
24 hours around the sun
Join us for a full day of interactive keynotes, case studies, courses and more across 4 continents! Tune in and weigh in from wherever you are. Select your nearest location for an hourly rundown of everything happening in this action-packed agenda!
EDT (UTC-4)
Tuesday May 12
Wednesday May 13
GMT (UTC+1)
Wednesday May 13
IST (UTC+5:30)
Wednesday May 13
Thursday May 14
SST (UTC+8)
Wednesday May 13
Thursday May 14
AEST (UTC+10)
Wednesday May 13
Thursday May 14
Global Kick-off & Welcome to our Australia & New Zealand Audience
Mainstage Event
Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek, Chief Marketing Officer at Skillsoft, and David Meerman Scott, WSJ best-selling author of Fanocracy, kick off the 24-hour experience with a welcome to the full, global audience. Organizational Learning Strategist and founder of Learning Uncut, Michelle Ockers welcomes audiences from Australia.

Keynote by Michelle Ockers
Organizational Learning Strategist and founder of Learning Uncut
Mainstage Event
Michelle Ockers, founder of Learning Uncut, shares how L&D teams can be performance partners that add strategic business value.

Q&A with Michelle Ockers and Rosie Cairnes
Mainstage Event
Rosie Cairnes, Vice President APAC at Skillsoft, and Michelle Ockers discuss challenges facing today's workforce during a Q&A session.

Special Olympics Presentation
Mainstage Event
This exciting presentation features a local Special Olympian, as well as CEO of Special Olympics, Mary Davis, leading a discussion on the importance of Diversity and Inclusion.

Keynote by Shawn Achor
Author of Big Potential & The Happiness Advantage
Mainstage Event
Shawn Achor, author of Big Potential & The Happiness Advantage, shares how to activate the critical link between happiness and work success.

Welcome to our Asia Audience
Mainstage Event
Ester Martinez, CEO and Editor-in-Chief at People Matters, welcomes audiences to Perspectives 2020.

Business Continuity Panel
Mainstage Event
Join us as Su-Yen Wong, Founder & CEO of Bronze Phoenix and Author of Unleash Your Voice, moderates a discussion on Business Continuity Planning. Panelists: Nora A Manaf, Group Chief Human Capital Officer, Maybank Aparna Sundararajan, Senior Research Strategist, ADAPT Jason Ho, Head, Group Human Resources, OCBC Bank

Head-to-Head Debate
Mainstage Event
How should businesses optimize their talent strategies – reskilling, upskilling, or hiring new? Should their approach change as working in a crisis mode becomes the new normal? Join us as Manojit Sen, Global Head of HR-LSC at Shell moderates a head-to-head debate on this topic. Panelists: Evangeline Chua, Chief People Officer, GovTech Hamidah Naziadin, Group Chief People Officer, CIMB

APAC Program of the Year
Mainstage Event
This award recognizes an organization in each region that has developed and implemented a leading-edge program utilizing Skillsoft and/or SumTotal products that enables organizations to unlock the full potential of employees. Award-winning programs are multifaceted; they demonstrate business impact and cost savings and feature innovations that infuse a renewed energy across the organization. Join to discover the winner.

Keynote by Ally Watson
Founder and CEO of Code Like a Girl
Mainstage Event
Ally Watson, Founder and CEO of Code Like a Girl, shares an inspiring story from her time at the social enterprise, dedicated to providing girls with the tools, knowledge and support to enter and flourish in the world of coding.

Keynote by Apratim Purakayastha
Executive Vice President & Group CTO, Skillsoft & Sumtotal Systems
Mainstage Event
Apratim Purakayastha,Executive Vice President & Group CTO, Skillsoft & Sumtotal Systems, shares how AI, Blockchain, Immersive Experience and Internet-of-Things may affect the future of learning.

EDT (UTC-4)
Wednesday May 13
Australia, Asia, & New Zealand Case Studies
Breakout Sessions
Skillsoft and SumTotal customers from renowned organizations in Australia, Asia, and New Zealand share specific business challenges relating to compliance, talent development, corporate learning, technology & development, recruiting and leadership. Check out the full description for each of our five tracks here. Following presentations, speakers engage in a live Q&A via text chat with the audience. Being Tech Ready in an Ever-Changing World: First 45 Minutes: Karen Ross, Learning & Organizational Development Manager, Datacom Second 45 Minutes: Richard Elliott, Head of IT Transformation—Digital Services, University of Auckland Leading in the Digital Age: First 45 Minutes: Mark O'Donnell, Senior Vice-President Operational Excellence, Rizing Second 45 Minutes: Casey Mee, Director, People Capability, Standard Chartered Bank, Standard Chartered Bank Landing & Keeping the Rock Stars: First 45 Minutes: Graham Blaxell, Manager of Learning Performance & Design, Flexigroup Second 45 Minutes: Chee Keat Koh, Director of Learning & Development, Singtel Creating a Safe Workplace: First 45 Minutes: Leisa Moate, Learning Design Manager, Super Retail Group Second 45 Minutes: Karen Ross, Learning & Organizational Development Manager, Datacom Solving for the Future of Work: First 45 Minutes: Chee Keat Koh, Director of Learning & Development, Singtel Second 45 Minutes: Mark O'Donnell, Senior Vice-President Operational Excellence, Rizing

Welcome to our India Audiences
Mainstage Event
Apratim Purakayastha, Executive Vice President & Group CTO of Skillsoft & Sumtotal Systems, welcomes audiences to Perspectives 2020.

Keynote by Shawn Achor
Author of Big Potential & The Happiness Advantage
Mainstage Event
Shawn Achor, author of The Happiness Advantage and Big Potential, shares how to activate the critical link between happiness and work success.

Keynote by Neelam Dhawan
Head of India Advisory Board, IBM
Mainstage Event
Neelam Dhawan joins Perspectives to share her thoughts on “Designing the Future Organization.” Organizations are undergoing structural changes during these turbulent times. They need to play a balancing act between short term challenges & long term requirements. Join this keynote & explore what actions you need to take today to design the organization of tomorrow.

Keynote by Ally Watson
Founder and CEO of Code Like a Girl
Mainstage Event
Ally Watson, Founder and CEO of Code Like a Girl, shares an inspiring story from her time at the social enterprise, dedicated to providing girls with the tools, knowledge and support to enter and flourish in the world of coding.

Special Olympics Presentation
Mainstage Event
This exciting presentation features a local Special Olympian, as well as CEO of Special Olympics, Mary Davis, leading a discussion on the importance of Diversity and Inclusion.

Keynote by Anuranjita Kumar
Accomplished Human Resources Professional, Author and Investor
Mainstage Event
Anuranjita Kumar joins Perspectives to speak about “Diversity and Inclusion During Times of Transformation.” As organizations focus on operational sustainability during this period of ambiguity, chaos and overall instability are on everyone’s minds. In such times, how important is it to stay dedicated to the D&I cause? Join this session to learn why it is important to support diversity efforts even now and use this time as an opportunity to revamp and not dial back to the way we were when it comes to diversity in the workplace.

Keynote by Josh Bersin
Global Industry Analyst, Dean, Josh Bersin Academy
Mainstage Event
The COVID-19 pandemic is changing every facet of business – including how we train and reskill our workforces. In this session, global industry analyst Josh Bersin will discuss what he sees ahead for corporate learning organizations – including the type of learning programs needed to increase workforce agility and reskill employees for new jobs, technology priorities, and even how to rethink the role of learning for the new normal. Join us to hear Josh share his perspectives on “The Role of Learning in the New Normal.”

Business Continuity Panel
Mainstage Event
Join us as Vikrant Varshney, Risk Evangelist, Mentor & Investor moderates a discussion on Business Continuity Planning. Panelists: Mukesh Rathi, SVP, CIO & CDO, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Nikhil Arora, VP & MD, GoDaddy India Srirang Thirumalai Kumara, Group Chief Human Resources Officer and Head- Infrastructure Management and Services Group, ICICI Bank Madhavi Lall, Managing Director, Head HR, India, Deutsche Bank

Head-to-Head Debate
Mainstage Event
With battles over resilient, future-ready talent intensifying, skilling will undergo vast changes. Who should own the skilling agenda? Should government drive skilling at a national level or should corporations and businesses drive skilling within the private sector? Join us as Ajay Soni, Chief Learning and Leadership Development Officer, Group Human Resources, Aditya Birla Group, moderates a head-to-head debate on this topic. Panelists: Arvind Gupta, Innovation Evangelist, Technology Entrepreneur and Policy Advisor Aruna Jayanthi, MD, APAC and Latin America Business Unit, Capgemini

India Program of the Year
Mainstage Event
This award recognizes an organization in each region that has developed and implemented a leading-edge program utilizing Skillsoft and/or SumTotal products that enables organizations to unlock the full potential of employees. Award-winning programs are multifaceted; they demonstrate business impact and cost savings and feature innovations that infuse a renewed energy across the organization. Join to discover the winner.

India Case Studies
Breakout Sessions
Skillsoft and SumTotal customers from renowned organizations in India share specific business challenges relating to compliance, talent development, corporate learning, technology & development, recruiting and leadership. Check out the full description for each of our five tracks here. Following presentations, speakers engage in a live Q&A via text chat with the audience. Creating a Safe Workplace: Dr. Malay Mahadevia, HR Director, Adani Group - Fueled by Opportunity Being Tech Ready in an Ever-Changing World: Ashok Madaan, Associate Vice President, Head of Learning & Development in Engineering and R&D Services, HCL Technologies Leading in the Digital Age: Syed Azfar Hussain, Group Head-Organization & Talent Development, RPG Group Landing & Keeping the Rock Stars: First 45 Minutes: K. Mahendra Kumar, Deputy General Manager (Training and Development), BPCL Second 45 Minutes: Anurag Seth, VP & Head of Talent Transformation, Wipro Solving for the Future of Work: Bidisha Banerjee, Group Vice President, Learning, Culture & Employer Branding, Welspun Group

Welcome to our EMEA audience and Keynote by Jez Rose Broadcaster and award-winning writer
Mainstage Event
Broadcaster, award-winning writer, speaker, and host Jez Rose welcomes audiences to Perspectives 2020 and shares experiences from his life on the world’s first certified carbon-neutral honey farm, helping to reverse Britain’s honeybee decline.

Business Continuity Panel
Mainstage Event
Broadcaster, award-winning writer, speaker, and host Jez Rose moderates a discussion on Business Continuity Planning between our panelists. Panelists: Stephan Kasulke, VP HR ExD, Deutsche Telekom Helen Sussex, Director, Global Learning Design & Creation, CGI Gerard Pieterse, Director of People Development, Canon Europe

Keynote by Lucy Adams
Founder of Disruptive HR
Mainstage Event
Founder of Disruptive HR, Lucy Adams shares innovative approaches and fresh perspectives on how to lead, engage, and develop leaders differently.

Head-to-Head Debate
Mainstage Event
How should global businesses approach company values and skills - with a unified, consistent approach or a more tailored, regional one? Which approach best strikes the balance of serving customers and the business needs? Join us as Jez Rose, broadcaster and award-winning writer, moderates a head-to-head debate on this topic. Panelists: Max McLellan, Head of Learning Operations, British Telecom Michel Diaz, Associate Director, Fefaur

EMEA Program of the Year
Mainstage Event
This award recognizes an organization in each region that has developed and implemented a leading-edge program utilizing Skillsoft and/or SumTotal products that enables organizations to unlock the full potential of employees. Award-winning programs are multifaceted; they demonstrate business impact and cost savings and feature innovations that infuse a renewed energy across the organization. Join in to discover the winner.

EMEA Case Studies
Breakout Sessions
Skillsoft and SumTotal customers from renowned organizations in EMEA share specific business challenges relating to compliance, talent development, corporate learning, technology & development, recruiting and leadership. Check out the full description for each of our five tracks here. Following presentations, speakers engage in a live Q&A via text chat with the audience. Being Tech Ready in an Ever-Changing World: First 45 Minutes: Günter Deutsch, Deputy Global Head of Learning & Development, ATOS International SAS Second 45 Minutes: Sharon Hutchinson, Senior HR Manager, Management & Leadership Development, Lloyds Banking Group Leading in the Digital Age: First 45 Minutes: Denise Reed Lamoreaux, Global Chief Diversity Officer, Atos Second 45 Minute: Michael Redford, LMS Program Lead, Mettler-Toledo On Demand: Meredith Taghi, VP of Group Learning, Talent and HR Platforms, DHL Landing & Keeping the Rock Stars: First 45 Minutes: Heather Nault, Global Learning and Organizational Development Director, Teradyne Second 45 Minutes: Irwin van Stavel, Managing Director and Senior Partner, LRMG Learning and Talent On Demand: Julia Ruthus, Senior Training Manager, Daiichi-Sankyo Creating a Safe Workplace: First 45 Minutes: Ann-Louise Hancock, Group Head of Learning and Development, DS Smith plc Solving for the Future of Work: First 45 Minutes: Stephan Kasulke, Vice President HR ExD, Deutsche Telekom Second 45 Minutes: Helen Sussex, Director, Global Learning Design and Creation, CGI Peter Sheppard, Global Head of Learning Ecosystem, Ericsson

Welcome to our North America Audience
Mainstage Event
Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek, Chief Marketing Officer at Skillsoft, welcomes audiences to Perspectives 2020.

Learner Experience Panel
Mainstage Event
Watch Skillsoft CMO Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek interview learners live, as they share their learning experiences and journey to personal growth. Following a video sneak peek into a day in their lives, only at Perspectives 2020.

Special Olympics Presentation
Mainstage Event
This exciting presentation features a local Special Olympian, as well as CEO of Special Olympics, Mary Davis, leading a discussion on the importance of Diversity and Inclusion.

AEST (UTC+10)
Thursday May 14
Business Continuity Panel
Mainstage Event
Join in as Andrew Winston, a globally recognized expert on building resilient, profitable companies, moderates a panel between practitioners and experts on Business Continuity Planning. Panelists: Marienne Bernardes, Director Enterprise Learning & Development, Cox Enterprises Gavin Morton, Head of People & Finance Operations, HR.com Lisa Rowan, Research Vice President, HR, Talent & Learning Strategies, IDC

Keynote and Q&A by Tara Westover Author of NY Times Best Seller Educated
Mainstage Event
Tara Westover, author of NY Times best seller Educated, shares her harrowing but deeply rewarding growth journey.

Head-to-Head Debate
Mainstage Event
How should talent development programs optimize in financially uncertain times? Should talent development programs focus on job-specific skills or expand to include off-the-job skills for the whole individual? Should they push a talent development agenda, or react and respond to the business? Join us as Julie Hiipakka, VP & Learning Research Leader at Bersin by Deloitte moderates a head-to-head debate on this topic. Panelists: Mike Kessler, Chief Learning Officer, BAE Systems Kimo Kippen, Founder, Aloha Learning Advisors

North America Program of the Year
Mainstage Event
This award recognizes an organization in each region that has developed and implemented a leading-edge program utilizing Skillsoft and/or SumTotal products that enables organizations to unlock the full potential of employees. Award-winning programs are multifaceted; they demonstrate business impact and cost savings and feature innovations that infuse a renewed energy across the organization. Join in to discover the winner.

SST (UTC+8)
Thursday May 14
Halftime Show with Black Violin
Mainstage Event
Marking the mid-point of Perspectives 2020, David Meerman Scott, WSJ best-selling author of Fanocracy, leads a coversation with hip hop duo, Kevin and Wilner, of Black Violin. Black Violin is a globally renowned classical/hip hop group composed of Wil Baptiste (Viola) and Kev Marcus (Violin). The dynamic duo is best known for fusing classical strings with pop, rock and hip hop to create a genre of music all their own. Following the interview will be a special halftime performance by Black Violin.

North America Case Studies
Breakout Sessions
Skillsoft and SumTotal customers from renowned organizations in the United States share specific business challenges relating to compliance, talent development, corporate learning, technology & development, recruiting and leadership. Check out the full description for each of our five tracks here. Following presentations, speakers engage in a live Q&A via text chat with the audience. Being Tech Ready In an Ever-Changing World: First 45 Minutes: Kari McClure, Learning Experience Director, American Airlines Second 45 Minutes: Tiffany Abinsay, Head of Learning Technology, Citi Leading in the Digital Age: First 45 Minutes: Dr. Karen Wolf, Chief Learning Officer, ManTech Second 45 Minutes: Andy Anderson, Strategy Analyst, Lexmark International Inc. Landing & Keeping the Rock Stars: First 45 Minutes: Tanya Pang, Senior Manager Performance and Capability Solutions, Lockheed Martin Second 45 Minutes: Kelly Moyle, Lead Enterprise HR Technology Analyst, Cox Enterprises Creating a Safe Workplace: First 45 Minutes: Beth Teixeira, Director of Learning, Comscore Second 45 Minutes: Emma Engel, Chief Learning Officer, Unisys Corporation

Keynote by Shawn Achor
Author of Big Potential & The Happiness Advantage
Mainstage Event
Shawn Achor, author of Big Potential & The Happiness Advantage, shares how to activate the critical link between happiness and work success.

IST (UTC+5:30)
Thursday May 14
Keynote by Dr. Heidi Grant
Social psychologist, speaker, and author
Mainstage Event
Dr. Heidi Grant, named Most Influential Management Thinkers Globally, shares the "Get Better" mindset, how to ensure growth, and how to identify your own mindset.

A Better Way to Learn
Mainstage Event
The advent of digital has positively impacted many aspects of our daily lives -- how we shop, how we connect, how we consume entertainment, and how we can learn. Come join product leaders, Potoula Chresomales, SVP Product Management at Skillsoft and Debasis Dutta, VP & GM Products at SumTotal as they share purposeful, immersive, boundless, and collaborative ways in which they view learning and show how Skillsoft products are enabling a fundamentally better way to learn.

North America Case Studies
Breakout Sessions
Skillsoft and SumTotal customers from renowned organizations in the United States share specific business challenges relating to compliance, talent development, corporate learning, technology & development, recruiting and leadership. Check out the full description for each of our five tracks here. Following presentations, speakers engage in a live Q&A via text chat with the audience. Being Tech Ready in an Ever-Changing World: Karen Freedman, Vice President, Enterprise Learning, FM Global Leading in the Digital Age: Raymond Toenniessen, Associate VP for Strategic Initiatives, Institute for Veterans and Military Families, IVMF On Demand: Karin Levitt, Director, Talent Development, Hitachi Vantara Landing & Keeping the Rock Stars: Derek Blake, Divisional Vice President, Global Learning & Development, PSAV On Demand: Mark Pessin, Chief Learning Officer, Realty One Creating a Safe Workplace: Akil Walton, Vice President, Global Talent Management, Tech Data

Keynote by David Meerman Scott
Author of WSJ Best Seller Fanocracy
Mainstage Event
David Meerman Scott, WSJ best-selling author of Fanocracy, explains the importance of organizations tapping into the mindset that relationships with customers are more important than the products they sell to them.

Closing with Special Performance by Black Violin
Mainstage Event
David Meerman Scott and Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek wrap up the event alongside classical/hip hop duo, Black Violin.
