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Jess Almie: From Squeegeeing Locker Rooms to Elevating Talent Development

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Manage episode 471520449 series 3614645
Content provided by Candice Mitchell. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Candice Mitchell or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

What happens when you go from squeegeeing a locker room floor for $3.85 an hour to leading Learning & Development strategy at a Fortune 500 company? Jess Almie knows firsthand. Her journey from babysitting her nine younger siblings to shaking up the L&D industry is nothing short of fascinating. In this episode, Jess gets real about the pivotal moments, career detours, and hard-won insights that took her from being an "order taker" to a true business partner. Whether you're feeling stuck in your career or looking to drive real impact in L&D, this conversation is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways:

  1. The Power of Paying Attention – How Jess developed her L&D mindset long before she knew the field existed.
  2. Stepping Back to Step Forward – Why taking a perceived “demotion” was actually her smartest career move.
  3. Breaking Free from the Order-Taker Trap – What holds L&D professionals back and how to shift into a strategic role.
  4. The Self-Sabotage of L&D – Why we unintentionally keep ourselves stuck—and how to stop.
  5. The Book Every L&D Professional Needs – A sneak peek into L&D Order Taker No More! launching September 2, 2025.

Guest Bio

Jess Almie is a former Vice President of Learning and a dynamic leader in the learning and development field. She is passionate about empowering L&D to increase our impact by evolving from order takers to strategic business partners. With three decades of experience and a proven track record of driving strategic initiatives, Jess helps organizations solve talent challenges and improve performance. Jess also hosts a podcast called, L&D Must Change. Her book, L&D Order Taker No More! Become a Strategic Business Partner will be available on September 2, 2025.

Connect with Jess:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessalmlie/

Website: https://www.jessalmlie.com/

Podcast: https://www.jessalmlie.com/podcast

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

  continue reading

60 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 471520449 series 3614645
Content provided by Candice Mitchell. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Candice Mitchell or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

What happens when you go from squeegeeing a locker room floor for $3.85 an hour to leading Learning & Development strategy at a Fortune 500 company? Jess Almie knows firsthand. Her journey from babysitting her nine younger siblings to shaking up the L&D industry is nothing short of fascinating. In this episode, Jess gets real about the pivotal moments, career detours, and hard-won insights that took her from being an "order taker" to a true business partner. Whether you're feeling stuck in your career or looking to drive real impact in L&D, this conversation is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways:

  1. The Power of Paying Attention – How Jess developed her L&D mindset long before she knew the field existed.
  2. Stepping Back to Step Forward – Why taking a perceived “demotion” was actually her smartest career move.
  3. Breaking Free from the Order-Taker Trap – What holds L&D professionals back and how to shift into a strategic role.
  4. The Self-Sabotage of L&D – Why we unintentionally keep ourselves stuck—and how to stop.
  5. The Book Every L&D Professional Needs – A sneak peek into L&D Order Taker No More! launching September 2, 2025.

Guest Bio

Jess Almie is a former Vice President of Learning and a dynamic leader in the learning and development field. She is passionate about empowering L&D to increase our impact by evolving from order takers to strategic business partners. With three decades of experience and a proven track record of driving strategic initiatives, Jess helps organizations solve talent challenges and improve performance. Jess also hosts a podcast called, L&D Must Change. Her book, L&D Order Taker No More! Become a Strategic Business Partner will be available on September 2, 2025.

Connect with Jess:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessalmlie/

Website: https://www.jessalmlie.com/

Podcast: https://www.jessalmlie.com/podcast

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

  continue reading

60 episodes

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