Cluj-Napoca Local Hub. Future Proof: An L&D Huddle. The Next-Gen Syllabus: Adapting L&D to the Current Context
AI in the workflow, shrinking budgets, skills that expire faster than the courses built to teach them: the ground under L&D keeps shifting. The question is no longer whether our field needs to adapt, but how, and what we keep, drop or reinvent along the way.
Join us for a candid panel conversation with L&D practitioners who live these questions daily, from game-based learning and systems thinking to talent development and coaching. Expect real stories and different perspectives, plus a chance to bring your own questions to the huddle. Whether you’re deep in the field or just curious about where it’s heading, come think it through with us.
Our panelists and moderator
Izabella Geapana - Trainer @Zia
Izabella Geapana is a lifelong learner and system thinker L&D professional, Coach, Entrepreneur, and Teacher with a consulting and engineering background impacting people that generate exponential results.
Cristian Popa — Learning and Growth @Cohera
Cristian is a systems‑minded project manager who believes that learning experiences should mirror the complexity of real work. With a background in coordinating cross‑functional initiatives, he brings a practical, grounded perspective on how game‑based learning can support alignment, collaboration, and
change across teams.
Ilona Benkő - HR & L&D Professional
Ilona Benkő is a dedicated HR professional with a psychology background and 15 years of experience across a range of organizations—from midsize local companies to large multinational corporations. She is a certified trainer and coach, and a passionate advocate for lifelong learning. Throughout her career, Ilona has shown a deep commitment to organizational and talent development, creative thinking, and active listening, fostering growth and inspiring meaningful change.
Lexi Nechita - Program and Learning Experience Manager @Asociația Techsoup
Lexi Nechita is a learning experience designer with 17+ years in L&D across corporate, startup and NGO environments. With a background in psychology and a deep curiosity for how people grow, she designs online courses and educational programs for educators and other professionals, and builds communities of practice. Learner-centered, values-driven and often armed with a sprinkle of humor, she brings a deep respect for the human experience to every space she holds.