Regina Dunning, CPTD, ACC
Regina Dunning, CPTD, ACC, is an accomplished Learning and Development executive, leadership strategist, and executive coach with 18 years of experience in the staffing industry. She currently serves as the U.S. Vice President and Global Head of Learning Delivery at SThree, a leading global STEM staffing organization, and is the Founder and Executive Coach of Pathory Partners, where she partners with leaders and organizations to unlock potential and drive meaningful growth.
Regina discovered the staffing industry after graduating from the University of Illinois in 2008, but what began as an unexpected path quickly became a purposeful career. She started her professional journey at Medix as a Recruiter and progressed through sales and leadership roles, gaining firsthand insight into the realities of performance, development, and leadership at every level. Throughout her career, she has consistently championed learning and development; playing a critical role in launching professional development and client experience functions and building learning capabilities from the ground up.
Known for her people-centered and results-driven approach, Regina specializes in leadership development, organizational transformation, talent acquisition, and sales enablement. She designs and delivers learning strategies that not only develop individuals, but also create measurable business impact through stronger leadership pipelines, succession planning, and workforce capability building. Her deep understanding of adult learning principles, combined with organizational strategy, allows her to craft scalable programs that foster engagement, growth, and high performance.
In her role at SThree, Regina partners closely with senior executives to identify strategic talent needs, translate global learning strategies into impactful regional programs, and ensure consistent, high-quality learning experiences across multiple regions. She leads high-performing teams while shaping initiatives that align learning with broader organizational transformation goals and the future of work.
Alongside her corporate leadership, Regina remains deeply committed to one-on-one coaching, mentoring, and personal development. As a CPTD-certified learning professional and Associate Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation, she brings a thoughtful balance of organizational scale and individual impact. Through Pathory Partners, she offers executive coaching, leadership development programs, and workshops designed to accelerate growth and help leaders navigate complexity with confidence.
Beyond her professional work, Regina is a passionate advocate for Diversity of Thought and the advancement of women in business. She actively participates in employee resource groups, supports inclusive leadership initiatives, and is a member of CHIEF, a private network for women executives. Through her work and leadership, Regina continues to inspire individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, curiosity, and courage.
• Associate Certified Coach (ACC)
• 2024 LearningElite Judge
• Leadership Development Facilitator
• Insights Discovery Client Practitioner
• 2022 CLO LearningElite Judge
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - B.S. IRCE
• Top 100 L&D Professional Award 2024, 2026
• Association for Talent Development- National
• Association for Talent Development- Chicago Chapter
• Chicago Tech Academy
• Little Black Dress Night
• Employee Resource Groups for Women in Business and Women in Leadership
• In Her Shoes Foundation
• Medix Women with Purpose
• Make-A-Wish America
• Meals on Wheels America
• Glenkirk
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of determination, curiosity, and a willingness to step into unfamiliar and trailblazing opportunities. I’ve consistently leaned into roles where I could build, shape, and evolve. Whether that meant creating new learning functions, leading through change, or redefining what leadership could look like at different stages of my life. Staying curious has allowed me to learn quickly and adapt, while grit has helped me push through moments without a clear roadmap. I’ve also been deeply influenced by strong mentors and by witnessing resilience and reinvention firsthand growing up, which instilled in me the confidence to take risks. Ultimately, my success comes from leading with purpose, investing in people, and creating environments where growth can truly thrive.
That mindset was shaped early on by my mother, who made bold career decisions of her own and ultimately became a business owner, CEO, and President while I was growing up. Watching her navigate change with courage and confidence left a lasting impression and showed me what was possible. Throughout my career, I’ve also been supported by a strong tribe of mentors & former leaders who both challenged me and championed my growth. When I transitioned into learning and development, that circle expanded through the Association for Talent Development, where I found a broader community of mentors that continues to ground, inspire, and shape my leadership today.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Embrace the growth mindset! Network and leverage your community to learn as much as you can. Every conversation is a learning opportunity. I had incredible leaders and role models that I could look up to, which is the primary thing I credit. and I would also tell myself to “Play where the puck is going, don’t underestimate the power of small gains.” That advice always, from very early on, helped me to be very future-focused and goal-oriented.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say leverage the community around you. Be willing to take risks and jump into the unknown. And trust yourself. If I look back on my career, there were probably a lot of moments of imposter syndrome, "I can't do that", or "I'm comfortable where I'm at - why fix something that's not broken?" A group of friends took me out for a drink and said “how many people are you going to give your next job to?! You are the best person for it!”. This was a major moment for me in realizing the importance of having your community to support you through things. Whether you call it your personal board of directors, your tribe, your allies, your wolfpack, etc. This group is critical! So find yours!
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in this field is the ability to elevate the human side of work in an increasingly tech‑driven industry. Success requires strong interpersonal skills: building trust, rapport, and credibility, along with people leadership and clear communication. These are capabilities where women often excel, and they position us well to lead in times of constant change. By bringing a more human‑centered approach to leadership and innovation, we have a real opportunity to shape the future of the industry while continuing to advance and evolve alongside it.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My leadership is grounded in the values of trust, curiosity, empathy, innovation, collaboration, and compassion. These values guide me as a values‑ and servant‑based leader—one who strives to challenge and develop others while intentionally creating an environment where people can do their best work and their best thinking.
