Upcoming Events
Career Planning SIG: Talking About Yourself Professionally
Thursday, November 20, 2025
Virtual Workshop, Association of Talent Development, Nebraska (ATD-NE)
Talent development professionals often focus on developing others and overlook their own growth. I'll be leading the next meeting of the ATD Nebraska Career Planning Special Interest Group (SIG) on Thursday, November 20, from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm CT via Zoom. We'll focus on the topic, "Talking About Yourself Professionally." Whether you're preparing for your upcoming performance review, seeking a new role, or expanding your professional network, learning how to shape and share your story is a valuable skill.
Come join the conversation and learn alongside other L&D professionals. Brenda L. Peterson (The Layoff Lady and our SIG leader) will facilitate.
Virtual Workshop, Association of Talent Development, Nebraska (ATD-NE)
Talent development professionals often focus on developing others and overlook their own growth. I'll be leading the next meeting of the ATD Nebraska Career Planning Special Interest Group (SIG) on Thursday, November 20, from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm CT via Zoom. We'll focus on the topic, "Talking About Yourself Professionally." Whether you're preparing for your upcoming performance review, seeking a new role, or expanding your professional network, learning how to shape and share your story is a valuable skill.
Come join the conversation and learn alongside other L&D professionals. Brenda L. Peterson (The Layoff Lady and our SIG leader) will facilitate.
Past Events
Building Career Opportunity Readiness
Thursday, November 13, 2025
In-Person Presentation, Communication Studies Capstone course at UNO (University of Nebraska - Omaha)
Having the same job for most of your career is a thing of the past--and switching jobs might not always be your idea. While we can't change the realities of work, we can adapt our approach to how we navigate our careers.
In this session, Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady, outlines a new approach to driving your career including a mindset shift, evolving your relationship with your work, and three core strategies for making yourself ready for new opportunities when they arise and how to adapt and overcome challenges.
In-Person Presentation, Communication Studies Capstone course at UNO (University of Nebraska - Omaha)
Having the same job for most of your career is a thing of the past--and switching jobs might not always be your idea. While we can't change the realities of work, we can adapt our approach to how we navigate our careers.
In this session, Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady, outlines a new approach to driving your career including a mindset shift, evolving your relationship with your work, and three core strategies for making yourself ready for new opportunities when they arise and how to adapt and overcome challenges.
From Chaos to Catalyst: Change Management for L&D Professionals
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Virtual Meeting, Association of Talent Development, Nebraska (ATD-NE)
In this session, Brenda L. Peterson, (a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner and The Layoff Lady), will offer key insights to support you in your role as an L&D professional. You’ll learn what change management actually is, why it helps people adapt, and how to apply these strategies in real-world situations. You’ll explore how change management shows up in organizational initiatives, project rollouts, coaching conversations—and even in your own journey through an ever-changing world.
Virtual Meeting, Association of Talent Development, Nebraska (ATD-NE)
In this session, Brenda L. Peterson, (a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner and The Layoff Lady), will offer key insights to support you in your role as an L&D professional. You’ll learn what change management actually is, why it helps people adapt, and how to apply these strategies in real-world situations. You’ll explore how change management shows up in organizational initiatives, project rollouts, coaching conversations—and even in your own journey through an ever-changing world.
Career Planning Special Interest Group (SIG): Kick-Off
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Virtual Workshop, Association of Talent Development, Nebraska (ATD-NE)
As L&D professionals, we often focus on developing others and forget about our own growth. Join us for the first meeting of the new ATD-NE Career Planning SIG. We'll build a support system to help each other thrive. We’ll reflect on our own goals and explore how we can support one another, too. Brenda L. Peterson (The Layoff Lady and our SIG leader) will facilitate.
Virtual Workshop, Association of Talent Development, Nebraska (ATD-NE)
As L&D professionals, we often focus on developing others and forget about our own growth. Join us for the first meeting of the new ATD-NE Career Planning SIG. We'll build a support system to help each other thrive. We’ll reflect on our own goals and explore how we can support one another, too. Brenda L. Peterson (The Layoff Lady and our SIG leader) will facilitate.
Building Career Opportunity Readiness
Thursday, April 3, 2025
In-Person Presentation, Communication Studies Capstone course at UNO (University of Nebraska - Omaha)
Having the same job for most of your career is a thing of the past--and switching jobs might not always be your idea. While we can't change the realities of work, we can adapt our approach to how we navigate our careers. In this session, Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady, outlines a new approach to driving your career including a mindset shift, evolving your relationship with your work, and three core strategies for making yourself ready for new opportunities when they arise and how to adapt and overcome challenges.
In-Person Presentation, Communication Studies Capstone course at UNO (University of Nebraska - Omaha)
Having the same job for most of your career is a thing of the past--and switching jobs might not always be your idea. While we can't change the realities of work, we can adapt our approach to how we navigate our careers. In this session, Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady, outlines a new approach to driving your career including a mindset shift, evolving your relationship with your work, and three core strategies for making yourself ready for new opportunities when they arise and how to adapt and overcome challenges.
Local Author Market and Book Signing
Saturday, November 30, 2024
The Little Nook, The Book Nook Event Space, 118 N Washington Street, Papillion, NE 68046
For Small Business Saturday, The Book Nook Bookstore hosts a Local Author Market where authors set up vendor tables, networked with customers, and promoted their amazing literary works. Author, coach, and speaker Brenda L. Peterson will be available to chat about her work as The Layoff Lady, including her book, Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide.
The Little Nook, The Book Nook Event Space, 118 N Washington Street, Papillion, NE 68046
For Small Business Saturday, The Book Nook Bookstore hosts a Local Author Market where authors set up vendor tables, networked with customers, and promoted their amazing literary works. Author, coach, and speaker Brenda L. Peterson will be available to chat about her work as The Layoff Lady, including her book, Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide.
Helping People Help You During Career Transition
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Virtual Instructor-Led Session for The White Box Club
When you find yourself in career transition, it's amazing how many people offer their support. One way you can help them help you is by knowing what you're looking for, and thinking about the ways in which they could genuinely help you.
Molly Dueber hosts this session with Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady. She will share lesson five from her book Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide, which is about leveraging your professional network during your job search.
Virtual Instructor-Led Session for The White Box Club
When you find yourself in career transition, it's amazing how many people offer their support. One way you can help them help you is by knowing what you're looking for, and thinking about the ways in which they could genuinely help you.
Molly Dueber hosts this session with Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady. She will share lesson five from her book Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide, which is about leveraging your professional network during your job search.
Shift Happens: Designing Your L&D Career Strategy
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Virtual Instructor-Led Session hosted by Learning Rebels
Here’s why you should be excited to join this Learn Something New workshop:
Virtual Instructor-Led Session hosted by Learning Rebels
Here’s why you should be excited to join this Learn Something New workshop:
- Future-Proof Your Career: Make yourself indispensable, adaptable, and always in demand. Promoting yourself to the CEO of You, including leveraging your advisory board.
- Craft Your Strategy: Tailor a career strategy that aligns with your aspirations. You leave with a plan that’s all about your future success.
- Boost Your Confidence: Choose your mindset and leave feeling more equipped and empowered to tackle whatever career challenges come your way.
- Opportunity Preparedness: Gear up to catch opportunities the moment they pop up. Brenda will get to the heart of career resilience, showing you how to be ever-ready and agile.
Experience Your Emotions & Manage Your Mindset
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Virtual Instructor-Led Session for The White Box Club
Right after a layoff, people often act hastily out of sheer unbridled panic. Instead, it's important to attend to two key tasks right away: feeling your feelings and choosing your career transition mindset.
In this session, Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady, shares her lessons learned from her seven experiences with unplanned job loss. You will walk away with valuable tips on choosing and using your mindset to position yourself for career transition success. Participation is limited, so RSVP to secure your spot.
Virtual Instructor-Led Session for The White Box Club
Right after a layoff, people often act hastily out of sheer unbridled panic. Instead, it's important to attend to two key tasks right away: feeling your feelings and choosing your career transition mindset.
In this session, Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady, shares her lessons learned from her seven experiences with unplanned job loss. You will walk away with valuable tips on choosing and using your mindset to position yourself for career transition success. Participation is limited, so RSVP to secure your spot.
Building a Professional Portfolio
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Virtual Instructor-Led Session for ATD-NE (Association of Talent Development - Nebraska)
For many people, showcasing yourself professionally only becomes a priority when looking for a new job. However, as a part of increasing your overall career resilience and opportunity readiness, it is a wise practice to create and continually improve your professional online presence. In this session, Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady, will focus on two key components: improving your LinkedIn profile and creating a portfolio of your work samples.
This event is part of educational offerings to commemorate Employee Learning Week (ELW).
Virtual Instructor-Led Session for ATD-NE (Association of Talent Development - Nebraska)
For many people, showcasing yourself professionally only becomes a priority when looking for a new job. However, as a part of increasing your overall career resilience and opportunity readiness, it is a wise practice to create and continually improve your professional online presence. In this session, Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady, will focus on two key components: improving your LinkedIn profile and creating a portfolio of your work samples.
This event is part of educational offerings to commemorate Employee Learning Week (ELW).
Building Career Resilience
Friday, August 11 2023
Virtual Instructor-Led Session for PACT MN (Professional Association of Computer Trainers - Minnesota)
2022 was a particularly nasty year for layoffs. It’s hard to focus on doing your best work when you worry your job might unexpectedly end. In this session, Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady, shares three core strategies for building career resilience. You’ll walk away with actionable steps you can take as you think through your personal career resilience plan.
Virtual Instructor-Led Session for PACT MN (Professional Association of Computer Trainers - Minnesota)
2022 was a particularly nasty year for layoffs. It’s hard to focus on doing your best work when you worry your job might unexpectedly end. In this session, Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady, shares three core strategies for building career resilience. You’ll walk away with actionable steps you can take as you think through your personal career resilience plan.
Creating Your Job Search Narrative
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
Virtual Instructor-Led Session for The White Box Club
Being in career transition is challenging. One key to success is figuring out how to talk about yourself and your job search. In this session, we'll talk about your job search goals, and key talking points you can create to convey your message. Join TWBC facilitator and job search coach Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady, to explore important areas where you need to think through your goals and how to articulate your wants and needs.
Virtual Instructor-Led Session for The White Box Club
Being in career transition is challenging. One key to success is figuring out how to talk about yourself and your job search. In this session, we'll talk about your job search goals, and key talking points you can create to convey your message. Join TWBC facilitator and job search coach Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady, to explore important areas where you need to think through your goals and how to articulate your wants and needs.
Building Career Resilience
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Virtual Instructor-Led Session for ATD-NE (Association of Talent Development - Nebraska)
2022 was a particularly nasty year for layoffs. It’s hard to focus on doing your best work when you worry your job might unexpectedly end. In this session, Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady, shares three core strategies for building career resilience. You’ll walk away with actionable steps you can take as you think through your personal career resilience plan.
Virtual Instructor-Led Session for ATD-NE (Association of Talent Development - Nebraska)
2022 was a particularly nasty year for layoffs. It’s hard to focus on doing your best work when you worry your job might unexpectedly end. In this session, Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady, shares three core strategies for building career resilience. You’ll walk away with actionable steps you can take as you think through your personal career resilience plan.
About Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady
Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady
Brenda knows her way around a layoff. Since forever, she has worked in the field of learning and development—except for the many, many times she’s had her position eliminated. All told, she has had seven workdays that started with lots of obligations but ended in unemployment.
Now, Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady, is a career coach who waxes poetic on layoffs, job transitions, and career resilience. She is also an engaging presenter and the author of the book Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide.
Now, Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady, is a career coach who waxes poetic on layoffs, job transitions, and career resilience. She is also an engaging presenter and the author of the book Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide.