Curious what makes the I.C.E. Exchange a must-attend event for credentialing professionals? Get a sneak peek from some of our 2025 speakers and discover the sessions shaping the future of credentialing.
Click on the speaker name to learn more about their background.
Session: From Micro to Meaningful: Designing Effective and Engaging Credential-to-Employment Pathways
Evan Burton, VP of Growth, BenchPrep
Speaker bio: Evan Burton is a seasoned education technology professional with over 15 years of experience in revenue growth, team leadership, and product management for learning organizations. He has held roles at Bloomberg and Wiley before joining BenchPrep in 2022. Currently, Evan is the Head of Growth at BenchPrep focusing on new partnerships and strategic customer growth.
Additional Presenter: Sarah Auerbach, Managing Director, Program Operations and Client Solutions, Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst
Description: Microcredentials are no longer just buzzwords — they’re becoming a strategic imperative for credentialing bodies aiming to meet evolving learner needs and employer expectations. When designed with intention, microcredentials can serve as flexible, skill-specific building blocks that attract new audiences, drive engagement, and create clearer links between learning and employment.
But launching a successful microcredentialing program requires more than modular content. It demands alignment with workforce skills, robust assessments, and a scalable framework that supports both learners and organizational growth.
In this session, we’ll explore how to transform microcredentials from isolated certificates into stackable, skill-aligned pathways that help professionals advance their careers — and help organizations demonstrate real-world impact. Through the lens of credentialing leaders like the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association, you’ll learn how to incorporate competency frameworks, labor market data, and innovative program design to ensure your microcredentials are meaningful, measurable, and market-relevant.
This session is ideal for organizations launching or refining microcredential strategies and looking for a clear framework to guide the process. Whether you’re just starting or scaling, you’ll walk away with a roadmap to create high-impact, employment-aligned microcredentials that deliver real value to learners and stakeholders alike.
“Attendees will learn how aligning learning objectives, advisory input, and workforce relevance can transform microcredentials from surface-level certificates into rigorous, career-advancing programs. They will also explore how to launch inclusive, discovery-focused initiatives that maintain quality while using targeted go-to-market strategies to reach new audiences and deepen member value.”
Session: Inspiring the Next Generation: Awareness, Access, and Action
Angela Macauley, PMP, SVP of Marketing, Communication, & Governance, NBCOT
Speaker bio: Angela Macauley, PMP, is a strategic marketing leader with a passion for building meaningful brands, connecting with diverse audiences, and driving impact across healthcare and professional certification. As the Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Governance at NBCOT, she leads integrated campaigns that promote the value of certification, support the occupational therapy workforce, and elevate public understanding of the profession.
Angela brings over 15 years of experience developing award-winning marketing strategies, brand initiatives, and public engagement campaigns that align with mission-driven organizations. She led the development and launch of the Why Choose OT campaign — NBCOT’s national initiative to raise awareness, promote diversity, and inspire the next generation of practitioners.
Certified in project management and skilled in leading cross-functional teams, Angela is dedicated to creating thoughtful, inclusive communications that resonate across channels and communities. She is an advocate for using marketing as a tool to inform, empower, and build trust.
Additional Presenter: Gina LaBorde, Assistant Director, Marketing, NBCOT
Description: Declining college enrollment and a limited pipeline of new practitioners earning credentials to enter the field of occupational therapy have raised concerns about access to essential, high-quality therapy services for clients. Recognizing the need to strengthen the future of the occupational therapy workforce, NBCOT launched a national marketing campaign to raise public awareness, expand access, and connect people to the value and impact of occupational therapy.
In this session, we will share how a certification body developed and executed a bold, multiphase campaign by identifying the problem, designing creative assets, and deploying an omnichannel strategy that included digital advertising, influencer outreach, a website, and social media.
We will also share early insights from the campaign’s rollout—including audience engagement, feedback, and initial outcomes—as we continue to track the long-term impact. Attendees will leave with strategies for designing purpose-driven campaigns, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and expanding public outreach while remaining grounded in the mission of the certification organization.
"Attendees will learn that purpose-driven campaigns work best when aligned with an organization’s mission and focus on solving workforce challenges. Join us to gain actionable strategies for using digital ads, influencer partnerships, social media, and creative assets to educate the public and inspire career interest.”
Session: Going Global: Strategic Pathways to International Certification Succes
Kelly Quinn, Vice President, Business Development & Strategic Partnerships, Holmes Corporation
Speaker bio: Kelly Quinn is a leader in global certification expansion, specializing in customized training programs that empower professionals and elevate industry standards. As Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships at Holmes Corporation, Kelly works closely with associations worldwide to design and implement tailored learning solutions that enhance certification programs, drive member engagement, and support organizational growth.
With a deep understanding of market dynamics and a passion for education, Kelly has played a pivotal role in forging strategic partnerships that expand the reach and impact of professional development initiatives. Her expertise in aligning certification programs with industry needs ensures that associations stay at the forefront of evolving trends while delivering exceptional value to their members.
Additional Presenters: Erica Brown, Director, Certification, ASIS International
Kim Cohen, Vice President, Credentialing, ISACA
Pete Etchells, M.Sc., PMP, Director of Strategic Initiatives, International Coaching Federation
Description: Expanding certifications globally presents unique challenges and tremendous growth opportunities. Join our expert panel featuring leaders from the International Coaching Federation (ICF), ASIS International, ISACA, and Holmes Corporation as they share proven strategies for successful international certification expansion. This session will explore methodical approaches to assessing risk, identifying high-potential markets, adapting content for global relevance, and leveraging local training partnerships to drive adoption. Drawing from decades of collective experience, our panelists will provide practical insights on building sustainable global certification programs and generating critical awareness and demand. Whether you're just beginning to explore international markets or looking to improve the performance of existing programs, you'll leave with actionable strategies to expand your certification's global footprint.
“First, data-driven market selection is essential. Too many associations expand internationally based on gut feelings or staff and board connections. This session will provide a practical framework for identifying markets with the highest ROI using metrics such as market size, regulatory environment, competitive landscape, and local partnership opportunities. Second, localization goes far beyond translation. Success requires understanding cultural nuances in professional development, adapting to local industry needs, and building authentic relationships with regional training partners. We’ll share strategies from organizations like ICF, ASIS International, and others that have mastered the balance between global consistency and local relevance.”
Session: From Pilot to Practice: Implementing AI for Test Form Assembly
Rory McCorkle, PhD, MBA, CAE, ICE-CCP, PMP, SPHR,VP, Business Development, Strasz Assessment Systems
Speaker bio: Rory McCorkle has over 22 years of experience driving the growth of assessment programs in certification, licensure, education, and talent development. As Vice President of Business Development at Strasz Assessment Solutions, he helps organizations with item banking, scoring, software, and test delivery. Previously, he held leadership roles at PSI Services, International Credentialing Associates (ICA), IEEE, PMI, and Prometric.
Rory is deeply involved in the nonprofit testing community, serving as Past Chair of the Association of Test Publishers (ATP) and a member of the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) PCAC committee. He also serves on the board of the Competency and Credentialing Institute (CCI) as their public member.
He holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, an MBA from Drexel University, and a B.A. in Psychology from Millersville University. Rory also maintains certifications including CAE, ICE-CCP, SPHR, and PMP.
Additional Presenters: Anna C. Rubin, ICE-CCP, Sr. Manager of Professional Certification Programs, Cisco
Susan Davis-Becker, PhD, Founding Partner, ACS Ventures
Description: In 2024 and early 2025, a collaboration between multiple vendors and a credentialing organization led to the development and validation of an automated test form assembly tool. This tool was designed to accommodate a wide range of blueprint, psychometric, and content parameters, including AI-based semantic similarity for automated identification of enemy items.
To evaluate its effectiveness, we conducted a pilot study in which test forms assembled by psychometricians were deployed alongside forms generated by the automated tool. A third-party psychometrician analyzed the performance of all forms and compared the results. The findings showed that the automatically assembled forms performed at the same level as those created by psychometricians.
Following this validation, the credentialing organization and other stakeholders adopted the tool for full-scale implementation. Additionally, a second pilot is planned for Q2 2025 to validate the tool further with comparative data.
This session will explore the critical role of partnerships between technology vendors, psychometric vendors, and credentialing organizations in piloting and validating AI-driven assessment tools. We will discuss best practices for conducting pilot studies to ensure the reliability and validity of AI applications in test development. Finally, we will examine key challenges in this initiative and others typical of these types of AI initiatives.
"Attendees will walk away with a framework for creating and validating AI-enabled innovations: building partnerships between credentialing bodies and vendors, running pilots to gather third-party validation data, and collecting quantitative evidence to ensure defensibility and accreditation.”
Session: Life is a Highway: Give 'em an Onramp
Tony Ellis, MSEd, CAE, ICE-CCP, Executive Director, Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC)
Speaker bio: Tony Ellis joined the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation in 2019 as Executive Director responsible for all aspects of the organization's operations and member of the executive leadership team of the Oncology Nursing Society. He also serves as the Executive Director of the Board of Oncology Social Work Certification (BOSWC) for which ONCC provides management services. Previously, Tony served in various roles for the National Association of College Stores, ultimately serving as Vice President of Association Services with responsibility for professional development, meetings and exhibitions, certification, membership, volunteer management, special interest groups, and advertising/sponsorship sales. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for both the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) and the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (I.C.E.). Tony has more than 30 years of experience in learning and development, leadership education, and association management. Tony earned his CAE in 2001, earned the I.C.E.’s Certified Credentialing Professional (ICE-CCP) certification in 2022, and holds a master’s degree in education from Indiana University-Bloomington and a bachelor’s from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Additional Presenter: Janie Schumaker, ICE-CCP, CEO, BCEN
Description: Credentialing programs are increasingly competing for time, resources, and connection with potential applicants. How do we get their attention? How do we make a connection? Come learn how two nursing credentialing boards have created student or early career "onramp" programs. Building a pipeline program to your credentials establishes a connection with potential candidates and provides guidance for early career development. Adaptable and at different stages of implementation--there's a lot to gain from how these two organizations are helping professionals get on the road to success.
"The professions we credential are becoming more complex and the pace of change is increasing. "Onramp" programs that help
connect credentialing organizations to candidates earlier in their career and guide their early professional development to ease
preparation for certification is a way for us to create connections, add value, support future candidates, and create a pipeline into our
credentialing programs."