Organisations today face constant change, and leadership development needs to keep pace. In this People Management webinar, produced in partnership with Abilitie, learning leaders from AT&S, Wellington and CGT Catapult will share how they are using simulations to build practical leadership skills in very different contexts – from supporting managers through organisational restructuring, to opening learning to all employees, to preparing leaders for a fast-moving business landscape.
Hear from Raelene Kaminski, talent development director at Wellington; Catrin Gaston-Penny, HR director at Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult; Sonja Polt, head of talent management at AT&S; and Alex Whiteleather, MD for Europe at Abilitie as they explore real-world examples of simulation-based leadership development, practical lessons learned, and the results achieved across global teams and complex organisations.
You’ll gain insights into:
• How simulation-based learning drives real-world decision-making and leadership practice
• Approaches to democratising leadership development and engaging all employees
• Combining simulations with psychometrics and AI to strengthen culture and skills
• Preparing leaders to navigate organisational change and dynamic business landscapes
• Practical tips for implementing simulation-led programmes in your organisation
Speakers
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Raelene Kaminski is Director of Talent Development at Wellington Management, with over 20 years’ experience shaping how organisations approach talent, leadership, and organisational performance. A Chartered Psychologist and member of the Global HR Leadership Team, she leads the firm’s global talent agenda across EMEA, North America, and APAC, including leadership and manager capability, global talent reviews, employee listening, and the governance of performance management. She works closely with leaders across the organisation to design talent and development approaches that are practical, evidence‑based, and grounded in the realities of organisational change, with a focus on building capability that delivers lasting impact.
Catrin Gaston-Penny is a multi-award winning HR Director who has worked within HR across a number of industries including media, professional services and BioTech. Since relaunching CGT Catapult’s People Strategy in 2021, Catrin has delivered significant results: reducing staff turnover by 8%, increasing promotion rates by over 12%, and generating substantial cost savings, with direct recruitment innovations saving £1.5 million over two years and an additional £90,000 annually from reduced turnover. Under Catrin’s leadership, she has streamlined and improved the HR function itself, and has established three award winning career development programmes for employees. Through implementing psychometric tools, Catrin has also strengthened organisational culture and communication and is spearheading a new AI-based approach to training which has significantly improved engagement. Her work has directly supported CGT Catapult’s contribution to Britain's increasingly prominent position in the world of advanced medical research.
Head of Talent Management, AT&S
s.polt@ats.net
Sonja Polt serves as the Head of Talent Management at AT&S, where she oversees global leadership development, succession planning, and strategic talent initiatives. With more than two decades of international HR experience, she brings deep expertise in building leadership capability and shaping talent ecosystems that support long‑term organizational growth.
A certified coach, Sonja is recognized for her ability to integrate learning, development, and culture into cohesive frameworks that strengthen both performance and engagement. Sonja’s work focuses on preparing organizations and their leaders for the future by fostering high‑performing cultures, enabling continuous development, and ensuring that talent strategy drives meaningful business impact.
Alex Whiteleather is the Managing Director for Europe at Abilitie, where he leads the regional strategy, client partnerships, and delivery of award-winning leadership development experiences. With over a decade of experience in the L&D space, Alex has partnered with more than 50 global organisations to design and implement experiential learning programmes that drive meaningful change.
Originally from the US and now based in London, Alex brings a transatlantic perspective to leadership development — blending deep expertise in business development, facilitation, and client experience with a sharp focus on measurable impact.