10 L&D influencers you need to follow in 2023

If you’re anything like us, you love the world of L&D for all the knowledge sharing and innovative thinking it brings. Our feeds are chock-full of thought-provoking soundbites from the best minds in the industry, so as we gear up to head into 2023 we’re sharing some of our favourites…

Get following 👀

1 - Teresa Rose 

If the link between learning and business transformation is your bag, then award-winning learning & performance consultant Teresa needs to be on your radar. Regularly sharing her thoughts on cultural change, the skills ecosystem and innovation in the workplace, her passion for better learning is contagious. Check out her ‘featured’ section on LinkedIn for some inspiring articles, podcasts and video content.

2 - Arash Rezaei-Mazinani

Arash is co-host on Another L&D Podcast with Paul Richardson and if you haven’t tuned in then this is one to add to your list for 2023. Currently Learning Solutions Manager for Aggreko, Arash has a passion for building learning strategies that deliver on business outcomes, and he regularly shares his insight with his Twitter following. 

3 - Nate Rowlan

We couldn’t curate this list without any of our own THRIVE thought leaders making the cut! Nate heads up THRIVE Stateside and has been making waves recently on the event circuit. He recently presented his thoughts on storytelling and instructional design at ATD St Louis Chapter, and his standing room only session - 5 Steps to Reinvent Your Learning Culture - at DevLearn in October was hailed as “the best session ever” by audience members. Nate continues to regularly share his actionable insight on his LinkedIn channel.

4 - Sophie Wood

An L&D pro in the gambling industry AND a passionate DEI advocate, Sophie talks about inclusion, diverse leadership, tackling transphobia and making the world a better place. See her in action in our upcoming LinkedIn Live on the 17th November, talking about what makes learning great at her current organisation, Lottoland.

5 - Nathan Nalla

Founder of inclusive workplace consultancy Be the Riot, Nathan is all about disrupting traditional culture and providing practical steps towards a better, more inclusive world of work. Watch this on demand virtual event from earlier in the year to hear more about his vision for the future of inclusive work. 

6 - Sukhvinder Pabial

In his role as L&D Lead at M&S, and drawing on an impressive career in talent and organisational development, Sukhvinder extols the virtues of modern learning and challenging traditional learning approaches. He is Co-Founder of the popular L&D Connect community, and regularly shares his thoughts on the psychology behind learning.

This weeks #LDinsight question is:

Let’s share some vulnerabilities…….

Tell me about one ‘thing’ you want to get ‘better’ at and why? 🤔

— L&D Connect (@LnDConnect) October 28, 2022

7 - Susi Miller 

Accessibility is everyone’s responsibility, and the only way to make real change is to be the change. It’s certainly close to our hearts here at THRIVE. Susi Miller is the guru of all gurus when it comes to anything accessibility related. As founder of eLaHub and author of ‘Designing Accessible Learning Content’, she should be your go-to for knowledge sharing on accessible design.

8 - Ross Stevenson

Ross is a learning and performance enthusiast, regularly speaking at industry events and sharing his thoughts on breaking down the needless complexity within L&D. His Steal These Thoughts newsletter and podcast is a must-subscribe, highlighting topics like the broken career ladder, the Metaverse, and why skills are more important than traditional job descriptions. Check out our recent skills panel session to hear his thoughts on what organisations should be doing when it comes to building critical skills for the future.

9 - Rachael Smith

With over 19 years experience  in the education sector, Racheal recently joined the ranks at Entelechy Academy as Head of Learning, where they are helping to shift the focus onto the development of character qualities. Self-reflection, personal development, and character assessments are close to Racheal’s heart and you can expect big things from her and Entelechy over the coming year.

10 - Helen Marshall

Another THRIVE-er to complete our list! THRIVE’s Head of Learning Helen is about as passionate about learning as it’s possible to be, and is on a mission to drive meaningful conversations about changing learning cultures and the power of purpose-led learning content. She is an advocate for transforming DEI through learning, and a regular on the UK events circuit. If you haven’t had a chance to listen to her yet, watch this on demand virtual session featuring Helen and Nathan Nalla, talking with TrainingZone about driving DEI through learning.

That’s a wrap! 

Who would you add to the list? Get in touch and let us know your thoughts 💭