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Association for Talent Development - San Antonio Chapter
PO Box 690327, San Antonio, TX 78269
ATD-SA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
2025 Board of Directors |
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.jpg) | President ElectLinda SalazarLinda Salazar is the founder and master trainer at Bright Trainer, LLC. She used her 25+ years of experience as a corporate trainer to create effective training solutions for business problems. She ensures her participants learn and have a great time doing it. Her success is measured by the goals that her participants and the companies they work for achieve. Linda is a regular contributor in the field of learning & development as a speaker and contributor for Talent Development (TD) magazine. Her Udemy course, Employee Training: Your Rapid Roadmap to Classroom Success, has helped more than 2,000 people in over 96 countries. Linda is also a mother of two, has served on the board of ATD-San Antonio for three years, co-leads a Lean In Circle, and served as a Helotes City Council member 2020-2022. |
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Larnzell Harper, Jr.
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| President EmeritusJacque Burandtpresidentemeritus@tdsanantonio.org Jacque Burandt, MEd, President, Award-winning Results, transforms organizations through people development, creating top performers at all levels, and enhancing organizational and individual visibility, prestige, and pride through awards and recognition. She coaches organizations on achieving and spotlighting great work. Together she and her clients have won sixty top learning and development awards, including ATD BEST, Learning Elite, Brandon Hall, Stevie American Business Awards, and Corporate Learning Network Awards. She authored Create an Exceptional Learning Culture for the Association for Talent Development (ATD) and is co-editor of ATD’s Talent Development and Training in Healthcare Handbook. As a subject matter expert, she works with ATD’s Director of Content to produce blogs, quarterly webinars, and panel presentations at the International Conference. A proven expert in creating an award-winning culture, Jacque led the Center for Learning Excellence at University Health (UH), to win eight ATD BEST Awards and ATD's first Innovation in Talent Development Award. UH has won more BEST Awards (13) than any other nonprofit organization in the world. She serves on the ATD Awards Strategy Committee and is President Emeritus of the San Antonio chapter of ATD. |
| VP MembershipMandy Smith
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| VP Talent DevelopmentBrandon Robertsontalentdev@tdsanantonio.orgBrandon is a Learning and Development Facilitator at Frost Bank, specializing in creating and delivering impactful learning experiences that empower employees and foster professional growth. With an MBA from the University of the Incarnate Word, five years of experience in Human Resources, and over two years in Training and Development, Brandon brings a strong foundation in people development and organizational excellence. Passionate about promoting a culture of continuous learning, Brandon excels in designing engaging content and collaborative training environments that inspire individuals and drive meaningful outcomes. His dedication to aligning learning initiatives with organizational goals ensures every interaction contributes to both personal and team success.Brandon is always eager to connect, collaborate, and make a positive difference! |
| VP Community DevelopmentChristopher Howellcommunity@tdsanantonio.orgChris is an independent Learning Performance Consultant specializing in behavior transfer, demonstrating the impact of training, and leadership development. A seasoned professional, he has a distinguished background spanning both military and civilian sectors. A retired U.S. Army healthcare administration officer, Chris served in roles ranging from medic to senior healthcare instructor and Company Commander, excelling in leadership, team building, mentoring, and delivering advanced military leadership training. In his civilian career, Chris spent six years in the Learning and Development department of a large healthcare organization, embedding the Kirkpatrick Four Levels of Evaluation methodology into the organizational culture to drive measurable outcomes. He also served as a process improvement expert and project management leader. As a certified Kirkpatrick facilitator and consultant, Chris holds certifications as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB), ATD Master Trainer, Prosci-certified Change Management Practitioner, and Kirkpatrick Gold Certified Professional. |
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| VP Special EventsPriscilla Ramirezspecialevents@tdsanantonio.org Priscilla Ramirez serves as the Employee Success Manager at Generations Federal Credit Union. She provides strategic direction and innovative framework for the development and execution of employee initiatives to include leadership development, onboarding, recognition, and wellness programs for the credit union. She is passionate about creating positive employee experiences that respect diversity and foster an environment of learning and leading. She is a seasoned professional with over 20 years in the Talent and Development space and is a graduate of Our Lady of the Lake University with a BA in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations. |
| VP Marketing & CommunicationsAlyssa GarciaAlyssa Garcia is an Instructional Designer at H-E-B, where she creates engaging eLearning experiences that simplify complex information for busy learners. Passionate about blending technology and education, she designs interactive, learner-focused solutions. Alyssa started her career as an elementary school educator, where she developed skills in connecting with diverse learners and adapting content—skills she now applies to adult learning experiences. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, a PreK–6th grade teaching certificate, and a master’s degree in Learning, Design, and Technology from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Learning Sciences at the University of Miami. Alyssa lives in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband, Jeremy, and their Labradoodles, Teddy and Penny. Outside of work, she enjoys serving at church, traveling, reading, and exploring creative ways to enhance learning through gamification. |
| Director - TechnologyVictoria GonzalezVictoria has over 15 years of experience in facilitation, training, and leadership development. She has dedicated the past decade to driving impactful initiatives at Nationwide Insurance. In her current role as a Senior Trainer for Claims Services, she leverages her Google Coursera Project Management certification to manage large-scale projects for both the Learning and Development team and the business partners she supports. Victoria's expertise lies in executing goals, projects, and tasks with precision and enthusiasm, ensuring exceptional outcomes every time. |
 | Director - ProgramsKaren Baird
Karen Baird has over 20 years of marketing and communications expertise in diverse industries including publishing, higher education, and healthcare. She developed her passion and interest in organizational and talent development through a decade of work at MIT where she honed skills via projects including performance management, digital transformation, and career development. Karen holds certifications in Conflict Management Training from Conflict Resolution@MIT, Talent Optimization from Predictive Index, Instructional Design from ATD, and Social Media Marketing from Boston University. She is a Yellow Belt in the globally recognized Six Sigma methodology where practitioners focus on continual process improvement. Karen earned her B.A. in English from Columbia College, South Carolina and an M.A. in Publishing and Writing from Emerson College, Boston and is currently pursuing her APTD Certification. In her free time, Karen enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, reading, dancing, swimming, and playing ukulele. |
| Director - EventsAmanda LamicaAmanda Lamica is an Employee Success Specialist at Generations Federal Credit Union, bringing over a decade of expertise in Human Resources. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources Management from UTSA. Having recently transitioned into the Training & Development field, Amanda has discovered a true passion for supporting employees in their career development. In her current role, she is responsible for designing and leading key programs such as New Hire Orientation, the Employee Wellness Program, and the Employee Recognition Program, along with other initiatives aimed at fostering employee success and growth within the credit union. Dedicated to cultivating a positive and growth-oriented workplace culture, Amanda is committed to helping employees reach their full potential! Outside of her professional responsibilities, Amanda enjoys spending quality time with her family, crafting and baking! |
| Director - Member EngagementSofia GayouSofía is a Talent Development Specialist at Brundage Management Company, where she designs, develops, manages, and facilitates learning solutions that align with operational goals and promote employee growth. Her work focuses on equipping employees with the tools they need to succeed professionally and thrive personally. With a master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from St. Mary’s University, Sofia brings expertise in workplace behavior, organizational effectiveness, and employee development. She uses her knowledge to craft engaging programs that empower employees to excel in their roles and advance their careers. Sofia is passionate about fostering opportunities for learning and development, believing that thriving employees contribute to thriving organizations. Her mission is to create environments where growth and success are possible for everyone. Sofia’s enjoys tending to her collection of house plants and getting involved with the community when not at work. |