The worldwide talent development community is diverse. Our members bring a wealth of experience and insight to their work. We're spotlighting their stories.

Shermaine Perry-Knights, CPTD has been an ATD Member since 2016. Here's her story in her own words.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am a lifelong learner who is pivoting into authoring children’s books, guided journals, and adult coloring books. In my free time, I like to read, cook, travel, and spend time with family and friends.

What are your personal and professional goals?

Personally, I desire to write children’s books on resilience. Professionally I am working towards my Certified Professional in Talent Development certification and want to mentor younger professionals entering learning and development (L&D). I am in the process of writing a book of early experiences in talent development, as well as growing my L&D consultancy.

In a few words, please tell us about a “win” that you have experienced in your work?

I utilized knowledge gained from the Master Instructional Designer program to co-design a national award-winning customer care program specific to the local government. The program has measurable results of $1,050,000 in cost-savings for continued delivery, enhanced employee productivity, and improved customer service with an issue resolution rate of 97 percent. It also created better interdepartmental cooperation among 40 entities.

What challenges have you overcome in your career?

I’ve overcome many challenges in my career, namely being the youngest professional in the room consistently. These challenges have only made me stronger and sparked an interest to mentor younger professionals on how to own their seat at the table.

What is the most valuable thing you’ve gained or experienced during your membership with ATD?

I’ve had countless valuable experiences as an ATD member. The most valuable is the overall network of L&D professionals. I am blessed to connect and frequently engage with experts in gamification, virtual reality, microlearning, instructional design, organizational development, facilitation, and other areas. This network is productive, inclusive, and always open to sharing knowledge, processes, and successful practices.

Could you share any professional tips, specific to talent development, that you have picked up along the way?

Value feedback as a gift and use it to grow as an L&D professional.

What’s a common misconception you see when it comes to talent development?

A common misconception I see when it comes to talent development is that training is always the answer. While training can solve many issues, it is not the best solution for some management issues and performance problems.

Do you have any advice for people looking to further their careers?

My advice for people looking to advance their careers is to “find your passion and invest in yourself.” Expand your knowledge, skill, network, and confidence in the industry.

How do you stay motivated and find meaning in your work?

I stay motivated by natural ambition and love for learning new things.

The future of work is coming—and in some cases is already here. In your opinion, what does the future of work look like?

In my opinion, the future of work highlights a deep appreciation for work-life harmony. Employees will have more autonomy and the ability to choose projects that peak their passion.

Would you like to be our ATD Member of the Week? Share your story with us!