From Michael Veilleux, Chief People Officer:
Please join me in welcoming Wendi Walker-Schmidt, Ed.D. to National Life as our new head of organizational development, effective Monday, October 17. Wendi is a result driven executive with over 20 years of multi-industry experience who creates strategic alliances with organizational stakeholders to align and support key business initiatives.
For over twenty years Wendi has been responsible for all stages of the learning and development cycle including design, delivery, and evaluation. As a key leader, she has developed strategic learning and development programs, while managing day-to-day training activities.
Most recently, Wendi joins us from Charles Schwab where she served as Senior Manager/Leader-Talent, Learning, and Organizational Development/Effectiveness. She led the Learning and OD team for Schwab Technology Services and managed the NERD (New Employee Recruitment and Development) program. In previous roles she has led successful learning and organizational development programs that include leadership development, engagement performance interventions, psychometric evaluations, professional enrichment, and executive and management coaching.
Wendi has two bachelor’s degrees from Houston Baptist University, a Master’s degree from Texas Christian University, and a Doctorate in Learning and Organizational Change from Baylor University. She holds certificates in instructional system design, mediation and is a certified facilitator.
When not at work, Wendi enjoys spending time with her family, hanging out on a beach, and watching her son be an amazing football kicker and play in the band. Wendi will be based out of the Addison office, in the space near MJ and Catherine on the 11th floor—so if you’re in Texas or plan to be soon, please stop by and say hello – she will be in the office on our core campus days of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
