Lisa Ann Edwards, Bloom Coaching Institute 
Lisa Ann Edwards, M.S., ACC, is a partner of Bloom Coaching Institute, an organization that advances coaching effectiveness through research, tools, training and consultation on ROI of Coaching. Lisa's coaching work has demonstrated as much as a 251% return-on-investment and has been shown to lift employee engagement nearly 20%. As head of Talent Management for Corbis, a Bill Gates' privately owned global media company, Lisa was responsible for designing and implementing effective talent development solutions such as leadership development and coaching programs to ensure talent engagement, improve talent retention and serve to feed the talent pipeline. Lisa is a frequent contributing author to trade publications and has authored or contributed to the following books: Measuring the Success of Coaching: A Step-by-Step Guide to Measuring Impact and Calculating ROI (ASTD Press, 2012); Retail Coaching. La gestione operativa della rete vendita secondo le logiche dello sport (2011); ASTD Handbook for Measuring and Evaluating Training (2010); Talent Management Handbook (2010); Creative On-boarding Programs (2010); Keep Looking Up (2010); Managing Talent Retention: An ROI Approach (2009) and ROI in Action Casebook (2008).
Sam Herring, Intrepid Learning 
Sam Herring is CEO and co-founder of Intrepid Learning and leads the company’s strategic direction. With partners, he started the company in 1999 with a focus on learning research and best practices, and grew the business to become a market leader in learning consulting, outsourcing, and technology. Today the company works with leading global companies to help them improve performance, and achieve their most promising business opportunities through innovative learning solutions.
Sam is immediate past Chairman of the American Society for Training and Development’s (ASTD) Board of Directors, and is recognized as a “Who’s Who” training industry thought leader by TrainingIndustry.com. Sam regularly speaks and consults with clients on topics
such as innovation, business agility, learning trends and best practices, enterprise learning strategy, and more. He is published in Fast Company and T&D magazine, and is a frequent keynote speaker at leading industry conferences, seminars, universities, and global corporations.
Sam holds a Master’s degree from Harvard University, where he studied ethics, religion and public policy, and a Bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University. In 2008, he was recognized as a top business leader through the Puget Sound Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” awards. He is a past director of New Futures, a Seattle-area children and family services agency.
Chis Pirie, Microsoft General Manager of Field Readiness
Chris Pirie, General Manager within Microsoft’s Sales, Marketing and Services Group Readiness (SMGSR) organization, will serve as the 2011 chair-elect on the Board of Directors for the American Society for Training & Development(ASTD). Pirie joined the board in 2010 as a director and will serve for two more years, becoming chair in 2012.
As General Manager in Microsoft’s SMGSR organization, Mr. Pirie leads the training and readiness for all Microsoft’s sales, marketing, and technical field employees worldwide.
Mr. Pirie joined Microsoft in September 2004 as Senior Director of Learning Product Development, and subsequently he held global sales and marketing responsibility for Microsoft Learning, Microsoft’s customer training business. Prior to joining Microsoft Mr. Pirie worked for Oracle spearheading online learning using Oracle’s Learning Management System.
A native of England, Mr. Pirie moved to the United States in 1991. He has a degree in Literature and Philosophy from the University of Essex in England
Halley Bock, President & CEO Fierce, Inc. 
As President and CEO of Fierce, Inc., Halley Bock is at the forefront of the leadership development and training industry. A popular and engaging public speaker, Halley speaks with leaders across the globe. She has keynoted at events such as the National Business Growth Summit and to organizations including Microsoft, MICA Knightsbridge, and Institute of Management Consultants.
A prolific writer, Halley wrote a monthly column in Seattle Business Magazine, contributes regularly to various publications including Training Magazine and Chief Learning Officer, and is sought out as an industry resource for media outlets including Forbes.
Halley joined Fierce as COO in 2006, was promoted to President in 2009, and became CEO in 2011. Under her leadership, the company has enjoyed double-digit growth across all business units and is consistently honored by the design industry and business community. Fierce was named in Seattle Business Magazine’s 2011 list of the 100 Best Places in Washington to Work, was recognized by TrainingIndustry.com as a 2011 Top Company To Watch, and was listed in Inc.’s 2011 500|5000 List of America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies.
Prior to joining Fierce, Halley spent over 13 years in the high-tech industry innovating for the emerging online media space. Her focus was on interactive media, large-scale streaming broadcasts, and leading teams to success. During her time with RealNetworks, Halley produced numerous award-winning web events, original programming, and web content.
An entrepreneur, Halley founded LUX Mediaundefineda highly successful design, production, and consulting agency specializing in multimedia content and focused on serving progressive non-profits such as Amnesty International, World Wildlife Fund, and UNICEF.
Halley credits her accomplishments as leader to her lifelong commitment to revisit, challenge and improve her leadership skills. She attributes much of her success to straightforward conversations, surrounding herself with brilliant people, and always staying curious. Halley contributes her expertise to several local startups, think tanks, and nonprofits. As an active industry leader, Halley ensures Fierce stays up-to-date on the latest trends and most innovative solutions for clients.
Outside of the office, Halley enjoys spending time with family, raising breast cancer awareness, playing volleyball, and long-distance running.
Bud Wurtz, PhD by Innovation
Dr. William ("Bud") Wurtz, PhD, is an expert on innovation and learning. He leads and practices his work through two companies, Knowledge4Achievement, an organization development firm, and its sister company, Coaching For Creativity, a business coaching practice. Prior to his return to the Pacific Northwest, Bud was Director for Corporate and Community Services with the Institute of Applied Creativity at Texas A&M University, with which he remains affiliated as a senior consultant.
