Ep80: Kylie Sturday, Learning and Development Professional

Today, my guest is Kylie Sturday, a learning and development professional whose career journey spans international studies, immigration and refugee visas, emergency management, and organisational performance. In this episode, Kylie reflects on her path from studying Japanese and International Studies to spending more than a decade in the Australian Public Service, where she worked in complex refugee and humanitarian visa decision-making roles before discovering a passion for learning and development. We explore how Kylie transitioned from frontline service and operational environments into the world of workplace learning, where she became fascinated by the challenge of helping people make sense of complex information and apply it effectively in their job roles. Kylie shares insights into performance consulting, continuous professional development, communities of practice, and the importance of understanding the broader organisational systems that influence learning and performance. Our conversation ranges from onboarding programs and leadership support through to the evolving role of learning professionals in an age of rapid technological change. Kylie discusses the opportunities and challenges presented by AI, artificial intelligence, arguing that qualities such as curiosity, empathy, judgement, and critical thinking remain central to effective learning and organisational growth. We also discuss the value of evidence-informed practice, human-centred design, evaluation, and collaboration, along with Kylie’s work with ‘Crackin’ LnD (Down Under)’, a professional Learning Community that connects and supports learning practitioners across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Throughout the conversation, Kylie emphasises a holistic approach to learning and development, the power of asking better questions, connecting with others, and approaching both learning and change with openness and curiosity. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylie-sturday/ Crackin’ LnD (Down Under) - Learning Community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14462967/ and https://v2.chameleoncreator.com/preview/J--YPMeUx8C6/welcome-to-crackin-lnd