In this issue, we are excited to spotlight Stacey Rivers, Ph.D., head of global learning and development for Warner Bros. Discovery. Stacey has been working in learning and development (L&D) for nine years and currently oversees behavioral and tech skills learning for all employees. Her team is responsible for content creation and curation, course delivery, learning ecosystem and infrastructure, and artificial intelligence (AI) learning strategy. She received ATD’s One to Watch Award in 2019 and Career Communications Group’s Woman of Color in STEM Technology All-Star Award and was listed among Women We Admire’s Top 50 Women Leaders in Atlanta 2024.

Read on to learn more about Stacey’s career journey.

How did you get started in L&D?

I spent 15 years in various roles in technology before moving into a tech human capital management role reporting to the chief technology officer. When the company restructured after four years in the human tech capital role, I moved into enterprise L&D and brought the tech projects with me. From there, I continued to focus on L&D for tech and expanded my responsibilities to overseeing content development and delivery for behavioral skills.

What’s your most memorable training experience, good or bad?

I conducted a learning event in the form of a study in 2020 during the pandemic. I collected data for how employees were learning outside of formal programs at work. I concluded that L&D should co-create learning with employees for better engagement and for leaders to understand trends.

Who would you consider your most valuable role model?

I don’t just have one role model, and my MVP is an amalgamation of what everyone contributes big or small. I’ve learned that I have a village of supportive people: mentors, managers, my team, colleagues internal and external to the organization, and my family, all contributing to my success.

What are the most pressing issues on your professional plate right now?

The most pressing issue by far is building artificial intelligence (AI) literacy in a global organization. I love that we are launching AI tools at WBD to help employees become more efficient in their workflow. However, for anyone attempting to do this, there must be a strategic plan for learning, communications, change management and measurement for AI skills growth.

What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?

The most challenging part of my job is managing my excitement about launching new models for learning. I balance my time and leverage wellness practices for my team so they can do the same.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?

Seeing growth in people and the impact on the business from something you’ve created is exhilarating! I discovered this feeling when I launched my first learning program in tech and said I could do this role forever. When you find this, you’ve found your purpose.

What’s your preferred training methodology?

I prefer a blended model of synchronous + asynchronous. I found that this model motivates people to make progress in learning, because when they know they are in a cohort, there’s an expectation for investing time in the content and sharing knowledge.

How do you find the time to continue your own professional development?

As the saying goes, “when you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life.” I publish a newsletter on LinkedIn called “Level Up on Learning” where I focus on the intersection of career development, learning and tech.

Any recommendations for folks out there: books, partners, resources, etc.?

Besides my own books on Amazon (smile), a colleague introduced me to the book “A Thousand Brains: A New Theory of Intelligence” by Jeff Hawkins. I love to read books with friends so we can chat, share aha moments and have deep conversations about the topic.

“If someone wants to follow in my professional footsteps, I’d tell them to be sure to …”

Find meaning in their work, take educated risks, develop their expertise and never stop learning.