Michelle Gao named to Thirty Under 30 of Learning list

Danaher Global Leadership Development Manager Michelle Gao has been named to Learning 2020's annual Thirty Under 30 of Learning list. “This year’s cohort includes a group of aspiring learning leaders who demonstrate deep enthusiasm for learning, and the drive to be leaders,” states the program website.

Michelle’s career in Leadership Development began around 3.5 years ago, after spending three years in Compensation, Talent Management, and as an HR Business Partner. However, her love for learning developed as an undergraduate at the University of Illinois. She became involved with the university’s Leadership Center and later as a graduate student, she began instructing undergraduates in those foundational leadership development skills that initially captivated her. Now, she helps design and manage the global rollout and logistics of leadership training programs at Danaher.

As a member of the cohort, Michelle is anxious to share what she’s learned for the betterment of the industry. “I want to focus on the ability to find a better balance in the learning industry,” she shares. “The shift in recent years towards virtual learning (that has only grown exponentially with the arrival of COVID-19) towards digital and e-learning is fantastic – and yet, better accessibility to training doesn’t always mean higher quality. How can we bring out the best of digital and face-to-face, cohort style learning?”

Another way Michelle wants to improve the learning industry? “I find that many (not all!) organizations skew very heavily towards people leader trainings, and many do not focus the same amount of resources on individual contributors as leaders. There is a great deal of realistic logic when it comes to training from the top down; and yet, it means that the same people get developed repeatedly. Additional focus on the bottom-up approach would take the pressure off everyone.”

Congratulations to Michelle on her innovative ideas and this incredible recognition. Learn more about Michelle and Learning’s Thirty Under 30 program: https://bit.ly/2IT7fdn