Rita Bailey currently serves as the 2005 Chair of the 70,000-member ASTD association, working with leaders all over the world. Rita lives the philosophy that if you put people first, profits will follow and work will be fun.

Previously, Rita worked at Southwest Airlines for 25 years in a number of capacities where she helped shepherd the transition from 1,000 employees to 32,000. She also was Director of Southwest Airlines University where she directed a 36-member team focused on Career Development, Leadership and Professional/Personal programs for over 32,000 employees.