2025 Member Spotlights

March 2025 Member Spotlight

The idea to focus on adult learning and development started when I was 16 and teaching swim lessons for 3–5-year-olds and realized that going into elementary teaching involved a lot of parent interaction. My mother and grandmother taught (and coached) at various levels, from elementary through collegiate and adult, so teaching and training were always an option. Throughout my undergraduate education and during time off, I was given opportunities to informally train newly hired coworkers in the retail food and beverage space, and later lead training in the clerical side of healthcare for the practice I was assigned to. My initial goal was to become a technical trainer and manual writer. I started my post-secondary school work with that in mind, and I wanted to learn how adults learn.

The Department of Revenue is my first official L&D position and has been a wonderful opportunity. I’ve been able to learn about training and development on a practical level, from trainers with individual and effective styles. It’s been a welcoming and supportive environment for me to learn and grow as a trainer and develop skills to be more effective. One of my favorite things is being able to welcome new hires to the agency through the New Hire Orientation and Onboarding sessions. I’ve also lead trainings across a variety of topics, including emotional intelligence, time management, and procedure documentation skills to support the employees at the agency.

Joining ATD SC has given me a solid connection to my industry beyond my role at the Department of Revenue, and the opportunity to connect with and learn from other professionals across the L&D space. Being able to network with others passionate about training and development keeps me excited and involved. I was able to be a part of the ATDSC24 conference committee and have the privilege of serving as the conference chair for ATDSC25.

I received my Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Bachelor’s in Psychological Science from Western Kentucky University. I love trying new food, relaxing on the beach, reading, and crafting. I live in Lexington with my husband, Jeremy, and our two spoiled cats.

Febuary 2025 Member Spotlight

Crystal transitioned into the Learning and Development career field, after several years in the IT industry, where she enjoyed multiple roles that ranged from hands-on technical support to strategic planning. These experiences have shaped her multidimensional approach to create a balance between her love for technology and helping others have their ‘Aha’ learning moments. Like great technology, impactful learning is life changing.

Crystal’s career in L &D was sparked by accepting an additional opportunity to help create and train some teammates. It was during this time that she realized a connection. Her career spans various types of content design from facilitator-lead to self-paced, consulting, and management of content systems. She enjoys assisting others in bridging the gaps in creating effective learning with the best use of technology resources. In her current role as a Knowledge Management Manager, she guides the centralization of information, by evaluating knowledge sharing inefficiencies, to build a culture that captures, utilizes, and thrives on collaborative knowledge connections (technical and non-technical).

Being a member of ATD SC has supported her professional growth - personal and industry relevant, helped her build a solid network with like-minded professionals, and challenges her to continue explore. In conjunction with participating as a member, Crystal is a former VP of Education (2023) and, prior to that, led the revitalization of the special interest group on instructional design and learning technologies to increase our focus on technology.

Crystal received her Master’s in Computer Information and Resource Management from Webster University and also holds a Bachelor’s in Computer Information Systems from the University of South Carolina. She has earned her Project Management Professional certificate and is a certified Knowledge Manager. Crystal enjoys having fun - great food, shopping, traveling, crafting, sports, and spending time with family. She resides in Columbia, SC with her husband and best friend, Kevin.

January 2025 Member Spotlight

Michael Shirley is the Lead Marketing Communications Coordinator at BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. His professional journey includes varied experience in communications, program management, community engagement, and training which work well together in his work to create and promote learning opportunities. With a background in the nonprofit sector spanning nine years, Michael made a leap to corporate life at BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina in 2022. During this transition, Michael earned a master’s degree in human resource development from Clemson University, further solidifying his expertise in the field of learning and development.

Michael's learning and development career has flourished since joining BlueCross and becoming a member of ATD South Carolina. As VP of Communications with ATD South Carolina, he thoughtfully crafted graphics and messaging to engage members. At BlueCross he led the creation and launch of a corporate university platform aimed at speeding up onboarding and training for new staff and partners in his division.

Michael is passionate about hearing new ideas and acquiring new skills. Still, his favorite aspect of any professional development opportunity is meeting new people and forging meaningful connections, which ATD South Carolina has provided from day one. ATD’s mission to create a world that works better aligns perfectly with Michael’s life mission to leave the world better than he found it.