Manage HR Magazine: Awards Ranking
Manage HR honors the Top 10 Learning and Development Leaders - 2026 who are innovators shaping talent growth through cutting-edge training, skill development, and leadership programs. These leaders empower employees, foster continuous learning cultures, and drive organizational success by aligning learning strategies with evolving business goals.
Top 10 Learning and Development Leaders - 2026
Angel Birch
SVP, Director of Learning and Leadership Development, Seacoast National Bank
Seacoast National Bank delivers customer experiences enhanced by digital technologies such as mobile banking, AI-enabled tools, and evolving operational workflows. It equips approximately 2,000 associates with training, resources, and support to drive business goals, strengthen culture, and build lasting community impact.
Kevin Jennings
Director of Learning & Certification, Talon
My journey into learning and development did not start in a traditional way. I began as a founding member of a learning technology company, working across organizations of different sizes, industries and operating models. That experience gave me visibility into where learning programs worked and where they quietly failed. It also forced me to understand the problem from the outside in. It became easier to see patterns across organizations, where learning systems consistently broke down.
Alex Olivier
Sr. Director, Theatre L&D and Belonging, AMC Theatres
Alex Olivier is a learning and development (L&D) professional with over 20 years of experience in the theatre industry. At AMC Theatres, he leads the organization’s efforts to create inclusive work environments and oversees a team that designs, develops, implements and evaluates training for over 25,000 theatre associates.
Julie LeBlanc
Director of Learning and Development, Central Garden & Pet
Central Garden & Pet is a U.S.-based consumer products company specializing in pet care and lawn and garden solutions. Founded in 1955, it owns over 60 brands, including Pennington, Nylabone, and Kaytee, delivering innovative products through retail and e-commerce channels while supporting sustainable, healthy homes and outdoor living.
Mario Urquia
Director Learning and Development, Travel + Leisure Co.
Travel + Leisure Co. is a global vacation ownership and leisure travel company delivering resort, membership, and travel services through brands including Club Wyndham, RCI, and Travel + Leisure GO. Headquartered in Orlando, it manages over 280 resorts worldwide, providing millions of vacation experiences annually through diversified travel and hospitality offerings.
Amanda Fiesler
Director of Learning and Development, CME Group
CME Group is the world’s leading derivatives marketplace, operating futures and options exchanges across interest rates, equities, foreign exchange, energy, agricultural products, and metals. Headquartered in Chicago, the company provides trading, clearing, and market data services that help institutions and investors manage risk, optimize portfolios, and navigate global financial markets efficiently.
Andy Puckett
Head of Learning and Development, James Hardie
James Hardie Industries is a global building materials company specializing in fiber cement, fiber gypsum, and exterior home solutions. Founded in 1888, it manufactures durable siding, cladding, decking, and outdoor products marketed under brands including Hardie®, TimberTech®, and AZEK®, serving residential and commercial construction markets across multiple international regions.
Kevin Seifert
Global Head of Learning and Development, Morningstar
Morningstar is a global financial services and investment research company founded in 1984 and headquartered in Chicago. It provides independent investment data, analytics, ratings, portfolio management tools, and research solutions for investors, advisors, asset managers, and institutions, helping clients make informed long-term financial decisions across global markets.
Nicole Hajdrowski
Vice President, Learning & Development, US Foods
US Foods is one of America’s largest foodservice distributors, supplying restaurants, healthcare facilities, hospitality businesses, and educational institutions nationwide. Headquartered in Illinois, the company provides food products, culinary solutions, logistics, and technology services through an extensive distribution network, helping over 250,000 customers improve operational efficiency and business growth.
Treston Knight
Global Head of Learning and Development, FMC Corporation
FMC Corporation is a global agricultural sciences company specializing in crop protection technologies, including insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, biologicals, and precision agriculture solutions. Founded in 1883 and headquartered in Philadelphia, FMC develops science-driven products that help farmers improve productivity, sustainability, and crop resilience across global agricultural markets.
