Mike Van Lente, Executive Leader of Global Learning & Development, Whole Foods Market

Laura Sterling, Sr. Team Leader of Global Learning Programs, Whole Foods Market

Erica Keller, Senior Learning Technology Analyst, Whole Foods Market

Joey Wells, Global Specialty Senior Principal Product Development & Innovation Expert, Whole Foods Market

How Fast Can You Onboard as a New Whole Foods Team Member?

We will start our visit to Whole Foods in their flagship store, where you experience a store explore event designed to engage participants in an exercise similar to what Whole Food’s new team members receive to familiarize themselves with Whole Food’s business, differentiators, and core values.

Measuring Learning Impact in a Tech-Challenged Retail Environment

Then, learn more about Whole Food’s blended New Member Connections program and discover how the Whole Foods L&D team developed solutions to overcome implementing and tracking learning insights data within a tech-challenged retail environment that serves 100,000+ team members.

Certifying Expert Knowledge for the Cheese Counter

We will round out the evening with an immersive specialty cheese training, showcasing Whole Food’s innovative Certified Cheese Professionals program that incorporates the basics of cheesemaking and tasting. Then, we get to sample a variety of specialty products, including some of Whole Food’s exclusive products developed by graduates of that program.

We’ll end the evening with dinner.

NOTE: All Innovations in Training Austin sessions are open only to those who are registered for the full IIT Austin event (registration fee required).