Practice, Evidence and the Future of Learning Measurement
Join three learning leaders who’ve collectively spent decades managing learning and development (L&D) at enterprise scale for a candid conversation about what it will take to lead in 2026 and beyond. They’ll discuss the metrics CLOs will be responsible for, how advances in skills intelligence are changing what’s possible and what that means for how learning gets designed. The focus is on behavioral data — capturing evidence that someone’s capability increased — and the emerging design approaches that make learning measurable at scale. Attendees will leave with expert perspectives on rapidly emerging data trends and actionable steps to prepare their organizations.
Mike Vaughan, CEO of The Regis Company and pioneer in simulation-based practice, will be joined by Donald H. Taylor, founder of the L&D Global Sentiment Survey and artificial intelligence (AI) in L&D researcher, and David Kelly, former chairman and CEO of the Learning Guild. Together they’ll explore how skills intelligence is becoming the currency CLOs need to demonstrate impact, discuss which skills validation technologies are becoming more accessible, and share practical approaches attendees can begin implementing immediately.
This interactive talk will provide easy-to-understand insights on:
- The metrics CLOs will be accountable for in the next three years
- How skills intelligence uses behavioral data to prove capability, not just activity
- Design approaches and practice environments that build validation into learning experiences and generate behavioral evidence automatically
- The landscape of new validation capabilities and how to start positioning your organization to take advantage of them
Speakers
 | Mike Vaughan, CEO and Founder, The Regis Company Mike Vaughan is CEO and founder of The Regis Company and editor in chief of The Thinking Effect. Drawing on neuroscience principles that skills develop through deliberate practice, he built The Regis Company’s SimGate platform to enable practice-based learning and skills validation for Fortune 500 organizations. Since founding the company in 2003, Mike has pioneered AI-powered simulation approaches that have earned 50+ industry awards, including three 2025 Brandon Hall Gold Awards for Best Gaming/Simulation Platform, Best Skills Intelligence Platform and Best Leadership Simulation. He is a thought leader in learning technology innovation, partnering with PwC, Accenture, IBM, Lilly and Deloitte to transform workforce capability development. |
 | Donald H. Taylor, Founder and Lead Researcher, L&D Survey Series Donald is the founder and lead researcher of the L&D Survey Series. His annual L&D Global Sentiment Survey, started in 2014, explores L&D trends from over 100 countries. With Eglė Vinauskaitė, he has published four reports on AI in L&D since 2023. He has chaired the Learning Technologies Conference in London since 2000 and writes and speaks worldwide about L&D and learning technologies. He works with London-based VC firm Emerge Venture Partners and advises several EdTech start-ups. The author of “Learning Technologies in the Workplace,” Donald is a graduate of Oxford University and the recipient of an honorary doctorate from London’s Middlesex University. |
 | David Kelly, Former Chairman & CEO, The Learning Guild 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 and writer, inspiring others to view their work through a fresh, technology-enhanced lens. He is the former chairman and CEO of the Learning Guild. |