5 questions to... Eileen Terrell

LDA blog post - August 2025

This is a new post of our special blog series: “5 questions to…” where LDA members share their thoughts and experiences. We hope you’ll enjoy!

This month, we asked 5 questions to Eileen Terrell.

What brought you to the L&D field? 

I earned a degree in L&D in the mid-90s and have been passionate about it ever since, continuing with a master’s to deepen my expertise.

What project(s) are you currently working on?

I’m designing a supervisor onboarding program tailored for operations environments.

What is your biggest frustration or challenge in your L&D practice? 

Bridging the gap between formally trained IDs and those who entered the field accidentally—aligning approaches and proving L&D’s value beyond slide decks.

What advice would you give a new L&D practitioner? 

Be a lifelong learner, study the science, build a strong network, and focus beyond just the tools.

What value does the LDA community bring to your work/practice? 

It offers access to thought leaders, relevant learning, and practical strategies rooted in evidence.

Thanks to Eileen for answering our questions! Share your insights in the comments below!