Guest Scholars:

• Dr. Nicole Dillard (University of Minnesota).

• Dr. Ciarán McFadden (University of Stirling).

• Dr. Jeremy W. Bohonos (Texas State University).

Topics Include:

• What do we mean by the term DEIB and what other terms might people be using that are similar?

• How has DEIB been in the news in recent years, and how do you view these recent events in the context of the longer-term view/history?

• What challenges are HRD professionals facing on DEIB as a result of these recent events?

• How can HRD professionals respond to these challenges and continue to make progress on DEIB?

• As HRD professionals navigate the current context for DEIB, what options and choices are open to them, and what decisions do they need to make?

• What can we learn from the current context that can help HRD to move forward on DEIB?

Bios:

• Dr. Nicole Dillard (she/her) is an Assistant Professor of HRD at the University of Minnesota. Her research examines the work and organizational experiences of individuals with marginalized identities, with a focus on mothering and the work-life experiences of women of color. Centering Black maternal epistemologies, she explores how mothering functions as sites of knowledge production, resistance, and advocacy within workplace and organizational contexts. Her service to AHRD includes roles on the Anti-Racism Committee, the Black SIG steering committee, and as co-chair of both the R. Wayne Pace Book Award and the Ambassador Program, and Chair of the Motherhood SIG.

• Dr. Ciarán McFadden is a Senior Lecturer in Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management at the University of Stirling in Scotland. His research, teaching, and praxis focuses on Equality, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and takes a cross-disciplinary approach. Particularly specializing in LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion and discrimination, Ciarán was a visiting Fulbright Scholar at the Williams Institute at UCLA where he researched labour market discrimination against trans job applicants. He is currently an Associate Editor at Human Resource Development Review and at Gender, Work and Organization, and he is a Fellow of the Global Labor Organization.

• Dr. Jeremy W. Bohonos is an Assistant Professor in Adult, Professional, and Community Education at Texas State University. He earned his Ph.D. in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership with a specialization in Human Resource Development (HRD) from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on teaching methods, race and racism in the workforce as well as the history of Adult Education and HRD. He has won multiple national and international level awards including the Elwood F. Holton, III Research Excellence award and the early Career Scholar awards from both the Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD) and the American Association of Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE). He currently serves as an Editor for the journal New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development. Dr. Bohonos’ recent book, Methods for facilitating adult learning: Strategies for enhancing instruction and instructor effectiveness, was released in 2024.

How To Listen

The series is available via any major podcasting service, including the following (click on a name to listen and subscribe):

• Apple Podcast

• Google Podcast

• Spotify

• PlayerFM

• Podcast Addict

• Amazon Music

• Listen Notes

• Stitcher

About The Series:

For full details of the Human Resource Development Masterclass podcast, visit the AHRD website via the handy shortcut of: http://www.hrdmasterclass.com/

Sponsors:

The Academy of Human Resource Development: Are you ready to transform HRD in 2026? Join the Academy of Human Resource Development at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Marriott in Irving, Texas, from February 11th to 13th for the 33rd International Research Conference in the Americas! This year’s theme, “Engaged, Healthy, and Whole: Driving Learning and Performance for an Empowered Workforce,” invites HRD scholars, researchers, practitioners, and students to explore how engagement, well-being, and holistic development shape the future of work and learning. Also new this year is a practitioner workshop on February 12. The conference keynote session is with Dr. Brad Shuck, a globally recognized expert in employee engagement, organizational culture, and workforce well-being. A tenured professor at the University of Louisville and Co-Founder of OrgVitals, he partners with Fortune 500 companies and global nonprofits to drive meaningful cultural change. Experience thought-provoking keynotes, cutting-edge research sessions and roundtables that challenge assumptions and advance the field of HRD. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or first-time attendee, the 2026 AHRD Conference is your gateway to professional development, community, networking, collaboration, and actionable solutions. Registration is now open at www.ahrd.org. Organizations are invited to amplify their impact through sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities—from hosting keynote sessions, sponsoring conference breaks, to exhibiting. Sponsoring AHRD connects you to a global network of HR, L&D, coaching, OD and talent development leaders on the frontier of innovation. Be part of a movement driving workplace wellbeing and leadership for all. Secure your spot and explore the conference schedule and sponsorship packages at ahrd.org. See you at AHRD 2026—the future of HRD starts here!