The changing CLO role under the spotlight at Learning Technologies
Learning Technologies 2026 session explores how chief learning officers are leading learning functions when disruption is constant rather than occasional.
The Chief Learning Officer role is being reshaped by constant disruption, forcing learning leaders to rethink how they balance rigour, adaptability, and influence. This session explores how CLOs are shifting from command-and-control delivery models toward organisational enablement, coaching, and systems thinking, while still maintaining credibility through measurement and discipline. It offers a pragmatic view of what effective learning leadership looks like when change is continuous rather than episodic.
Rethinking the CLO Role: Leadership in an Era of Constant Change - Tracie Cantu
The role of the Chief Learning Officer is undergoing a fundamental shift. Accelerating technological change, evolving business expectations, and persistent resource constraints are forcing learning leaders to rethink not just what they deliver, but how they lead.
In this session, Tracie Cantu explores how CLOs are repositioning learning from a traditional support function to a true enablement capability for the organization. Drawing on real-world experience, she examines the growing tension between maintaining business discipline through measurement, planning, and skills architecture, and the need to remain adaptive as disruption becomes constant rather than episodic.
Learning Technologies Conference Chair, Donald H Taylor, said: “Through this lens, the session unpacks how learning leaders are moving away from command-and-control models toward coaching, influencing, and catalyzing change, while still preserving accountability and credibility with senior stakeholders. The discussion offers a grounded look at what it takes to lead learning in environments defined by ambiguity, complexity, and rapid change.”
Key Topics Include:
- How expectations of the CLO role are shifting from delivery and support toward organizational enablement
- The growing tension between operational rigor and the need for agility in learning strategy
- How portfolio-style thinking can help balance ROI, skills architecture, and strategic planning with the ability to pivot
- Why traditional command-and-control leadership models are breaking down in today’s learning environments
- The leadership capabilities CLOs need to navigate constant disruption, limited resources, and expanding influence
Rethinking the CLO Role: Leadership in an Era of Constant Change takes place on day one, 29 April at 11:15.
The full programme is available on the event website: Learning Technologies 2026 Conference. Conference passes are on sale, with a £100 saving for bookings before 13 March: Learning Technologies 2026 Conference Conference Passes.
Save £100 when you book before 13 March
Your Conference Pass includes all conference tracks and theatres, networking lunch and drinks and full access to both days of the exhibition. There are two ticket types, including our premium option for those looking to get the most out of your experience at Learning Technologies.
Speakers include: David Kelly, Dani Johnson, Lori Niles-Hofmann, Laura Overton, Michelle Ockers, Egle Vinauskaite, Nigel Paine, Kelsey Kates, Serena Gonsalves-Fersch and Simon Gibson; just a few of the 70+ speakers on the programme.
More information
Learning professionals can keep informed of the conference’s developments and announcements by registering for the Learning Technologies Newsletter.
Learning Technologies 2026
29-30 April 2026, London Excel
#LT26UK
learningtechnologies.co.uk
Tracie Cantu
Chief Learning Strategist, Your Chief Learning Officer
Tracie Cantu is Chief Learning Strategist at Your CLO and a recognized authority in learning operations and technology. With two decades of experience leading L&D transformation at organizations such as Meta, Atlassian, and Whole Foods Market, she helps companies modernize their learning functions, scale their impact, and align with business priorities. Tracie brings a sharp focus on strategy, systems, and execution. She helps L&D teams scale their impact, deliver business value, and operate like a strategic business function.