CoreNet Global Names New Chief Learning Officer

CoreNet Global, the professional association for corporate real estate and workplace executives, has announced the selection of Brenda W. Wisniewski, MBA, as Chief Learning Officer. Wisniewski is charged with developing a new Learning model for the organization.

CoreNet Global CEO Dr. Prentice Knight cited Ms. Wisniewski’s strong reputation for innovation and strategic thinking in announcing the organization’s choice for a new CLO. “Brenda is highly respected for her vision and experience in both the private and public sector, as well as within academia,” Knight stated. “The corporate real estate industry is focused on strategic alignment with the enterprise of the business, and Brenda is known for her ability to align strategic-level thinking and core learning with the business plan.”

Knight indicated that corporations are placing a much higher value on the continuing professional development of their executive and management staffs, as well as on the skill levels of their outsourced service providers. “Corporations in general, and the real estate industry in particular, are engaged in a war for talent and CoreNet Global is well positioned to help companies develop the talent and broader skill sets needed today and in the future to drive globally networked enterprises.”

Prior to being named CEO of the 7,000-member association in April 2006, Knight served as CLO. Wisniewski’s appointment is effective immediately.

As CLO, Wisniewski is responsible for all aspects of CoreNet Global learning, including research, education, and knowledge management. The new Learning model Wisniewski has been asked to create will include all three components in order to create an educationally advanced curriculum that provides continuous, customized learning opportunities for CoreNet Global members.

Wisniewski expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to chart a future course for CoreNet Global as a learning and knowledge-sharing organization. “CoreNet Global is already viewed as the thought and opinion leader on corporate real estate and the workplace,” she said. “I am excited about being able to build on that reputation. CoreNet Global deserves a great deal of credit for recognizing the value of Learning by including the CLO in the C-Suite. The timing is important as the very real estate and workplace executives we serve are being similarly advanced within their companies,” Wisneiwski added.

Wisniewski’s responsibilities will also include the Executive Development Program, the MCR designation program the Applied Research Center, Discovery Forums, the Global Innovator’s Awards, and Knowledge Communities. In addition, her team is responsible for the knowledge content for five Global Summits, the Knowledge Center Online, and the Leader magazine, plus support for Chapter-based learning.

CoreNet Global is already a leading source of content for case studies and knowledge in corporate real estate. The CLO will expand the delivery channels and opportunities for members and the industry to access that information.

Wisniewski has held a number of key executive positions in the business and government sectors, where she has delivered measurable business results by aligning learning and performance requirements with organizational strategic objectives. During a four-year executive appointment to the Internal Revenue Service, she earned the IRS Commissioner’s Award in recognition of her outstanding accomplishments in establishing a continuous learning and development environment.

Wisniewski was a partner of Andersen LLP, where she headed the Strategic Learning Solutions Practice and the Virtual Learning Network. In that role, she led the development of strategic learning models for a wide variety of corporations and governmental agencies, such as the World Economic Forum, Computer Associates and Ernst & Young.

Wisniewski has received industry recognition for learning innovations including the Reusable Learning Objects methodology. She also received the Park University Distinguished Alumni Award for Innovative Work in Education. She contributes to educational, civic and professional organizations through teaching, writing and serving on Boards.

She holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and chairs the Board of Trustees of Park University, ranked as the second largest online degree-granting program in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report.