What the CEO Needs From Learning Now

Recorded live at the 2026 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, this session featured Ali Bebo, Chief Human Resources Officer at Pearson; Omar Abbosh, CEO at Pearson; Gian Paolo Perrucci, Technology Officer at Pearson; and Sandra Loughlin, Chief Learning Scientist at EPAM Systems.The speakers explored why past conversations about the future of the learning leader have often missed the mark, and what becomes possible when learning leaders effectively partner with CEOs and technology teams around data, intelligence, and organizational capability. Dr. Sandra Loughlin examined how learning leadership must evolve beyond traditional models to better align with business priorities and enterprise transformation.The session also featured a fireside conversation with an exemplary CEO, CHRO, and CTO trio, illuminating what businesses truly need from the next generation of learning leadership. Through this discussion, the panel highlighted how today’s learning and people leaders can step into this expanded role with greater confidence, clarity, and influence by directly shaping organizational capability and strategic outcomes.