Dr. Bea Carson is the Past President & Co-Founder of the World Institute for Action Learning, is a notable author, speaker, and expert in the field of Action Learning. Possessing a Doctorate in Human and Organizational Learning from George Washington University, she has mastered teaching Action Learning to the full spectrum of organizational levels. She is an external OD consultant specializing in leadership development, problem solving, team develop and strategic planning.

Bringing a well-stocked arsenal of assessments and Action Learning methodologies, Dr. Carson has a proven track-record in assisting Fortune 500 companies, national non-profits, government contractors, federal agencies, local government agencies, colleges/universities, and international corporations. Through direct hands-on facilitation and coaching, she:

• Assists organizations in clearly identifying problems and developing/ launching strategic initiatives such as corporate rightsizing, diversity planning, organizational development, performance enhancement, and process reengineering.
• Bolsters managerial productivity and communication through consensus-building; aligns individual ideas into a unified vision that includes projected goals and implementation strategies.
• Enhances effectiveness of management certification processes (Six Sigma, PMP) by applying action learning practices to established leadership methods.

Dr. Carson was a driving force in Action Learning training and certification programs as the Director of Certification & Education with the World Institute for Action Learning (WIAL). Serving as a founding board member since 2006, she worked with a committee of experts and researchers to build and design learning and training modules to advance the expertise and skill level in Action Learning. Through combined efforts in WIAL’s Board of Directors, the organization has gained international attention with affiliates on 6 continents and 32 countries. As the Director of Affiliate Development, Bea works with new affiliates to insure a commonality of delivery and expectations around the world.

Since 2002, Dr. Carson has acquired an impressive and diverse client base including Boeing, Microsoft, Price WaterhouseCoopers, Kaiser Permanente, Target, NASA, CIA, Department of Education, Environmental Protection Agency, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Department of Commerce, Constellation Energy, ARINC, ICF, KKien, ASTD, Maryland Special Olympics, Goodwill Industries, Rotary International, Goodrich, and other organizations.

Bea is president and owner of Carson Consultants; cofounder and Past President for the World Institute for Action Learning (WIAL) and President of WIAl-USA. Dr. Carson lives in Annapolis and is involved with the leadership in several community organizations including Annapolis Rotary, Special Olympics, and Anne Arundel Medical Center.

Prior Experience

Twenty five years as a computer scientist - working all aspects of the life cycle from inception to delivery. Responsible for managing projects of all cycles. During this time worked for IBM, BDM, ManTech, Compliance, Semcor (now Titan) and Northrop Grumman.

Business Credentials

• Master Action Learning Coach,
• Chairman of the Board & President, World Institute for Action Learning - USA (WIAL-USA),
• Past Chairman of the Board & Past President, World Institute for Action Learning (WIAL),
• President, Carson Consultants,
• Past Area Governor, Rotary International District 7620,
• Past Vice President, International Affiliates, World Institute for Action Learning (WIAL),
• Past Vice President, Education and Certification, World Institute for Action Learning (WIAL),
• Past Vice President, Affiliate Development, World Institute for Action Learning (WIAL)
• Past President, Rotary Club of Annapolis

Professional Achievements

• American Heart Association, Go Red Campaign, Senior Leadership Team
• Anne Arundel Medical Center's Annual Gala: Co-chair Sponsorships
• Education and Awareness Subcommittee for Chamber of Commerce Workforce Housing Task Force
• Co-chair, Rotary Club of Annapolis: Lane Director, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President, President
• Rotary Club of Annapolis, Crab Feast: Chairperson Sponsorship Committee
• Rotary Club of Annapolis, Black Tie and Diamond Fundraiser: Chairperson

Education

• Doctorate in Human and Organizational Learning, George Washington University 2005
• Master’s Degree in Management, Florida Institute of Technology 1990
• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Polytechnic Institute of New York 1981

Professinal Presentations

• WIAL Global Conference hosted by WIAL-Netherlands, Sept 2018
• WIAL USA Conference, Seattle WA, Oct 2018
• WIAL Global Conference hosted by WIAL-China, Keynote, Oct 2017
• DAU, July 26, 2017
• US Army TRADOC, July 19, 2017
• ATD ICE, Action Learning, May 2017
• ICF Long Island, Introduction to Action Learning, May 16 2017
• ATD ICE, Action Learning, May 2017
• WIAL Regional Conference hosted by WIAL-Malaysia, Keynote – Triple Value of Action Learning, Apr 2017
• WIAL Regional Conference hosted by WIAL-Malaysia, Virtual Action Learning, Apr 2017
• HODN, Introduction to Action Learning, Nov 2016
• WIAL Global Conference hosted by WIAL-Poland, Action Learning Builds Agile Leaders, Oct 2016
• ODN Poster Presentation, Action Learning adding to the Bottom-line, Oct 2016
• Olney Rotary Club, Introduction to Action Learning, Sept 2016
• ATD ICE, Action Learning, May 2016
• Georgetown Coaches Conference, Transformative Power of Action Learning, March 2016
• WIAL & WIAL-USA Forum, Question Thinking, October 2015
• New York Public Library, Introduction to Action Learning, August 2015
• George Washington University, Adult Education, August 2015
• NYC Environmental Protection Agency, Powerful Questioning, June 2015
• BB&T Women's Networking Luncheon, Action Learning", June 2015
• OED Community of Practice, "Advanced Coaching", June 2015
• George Washington University, Action Learning, August 2014
• Inside NGO, Action Learning Introduction, July 2014
• Oslo Norway, Introduction to Action Learning, February 2014
• WIAL Japan, Advanced Action Learning Coaching, November 2013
• WIAL Conference - Australia, Organizational Efficiency and Action Learning, November 2013
• WIAL-USA Forum, WIAL Chapters, October 2013
• WIAL-USA Forum, Introduction to Action Learning, October 2013
• George Washington University, Action Learning, August 2013
• ASTD ICE, Foundations of Action Learning, May 2013
• EPA, Introduction to Action Learning, May 2013
• CBODN, Introduction to Action Learning, April 2013
• Organizational Learning and Knowledge and Capability (OLKC) conference, Introduction to Action Learning, April 2013
• Turf Valley Resort, "Action Learning", April 2013
• Vigilant Center, "Introduction to Action Learning", February 2013
• CBODN Sig, "Introduction to Action Learning", December 2012
• Asia Action Learning Forum, "Future, Positive Action Learning Coaching", November 2012
• ODNLI, "Introduction to Action Learning", October 2012
• EPA, "Introduction to Action Learning", June 2012
• WIAL Conference, “Neuroscience and Action Learning”, June 2012
• WIAL Conference, “Virtual Action Learning”, June 2012
• ICF Bethesda Chapter, “Introduction to Action Learning”, May 2012
• EPA, "Introduction to Action Learning", October 2011
• Catholic University of America, "Action Learning and Communication Skills", Oct 2011
• EPA, "Introduction to Action Learning", August 2011
• WIAL Forum, "Positive, Future Focus Coaching", June 2011
• HRINZ - Auckland, NZ, "Introduction to Action Learning", April 2011
• HRINZ - Hamilton, NZ, "Introduction to Action Learning", April 2011
• AITD Melbourne, Australia, "Introduction to Action Learning", April 2011
• WIAL-Australasia Forum, Keynote Speaker, "WIAL - History and Future", April 2011
• ODNLI, "Introduction to Action Learning", September 2010
• Rotary Evening Club - Annapolis, "Social Networking", August 2010
• Minneapolis Facilitators Network, "Introduction to Action Learning", July 2010
• World Institute for Action Learning Forum, "Aim for the Fairway - Future Focused Coaching", June 2010
• Annapolis Rotary Club, "Social Networking", May 2010
• The Millenium Group, "Accelerating Performance", September2009
• George Washington University, "Adult Education", June 2009
• ASTD – Las Vegas, “Action Learning Foundations” – Nov 2008
• ODN Annual Conference, “Applying Action Learning to OD Consulting Challenges” – Oct 2008
• ODNLI Peer Advisory Session , “Introduction to Action Learning” – Oct 2008
• Ramkhamhaeng University , “Technology in HRD” – Oct 2008
• Ramkhamhaeng University , “Action Learning” – Oct 2008
• ASTD – NYC, “Action Learning Foundations” – Sept 2008
• George Washington University, “Adult Education” – August 2008
• George Washington University for Singapore Institute of Management, “Group Dynamics”, March 2008
• Think About It (TV Broadcast), “Action Learning Problem Solving”, January 2008
• Severna Park Rotary Club, “Strategic Planning”, - Dec 2007
• ODN Annual Conference, “The Transformational Power of Action Learning” – October 2007
• CADCA’s National Leadership Forum, “Introduction to Action Learning” – February 2007
• George Washington University, “Adult Education” – August 2007
• Ginger Cove Men’s Association, “Communication Code of Conduct” – September 2006
• CBODN Annual Conference, “The Transformational Power of Action Learning” - May 2006
• George Washington University, “Adult Education” – August 2005
• College on Running, “Savor the Journey -- Non-Physical Changes that Occur During Training” – May 2005
• American University, “Organizational Diagnosis and Change” – August 2003

Publications

• “WIAL Talk Blog” http://www.wial.org/blog/ - Jan 2011 – present.
• “Question Everything with Action Learning”, Association for Talent Development, April 2017
• “Breakthrough Solutions with Action Learning”, TD at Work, Association for Talent Development, August 2016
• “Coaching Leadership Agility”, BizPeake, Issue #6
• “There’s an Alternative to Leadership Development”, Chief Learning Officer, July 2016
• “The Action Learning Process”, Association for Talent Development, August 2016
• (Co-author) “Action Learning and Leadership Development”, Advances in Developing Human Resources August 2016
• “The Action Learning Process”, Association for Talent Development, August 2016
• “Action Learning: Adding to the Bottom Line”, Association for Talent Development, March 2015
• “Action Learning Builds Agile Leaders”, Chief Learning Officer, February 2015
• “What was the Question?” Chief Learning Officer - May 2010
• “The Conflict to Collaboration” Chief Learning Officer - May 2010
• “Going Beyond Engagement” Chief Learning Officer - April 2010
• “The Role of Failure in Learning” Chief Learning Officer - January 2010li>
• “The Role of Curiosity in Learning” Chief Learning Officer - November 2009
• “Balancing Your Scorecard with Action Learning” Chief Learning Officer - November 2009
• “Breaking Out of Groupthink” Chief Learning Officer - August 2009
• “The Transformative Power of Action Learning” Chief Learning Officer - July 2009
• “Aim for the Fairway with Action Learning” Chief Learning Officer - July 2009
• “The Transformational Power of Action Learning” ODN Conference Proceedings – Oct 2007
• “Power of Action Learning – Case Studies” Practicing OD – September 2006
• “Meeting the Challenge” Marathon & Beyond – September/October 2006
• “Power of Action Learning” Practicing OD – July 2006
• “Benefits of Marathoning” Marathon & Beyond – May / June 2005
• “Meeting the Challenge: An Explanatory Study of the Transformations in Self-Efficacy and Learning Orientation Experienced by First Time
• Marathoners” The George Washington University – May 2005
• “Learning Organization Transition: A Case Study” ASTD OD/ Leadership – December 2004. Volume 2, Issue 10.
• “Developing a Learning Strategy” ASTD OD/Leadership – July/August 2004. Volume 2, Issue 7.
• “Coaching via Action Learning” ASTD OD/Leadership – March 2004. Volume 2, Issue 3.