schifano explains. She plans to share early takeaways from year one of using the model—what’s working, what’s changed, and how the team is adjusting as they learn.
Barbara Schifano’s Journey
With more than two decades in learning and development, Schifano leads enterprise initiatives at University of Phoenix that create meaningful learning experiences across the employee lifecycle. She began her career in Operations at American Express, a start that grounded her in day-to-day leadership and execution.
Her commitment to growth extends beyond the workplace. Schifano volunteers to expand learning access in her community and has served on multiple non-profit boards. She holds a master’s degree in strategic communications and leadership from Seton Hall University and maintains multiple certifications in talent development—credentials that inform her practical, people-first approach.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix helps working adults advance their careers and build in-demand skills in a world that keeps changing. The University offers flexible schedules, relevant courses, and skills-mapped curricula across bachelor’s and master’s programs. That academic experience is paired with longstanding career services designed to support students over the long term—so they can pursue professional goals while balancing work and life.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Barbara Schifano?
Barbara Schifano is the Senior Director of Learning and Development at University of Phoenix. She leads enterprise learning initiatives and is known for advancing practical, employee-centered talent development strategies.
2. What is the ATD Utah Learning Insights Conference?
It’s a 2024 event hosted by the ATD Utah Chapter that brings together professionals in workplace learning, talent development, HR, and coaching to share insights, compare methods, and explore new practices.
3. What will Schifano cover in her session?
Her afternoon breakout, "A Fresh Approach to Talent Planning," outlines the University of Phoenix’s new Development Framework, why it replaces traditional categorization-heavy methods, and how technology helps track talent decisions and outcomes.
4. Why move beyond the traditional 9-block model?
The team found that rating and categorization can dominate the conversation, while development takes a back seat. The new approach centers skills, growth plans, and career alignment so leaders spend time on actions that actually build capability.
5. How does University of Phoenix support working adults?
By offering flexible schedules, relevant and skills-mapped courses across bachelor’s and master’s programs, along with ongoing career services that help students balance school, work, and life while pursuing their goals.
