Trainer Bios

Jon S. Wedding, Ed.D.

Program Director

Jon S. Wedding, Ed.D., is a strategic learning and development leader with over a decade of experience driving innovation, culture transformation, and enterprise strategy across corporate, academic, and public sectors. Known for blending design thinking, UX research, and human-centered methodologies, Jon has consistently led cross-functional teams through large-scale change initiatives that enhance both employee engagement and customer experience.

In previous roles, Jon has spearheaded enterprise-wide leadership programs and culture strategy rollouts, implementing agile learning frameworks and facilitating innovation labs that served thousands of employees and community leaders. With a background spanning public utilities, higher education, and private consulting, Jon has a proven track record of guiding cross-functional teams through human-centered design processes, cultivating cultures of innovation, and executing initiatives that enhance both user and employee experiences. His work integrates data-driven insights with inclusive practices to design scalable programs that meet evolving industry needs.

A dedicated educator and thought leader, Jon has served as a Visiting Assistant Professor for nearly a decade, spanning under-grad to doctoral level programs. He has taught courses in organizational leadership, design thinking, strategic innovation, and organizational change. His curriculum blends theory with applied learning, empowering students to address real-world challenges through human-centered inquiry and systems thinking.

Known for turning complex challenges into opportunities for growth, Jon is passionate about aligning organizational strategy with adaptive, human-focused practices that foster innovative culture, drive measurable outcomes and long-term success.

Rob Anderson

Trainer

Rob has over 25 years of training and development experience in both the public and private sector. In 2000, he began working with Bruce Winner and The Training Source instructing the Call Center Training Program and later facilitating courses with the Government Training Academy including Completed Staff Work, Critical Thinking Tools and Essential Analytical Skills. In 2001, Rob was co-founder and Managing Director of the Community College Call Center Consortium, a 501(c)(3) organization committed to developing relationships between industry and community college call center contract educators nationwide. The organization was created in conjunction with Bruce Winner and The Training Source.

Rob earned a BA in Communications from California State University, Chico where he received a Certificate of Recognition as the Outstanding Graduate in Communications. Rob’s book and DVD, Long Term Care Customer Service, which provides interpersonal skills training to Certified Nursing Assistants, has been sold continuously in the US and Europe since 2014.

Most recently he was employed by a national financial services firm as a Public Outreach Officer to conduct workshops on topics including Social Security strategies, retirement income and taxation. Rounding out these experiences is several years of performing stand-up comedy including a summer residency at the Comedy Store LA and co-founding Comedy Communications in Silicon Valley which employed a humorous approach to corporate training. Clients included British Telecom and Hewlett-Packard.

Kimberly Geil, Ph.D.

Trainer

Kimberly Geil, Ph.D., is based in Sacramento, CA, where she provides training, facilitation, curriculum development, executive coaching, and editing services for various state agencies. With over 25 years of teaching and facilitation experience and more than 15 years of coaching across multiple organizational levels, her diverse background includes teaching English in Japan, instructing undergraduate education classes, and inspiring adult learners at state agencies on a variety of subjects. She creates engaging and interactive virtual learning environments. Current and past clients include Health & Human Services, the Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, the Department of Human Resources, Water Boards, and the Department of Transportation.

Kimberly is the founder of Coaching Heights, a coaching business specializing in helping people improve their jobs through the science of job crafting. She is an International Coaching Federation certified coach at the Professional level. Summers find her in Grand Teton National Park, WY, where she facilitates soft skills and leadership training for the 70+ guides at Exum Mountain Guides. She is passionate about building community, helping people optimize all facets of their work, relationships, and daily lives, and designing courses that engage all learners while providing them with practical, applicable skills.

She holds a BA in Sociology from Stanford University and earned her doctorate in Educational Psychology and Research on Teaching from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2011. She is a former board member of the Sacramento Chapter of the Association for Talent Development (ATD).

Allison Horak

Trainer

Allison Horak is a trainer, speaker, and coach who helps government teams build stronger leadership and communication skills. She holds a Communication degree from the University of California, San Diego, and a law degree from Lewis & Clark in Portland, Oregon. Drawing on her education and professional background, she’s known for turning complex ideas into plain language that’s easy to understand and apply.

Allison creates engaging in-person and virtual training that helps people work more effectively—whether it’s improving teamwork, writing better emails and reports, or leading with more confidence. She has worked with more than 40 California state agencies and over 30 counties, cities, and special districts, along with private sector clients.

She’s also an experienced instructional designer and eLearning writer, with a knack for making professional development practical, relevant, and even a little fun. Allison previously served as president of the Sacramento chapter of the Association for Talent Development, where she supported fellow learning professionals and helped strengthen the local talent community.

Licensed to practice law in California and Oregon, she brings a thoughtful, well-rounded approach to every project she leads.

Antoinette Joy

Trainer

Antoinette Joy brings over 25 years of hands-on experience helping leaders and teams grow through effective leadership development. With a background in human resources, she understands the realities of organizational life and has guided countless professionals toward more confident, capable leadership.

Known for her practical, high-impact training style, Antoinette designs and delivers engaging courses—both in person and virtually—that blend insight with action. Her programs cover a wide range of leadership essentials: communication, team effectiveness, coaching, and talent development. Participants consistently walk away with tools they can use immediately on the job.

Antoinette’s strength lies in her ability to connect with people, demystify complex topics, and create learning environments where ideas stick. Clients frequently praise her energy, relatability, and ability to inspire meaningful change.

She holds a BA in Business Administration and Human Resources from California State University, Sacramento, and is certified as a PHR, SHRM-CP, and DiSC facilitator.

Nick LeForce

Trainer

Nick is president of Inner Works, established in 1992, a coaching and training company located in Northern California that provides training and executive coaching services to businesses as well as personal coaching services to individuals. He holds undergraduate degrees in psychology and social welfare and a master’s degree in rehabilitation administration. Nick is certified as a trainer of neuro-linguistic programming and is an active member of the International Association for Generative Change (IAGC).

Nick has designed and delivered coaching certification programs internationally, and he has been a key member of the core staff of trainers for the ICF Certified Coach Training programs offered through the NLP Institute of California and the Academy of Leadership Coaching and NLP from 2002 through 2016. In 2010, Nick designed and delivered the coach training program for the core trainers in the Government Training Academy of the Los Rios Community College District. He has authored 12 books, including co-authoring Powerful Questions and Techniques for Coaches and Therapists with Tim and Kris Hallbom.

Jannene Litchfield

Trainer

Jannene is the president of Best Coach for You, providing leadership and career coaching for professionals. As a certified coach, she uses reflection, exploration and accountable goal setting to help clients embrace their potential. She helps professionals identify their strengths and opportunities for development, and create better integration with career and personal life, resulting in greater personal and professional happiness.

Jannene is an International Coaching Federation–certified coach and utilizes a variety of assessments, such as Leadership Practices Inventory, Elevations, StrengthsFinder, DiSC, Myers-Briggs and Thomas-Kilmann instruments. These assessments help leaders and professionals receive feedback to gain clarity in their professional development plan.

In her roles as the vice president of human resources for Schools Federal Credit Union and director of human resources for Verizon Wireless, Jannene led the talent management and human performance side of the businesses. She continues to coach and teach leadership classes for Los Rios Community College District and California State University, Sacramento, and is also a fellow coach at Better Up.

She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Tech University and an MBA from National University. Additionally, she has earned her Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and Associate Certificated Coach (ACC) certifications.

Thomas Moore

Trainer

Tom Moore has over 25 years of experience in public and private organizations including government, higher education, and business. He has firsthand experience as both a manager and an individual contributor, and he knows how to make organizations successful through employee learning and development. Over an 18-year career as an organizational development/program specialist at the City of Sacramento, Tom coordinated the training function, and taught leadership classes and topics to enhance employee engagement. He was a key player in several strategic organizational change and engagement initiatives, including creating a wellness program for the city. As an independent consultant since 2010, Tom has taught undergraduate college students in the areas of communication, business, and strategic management, and he teaches a variety of analytical skills classes to public sector employees throughout California. He is also known for creating fun and engaging virtual training. He served on the board of the Association for Talent Development (ATD) Sacramento chapter, and held positions including program chair, president, and chapter advisor. Tom is a certified Gallup StrengthsFinder coach, and a certified Achieve Global leadership instructor. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from UC Davis, a Certificate in Marketing and Public Relations from UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education, and a master’s degree in Organizational Development from the University of San Francisco.

Gina Roberson

Trainer

Gina has 25+ years of experience in executive leadership, non-profit management, cross-sector collaboration, capacity building, improving systems, strategic planning, and team building. Through her consulting practice, Impact Growth Solutions LLC, Gina empowers organizations through expert guidance, best practices, and innovative solutions to navigate challenges and optimize resources for lasting impact. She provides strategic consultation and results-oriented services such as strategic planning, grant writing, program development, project management, and systems improvement for organizations ranging in size and scope from small grass-roots organizations to small businesses, large non-profits, and local governments.

Gina has applied for and managed hundreds of local, state, federal, and foundation grants resulting in millions of dollars of revenue for organizations from diverse fields including children and family services, faith-based communities, violence prevention, program evaluation and demonstration programs, health education, workforce development, apprenticeships, creating sustainable economies, and the arts.

Her experience includes working for the CA Governor’s Office of Criminal Justice Planning where she developed, administered, and monitored innovative grant programs throughout the state.

In August 2023, Gina began teaching with Los Rios Community College District’s Government Training Academy and developed a comprehensive series entitled Grant Funding: How to Write and Manage Grants. She also teaches many of the classes in the Analyst Series such as Critical Thinking Tools and Essential Analytical Skills. Her approach is to provide useful information with practical examples in an approachable, inclusive, and interactive environment.

Having worked in human services in different roles at governmental, educational and non-profit agencies, Gina brings a broad perspective to all she does. She understands the strengths of communities; the necessity of collaboration; the value of training and supporting staff; the role of data, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement; and the benefit and importance of building strong sustainable non-profits.

Gina holds a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Law & Society from UC Santa Barbara.

Michelle Schmitt

Trainer

As a leadership consultant and coach, Michelle has spent her nearly 30-year career dedicated to public service with the state of California. She is passionate about bringing the best practices of servant leadership, healthy workplace cultures and personal development to state service. Her ultimate goal has always been to improve the lives of the neediest citizens in the community as well as the lives of those serving them. As the chief of organizational capacity and workforce management, she was pivotal in getting state government to recognize the imperative to create healthy, sustainable organizations: places people come, stay, serve with excellence and thrive both personally and professionally.

Michelle is certified as both an integral and somatic coach working with individuals to unleash their gifts and potential: serving her clients in seeing and growing themselves as well as their organizations, thereby creating wholeness and sustainable leadership excellence. She is a collaborator, facilitator of dynamic dialogues and trainer. She co-creates communities of excellence by partnering with leadership and all members of the organization to innovate workplaces that invite people to bring their gifts to serve a greater purpose as well as the bottom line.

Dennis Wade

Trainer

Dennis is the owner of People Development Systems and has been involved in educating employees of private and public sector organizations for over 30 years. His experience in management at Intel Corporation and education at Chapman University prepared him as an independent consultant, trainer, and coach. In 2001, he joined the Government Training Academy, focusing mostly on management/leadership and customer service.

Along with his son, Tyler, Dennis wrote The New Supervisor’s Coach: A Guide to the Top Three Priorities in Your New Position, which has been well-received in public and private sectors and has been used as a textbook at two colleges. He is a certified ICF coach and has a master’s degree in Organization Development from the University of San Francisco.

Tyler Wade

Trainer

Tyler has over 25 years’ experience working in and around government, especially state government. He helps organizations lead change and boost effectiveness through training, facilitation and coaching.

A DiSC- and 5 Behaviors-certified expert in communication, team building, and leadership development, he also holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Pepperdine University.

Tyler previously served as president of the Sacramento chapter of the Association for Talent Development and co-authored The New Supervisor’s Coach. His past roles include program management for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as work in public policy at the California State Capitol.

Bruce Winner

Trainer

Bruce is the founder and past director of the Los Rios Community College District Government Training Academy and the GTA’s Coaching Group. Bruce has led many large-scale organizational training and coaching programs for California state agencies. For 22 years he led the GTA’s results-oriented group of trainers, coaches and consultants. He believes that coaching at all levels is one of the most powerful tools available for empowering individuals and driving organizational performance.

Bruce received an MBA from the University of California, Davis, has completed several coaching programs, and has successfully used a Return on Investment certification in training and consulting with the ROI Institute in multiple projects with CA state agencies. He also has studied extensively in the field of behavioral or cognitive psychology and used this knowledge to develop pragmatic courses for employee and organizational improvement.

Bruce began his training career in West Africa and spent six years there as an agricultural extension agent and project manager for the Peace Corps and USAID. While there, he promoted oxen as an intermediate technology development solution. Bruce was the founder and president of the American Brewers Guild, the nation’s first brewing school for the brewpub and microbrewing industry, and worked for several years for University Extension, UC Davis, managing training initiatives in business, food science and agriculture.