Valley Stream, New York, United States
David Kelly constantly explores the convergence of learning and technology, demonstrating a profound commitment to transforming workplaces and enriching lives through innovative learning strategies. With over two decades of experience in learning and performance leadership and consulting, he brings his passion to life in his daily work as a dynamic strategist, speaker, & writer, inspiring others to view their work through a fresh, technology-enhanced lens. He is the former Chairman & CEO of the Learning Guild.
At Bluewater, I work with organizations navigating learning and workforce transformation, helping them move from stalled initiatives and unclear ownership to aligned strategy and measurable execution. My focus is on the decisions that shape impact. Through advisory engagements and structured maturity assessments across domains including strategy, governance, skills, data, experience design, AI, and value measurement, I help leaders clarify priorities, define operating models, and align learning investments to business outcomes. Transformation rarely fails because of tools. It stalls because of ambiguity, unclear decision rights, misaligned stakeholders, undefined success metrics, or disconnected operating structures. My role is to surface those friction points and create the clarity required to move forward with confidence. This work blends strategic perspective with practical execution. Whether guiding enterprise readiness assessments, facilitating executive conversations, or shaping implementation roadmaps, the goal is consistent: ensuring learning functions are positioned not simply as content providers, but as strategic drivers of capability and performance. I am passionate about elevating the role of learning inside organizations, strengthening governance, improving decision quality, and building systems that create lasting business value.
As Co-Chair of the Learning Technologies Conference, I help shape the vision, direction, and experience of one of the industry’s leading global events for learning and development professionals. My role focuses on curating a program that advances thoughtful practice — elevating conversations beyond tools and trends to explore strategy, leadership, innovation, and measurable impact. I work to ensure the conference reflects both the realities practitioners face and the possibilities that move the field forward. I am deeply committed to creating a platform where diverse perspectives are welcomed, rigorous thinking is expected, and practical insight is prioritized. Every session should challenge assumptions, sharpen decision-making, and equip attendees to drive meaningful change within their organizations. Contributing to this event is an extension of my broader passion for strengthening the learning profession. Conferences should do more than inform; they should influence how we think, how we lead, and how we create value through learning. It is a privilege to help steward a space that brings our community together to reflect, question, and continuously improve the impact of our work.