Podcast Summary “Preparing for the Next Wave of
Digital Natives in L&D with Dr. Haley Harbaugh
of Bloom Healthcare”
A Curious Mind and a Passion for People: Dr. Haley Harbaugh’s Journey in L&D
Dr. Haley Harbaugh, Director of Learning at Bloom Healthcare, is the quintessential learning and development (L&D) professional; curious, adaptive, and passionate about empowering others. With a background that spans retail, financial services, and now healthcare, she’s worn nearly every hat in the L&D world, from provider education and performance evaluation to leading the revamp of leadership development and learning technologies at Bloom. Despite being in a clinical setting, Haley is quick to clarify she’s not a clinician, but that hasn’t stopped her from playing a vital role in training healthcare providers through close partnerships with subject matter experts.
How She Found Her Way into L&D
Like many in the field, Haley’s career in learning started organically. She was the informal trainer wherever she worked, explaining complex systems like EMRs and writing help desk materials. But a pivotal moment came when a boss bluntly told her, “If you’re serious about L&D, you need to go back to school.” That advice hit hard, but it stuck. She returned to school, earning a master’s in Instructional Technology for Adult Learning, and eventually a Doctorate of Education from Johns Hopkins. Along the way, she discovered a true love for helping people connect the dots and never looked back.
How the Field Has Changed
Reflecting on recent years, Haley sees COVID-19 as a turning point. During the pandemic, many L&D professionals were forced to stretch beyond their roles; facilitators became LMS administrators, and in-person specialists pivoted to virtual environments. For some, this reshuffling was invigorating. For others, it was a wake-up call to re-evaluate their place in the field.
Now, she says, we’re seeing a new wave of transformation with the rise of Artificial Intelligence. Learning leaders must think more strategically about how AI integrates into live and virtual learning. Haley compares it to the early days of electronic medical records, something new and unfamiliar, but undeniably here to stay. She believes we’re still figuring out how to bring AI into the human side of learning without losing that essential connection.
What’s Ahead for L&D
Looking to the future, Haley emphasized the importance of generational shifts. By 2028, Generation Alpha, the second generation of digital natives, will enter the workforce, while many Baby Boomers will be exiting. That dynamic alone is reshaping expectations. Gen Alpha may not want long classroom sessions or four-hour eLearning modules. Instead, they’ll likely expect bite-sized learning, seamless tech integration, and on-demand training.
For L&D professionals, AI isn’t the future, it’s the new baseline. Haley foresees new roles emerging that blend instructional design with AI fluency. Today’s IDs and learning experience designers (LXDs) should be thinking now about how they’ll evolve their roles: Will they be writing scripts for avatars instead of studio-recorded voices? Will AI take over repetitive content generation, freeing designers for deeper, strategic work? These are the questions she’s already asking.
The Most Important Skill for the Future
If Haley had to pick just one skill for L&D pros to focus on, it would be resiliency and adaptability. Whether you’re diving into AI tools or responding to generational shifts in learning preferences, the ability to evolve and stay curious is critical. She encourages L&D folks to approach change not with fear, but with excitement, and to always stay hungry for new ways to make an impact.
A Mentor Who Sparked the Shift
When asked about her most influential mentor, Haley recalled a former boss who guided her (often without her realizing it) for over a decade. This person gave her opportunities to expand her skillset by encouraging cross-functional projects. That early encouragement to seek knowledge and say “yes” to new challenges shaped how she now leads and develops others. Today, Haley pays it forward by mentoring with the same spirit—nurturing curiosity and initiative in those she leads.
Go-To Resources and Recommended Reading
To stay sharp, Haley regularly turns to ATD, where she’s also spoken at the OrgDev conference, as well as Chief Learning Officer (CLO) for thought leadership on timely topics like DE&I. She’s also a big fan of Lightcast, which provides real-time data on workforce trends and emerging skills needs.
As for her top book recommendation? Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader by Herminia Ibarra. It was so impactful for her, she even used it in a course she taught on imposter syndrome. For Haley, the book wasn’t just insightful—it was the spark that led her to pursue her doctorate.
Dr. Haley Harbaugh’s L&D journey is a testament to the power of saying yes to growth, staying curious, and adapting to whatever comes next. Whether it’s reimagining leadership development or preparing for a new generation of learners, she’s always thinking a few steps ahead—and bringing others along with her.
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