2024 Thought Leader of the Year from ATD: Britt Andreatta

I was so humbled to win the 2024 Thought Leader of the Year Award from the Association of Talent Development. This award is "presented to an individual in recognition of their exceptional contributions to talent development... through significant thought leadership to the profession, which has had sustained impact over a number of years."

Here is my speech:

"Thank you so much for this incredible honor. When I learned I was receiving the Association for Talent Development (ATD) 2024 Thought Leader of the Year award, I was beyond humbled because I never set out to be a thought leader. I’m really just a curious person who loves to geek out on science and when I find something cool, I can’t wait to share it with others. So thank you, for being willing to geek out with me, year after year.

I couldn’t do this work without my amazing team. Please join me in honoring Claudia Arnett, Justin Reinert, MA, CPTD, SPHR, Heloisa Vila, MPP, ACC, CPTD, and Natalie Smith for their contributions. I’m so lucky to have them! And we’re very proud that some are our clients are winning awards this evening too.

I treasure coming to this conference. I don't know how many of you know this but my first career was in higher education, where I was a faculty member and dean of students. I spent 20 years surrounded by intellectuals who were doing cutting-edge research, and I went to THOSE conferences every year… and I never really felt at home.

But when I attended my first #ATD, I knew I had I found my people, whom I lovingly call my tribe. This is where I finally felt like I belonged because the focus is NOT solely on the big ideas but instead, how we can USE those big ideas to help people become the best versions of themselves. The focus has always been on the TALENT – the most important ingredient in every organization.

On Sunday I had the pleasure of having dinner with senior learning leaders from all kinds of industries. They ranged in size from a team of 1 serving 500 to another supervising a team of 100 serving 500,000. But regardless of size or resources, they all shared the belief that when given the right tools, people can do amazing things.

I want to thank Tony Bingham, Bridget Dunn, Erin Strider and all of the staff of ATD because they believe that for US as well. That by giving us this opportunity to gather, we will gain those tools and go out and create change—in fact we’re about to see all the ways you have been doing that this year.

And I want to congratulate all of you. The world is better because of people like you and the amazing gift you give your organizations every day. To be part of this tribe has been an honor and I’m grateful beyond words. Thank you."