{"id":142436,"date":"2026-01-22T11:00:04","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T16:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trainingindustry.com\/?post_type=magazine&p=142436"},"modified":"2026-01-22T11:56:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T16:56:45","slug":"the-learning-leader-spotlight-with-mike-saunderson","status":"publish","type":"magazine","link":"https:\/\/trainingindustry.com\/magazine\/winter-2026\/the-learning-leader-spotlight-with-mike-saunderson\/","title":{"rendered":"The Learning Leader Spotlight With Mike Saunderson"},"author":7,"featured_media":142050,"template":"","tags":[36246,36536],"class_list":["post-142436","magazine","type-magazine","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-career-pathway","tag-ld-career","global_topic_tax-professional-development","magazine_issue_tax-winter-2026","magazine_article_type_tax-spotlight","magazine_article_type_tax-thought-leader"],"acf":{"sponsored":false,"gated":false,"gated_content_type":"","file_attachment":null,"gated_content":"","form_instruction_header":"To access the full article, please fill out the form below:","pardot_html_embed":"","author_override":true,"author_name":"Mike Saunderson, Ph.D.","author_image":"","author_bio":"Mike Saunderson, Ph.D., is the owner and director of Ethnopraxis, Inc. With over 14 years of experience supporting Fortune 500 organizations in training needs assessment, instructional design and evaluation, Mike\u2019s work has earned recognition for driving impact through ROI-focused, evidence-based learning solutions.","excerpt":"In this issue, we are pleased to spotlight Mike Saunderson, Ph.D., owner and director of Ethnopraxis, Inc. With over 14 years of experience supporting Fortune 500 organizations in training needs assessment, instructional design and evaluation, Mike\u2019s work ","main_content":"In this issue, we are pleased to spotlight Mike Saunderson, Ph.D., owner and director of Ethnopraxis, Inc. With over 14 years of experience supporting Fortune 500 organizations in training needs assessment, instructional design and evaluation, Mike\u2019s work has earned recognition for driving impact through ROI-focused, evidence-based learning solutions.\r\n\r\nRead on to learn about Mike\u2019s career journey.\r\n

How did you get started in learning and development?<\/h3>\r\nI transitioned from social work to instructional design, combining my background in behavior change with graduate training in learning design and technology. My early projects in designing compliance and onboarding programs confirmed my passion for aligning learning with measurable performance outcomes.\r\n

What\u2019s your most memorable training experience, good or bad?<\/h3>\r\nRedesigning onboarding for a Fortune 500 health care company is a standout example. By integrating structured leadership check-ins and coaching, we reduced turnover by 25%. This experience reinforced my conviction that learning should be tied to organizational performance rather than just course completion.\r\n

Who would you consider your most valuable role model? What were some qualities that made them great?<\/h3>\r\nMy doctoral advisor modeled rigor, humility and persistence. His ability to balance scholarship with practical application inspired me to connect research with real-world outcomes in every project I undertook.\r\n

What are the most pressing issues on your professional plate right now?<\/h3>\r\nHelping organizations move beyond tracking completions to measuring accurate transfer and ROI. My focus is on developing evaluation systems and technologies that demonstrate how learning translates into sustained performance improvement and business value.\r\n

What\u2019s the most challenging aspect of your job?<\/h3>\r\nConvincing stakeholders to invest in rigorous evaluation when they are accustomed to surface-level metrics like satisfaction or attendance. Changing this mindset requires both data and consistent communication.\r\n

What\u2019s the most rewarding aspect of your job?<\/h3>\r\nSeeing measurable improvements \u2014 reduced injuries, fewer patient complaints or higher retention \u2014 and knowing that learning solutions directly improved people\u2019s work and organizational results.\r\n

What\u2019s your preferred training methodology?<\/h3>\r\nI employ a blended approach, grounded in ADDIE<\/a>, rapid prototyping and supported by adult learning theory. My preferred designs combine scenario-based learning, coaching and evaluation loops to ensure transfer and sustainability.\r\n

How do you find the time to continue your own professional development?<\/h3>\r\nI integrate professional development into my work by conducting research, presenting at conferences such as ISPI, ATD and AECT, publishing articles and staying active in professional communities. Learning is both a responsibility and a passion.\r\n

Any recommendations for folks out there: books, partners, resources, etc.?<\/h3>\r\nI recommend Baldwin and Ford<\/a> on training transfer, Thalheimer\u2019s Learning Transfer Evaluation Model<\/a> (LTEM) and Phillips\u2019 ROI methodology<\/a>. Engage with ISPI and ATD for research-based insights and L&D publications for practical strategies.\r\n

\u201cIf someone wants to follow in my professional footsteps, I\u2019d tell them to be sure to \u2026\u201d<\/h3>\r\nDiagnose before you design. Align learning with KPIs, rigorously measure outcomes and communicate results in business language. Stay curious, publish and engage with the professional community to bridge the gap between research and practice.","full_width":false,"content_band":[{"acf_fc_layout":"content_area","wysiwyg":"