What Moves L&D from Invisible to Indispensable?

Featuring Allyson Roote

August 6, 2026| 6:00 - 7:30 PM (CT) | Virtual Only

Session Description

Allyson Roote, Vice President of Learning and Organizational Development at The Bonadio Group, shares the realities of building strategic influence in an organization where credibility must be earned long before L&D is invited into the conversation. Drawing from her experience building the learning function from a team of one into a true business partner, Allyson explores how curiosity, relationship-building, and a relentless focus on organizational capability helped strengthen an evolving business initiative and deepen L&D's role as a strategic partner.

Through a candid case study, she'll unpack the decisions she faced as a significant initiative was already gaining momentum, the questions she chose to ask before offering solutions, and how approaching the work through the lens of performance and capability uncovered opportunities that strengthened both the initiative and the partnership.

Throughout the session, you'll examine similar moments in your own organizations, reflect on where influence is gained or lost, and discuss practical approaches for navigating stakeholder conversations, diagnosing underlying business needs, and positioning L&D as an indispensable partner in building the capabilities the business needs to succeed.

About the Speaker 

Allyson Roote-Vice President of Learning and Organizational Development

With more than 25 years of experience in learning, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness, Allyson Roote believes the strongest leaders aren't developed when they're promoted, they're developed long before they're ever ready for the role.

As Vice President of Learning & Organizational Development at The Bonadio Group, Allyson leads the firm's enterprise learning strategy and oversees leadership development from onboarding through the partner pipeline. Nearly a decade ago, she built the firm's Learning & Development function from the ground up. Today, her team partners closely with senior leaders to design leadership systems that strengthen capability, accelerate readiness, and support the firm's long-term growth.

Throughout her career, Allyson's perspective on Learning & Development has evolved. While learning experiences and leadership programs still matter, she believes they are only one part of the equation. Lasting leadership capability is built through intentional experiences, coaching, meaningful feedback, and opportunities to grow over time. That's why she works alongside business leaders to solve organizational challenges by developing the people who will lead the organization next.

This philosophy has shaped her work in redesigning leadership pathways, strengthening coaching capability, preparing future managers before they're promoted, and helping leaders navigate change. She is passionate about redefining Learning & Development from a function that delivers training to one that helps shape organizational strategy and build leadership as a long-term competitive advantage.

Coaching is central to how Allyson approaches leadership development. She is currently pursuing her Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential through the International Coaching Federation (ICF), building on her belief that meaningful growth happens through conversations that challenge assumptions, broaden perspective, and help people become more intentional leaders.

Allyson holds a master's degree in Human Resource Development with a concentration in Learning & Development. Through her writing and speaking, she encourages organizations to rethink how leaders are developed, challenging the assumption that leadership begins with a promotion and advocating instead for intentional development throughout an employee's career.

Connect with Allyson Roote on LinkedIn.

Meeting Agenda

5:50 pm - Virtual Attendees Arrive

6:00 pm - Meeting Begins

6:15 pm - Keynote Presentation Begins

7:15 pm - Final Announcements

7:30 pm - Meeting Concludes

Virtual reservations are OPEN the day of the meeting.

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How can this session help enhance your professional development?

ATD Fort Worth/Mid-Cities has been pre-approved by the ATD Certification Institute to offer educational programs that can be used towards initial eligibility and recertification of the Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD) credentials. This program qualifies for a maximum of 1.0 points.

Personal: Communication; Collaboration & Leadership; Emotional Intelligence & Decision Making Professional: Coaching; Career & Leadership Development; Evaluating Impact Organizational: Performance Improvement; Consulting & Business Partnering; Business Impact