The 4th Annual Graduate Development Program Leaders' Summit (EMEA)
The Graduate Development Program Leaders’ Summit is an annual conference for professionals who manage or support early talent development programs in the EMEA region. Join your peers on November 11th, 2026 in London for the 4th Annual GDP Summit. Click below to register!
Attended in 2025...
“With a focus on peer to peer learning and support, this is one of the most informative and engaging events for early careers professionals I’ve attended – huge thanks to the LDP Connect team”
Sophie Haskey – Early Careers Leader, L3Harris Technologies
GRADUATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM LEADERS' SUMMIT
Early talent development programs are globalizing. After many years of running the LDP Summit for early talent development professionals in North America, LDP Connect launched its 1st annual Graduate Development Program Leaders’ Summit in Europe in 2023. The second annual conference will happen in the Fall of 2024. If you lead, manage or support a graduate development program in Europe, join your peers for a day of connection and idea sharing with others in the region.
LDP Connect events focus on generating actionable takeaways through intimate discussion with peers. We recognize that innovation is happening everywhere in our community. Our mission is to provide a forum for people working in this important space to support and inspire each other. Click the button below to be notified when details are finalized for the 2024 GDP Summit.
Early talent development programs are globalizing. After many years of running the LDP Summit for early talent development professionals in North America, LDP Connect launched its 1st annual Graduate Development Program Leaders’ Summit in Europe in 2023. The fourth annual conference will happen in London on November 11th, 2026. If you lead, manage or support a graduate development program in EMEA, join your peers for a day of connection and idea sharing with others in the region.
LDP Connect events focus on generating actionable takeaways through intimate discussion with peers. We recognize that innovation is happening everywhere in our community. Our mission is to provide a forum for people working in this important space to support and inspire each other. Click the button below to register or click here to become a member and save 20%.
What Organizations Registered for the 2025 GDP Summit?
“Fantastic sessions – all topics very relevant. How great to have an early career forum.”
Sarah Mountford, L&D Specialist Finance and Academy – Nestle
“Incredibly tangible and strategic insights and discussions, with a great mix of session formats. Best networking at any conference I’ve attended.”
Anonymous 2025 GDP Summit attendee
“Applicable to my role on many levels and areas. Also great to hear from many different companies and industries.”
Nicole Furnia, Global Director of Early Talent – ABB
AGENDA
(subject to change)
November 10-11, 2026
London, UK
17:00 - 18:30
November 10: Informal PRE-CONFERENCE Gathering
Horse & Groom: 128 Great Portland St, London W1W 6PS, United Kingdom
November 11, 2025
44 Hallam Street, London, UK
08:00
Breakfast & Networking
08:30
Welcome & Introductions
09:00
Opening Keynote
Council Chamber
Product Marketing Strategist, Board Advisor and LinkedIn Top Voice in Thought Leadership
Archita Fritz
Session TBD
We’ve built strong early talent programs. But lately, it feels like the rules are being rewritten—faster than we can keep up. One week, a high-performing graduate seems on track for success. The next, they tell you the program’s not for them. Positions you planned to off-board participants into aren’t materializing as promised. You’re already doing the work of five roles: strategist, coach, change manager, salesperson, and emotional shock absorber. And we haven’t even spoken about AI yet! In this keynote, Archita Fritz shares what she’s seeing across organizations navigating the same fog, from boardrooms trying to scale fast, to line-managers holding it all together without a map. You’ll unpack:
– What product marketing can teach us about building trust, follow-through, and programs that stick
– How to integrate AI into your early talent function—without losing the human heart of it
– What early talent leaders must stop owning, start activating, and finally say out loud
This session won’t just validate the pressure you’re under; it’ll give you language to name it, and the clarity to start doing something about it.
If you’re tired of reinventing your program every six months…
If you’re the one people come to when everything else breaks…
If you’re nodding already, this isn’t a keynote; It’s a turning point. Bring a notebook, and bring your questions. And if you leave thinking “We can’t do this alone anymore”—you’re right. That’s exactly where the work begins.
10:00
Networking Break
10:15
Concurrent Session 1A
Council Chamber
Learning Manager at Veolia
Sarah Adams
Talent Development Specialist & Program Lead (early careers) at Mews
Irene Ferrigno
Early Careers Leader - UKI, Middle East & Africa at HPE
Matt Nicholls
Under-Graduate Programme Specialist at HSBC
Jack Oliver
Panel: Are we Preparing for Yesterday? The early talent development model: an exploration of the possibilities
Early talent development models rely on a predictable, repeatable framework: structured work experiences + formal learning + guided exposure + feedback loops = competency and leadership readiness. The “learn by repeating foundational work” philosophy is central—because it’s believed that mastery and judgment emerge naturally from repeated practice. But with AI now performing much of that foundational work, is the path to mastery through repetition still practical – or desirable? It may be time to rethink our model, and make some tough decisions on AI’s role in it.
This panel explores the evolution of the early talent development model. What can we confidently leave to AI, and what do we need to retain to keep our talent pipeline healthy and prepared? What new models of development might we explore that position early talent well for an AI-enabled workforce?
10:15
Concurrent Session 1B
Euston Suite
Global Director of Early Talent at ABB
Nicole Furnia
Early Talent as a Strategic Force: Using metrics to unlock workforce opportunities
The impact of early talent goes far beyond individual development: when guided strategically, it uncovers opportunities across the organization—gaps in leadership pipelines, innovation potential, and future-critical skills. The challenge is knowing where to focus and how to measure it.
At the 4th Annual GDP Summit in London on November 11th, Nicole Furnia, Global Director of Early Talent at ABB, will show how data and metrics can reveal these opportunities, turning early talent programs into strategic tools that anticipate business needs rather than react to them. Join us to explore how early talent can help design the workforce your organization will need—and thrive in the era beyond AI.
11:15
Networking Break
11:30
Council Chamber
Community Interactive Session
Topic Tables: ‘Idea Snack” discussions
The landscape of managing early talent pipeline programs has changed dramatically over the past twelve months. The best help we get is from each other. What is your most pressing challenge as you navigate the new environment? Where do you need ideas, guidance or validation from your peers? Choose from several “topic tables” for open group discussion in this interactive community session. Stay with the same group, or pop in and out of these moderated intimate chats. Leave with ideas and confidence. Would you like to propose a topic for discussion?
12:30
Lunch
13:30
Concurrent Session 2A
Euston Suite
Director, CEO Global Presidential Program (International) at The Estée Lauder Companies
Virginia Di Vaio
The Global Playbook: Building early talent programs that travel well
When your early talent program is successful at home, leadership may assume that it will be easily “translate” abroad. But replicating success internationally isn’t as simple as copying and pasting what already works. How do you preserve the core elements that drive results while adapting to new cultural, regulatory, and market realities?
This session explores the practical and strategic considerations involved in globalizing an early talent program. From differences in governance norms and workplace expectations to university recruiting timelines, degree equivalencies, and immigration regulations, expanding internationally requires thoughtful recalibration. The challenge is not just one-off adaptation—it’s building a repeatable framework that balances global standards with local market dynamics.
Led by Virginia Di Vaio of Estée Lauder Companies, this session will introduce a systematic approach to international expansion. Virginia will share how Estée Lauder developed country-specific “playbooks” to guide program implementation, and how that model has evolved to support successful global operations—without requiring dedicated early talent development staff in each regional office.
Attendees will leave with practical insights for expanding their programs globally while maintaining the integrity that made them successful in the first place.
Concurrent Session 2B
Council Chamber
Commercial Graduate Program Manager at Fitch Solutions
Tamana Gulati
Session TBD
When your early talent program is successful at home, leadership may assume that it will be easily “translate” abroad. But replicating success internationally isn’t as simple as copying and pasting what already works. How do you preserve the core elements that drive results while adapting to new cultural, regulatory, and market realities?
This session explores the practical and strategic considerations involved in globalizing an early talent program. From differences in governance norms and workplace expectations to university recruiting timelines, degree equivalencies, and immigration regulations, expanding internationally requires thoughtful recalibration. The challenge is not just one-off adaptation—it’s building a repeatable framework that balances global standards with local market dynamics.
Led by Virginia Di Vaio of Estée Lauder Companies, this session will introduce a systematic approach to international expansion. Virginia will share how Estée Lauder developed country-specific “playbooks” to guide program implementation, and how that model has evolved to support successful global operations—without requiring dedicated early talent development staff in each regional office.
Attendees will leave with practical insights for expanding their programs globally while maintaining the integrity that made them successful in the first place.
14:30
Networking Break
14:45
Council Chamber
"Rapid Fire" Session
A popular session format for LDP Connect events. Participant volunteers share a best practice, learning or challenge with the audience in 7 minutes or less. A quick exchange of actionable ideas, and an efficient introduction to others who may be wresting with the same challenge you’re wrestling with.
15:45
Networking Break
16:00
General Session
Council Chamber
Head of Early Careers at Newton
Gemma Elsen
Global Director of Talent Development at SAP Emarsys
Lucie Roth
Global Director, Talent & Organizational Effectiveness at VML
Vidhi Thakker
Head of Early Experience Learning CoE at Deloitte
Anastasia Womack
Session TBD
Early talent participants who thrive in the supportive environment of a structured program often feel abandoned and isolated when it ends. Without a clear next step, we risk losing them. How can we better connect early talent programs to a longer-term development strategy, so “off-program” feels like a progression, not a drop-off? How do early talent initiatives align and integrate with enterprise-wide talent development goals? What structures best support the post-program growth of participants—especially in organizations where mid-career development is informal or nonexistent? Whether you’re running an early talent program, overseeing enterprise talent strategy, or looking to better connect the two, this session will offer practical insights and real-world strategies for building a seamless development journey—from first job to future leader.
17:00
Close and Networking
This is the best conference I’ve been to for making it easy to connect to people in similar roles. The whole event is designed to make it very easy to meet to new people, learn from each other’s successes, share common challenges and hear ideas from your peers on how to tackle those.
Lorna Muir, Manager Early Career Programs
Absolutely excellent. Extremely relevant and reassuring to connect with peers. Invaluable to make these connections!
Abby Kelly, Emerging Talent Specialist – Ocado Group
Cavendish Venue
FAQ
Why should I attend the Graduate Development Programme (GDP) Leaders' Summit?
Because your company and program participants are depending on you to make your programs as successful as possible. Your job is challenging and no one understands those challenges and YOU better than your peers. Invest in attending the GDP Summit and you’ll walk out with ideas, friends and a whole bunch of positive energy to make your programs more successful.
What will I get from attending the GDP Summit?
Inspiration, validation, connections, ideas, a sense of progress and a sense of time wel-invested in your OWN development.
What's unique about the GDP Summit?
The GDP Summit was founded in 2023 to focus exclusively on early talent development and how to optimize the structured programs that exist to promote it. We emphasize small group discussion, and practical takeaways. Although early talent acquisition touches our space, we are not a recruiting conference. There are no university career services professionals, and the vast majority of our content is produced and delivered early talent development professionals like you.
What content does the GDP Summit cover?
Here is a link to the agenda of this year’s conference. You can also see past agendas for 2025, 2024, and 2023. GDP Summit sessions cover many tactical issues in running successful early talent development programs, and often tackle larger strategic questions about early talent development in general.
Is there a group discount?
Yes! If you send more than one person, you get a 5% discount on all attendees. Please contact [email protected] for the team discount coupon code. ALSO, if you send at least four people, your full team will be invited to our exclusive Team Workshop session designed for attending teams from the same organization. Bring your colleagues and build something together.
What do past attendees say about the GDP Summit?
Many attendees come back year over year to connect with colleagues and share innovations in early talent program management. Here are some testimonials from past attendees.
What if I have more questions about the Summit?
If you have more questions about the GDP Summit or about the LDP Connect community, please contact us at [email protected].
Some Participating Organizations
LDP Connect includes professionals from many of the world’s marquis employers, including 40% of the Fortune 100.
