Reflections from ACMP Change Chicago 2025
The energy was high, the ideas bold, and the conversations deeply meaningful. Northwestern Masters in Learning and Organizational Change (MSLOC) was thrilled to be an exhibitor at ACMP Change Chicago 2025—a gathering of passionate change professionals, thought leaders, and curious minds committed to shaping the future of work.
A Community That Inspires
Throughout the event, we had the opportunity to speak with practitioners across industries about what’s driving change in their organizations—from rethinking leadership development to navigating the evolving impact of AI. We were especially energized by the chance to connect with members of our MSLOC community—and to see many of them leading the way as speakers, facilitators, and changemakers throughout the conference.
It was a powerful reminder: our alumni and students are not just participating in conversations about change—they’re leading them.
What’s Your Top Priority for Change?
We asked conference visitors at our booth to participate in our “Top Priority for Change in 2025” board, where attendees placed their vote on what’s front-of-mind in their change work: Human-centered AI, Inclusive Culture, People Analytics, or Development Coaching. While these areas are deeply interconnected, it was fascinating to see how attendees prioritized them. Inclusive culture and human-centered AI emerged as dominant themes, pointing to an urgent desire to align technological innovation with ethics, equity, and humanity. Meanwhile, people analytics and development coaching—both key enablers of thoughtful, data-informed growth—held strong as foundational tools for building adaptable, resilient organizations.
We loved watching attendees reflect on where they’re focusing their energy, and it affirmed how relevant these topics are to the future of organizational effectiveness.
Where MSLOC Fits In
These priorities aren’t just buzzwords—they’re embedded throughout MSLOC’s curriculum and learning experiences. They form the foundation of how we teach, learn, and lead at MSLOC. From inclusive leadership and ethical AI to systems thinking and organizational design, our curriculum is built for those who want to create lasting, human-centered change.
“Whether it is how emerging technologies are shaping the world of work or how to effectively approach complex problems in organizations, we’re continuously innovating the MSLOC curriculum to address the challenges of today. We do this, however, aiming to keep the people side of change as central as we engage in the work of making a positive difference in organizations.”
— Ryan Smerek, Associate Director of Academic Affairs, MSLOC
Whether you're just beginning your journey or looking to deepen your practice, our master’s program and specialized graduate certificates offer flexible, rigorous pathways to grow your impact. Wherever you are in your career, you’ll find a vibrant community ready to learn and lead alongside you.