September 15, 2009 - Re-building Trust: What’s possible now?

About the Speakers

Wendy Fraser

Wendy Fraser brings creative energy that is grounded in practical tools and models for her clients. She excels at understanding team dynamics and organization development and can deliver programs with results. Wendy designs efforts that look systemically at operational efficiency and integrate the developmental needs of leaders and people working inside that organization.

As a continuous learner, Wendy is currently a doctoral student at Fielding Graduate University in Human and Organizational Systems. She earned a certificate in Evidence Based Coaching from Fielding in 2006.

Wendy will earn her PhD in Organizational Development from Fielding Institute in 2010 and holds a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership and a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Management from Chapman University.

Ross Smith

Ross Smith has been in the software industry for over 20 years, developing and testing software on everything from mainframe systems to handheld devices and PC's. He began his Microsoft career in Product Support in 1991 and has been a Test Lead, Test Manager, and Test Architect. He has been a long-time member of the Test Architect's Group, and has worked on almost every version of Windows and Office since 1995.

Ross is one of the authors of “The Practical Guide to Defect Prevention” and holds five software patents. Over the last couple years, he has nurtured a management innovation initiative called 42projects, aspiring to inject cultural change and “bring back the buzz to the hallways” at Microsoft. He has been a guest poster on Google’s Testing Blog. The London School of Business and the Management Innovation Lab published a case study of 42projects entitled, “Game On: Theory Y meets Generation Y” His team’s work on productivity games was mentioned in The Economist, in the recent book “Changing the Game: How Video Games are Transforming the Future of Business.” He is experimenting with how gaming can improve productivity among next-generation workers, and the impact of games and social networking tools on management education and requisite skills for new managers.

Ross has been interviewed in Dr. Dobb’s, MSDN, and others, and has spoken recently at MIT’s Innovation Lab, AACSB Dean’s Conference, and a Web 2.0 conference in London.