ATD St. Louis upcoming events

The Self-Compassion Advantage: Managing Stress and Building Resilience (14 Jul 2026)

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Matt Kovatchis, CPCC

Burnout isn't a badge of honor — it's a barrier to excellence. This session delivers a research-backed framework for building resilience through self-compassion so you can lead yourself and others without burning out on the way there.

Session Objectives:

Identify how self-criticism functions as a hidden driver of chronic stress and explain its impact on professional performance, decision-making, and long-term resilience.
Apply a research-backed self-compassion framework to interrupt stress spirals, reframe setbacks, and return to peak performance faster under real-world pressure.
Construct a personal self-leadership plan that replaces self-judgment with sustainable habits of emotional regulation, self-awareness, and resilience-building.

Speaker Bio:

Matt Kovatchis, CPCC, is an ex-corporate banker turned mental health and stress management speaker and executive coach. He delivers high-energy and interactive keynotes and facilitates transformative workshops for associations, corporations, and leadership teams across the country – focusing on stress management, self-compassion, and heart-led leadership.

Before launching his speaking career, Matt spent seven years in corporate banking at multinational banks including PNC and Capital One. Externally, he looked like a massive success. Internally, he felt empty and alone. That disconnect led him on a journey of emotional healing and self-discovery - ultimately revealing a deeper purpose: to help others navigate the same struggles he once endured.

Matt is also the author of the guided journal Enjoying Your Own Company and the host of The Men in the Arena, a top 1% podcast on mental health. Based in Chicago, IL, when he's not speaking or coaching, you'll find him exploring a new coffee shop, or hanging out with his dog, Patty.

Need help sharing the why with leadership or documenting this development on your performance review?

This session Builds the following Capabilities and skills from the ATD Capability Model:

Personal Capability - Emotional Intelligence & Decision Making, Collaboration and Leadership, Cultural Awareness and Inclusion

Professional Capability - Career and Leadership Development, Coaching

Organizational Capability - Organizational Development and Culture, Performance Improvement

This session has been approved for recertification credits by the Association for Talent Development.

Narrative Intelligence: Using Story to Build Trust, Engagement, and Learning Culture (11 Aug 2026)

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Henry Wong

President and Brand Strategist of Vyoo

Henry Wong is a brand strategist, keynote speaker, and author with more than 25 years of experience helping organizations strengthen leadership, communication, and culture through the power of story. A former EVP and Creative Director at Saatchi & Saatchi, he has worked with organizations including Johnson & Johnson, Toyota, McNeil Consumer Healthcare, and the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Henry is the author of Telling Your Story, Building Your Brand and speaks on Narrative Intelligence—a practical framework that helps leaders recognize and reshape the stories that influence trust, engagement, and performance. His sessions provide practical tools for building stronger teams, aligning culture, and creating workplaces where people feel connected, valued, and inspired to grow.

Session Description:

Discover how Narrative Intelligence helps leaders and HR pros build trust, shape culture, and inspire engagement through story. Learn practical tools to align teams, drive change, and strengthen communication in today’s evolving workplace.

Session Objectives:

1. Understand the concept of Narrative Intelligence and its role in shaping behavior, trust, and team culture within the workplace.

2. Learn how to identify and reframe limiting workplace narratives to support engagement, retention, and alignment during periods of change.

3. Apply practical story-based communication tools to strengthen leadership presence, improve team connection, and foster a more inclusive and resilient culture.

Need help sharing the why with leadership or documenting this development on your performance review?

This session Builds the following Capabilities and skills from the ATD Capability Model:

Personal Capability - Communication, Emotional Intelligence & Decision Making, Collaboration and Leadership, Cultural Awareness and Inclusion, Lifelong Learning.
Professional Capability - Training Delivery and Facilitation, Career and Leadership Development, Coaching.
Organizational Capability - Business Insights, Organizational Development and Culture, Talent Strategy and Management, Performance Improvement.

This session has been approved for recertification credits by the Association for Talent Development.

Annual ATD St. Louis Learn Conference -Celebrating 80 Years of Growth: From Legacy to Learning Revolution (17 Sep 2026)

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Annual ATD St. Louis Learn Conference

Our Chapter's Turning 80!!!!

Join your peers in the Learning & Talent Development community for our annual ATD St. Louis Learn Conference! Register EARLY for discounted pricing! Registration opens April 15th!

Conference highlights...

Both In Person and Virtual Options
Free Parking
Target Learning Tracks facilitated by experienced facilitators
Light Breakfast, Lunch, and Snacks included with registration
L&D Focused Vendors on site throughout the conference

And so much more!!!

More details about our speakers and session descriptions will be posted soon on our conference website.

To for questions about sponsorship or vendor opportunities please reach out to community@atdstl.org.

These sessions have been approved for recertification credits by the Association for Talent Development.