Board of Directors
Joshua Collins
President, 2026-2028
University of Minnesota
Joshua Collins, President, 2026-2028
Dr. Joshua C. Collins is an Associate Professor of HRD and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Dr. Collins' research emphasizes systems of Critical HRD and how those systems can help to address organizational and social (in)justice through examinations of LGBTQ+ issues, intersectionality, social movement learning, and workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Dr. Collins' work appears in scholarly journals central to the study of HRD, including HRDR, HRDI, and ADHR. Dr. Collins is the co-editor of the first Handbook of Critical HRD, in-press and scheduled for publication by Palgrave in December 2022. Dr. Collins is a current Editorial Board member for HRDR and ADHR and has been a member of AHRD since 2011. Prior to serving on AHRD's Board of Directors, Dr. Collins held many leadership roles within the academy including award chair for multiple awards, SIG chair, serving on the conference planning team, and conference manuscript track co-editor.
Seung Won Yoon
Past President
Texas A&M University
Seung Won Yoon, Past President
Dr. Seung Won Yoon is an Professor of Human Resource Development and HR/People Analytics at Texas A&M University. Dr. Yoon has about 70 publications, which include 50 peer-reviewed journal articles (many of them in leading HRD journals), 12 book chapters, and 4 invited editorials. He co-edited two journal special issues (one on team learning and the other on HRD in South Korea) and co-authored 2 books in Korean (one on big data for education and learning, the other on people analytics) and co-edited one book.
Dr. Yoon has been an active member in AHRD since 2003 and has served the Academy in a variety of roles including a SIG co-chair, conference track chair, and the AHRD Board of Director (2012~2015). He is the recipient of the Elwood F. Horton III Research Excellence Award (2021) and ten AHRD's Cutting Edge Awards; 2022 winner of the Texas A&M University-Commerce Distinguished Scholarship Award, 2020 Best HRDR reviewer award; 2021 Wayne Pace Book of the Year Award; 2014 winner of the Western Illinois University Teaching with Technology Award, 2012 winner of the WIU's Research/Scholarship Award.
He served as an associate editor of the Human Resource Quarterly for two terms (2015~2022) and currently serves on the editorial boards of Human Resource Development Quarterly, Human Resource Development Review, and Advances in Developing Human Resources.
Dr. Seung Won Yoon received his BA in English Language & Literature from Sung Kyun Kwan University, Seoul Korea, MA in Teaching English as a Second Language (1998) and Ph.D. in Human Resource Education from the University of Illinois (2003).
He worked as an IT manager from 1998 until 2003. Dr. Yoon's scholarship and professional work focus on enhancing workplace behaviors and organizational performance by better aligning leadership, learning/knowledge sharing, teams/collaboration, and technologies/data analytics.
Tomika W. Greer
President-Elect (2026-2028)
University of Houston
Tomika W. Greer, President-Elect (2026-2028)
I am Dr. Tomika W. Greer, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator in Human Resource Development (HRD) at the University of Houston. I hold a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, an M.Ed. in Instructional Technology, and a Ph.D. in HRD from Texas A&M University. For more than 15 years, I have witnessed AHRD's power to connect people, inspire ideas, and transform careers. This impact motivates me to seek election as President-Elect.
Before joining academia, I spent ten years as a management consultant and learning and development professional in multiple industries. My research focuses on career development, work-life integration, and the career transitions of women and underserved groups. My work is published in Human Resource Development Review, Advances in Developing Human Resources, Human Resource Development International, New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development, and other journals. I am honored to have received the 2024 AHRD Book of the Year Award and the 2024 Laura L. Bierema Excellence in Critical HRD Award.
Since my introduction to AHRD as a doctoral student in the Emerging Scholars Research Course in 2009, I have remained an active and engaged member. I have served the Academy in numerous roles, including Conference Track Chair, Graduate Student Colloquium Coordinator, and Chair of the Communications and Branding Committee while serving as a two-term Board Member (2018–2024). During my board service, I edited the AHRD Monthly Digest, managed AHRD's social media presence, and contributed to the organization's rebranding initiative, which modernized the logo and website to strengthen our professional identity. I have also presented and reviewed submissions annually at the AHRD Research Conference, served as Ombudsperson for the 2025 Conference, and been a two-time guest on the HRD Masterclass Podcast.
My vision for AHRD is rooted in three interconnected priorities: sustainability, visibility, and scholarly community.
- Sustainability: Ensuring AHRD remains financially sound and strategically agile is essential. I will work with the Board to steward our resources, diversify revenue streams, and build a foundation that supports future decades of impact.
- Visibility: AHRD must continue to strengthen its brand. Building on our refreshed identity, I will work with the Board to raise our public profile and reinforce our position as the premier global community for HRD scholarship and practice.
- Scholarly Community: Our future lies in nurturing the next generation of HRD scholars and professionals. I aim to champion mentorship, support early-career members, and foster inclusive pathways into the field, ensuring that AHRD reflects the full diversity of experience and background.
Through collaborative leadership and strategic innovation, I will endeavor to advance AHRD's mission and values. I am committed to fostering a thriving, inclusive, and forward-looking Academy that honors our scholarly roots while embracing the evolving future of work, workplaces, and communities. I ask for your support and vote so we can together shape the next chapter of AHRD.
Ahmed Al-Asfour
Board Member
Southern Illinois University
Ahmed Al-Asfour, Board Member
Serving this vibrant community would allow me to contribute to advancing HRD as a global force shaping the future of work, leadership, and learning. My career has focused on organizational leadership, workforce development, and human resource development (HRD). As an Associate Professor in the Organizational Learning, Innovation, and Development program at Southern Illinois University, I connect research, teaching, and practice to align learning strategies with organizational goals, strengthen leadership capacity, and foster sustainable workforces.
I have held leadership and faculty roles at research universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), giving me a deep appreciation for cultural responsiveness, equity, and supporting diverse learners. My research spans leadership development, diversity and inclusion, AI integration in workforce systems, and HRD strategies in global contexts, including localization efforts in Gulf countries. I have published in peer-reviewed journals, presented internationally, and mentored graduate students and emerging scholars—preparing the next generation of HRD leaders is a responsibility I take seriously. Beyond academia, I engage directly with organizations through consulting, workforce partnerships, and training programs across multiple industries. These experiences strengthen my belief that research must drive meaningful change—bridging theory and practice to enhance organizational performance and workforce readiness.
My Vision for AHRD
I see AHRD as the premier global community uniting research, practice, and teaching in HRD. I am committed to expanding international collaboration, amplifying diverse voices, and increasing AHRD's impact on workforce policy, leadership development, and ethical integration of technology. I believe AHRD can lead critical conversations about the future of work and inclusive leadership, shaping both scholarship and practice worldwide.
My Commitment as a Board Member
If elected, I will leverage more than 15 years of leadership, teaching, research, and service to:
- Make the AHRD conference more accessible and affordable, especially for graduate students.
- Strengthen partnerships among academia, industry, and communities.
- Mentor and empower emerging scholars while promoting inclusive engagement.
- Uphold and champion AHRD's values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
I am committed to serving AHRD with vision, integrity, and collaboration. It would be an honor to represent and serve you on the Board of Directors, helping the Academy grow as the leading force in HRD globally.
Sanghamitra Chaudhuri
Board Member
Temple University
Sanghamitra Chaudhuri, Board Member
Dr. Sanghamitra (Sonai) Chaudhuri is an Associate Professor in the Department of Policy, Organizational and Leadership Studies at Temple University in Philadelphia. She is also a visiting professor at the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, and the College of Business and Management at Metropolitan State University, Minnesota. Her research focuses on reverse mentoring, managing intergenerational workforces, work-life balance, and women's leadership. She has published extensively in prestigious national and international journals, including the MIT Sloan Management Review. In recognition of her contributions, she has received multiple research and teaching awards. Her work on reverse mentoring has been cited by major media outlets, including The Washington Post, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal. Dr. Chaudhuri currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Academy of Human Resource Development and is a member of the editorial boards for Human Resource Development Review and Human Resource Development International. She is also the immediate past chairperson of the India HRD Special Interest Group (SIG) at AHRD. She earned her Ph.D. in Human Resource Development from the University of Minnesota. Her professional experience includes working in training and development for Fortune 500 firms in both India and the U.S. Additionally, she has held faculty positions at The Ohio State University and and the University of Minnesota, and a visiting professor at Drexel University.
Claire Gubbins
Board Member
Dublin City University (DCU)
Claire Gubbins, Board Member
Claire Gubbins is a Professor in Organisational Behaviour & HRM at Dublin City University (DCU), Ireland. Her research programme focuses on the role of social networks in facilitating informal learning processes and tacit knowledge circulation: including the impact of new work arrangements such as hybrid/remote working, virtual workplaces and human-AI collaboration on workplace social relationships. She is also a proponent of evidence-based management for research and teaching as a mechanism to bridge the research-practice gap and a way to further university-industry collaboration. Her research is published extensively in top tier HRD journals including Human Resource Development Quarterly, Advances in Developing Human Resources, Human Resource Development Review, Journal of Knowledge Management and European Journal of Training & Development. She is also published in Human Resource Management (US), Organisation Studies, Human Resource Management and Journal of Management Inquiry. She has numerous book chapters in the area of HRD and a special issue in Advances in Developing Human Resources. She is co-author of two HRD books: Learning & Development in Organisations: Strategy, Evidence and Practice with Oaktree Press and Learning and Development Effectiveness in Organisations: An Integrated Systems-Informed Model of Effectiveness with Palgrave. She is co-editor of the Evidence Based Management Teaching Handbook with CEBMa. Claire served as Associate Editor of Human Resource Development Quarterly (2013-2019) including on the HRDQ Richard A. Swanson best paper award and the Malcolm S. Knowles Dissertation award committee. She is on the Editorial Boards of HRDQ and the European Journal of Training and Development. She has served as Track Chair at UFHRD and AHRD Conferences.Claire is the Chair of the Irish Academy of Management Early Career Development Network – a national body representing all Irish Universities https://iamireland.ie/ecdn-events/. She is an invited Fellow of the Centre for Evidence Based Management https://cebma.org/ She is the founder and Chair of the Post-Experience Masters in Strategic Learning and Development at DCU- a programme in collaboration with the Learning and Development Institute (LandDI) of Ireland- the national representative body for Learning and Development professionals https://business.dcu.ie/course/msc-in-strategic-learning-and-development/. Claire received an Advance Higher Education Senior Fellowship, and Irish Research Council Research Ally award, DCU Teaching Excellence award and Academy of Management (AOM) reviewer awards. She was shortlisted for the Malcolm S. Knowles Dissertation of the Year award in 2008 (2nd runner up). She has over 20 years experience consulting with industry nationally and internationally and is a regularly invited speaker at academic and industry events. She also designs and delivers executive education programmes and workshops for the Centre of Executive and International Education at DCU. She has served as a judge for the National Learning and Development Institute Industry awards. Previously, Claire was a Fulbright Scholar at Carnegie Mellon University, a visiting Professor in Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh, Lead of LINK Lab (Leadership, Innovation and Knowledge) at the Irish Institute of Digital Business, Deputy Director of the LINK (Leadership, Innovation and Knowledge) Research Centre and Principle Investigator on the Irish Centre for Manufacturing Research university-industry project on Tacit Knowledge Management and Learning. LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairegubbins/
Claretha Hughes
Board Member
University of Arkansas
Claretha Hughes, Board Member
Claretha Hughes, Ph.D. Professor is a native of Lake City, SC who teaches Human Resource Development at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She has over 33 years of extensive professional experience in business and industry and continues to serve as a consultant to international, national, and state organizations. Her research interests include valuing people and technology in the workplace, technology development, diversity intelligence, learning technologies, and ethical and legal issues. She has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and books and has authored or co-authored 16 books. She is a book proposal reviewer for SAGE, Emerald, IGI Global, and Palgrave Macmillan. She has completed a National Science Foundation Research in Formation of Engineers grant as a Co-PI. She is the 2021 recipient of the Academy of Human Resource Development's FORWARD Award, and the 2009 University Council of Workforce and Human Resource Education Outstanding Assistant Professor award. Dr. Hughes has a Ph.D. in Career & Technical Education from Virginia Tech specializing in training and development, an MT degree in Textile Technology Management from NC State University, a BA in Chemistry from Clemson University, and an MBA from the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. She has publications in journals such as Human Resource Development Review, Advances in Developing Human Resources, New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development, Human Resource Development International, and Career Development International.
Matthew Hurtienne
Board Member
The University of Texas at Tyler
Matthew Hurtienne, Board Member
Dr. Matthew Hurtienne is an associate professor focused on improving organizational performance through specialized development and training solutions. He obtained a doctorate in human resources with a focus on organizational learning, performance, and change from Colorado State University.
With more than two decades of experience, Dr. Hurtienne has made substantial contributions to union-management relations, strategic planning, and human resources within both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. Furthermore, he is certified in DISC and Prosci Change Management. As a full professor, he instructs doctoral courses in vital subjects like organizational change, behavior, and research methodology. Additionally, he acts as a dedicated research chair, mentoring doctoral students in their academic endeavors. His knowledge in research methodology encompasses the intricacies of explanatory and exploratory research designs.
Dr. Hurtienne's educational leadership goes beyond the classroom and includes significant administrative roles. He has served as dean at both two-year and four-year institutions, highlighting his vast experience in program development and improving student recruitment and retention. Additionally, he has acted as the interim director for university strategic planning. He co-developed the equity leadership theory and actively promotes positive organizational behavior, employee engagement, and effective leadership practices.
As a consultant and conference presenter, Dr. Hurtienne has shared his expertise at various international and national conferences. His dedication to the field is further demonstrated by his participation on several prestigious boards, including the Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD), Lutheran Federal Credit Union, Wisconsin Better Business Bureau Foundation, and Wisconsin Workforce Transformation, Inc.
Shinhee Jeong
Board Member
University of Texas-Tyler
Shinhee Jeong, Board Member
Dr. Shinhee Jeong is currently an associate professor of Adult, Professional, and Community Education at Texas State University. Before joining Texas State University, she held a faculty position in the School of Leadership and Human Resource Development at Louisiana State University. Dr. Jeong's research interests revolve around workplace diversity and performance, training and development, organizational change, and quantitative research methodologies. She has authored over 100 articles in multiple high-impact journals within the field of human resource development and closely related disciplines. She has also actively pursued research funding opportunities and has successfully secured grants totaling $504,987 to date, including awards from the NSF ADVANCE and the NSF Future of Work.
Karen Johnson
Board Member
University of North Texas
Karen Johnson, Board Member
Dr. Karen R. Johnson is an associate professor in the department of Learning Technologies at the University of North Texas. Her research focuses on workplace learning and development and performance improvement. She also investigates dynamic organization development interventions that aid the transition, retention, and work outcomes of neurodiverse individuals to the workforce. Dr. Johnson's work on neurodiverse populations has been recognized with the 2020 AHRD Cutting Edge award and the 2021 nomination for the Elwood F. Holton, III Research Excellence award. She currently serves as associate editor for the Advances in Developing Human Resources journal. Dr. Johnson served the Academy in other leadership roles including Program Chair (2021), Proceedings Editor (2020), Associate Proceedings Editor (2019), Workplace Learning Track Chair Editor (2016-2017), and member of the R. Wayne Pace HRD Book of the Year committee (2017-2023). She currently co-chairs the Marilyn Y. Byrd Excellence in HRD Research-to Practice award committee. Her service as journal reviewer has been acknowledged twice (2016, 2023) with an Emerald Literati best reviewer award for the European Journal of Training and Development. She served as Learning Technologies, University of North Texas faculty liaison for the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) convention (2019-2023). Dr. Johnson earned both master's and PhD in Organizational Leadership, Policy and Development from the University of Minnesota and an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of the West Indies, Jamaica.
Terry Maltbia
Board Member
Teachers College, Columbia
Terry Maltbia, Board Member
Dr. Terrence E. Maltbia, Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Organization and Leadership, at Teachers College, Columbia. Scholarly interest includes strategic learning; leadership and organizational development; diversity and cultural intelligence; executive and organizational coaching. Terry came to Columbia after 30 years of diverse experience as an external and internal organizational effectiveness consultant, thought leader and educator—in positions ranging from field sales, sales management, sales training, to Vice President Organizational Effectiveness Center of Excellence for a major Fortune 200 Corporation—as well as two consulting firms. He is the recipient of The Academy of Human Resources Development's Malcolm Knowles Dissertation of the Year Award for his pioneering diversity practitioner research; was recognized as #1 In Coach Education in the World by Thinkers50 | Marshall Goldsmith's Top Global Coaches 2019, 2021; AIIR Consulting's 2020 Coaching Leadership Award Winner in 2020; and Outstanding Contribution to Coaching Award – Henley Business School, University Reading, Fall 2021.
As a scholar with a practitioner orientation, Terry provides coaching and consulting services to Corporate and University-based Executive Development clients focused on high impact leadership and building organizational capability, sample clients include: Columbia Business School – Executive Education Division, The Equitable, HBO, J.P. Morgan Chase, Newmont Mining, Oakland University, Pfizer, The Ohio State University, and The State of Ohio; S&P Global. Dr. Maltbia received a B.S. in Business Administration from Ohio State University, and holds masters and doctoral degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University. He is Vice President and Chair of Academic Standards for The Graduate School Alliance of Executive Coaching Programs and is a member of the International Coach Federation, Academy of Management, and Academy of Human Resource Development. At Teachers College, he teaches Qualitative Data Analysis; Leadership; and a 3-Part Series on Emotional, Social and Cultural Intelligence.
Yuanlu Niu
Board Member
University of Arkansas
Yuanlu Niu, Board Member
Yuanlu Niu, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Human Resource Development at the University of Arkansas. She holds a Ph.D. in Education, with a concentration in Workforce Education and Development, as well as an MBA from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Her research interest focuses on career development by examining how gender and cultural factors interact with broader social and technological trends. Her work explores the influence of lookism, linguistic profiling, and technology adoption on career development and employability. She also investigates mentoring as a practical strategy to support career progression and workforce engagement across different settings. Dr. Niu has served the Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD) International Research Conference in multiple leadership roles, including Associate Proceedings Editor (2024), Proceedings Editor (2025), and Program Chair (2026). She also serves on the editorial board of Advances in Developing Human Resources.
Vision for the Academy
My vision for AHRD is to strengthen the Academy's role in advancing career development research and practice as one of the core dimensions of HRD. My scholarship focuses on how gender, culture, and technology adoption intersect to shape career pathways and employability. I see AHRD as a platform where such scholarship can guide members in addressing the real challenges faced by today's workforce, including the implications of hybrid work, digital transformation, and shifting cultural expectations. Career development can prepare individuals for opportunities and ensure equitable access and support across diverse contexts. By encouraging research and dialogue on mentoring, inclusion, and technology-enabled work practices, AHRD can help create evidence-based strategies that enhance workforce engagement and adaptability. Therefore, the Academy both supports members' scholarship and contributes to more inclusive and practical approaches to career development that benefit individuals, organizations, and society.
As a researcher focused on career development, I bring expertise that aligns directly with AHRD's commitment to advancing knowledge and strengthening the connection between research and practice. My work highlights how career experiences are shaped by social and technological contexts and offers insights that can support inclusive and practical approaches to HRD. Having served on the AHRD conference leadership team, I bring leadership and collaboration that prepare me well for Board service. I am committed to mentoring doctoral students and early career scholars, which helps to build fellowship and support the next generation of HRD scholars. While I recognize that AHRD has broad priorities, I will contribute most strongly to the areas connected to my expertise in career development, while supporting the Board's efforts in other strategic areas.
Ana Carolina Rodriguez
Board Member
University of Minnesota
Ana Carolina Rodriguez, Board Member
My name is Ana Carolina Rodriguez, and I currently work as a lecturer in the Human Resource Program of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota. I teach undergraduates and master-level students, and I serve as the coordinator for our online Master of Learning and Talent Development. Before starting my academic career, I had a long trajectory as a practitioner, working as an organization development professional in various capacities and industries. I am also a certified professional coach. A fundamental part of my identity, which shapes much of my work, is that I am a mother and a lifelong caregiver. I was born in Brazil and lived there most of my life.
In my research, I am interested in exploring how individuals can develop healthier relationships with work and their careers, and how organizations can foster just and equitable workplaces. I have been investigating the interconnection between paid work and other aspects of life, such as caregiving and self-care. I am also curious about how organizations can embrace an ethics of care lens to promote more diverse and inclusive workplaces and sustainable, socially responsible business practices. I am proud to have received the Esworthy Malcolm S. Knowles Dissertation of the Year Award in 2024.
I believe that transformation starts at the individual level, and that, as a field, human resource development scholars and practitioners have the opportunity and moral obligation to serve as role models and to develop and inspire the next generation of professionals and leaders. I treasure the vital role the Academy can play in supporting the development of scholars and practitioners by fostering teaching and research excellence, advocating for social justice, and upholding the field's values. I would be honored to contribute to AHRD's mission by serving as a board member. Joining the AHRD community since my early years as a doctoral student has significantly contributed to my development. I had the opportunity to participate in several conferences, SIGs, PEN meetings, and the mentoring partner program. I also served as a conference track chair and an ambassador. As a board member, I would love to help the Academy expand its membership, particularly by attracting more non-tenure-track scholars, practitioners, and students. This requires understanding how we can better support these specific groups and collaborate with them. I would also be interested in exploring how the Academy can partner with institutions with shared interests to strengthen its presence and contribution to its members and the field in general. Lastly, as a Latina, I am eager to explore opportunities for collaboration in research and education initiatives with other institutions in Latin America.
I am excited about the opportunity to share my passion and to put my creativity, problem-solving, and organization skills at the service of the AHRD community.
Eunbi Sim
Board Member
Boise State Universit
Eunbi Sim, Board Member
Eunbi Sim, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning at Boise State University. Her research focuses on how adults grow and learn in the workplace, examined through an intersectional feminist lens. Her scholarship has been recognized with multiple honors, including the Cutting Edge Award from the Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD). Dr. Sim holds a B.Ed. from Kyungpook National University, an M.A. from Seoul National University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia. Prior to her academic career in the U.S., she served as Co-National Project Manager for the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) at the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (KRIVET). She currently serves AHRD as Co-Communication Officer and remains actively engaged in national and international scholarly communities dedicated to advancing equity and learning in the workplace.
Cynthia Sims
Board Member
University of Georgia
Cynthia Sims, Board Member
Cynthia M. Sims is an Assistant Professor and program coordinator of the Master of Human Resource Development, Department of Educational and Organizational Leadership, College of Education, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, U.S.A. Her research focuses on the ways gender and diversity influences the enactment of leadership in the workplace. She was recognized with an Emerald Literati Award, Highly Commended 2019 for a research publication. Dr. Sims is the founder director and co-lead of Clemson's gender equity leadership development and mentoring program for faculty an ADVANCE initiative. She has a doctorate in organizational leadership from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Prior to her academic career, Dr. Sims was employed with a U.S. fortune 100 company, serving as the Director of Staff Operations, Director of Learning and Performance Improvement, and Director of Human Resources.
John R. Turner
Board Member
Texas A&M University
John R. Turner, Board Member
My name is John R. Turner, Ph.D. I am an Associate Professor at Texas A&M University in the College of Education and Human Development for the Department of Educational Administration and Human Resource Development (EHRD). I currently serve as the Program Chair for our EHRD program. I am the co-author of "The Flow System Playbook" and "The Flow System: The Evolution of Agile and Lean Thinking in an Age of Complexity," and have published over 80 journal articles and book chapters. I presented research at prestigious conferences that include the Academy of Human Resource Development (ADHR), the International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI), the International Science of Team Science Conference, the International Network for the Science of Team Science (INSciTS), the International Conference on Knowledge Management, The Lean Solutions Summit, the Lean Summit, and the University Forum for Human Resource Development (UFHRD). My research focus includes complexity thinking, decision-making, distributed leadership, human-AI (H-AI) teams, leadership development, organization development and change, team science, and theory building.
I have participated in AHRD for around 15 years. During this time, I served in several leadership positions; chair and co-chair of the Quantitative SIG (2016-2025), current member of the steering committee for the Theory SIG (2015 – Present) and the Leadership SIG (2025 – Present). I review for the AHRD Conference each year and review for several of the prestigious AHRD journals. I helped to facilitate the Future Scholars and Leaders Colloquium (FSLC) for the 2025 AHRD conference in Washington, DC. I've published several articles in HRD-related journals; Human Resource Development Review (HRDR), Advances in Developing Human Resources (ADHR), the European Journal of Training and Development (EJTD), and New Horizons in Adult Education & Human Resource Development. I co-edited two special issues in ADHR (21-3, Examination of Theoretical Foundations: Implications for HRD Research; 21-4, Meta-science in Human Resource Development: Exploring the Possibilities) and served as the Editor-in-Chief for Performance Improvement Quarterly from 2019 to 2025.
As an AHRD board member, I would like to focus on bridging the theory to practice divide. I have seen less of an emphasis on practitioners over the years within AHRD and would like to help renew our focus and commitment to practitioners. This would also require us looking at ways to provide opportunities and incentives for MS students who are mostly practitioners. How do we recruit more MS students to AHRD and what benefits will they gain from their experiences is one issue I would like to investigate. One example includes providing more applied sessions during our conferences that look at conflict management, decision-making, managing complexity, and teamwork training. These practitioner sessions could draw more practitioners and MS students as they are always looking to develop these types of skills.
It is an honor to be considered as a board member for AHRD. I appreciate everyone's time in considering my materials and I look forward to continuing along this journey in the future.
Kathy Yeager
Board Member
Abilene Christian University
Kathy Yeager, Board Member
Katherine Yeager earned her PhD from Texas A&M University in educational administration and human resource development (HRD). Twenty years in the telecommunications industry provided firsthand experience with organizational change which led to the pursuit of a PhD and personal transformative change. Dr. Yeager has taught courses in human resource development, leadership theory, change, qualitative research, and applied research problems at the graduate and undergraduate levels at Texas A&M, the University of Houston, and Abilene Christian University - Dallas in both the online and face-to-face formats. She serves as dissertation chair for multiple doctoral students and on other committees as a reader and uses the teaching and dissertation platforms to fulfill a life's mission to change organizations one student at the time. Research interests include HRD, women in leadership, leader identity development, and career development. She is an active member of AHRD 2009 and has served in leadership roles supporting the AHRD International Research Conference in the Americas. In her spare time, she serves on nonprofit boards and volunteers.
Past Presidents
2024-2026: Seung Won Yoon, Texas A&M University
2022-2024: Khalil M. Dirani, Texas A&M University
2020-2022: Laura Bierema, University of Georgia
2018-2020: Julie Gedro, SUNY Empire State College
2016-2018: Wendy Ruona, University of Georgia
2014-2016: Ronald L. Jacobs, University of Illinois
2012-2014: Darren Short, Avanade
2010-2012: Darlene Russ-Eft, Oregon State University
2008-2010: Michael Lane Morris, University of Tennessee
2006-2008: Jerry W. Gilley, Colorado State University
2004-2006: Larry Dooley, Texas A&M University
2002-2004: Gene Roth, Northern Illinois University
2000-2002: Gary N. McLean, University of Minnesota
1998-2000: Elwood Holton, Louisiana State University
1996-1998: Richard A. Swanson, University of Minnesota
1994-1996: Karen Watkins, University of Georgia
1993-1994: R. Wayne Pace, Brigham Young University