DIRECTIONSLauren Harbert
Hello LTEN community, and happy October! As the fall season settles in, we at LTEN are already looking ahead; we’re deep in the midst of strategic planning for the upcoming year.
This is always an exciting time, when we challenge ourselves to think differently, lean into connections new and old, and bring fresh ideas to life. Leading up to this point, I’ve had countless conversations with LTEN members, I’ve huddled with leaders, committee members and sponsors, and last month I brought the LTEN staff together to think and discuss the year ahead.
Our planning for the future centers on three themes: innovation, connection and growth.
We’re exploring new ways to incorporate artificial intelligence into our resources, so we can provide smarter tools and solutions that truly support our members in their roles.
We’re also building out the foundation for LTEN’s upcoming certification programs — creating structured, meaningful opportunities to validate and elevate the expertise of life sciences learning professionals at every stage of their careers.
And, we’re seeking even more ways to connect you with peers and to expand your professional network.
At the heart of it all, we’re listening closely. We want to ensure every aspect of your LTEN experience delivers that same growth, inspiration and connection. Now, in the next year and beyond.
You may not be physically in the room, but your voice is not missing from these conversations. Next month I’m going to talk with you even more about that, but trust me when I say we’re planning not just for you, but with you.
For instance, I encourage you to think strategically about how you can engage with our Preferred Industry Partners. These partners bring invaluable expertise, tools and innovations to the table, and collaborating with them can open new doors for advancing your learning strategies and strengthening your organization. Shepherding success helps boost your professional profile too. And, of course, the needs of their clients shapes their solutions, giving you a direct role in industry advancement.
Your feedback also shapes how we design programs and events — including our flagship LTEN Annual Conference. I’m excited to share that planning is already underway for next year’s conference, happening June 15–18, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. I hope you’ll join us there when we once again come together – as a team, a community and a family – to make connections, share innovations and create growth for ourselves and others.
In the months ahead, we’ll continue to gather feedback and direction from you. We’ll turn to you to suggest workshop topics that meet your needs. We’ll let you help us honor the incredible contributions from life sciences training professionals. We’ll plan an agenda for and with you.
As we move forward together, I encourage you to think about how you’ll engage with LTEN in the year ahead. What new skills do you want to sharpen? Which connections will help you and your team grow? Where can you bring innovative ideas to your own organization?
At LTEN, we’re here to help you answer those questions — and to make sure you never have to do it alone.
Lauren Harbert is executive director of LTEN. Email Lauren at lharbert@L-TEN.org or connect with her through linkedin.com/in/lauren-harbert-25373b35.