From strategy to success: Top 10 visionary leaders redefining learning impact

In an era where organizational success hinges on adaptability and continuous growth, the ability to create meaningful learning impact has never been more critical.

Companies are grappling with rapid technological change, evolving workforce expectations, and the constant need to upskill and reskill talent to stay competitive.

Yet many learning initiatives struggle to translate into real business outcomes. Too often, programs focus on completion rates and satisfaction scores rather than driving the behavioral change that truly transforms organizations.

This is where exceptional learning leaders make the difference - not just by designing programs, but by architecting learning ecosystems that create measurable, sustainable impact. They understand that true learning impact goes beyond traditional metrics. It's about building capabilities that transform how organizations operate, compete, and grow.

As part of Lepaya's Shaping the Future of Work campaign, we're proud to recognize ten outstanding leaders in the Learning Impact category. These visionaries are proving that strategic learning design, when executed with purpose and precision, becomes a powerful catalyst for organizational change.

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Meet the 10 leaders creating transformational learning impact‍

1. Konstantina Held

Head of Skills Management at Electrolux Group

Konstantina Held, Head of Skills Management at Electrolux Group, is redefining how the organizations approach talent development on a global scale. Responsible for formulating and executing comprehensive skills strategies, she creates impact by ensuring consistency across international teams while adapting to regional nuances. Her collaborative approach with executive stakeholders transforms business needs into actionable learning strategies, while her commitment to staying ahead of industry trends ensures her organization remains competitive and future-ready.

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2. Anamaria Dorgo

Experience Designer, Learning Consultant, and Workshop Facilitator at Handle with Brain

Anamaria is a visionary in learning design who transforms traditional development approaches into participatory, impactful experiences. As the founder of L&D Shakers and a trusted consultant to global brands, she creates learning strategies, communities of practice, and events that spark curiosity, foster connection, and drive continuous growth. Her commitment to designing human-centered learning ecosystems has made a lasting impact on professionals, teams, and the broader L&D community.

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3. Lavinia Mehedintu

Co-founder & Learning Architect at Offbeat

Lavinia Mehedințu is a true Learning Impact Leader, reshaping the L&D landscape through community, innovation, and real-world relevance. As co-founder of Offbeat, she has built a thriving ecosystem that empowers thousands of learning professionals with actionable insights, cutting-edge thinking, and a strong sense of connection. Her deep expertise in behavior change, social learning, and learning tech has made her a catalyst for both individual growth and systemic impact across the L&D industry.

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4. Makoto Makabe

Director Corporate Learning & Development at Freudenberg

Makoto transformed leadership development across a 175-year-old global conglomerate, proving that even the most decentralized organizations can achieve learning alignment. At Freudenberg, he broke down silos between 10 business groups to create a unified leadership framework and development program. Today, around 400 to 500 Freudenberg employees participate in leadership development programs worldwide - a testament to his ability to drive stakeholder buy-in and create scalable impact. His approach demonstrates that sustainable change requires embracing resistance and using it as a catalyst for transformation.

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5. Alberto Vaccari

Global HR Manager at Flix

Alberto Vaccari is driving meaningful impact at scale by shaping Flix's strategy for retaining and accelerating top talent. Through thoughtful internal mobility programs and strategic career development pathways, he ensures high-performing specialists and leaders have the support and opportunities to grow from within. His focus on talent retention through learning demonstrates the direct connection between development investments and organizational sustainability.

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‍6. Teresa Rose

Director at ConsultHer

If the link between learning and business transformation is your bag, then learning & performance consultant Teresa needs to be on your radar. As an award-winning consultant, she regularly shares insights on cultural change, skills ecosystem development, and workplace innovation. Her passion for better learning is infectious, and her expertise in driving organizational change through strategic learning interventions has made her a sought-after voice for companies seeking to transform their performance through people development.

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7. Nick Holmes

Vice President, Learning & Culture at Avalere Health

Nick Holmes is a bold and visionary leader who is redefining the role of learning and culture in creating meaningful, human-centered workplaces. At Avalere Health, he leads transformative learning initiatives that empower people to grow, thrive, and make a real-world impact- all while anchoring employee experience in purpose and innovation. With a track record of award-winning programs and a mission to make work truly “work” for people, Nick is setting new standards for what impactful learning leadership looks like.

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8. Katja Schipperheijn

Co-founder of The Learning Mindset Organisation

Katja Schipperheijn is a globally recognized trailblazer who is shaping the future of learning through human-centered innovation and AI-enhanced learning ecosystems. As an award-winning author, advisor, and speaker, she empowers organizations and individuals to embrace continuous learning, foster liminal leadership, and navigate the human-machine symbiosis with purpose and clarity.

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9. Raoul Eggen

International Learning & Development Lead at TOPdesk

Raoul Eggen is a passionate personal leadership trainer who empowers individuals to overcome limiting beliefs and embrace their full potential through authentic growth and self-awareness. With over a decade of experience, he inspires people to navigate challenges with resilience and determination. Raoul’s innovative work, which utilizes AI to create personalized skill development paths, showcases his dedication to helping both individuals and organizations thrive in today’s evolving landscape.

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10. Jeanne Bakker

Owner of Brain Bakery

Jeanne Bakker creates powerful learning solutions that drive measurable impact in leadership, sales, and personal development. With over 20 years in L&D, she applies psychology and educational science to design programs that transform mindsets and behaviors across more than 1,000 organizations globally. As the bestselling author of "Dealing with Dragons" and host of the "No More Boring Learning" podcast, she shares practical insights that help learning professionals accelerate effectiveness and create genuine behavioral change.

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The future of learning impact

These ten leaders demonstrate that creating learning impact requires more than great content; it demands strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, and a deep understanding of how learning connects to business outcomes. From building global communities to transforming decentralized organizations, they show us what's possible when learning becomes a strategic lever for change.

Their work proves that the most impactful learning initiatives not only transfer knowledge but also transform cultures, build capabilities, and create sustainable competitive advantages that drive long-term success.

‍Know someone leading the way in navigating the future of work? We'd love to hear from you. 

Send an email to thao.le@lepaya.com and you will have a chance to win 2 tickets to the UNLEASH conference!