ASTD Certification Institute Recognizes First CPLP Fellows

Elaine Biech and Katherine Holt were named the first ASTD Certification Institute CPLP® Fellows at an awards ceremony held during the ASTD International Conference & Exposition in Denver, Colorado this month. The women were recognized for their thought leadership in the learning and development field and for their support to professionalize the industry.

ASTD is the world’s largest association dedicated to the training and development field and the ASTD Certification Institute (ASTD CI) was formed to take the lead and set professional industry standards for the profession. ASTD CI oversees the credentialing process for practitioners who seek to earn the Certified Professional in Learning and Performance® (CPLP) credential.

Elaine Biech is a self-proclaimed lifelong learner and a 30-year practitioner in the training and consulting field. She has worked tirelessly to improve and define the profession. Her efforts have benefited ASTD and the profession on every level from her early and enthusiastic advocacy for professional certification, to her help shaping the CPLP credential through her research for the ASTD Competency Model. She has volunteered hundreds of hours to ASTD and her reputation for supporting others with resources, advice, or an inspiring word is known by many.

Dr. Katherine Holt has a 32-year history with ASTD starting when she became a training manager and joined her local ASTD chapter. Katherine went on to serve on the ASTD board of directors from 2000 to 2002. She was extensively involved in establishing the foundation for the CPLP certification, providing thought leadership while championing innovation and high standards throughout the process. Dr. Holt has shared ideas about human development and performance around the world, promoting ASTD publications and membership at every opportunity.

As the inaugural ASTD CI Fellows, Biech and Holt will have lifelong tenure in their roles and will conduct educational and networking programs for CPLP credential holders.

Nominations for the 2013 ASTD CI Fellow program are now open. Applications for the CPLP Employer Award are available also.