Elevating L&D as Strategic Business Partners
Jess Almlie
L&D Transformation Leader
Most L&D teams didn't choose to be order takers. It happened gradually, one urgent request at a time, until "build this course by Friday" became the norm and strategy conversations happened without them in the room.
Jess Almlie has spent over 30 years watching this pattern play out and helping teams break it. As a former VP of Learning, author of L&D Order Taker No More! Become a Strategic Business Partner, and 2026 Learning Guild Master, she's built a career around one idea: L&D doesn't need better processes to earn a seat at the table. It needs to change how it works with the business.
In this session, you'll learn how to:
- Spot the thinking patterns keeping your team in order-taker mode
- Build the kind of credibility that makes stakeholders come to you earlier
- Change how you work with the business, starting this week
Special perks for attendees:
- A certificate of attendance from iSpring
- The webinar recording
About the presenter
Jess Almlie
L&D Transformation Leader
Jess Almlie is an award-winning Learning and Talent Development strategist, author, speaker, and consultant who helps L&D teams move beyond order taking and become stronger strategic business partners. A former Vice President of Learning with more than 30 years of experience, Jess brings a practical, business-focused perspective to transforming the role of L&D.
She is the author of L&D Order Taker No More! Become a Strategic Business Partner, host of the L&D Must Change podcast, and was honored as the 2026 Learning Guild Master in recognition of her contributions to the learning and development profession.
In this session, you'll learn how to:
- Spot the thinking patterns keeping your team in order-taker mode
- Build the kind of credibility that makes stakeholders come to you earlier
- Change how you work with the business, starting this week
Special perks for attendees:
- A certificate of attendance from iSpring
- The webinar recording
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