2025 Member Spotlights

August 2025 Member Spotlight

Betty Parker is a multifaceted professional who has made significant strides in the realms of business, education, and personal development. As a business owner, speaker, author, coach, and trainer, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her engagements, captivating her audiences, and fostering growth both professionally and personally.

Throughout her dynamic career, Betty has honed her expertise in several key areas, including leadership, self-awareness, managing the challenges of conflict, and building high-performance teams. Her approach emphasizes the importance of quality communications, strategic planning, employee engagement, and mission focus. Moreover, Betty is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that her training programs in Sharper Development Solutions, Inc. are comprehensive and impactful.

In addition to her business endeavors, Betty contributes to the academic community as part of the faculty at the University of South Carolina’s College of Nursing. Here, she plays a pivotal role in the Amy V. Cockcroft Nurse Leadership Program, where she has dedicated her efforts to training fellows both in the classroom and through individual coaching. Through her guidance, many leaders have gained valuable insights into their leadership styles, enabling them to lead with greater confidence and effectiveness.

Betty is the author of Crushing Goliath: Winning Practices for Slaying GIANT People Problems. She is a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and holds a masters in organizational leadership. She is also an Authorized Partner with Wiley Publishing, makers of Everything DiSC® products.

Her commitment to excellence and her ability to inspire and educate make her a valuable asset in any setting. Her work continues to shape the futures of individuals and organizations alike, driving them towards success and fulfillment.

Betty became a member of ATD South Carolina in 2012, and since then, her learning and development career has grown exponentially. By taking advantage of the exciting learning opportunities provided through stellar presenters and thought-provoking topics, she's increased her knowledge in facilitation, training, and instructional design. She's also forged valuable relationships over the years with other members of the Chapter because of its consistent events. Additionally, earning the CPTD designation has provided Betty with the credibility she needed to gain the confidence of prospective clients. It also helps her to be seen as a skilled and qualified practitioner of leadership training and she continues to maintain this certification because of the high value it holds. She is grateful for the years she continues to have as a member with ATD.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bettymparker

July 2025 Member Spotlight

The first time I walked into a meeting of an ATD local chapter, I knew I had found my people. At 7:30 in the morning, the room was already alive with chatter. As a gathering of professional trainers, there was no room for strangers, only enthusiasm and open arms. That was more than a decade ago.

Since then, I have learned much from an association that stays on the cutting edge, yet never loses its sense of community. Topics covered allow me to keep a finger on the pulse of what’s going on in the world of training and development. As someone who has been on both sides, trainee and trainer, I appreciate the many ways ATD has impacted my career.

My professional journey started at the backdoor. When I became a wife in 1992, everything else took a backseat. I reentered the workforce in 2001 wearing a hardhat. That’s right. I became a licensed residential builder and started my own construction company. With the proximity to 9/11, it was tough going, but through lots of blood, sweat, and tears, things were on the verge of taking off. Then came 2008 with the collapse of the housing industry.

No one seemed to be hiring for ANYthing, but I retooled through education and obtained my paralegal certificate. Still, no one was hiring. For several months, I donated my time to a law firm until an opportunity opened up for them to hire me. I enjoyed probating estates but, after three years, realized it was good fit, but not the best fit.

Once again, I retooled via a career coach and HR professionals. With their help, I discovered my experience, passions, and gifting converge in project management. (Who knew there was an international certification that defined what I had been doing for decades!) I quickly obtained my Project Management Professional (PMP) certification—no easy task, I assure you—then attended various networking events. In the end, I landed at a small business school in Columbia SC where they paid me to do what I love: teach project management. In 2020, my husband and I moved to Greenville to be closer to family.

As a contract instructor, I continue to prepare others to sit for the very challenging PMP exam. Between classes, I weave in a personal project—writing my second historical novel. My focus is on the American revolution that, in John Adam’s words, took place in the minds and hearts of the people, rather than the one that took place on battlefields.

When pulled back to the 21st century, I’m grateful to have a track record of students who exceed the norm by passing their PMP exam on the first try. With a toolbelt filled with ATD know-how, it’s been a joy to be part of helping others succeed!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyarnim/ 

May 2025 Member Spotlight

Mandy Hartley is the Learning and Development Manager at the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. She oversees three key units within the agency’s Organizational Change & Alignment division: the Training Design & Instructor Unit, the Training Specialist Unit, and the Quality Assurance Unit. In this role, Mandy leads efforts to design and deliver effective training programs, support employee development, and ensure consistency and quality in all learning initiatives.

Since joining ATD South Carolina, Mandy has expanded her professional network and gained fresh insight into the latest trends and strategies in talent development. This year, she had the opportunity to assist with planning and coordination for the chapter’s annual conference, allowing her to connect with peers and contribute to the success of a statewide learning event.

Mandy’s involvement with the chapter has reinvigorated her approach to instructional design and team development. She continues to seek out innovative ways to enhance learning in the workplace and is dedicated to building a positive, growth-focused culture across the agency.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandy-hartley-521a3a126

May 2025 Member Spotlight

Stacy Gregg is a distinguished Public Procurement professional, coach, and collaborator, renowned for her compassionate leadership. As the Director of Procurement at SC State University, Stacy has dedicated her career to fostering ethical and effective procurement practices.

Stacy officially began her career in learning and development in 2016 as a member of the instructor community for NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement. Through her work with the Institute, she shares her expertise with a broad audience of public procurement professionals internationally and has taught over 70 courses. She also led a team of subject matter experts to develop two courses for NIGP: “Social Responsibility” and “Vision & Transformation Creation.”

Stacy develops courses, workshops, and webinars for private use and has had the opportunity to provide training nationwide, both in-person and virtually. Her commitment to compassion extends beyond her professional role. She works with various organizations, teaching subjects such as conflict resolution, stakeholder engagement, and process improvements. Stacy considers herself more of a facilitator than an instructor. Her training methods are highly interactive and learner-centered, incorporating discussion, real-world scenarios, case studies, and hands-on activities to ensure practical application of knowledge.

In addition to her work in procurement, Stacy collaborates with individuals, churches and other groups, guiding them in strategic planning and personal development. Her coaching sessions are designed to inspire and empower, reflecting her belief in the transformative power of compassion for others and oneself.

Stacy is also an experienced event planner, organizing trade shows, retreats, and conferences that focus on personal, professional, and spiritual growth and community building. Her events are known for their engaging, impactful, and uplifting atmosphere, providing participants with the tools they need to succeed.

As a keynote speaker, Stacy Gregg brings her passion for compassionate leadership to the forefront, sharing insights and strategies that inspire others to lead with empathy and integrity. Her dedication to her profession and her community makes her a sought-after speaker and a respected leader in the field.

Stacy recently celebrated her first anniversary as a member of ATD South Carolina and finds the experience immensely gratifying. She was pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome she received from the President and other leaders within the organization.

Stacy values the membership for its affordable access to essential L&D training and the supportive community of like-minded professionals it provides. The membership and training events have helped her sharpen her skills in learning and development, elevating her mindset as an authentic L&D professional in addition to her role as a procurement officer who provides professional development. Stacy is excited that this membership has brought about new goals to earn professional certifications and looks forward to placing those letters behind her name.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-gregg-b5091a69

April 2025 Member Spotlight

I remember the first time I went to an ATD South Carolina chapter meeting. In February of 2018 I took the leap into a new career path, and for the first time in years felt adrift and uncertain in my professional choices. I had been a new member for several months, and I understood the value of making local connections with talent development peers. I didn’t know how much I would learn, and I had no idea that I would find my professional family that day.

I remember the warmth of the greeters as I signed in, the laughter in the room, and how happy everyone seemed. I remember expecting a standard presentation on designing PowerPoint presentations, a topic I thought I was an expert in, and being blown away by the quality of the learning. I took so many notes! I was so excited as I waited to speak to a board member and that day, I volunteered to take one of the open board positions announced at the beginning of the meeting.

Being a member and volunteer with ATD South Carolina has made me a better Talent Development professional and a better leader. Now, I understand the elements of business as one who has led a business instead of as an internal support team. I have learned to forecast and budget, to listen to both what your audience says and their behavior, to rely on others and give them the space to exceed expectations. I’ve run programs, finance and taken on the President cycle for the chapter, supporting membership and marketing, learning about areas of operations I had no exposure to in my formal roles. My experience as the VP of Finance eventually led to my current role, managing learning strategy and technical learning programs in a professional services firm. In 2021, I took advantage of the chapter’s CPTD study group partnership to study for and pass the CPTD exam, and now I coordinate that partnership for the chapter. All in all, I’ve made several strategic job changes in the years since I joined the chapter and have doubled my income in that time.

In continuing my volunteer journey with ATD National as a member of the Chapter Recognition Committee (CRC) and now a member of the National Advisor to Chapters, 2025-2027 cohort, I am gaining perspective on the landscape of talent development across the country, the innovations and struggles chapters of all sizes and in all locations are facing today. I look forward to continuing my relationship with ATD National and ATD South Carolina. I’ve learned so much so far. Who knows what I’ll learn tomorrow?

March 2025 Member Spotlight

The idea to focus on adult learning and development started when I was 16 and teaching swim lessons for 3–5-year-olds and realized that going into elementary teaching involved a lot of parent interaction. My mother and grandmother taught (and coached) at various levels, from elementary through collegiate and adult, so teaching and training were always an option. Throughout my undergraduate education and during time off, I was given opportunities to informally train newly hired coworkers in the retail food and beverage space, and later lead training in the clerical side of healthcare for the practice I was assigned to. My initial goal was to become a technical trainer and manual writer. I started my post-secondary school work with that in mind, and I wanted to learn how adults learn.

The Department of Revenue is my first official L&D position and has been a wonderful opportunity. I’ve been able to learn about training and development on a practical level, from trainers with individual and effective styles. It’s been a welcoming and supportive environment for me to learn and grow as a trainer and develop skills to be more effective. One of my favorite things is being able to welcome new hires to the agency through the New Hire Orientation and Onboarding sessions. I’ve also lead trainings across a variety of topics, including emotional intelligence, time management, and procedure documentation skills to support the employees at the agency.

Joining ATD SC has given me a solid connection to my industry beyond my role at the Department of Revenue, and the opportunity to connect with and learn from other professionals across the L&D space. Being able to network with others passionate about training and development keeps me excited and involved. I was able to be a part of the ATDSC24 conference committee and have the privilege of serving as the conference chair for ATDSC25.

I received my Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Bachelor’s in Psychological Science from Western Kentucky University. I love trying new food, relaxing on the beach, reading, and crafting. I live in Lexington with my husband, Jeremy, and our two spoiled cats.

February 2025 Member Spotlight

Crystal transitioned into the Learning and Development career field, after several years in the IT industry, where she enjoyed multiple roles that ranged from hands-on technical support to strategic planning. These experiences have shaped her multidimensional approach to create a balance between her love for technology and helping others have their ‘Aha’ learning moments. Like great technology, impactful learning is life changing.

Crystal’s career in L &D was sparked by accepting an additional opportunity to help create and train some teammates. It was during this time that she realized a connection. Her career spans various types of content design from facilitator-lead to self-paced, consulting, and management of content systems. She enjoys assisting others in bridging the gaps in creating effective learning with the best use of technology resources. In her current role as a Knowledge Management Manager, she guides the centralization of information, by evaluating knowledge sharing inefficiencies, to build a culture that captures, utilizes, and thrives on collaborative knowledge connections (technical and non-technical).

Being a member of ATD SC has supported her professional growth - personal and industry relevant, helped her build a solid network with like-minded professionals, and challenges her to continue explore. In conjunction with participating as a member, Crystal is a former VP of Education (2023) and, prior to that, led the revitalization of the special interest group on instructional design and learning technologies to increase our focus on technology.

Crystal received her Master’s in Computer Information and Resource Management from Webster University and also holds a Bachelor’s in Computer Information Systems from the University of South Carolina. She has earned her Project Management Professional certificate and is a certified Knowledge Manager. Crystal enjoys having fun - great food, shopping, traveling, crafting, sports, and spending time with family. She resides in Columbia, SC with her husband and best friend, Kevin.

January 2025 Member Spotlight

Michael Shirley is the Lead Marketing Communications Coordinator at BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. His professional journey includes varied experience in communications, program management, community engagement, and training which work well together in his work to create and promote learning opportunities. With a background in the nonprofit sector spanning nine years, Michael made a leap to corporate life at BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina in 2022. During this transition, Michael earned a master’s degree in human resource development from Clemson University, further solidifying his expertise in the field of learning and development.

Michael's learning and development career has flourished since joining BlueCross and becoming a member of ATD South Carolina. As VP of Communications with ATD South Carolina, he thoughtfully crafted graphics and messaging to engage members. At BlueCross he led the creation and launch of a corporate university platform aimed at speeding up onboarding and training for new staff and partners in his division.

Michael is passionate about hearing new ideas and acquiring new skills. Still, his favorite aspect of any professional development opportunity is meeting new people and forging meaningful connections, which ATD South Carolina has provided from day one. ATD’s mission to create a world that works better aligns perfectly with Michael’s life mission to leave the world better than he found it.