Designing for the Virtual Classroom

Cindy is a pioneer in the field of virtual training. She’s been providing virtual training solutions for more than 19 years (since the early 2000s), and is a recognized industry expert in teaching training professionals how to design and deliver interactive online classes.

Cindy is the author of four books on virtual training: Virtual Training Tools and Templates: An Action Guide to Live Online Learning (2017), The Virtual Training Guidebook: How to Design, Deliver, and Implement Live Online Learning (2014), Virtual Training Basics (1st edition 2010 and 2nd edition 2018). She’s coauthored two ASTD Press Infolines, “Simple, Effective Online Learning” and “Designing for the Virtual Classroom”, has contributed to many compilations, including the ASTD Handbook: The Definitive Reference for Training & Development and 101 Ways to Make Learning Active Beyond the Classroom, and written several articles for T+D magazine.

Cindy partners with her clients to help them transition from the face-to-face to the virtual classroom, and works with them to design online and blended learning solutions. Her clients include global organizations of all sizes, including several in the Fortune 100 list.

With over thirty years of overall professional experience, Cindy has worked in various industries including technology, construction, higher education, retail and the public sector. Her management and global experience includes serving as the regional Director of Training and Operations for an international software training company, and the Learning and Development manager for a global mechanical contractor.

Cindy is a sought-after conference speaker, and has presented multiple times at the ATD (formerly ASTD) International Conference and Expo, TechKnowledge, Training, Learning Solutions, DevLearn, as well as the Online Learning Conference, Masie’s Learning, and the Annual SHRM Conference. Her online webcasts have been attended by thousands of people around the globe. And she’s one of only a handful of worldwide trainers who has been chosen to deliver ATD’s Master Trainer and Master Instructional Designer Programs.

Cindy holds a Master’s degree in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Bachelor’s degree from James Madison University. Cindy was also one of the first to earn the prestigious Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD), formerly CPLP, designation.

As Chair of ASTD’s National Advisors for Chapters, Cindy served on the global ATD (formerly ASTD) Board of Directors in 2009-2010. She was recognized by the Triangle Business Journal as a “40-Under-40” Award recipient in 2003. She also co-founded a non-profit organization to promote volunteering and community service in her local area. She’s passionate about helping others succeed and brings that dedication and commitment to every project she undertakes.

Wendy Gates Corbett, CPLP, is the president of Refresher Training, a company that redesigns presentations and materials for independent consultants and small businesses. She speaks locally, regionally, and nationally about the power of visuals and presenting powerfully with presence. She is author of the TD at Work “5 Questions for Great Presentation Visuals,” co-author of two Infolines on designing and delivering live virtual training, and a contributing author of three books: 101 Ways to Make Learning More Active Beyond the Classroom, 101 More Ways to Make Training Active, and SCORE! For Webinar Training: Super Closers, Openers, Revisiters, Energizers.

Wendy served on the of the ATD-Research Triangle Area Chapter’s board of directors for nine years and is a past member of ATD’s global board of directors. She was a Speaker Coach and the Slide Designer for TEDxRaleigh 2016. She is a charter member of the Presentation Guild and Black Women in Business and currently serves as a board advisor for both Black Women in Business and the Business Alliance in Raleigh. She was named a 2016 Emerging Leader by Emerging Women NC for her ability to lead with compassion and integrity.

Wendy Gates Corbett, CPTD, works with leaders at all organizational levels to create cultures where employees are fully seen, heard, and valued. She champions that through her research and professional global speaking, via her consulting work, and as an adjunct professor of leadership at Duke University. She is also a contributing author of ATD’s Handbook for Training and Talent Development and served as a subject matter expert for the Inclusion section of the Talent Development Body of Knowledge. Her book, The Energy of Belonging: 75 Ideas to Spark Workplace Community, published in early 2024.