Director In Focus      

Arndria Seymour
AFSE Member Since: 2008

Joined Finance Industry December 1979
L & D Professional since 1985

Why did you choose learning and development as a career choice?
“I chose this career some decades ago as I enjoy crafting and driving the learning agendas for organisations. The people are what makes an organisation unique, so developing the organisation’s people knowledge, skills and attitude is what makes me want to get out of bed in the morning.”

What is your current role?
I have recently started at the Commonwealth Bank, as Head of Training Design and Delivery for the Business Products division.”

What is your industry background and experience?
“Formerly, I led the eLearning Practice business at RWD Technologies in ANZ. I have worked extensively in human resources, in particular training and organisational development, and have tertiary qualifications in Marketing (Bachelor of Commerce) and Organisational Development (Masters of Commerce).

I have held many senior learning and development roles and successfully aligned learning management technology and solutions with operational and strategic learning requirements. I have also worked across enterprise-wide learning management systems, service delivery, quality assurance and project management areas. What’s more, I’ve got conceptual and first-hand experience in the operation, cultural change, project management and implementation of strategic learning and development programs within large global organisations.

In the finance sector I’ve worked in blue chip banking, financial services, financial planning, life insurance, general insurance and workers’ compensation companies over the past 29 years. In my former role at Allianz I developed the Greenfield learning and organisational development agendas for Allianz Australia, becoming an industry recognised leader in the implementation of eLearning initiatives for over 3300 employees and 9000 intermediaries. I worked in the Munich head office and established the Global framework for consulting, various local implementations and the overall global management of the Allianz (Saba) learning management system. Management included platform configuration, content design, generic content purchase and platform management.”

What’s your greatest asset?
“My strongest asset is my people/relationship management and interpersonal skills. These skills combined with negotiation and financial management enable me to manage and drive key performance and reporting activities to relevant boards and organisational executive teams. I derive much pleasure out of the achievement of benefit realisations plans.”

Why did you become a director of the AFSE?
“Learning and development challenges didn’t get any easier in the past 10 to 15 years. Many professional are seeking new ways to their organisational learning with less resources and money. The problem many of us face is how to go about it. I have a strong interest, some would call it a “geek’s passion” for technology and learning. As a new director for the AFSE, it is my calling to help provide members with new technology concepts and how they can be used to an enabler for speed to competency. So stay tunned for my technology and learning columns in our newsletters and website updates.”