Training and Development Advisory Board

Dr. Pooneh Lari, Training and Development Faculty Representative

Organization and job title: Dr. Pooneh Lari is a faculty member in the Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development and is the Program Coordinator for Masters in Training and Development.
Tie to training & development: I have 15 years of higher education experience as a faculty member. My prior professional background includes program evaluator, instructional designer, training and change management consultant. 
The contribution I hope to make while on the board: I want to work with the board to make the Training and Development program the best it can be!

Dr. Holly Sullenger, Board Chair

Organization and job title: CEO of Dr. Holly Speaks, PhD, LLC
My company provides keynote speaking, corporate training, and leadership development services. I do everything from needs assessment to training development to design to delivery to evaluation. I’m a one-stop shop. I’m also an adjunct professor for the T&D program.
Tie to training & development: I’ve done corporate training and academic instruction since 1986, holding just about every job possible in those arenas. I’ve been the leader of 5 different corporate and technology training centers.
The contribution I hope to make while on the board: I’d love to help the T&D program become just a little bit more relevant every semester.

Ms. Christi Raynor, Corporate Training Representative

Organization and job title: Director of Culture and Organizational Development with Pepsi Bottling Venture Tie to training & development: I have been in the T&D field for nearly 25 years. Time flies when you’re having fun!
The contribution I hope to make while on the board: I hope to spread the work about NC State University’s amazing T&D program.

Dr. Dan McGurrin, Executive Education Representative

Organization and job title: Chief Science Officer, Horizon Performance LLC
Tie to training & development: 27 years in T&D with university Executive Education offices (Carnegie Mellon, NC State, UNC CH, Boston U, Indiana U, Corvinus U of Budapest).  Currently I work for an organization that uses people analytics to help with leader selection and development, and organizational change.  I am also a proud graduate of the CoED, with a 2015 PhD in Workforce & Human Resource Education, focusing on Executive Leadership.
The contribution I hope to make while on the board: My personal interest is in providing connections and opportunities for the students of the program, to both improve their experience during the program and ability to find work afterward.

Doug Harward, T&D Certification Representative

Organization and job title: Founder and Chairman of Training Industry, Inc.
Tie to training & development: 38 years in the T&D field. Previously as Global Director of Training and Development for Nortel (1984 – 2002) Founder of Training Industry, Inc. in 2003
The contribution I hope to make while on the board: I hope to help ensure NC State’s T&D program is closely aligned to the needs of corporate training organizations.

Dr. Lisa McCorkle, Corporate Training Representative

Organization and job title: Manager of Learning Transformation and Quality Assurance, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
Tie to training & development: In addition to L&D leadership, Lisa has been an L&D Specialist, a Course Designer, a facilitator and a trainer for many years.
The contribution I hope to make while on the board: Communication with students and industry partners about the T&D program, projects, employment opportunities, industry trends, research and resources.

Dr. Thomas Ray, Medical Training Representative

Organization and job title: Associate Executive Director for the Poe Center for Health Education
Tie to training & development: I have three decades in both formal and informal education training parents, teaches, and youth development professionals nationally.
The contribution I hope to make while on the board: I hope to connect to resources to support professional development of Training and Development scholars and mentor emerging Training and Development professionals.

Mr. Farron Rucker, Military Training Representative

Organization and job title: Lead Solutions Architect and Product Manager, Digital Technology Analysis & Cyber Department.
Tie to training & development: As an experienced professional in engineering and advanced analytics, part of my career has been bridging the gap between technology and education. My work in government training programs focused on analytics and artificial intelligence has allowed me to witness the transformative power of knowledge and innovation.
The contribution I hope to make while on the board: I am committed to leveraging this experience to contribute to the board by advancing training and development initiatives. My vision is to harness the potential of data-driven insights and cutting-edge technologies to empower individuals and organizations.

Dr. Adrian West, T&D Placement Representative

Organization and job title: Vice President, TimelyText, Inc.
Tie to training & development: TimelyText has been placing Instructional Designers and related corporate Learning Professionals since 2003. In my role, I provide strategic sales support, recruiting support, and I am the primary mentor and manager of associates we place on assignment with our clients, who represent multiple businesses and industries, here in Central NC and around the globe. I have been an active member and perennial sponsor of the local Research Triangle Area chapter of ATD since 2007. In 2018, I co-founded a Learning Leader Roundtable group, which I continue to co-host, monthly.Recently (2023), I began hosting a regular podcast series entitled Leading L&D where I interview L&D leaders on the issues they face with keeping their L&D groups current and strategically relevant to the businesses they serve.
The contribution I hope to make while on the board: Whenever needed, I hope to provide advice to NC State’s College of Education, based on my industry expertise, about the skill sets and tool sets business and industry needs/expects from new L&D hires.