Curtis Cathey
Abingdon,MD
Summary
Experienced Learning and Development Specialist holding a Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Christian Studies. Expertise in designing and evaluating training programs for nonprofit organizations, with a focus on adult learning theory and leadership development. Skilled in delivering engaging learning initiatives that effectively support remote and distributed teams.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Operations Associate
Wayfair
03.2025 - Current
- Collaborated within team to meet performance metrics and uphold quality standards.
- Applied continuous learning and feedback to enhance accuracy and efficiency in task execution.
- Operated in performance-driven environment, acquiring skills rapidly while adhering to procedures and maintaining productivity.
Leadership Development & Training Specialist (Freelance)
Project-Based Engagements
Los Angeles, California
01.2020 - Current
- Facilitated workshops and learning experiences for nonprofit staff, volunteers, and community leaders to enhance leadership skills and foster collaboration.
- Designed leadership and professional development workshops integrating emotional intelligence, ethical leadership, and values-based decision-making.
- Collaborated with organizational leaders to align training content with mission objectives and operational needs.
- Supported programs through curriculum development and training delivery for 25–100+ participants annually, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
- Collected and analyzed participant feedback to refine learning content, enhancing engagement and effectiveness of training.
Operations Associate
Amazon
10.2022 - 01.2025
- Executed operations in high-volume, metrics-driven organization with focus on standardized training, safety compliance, and adherence to performance benchmarks.
- Applied process training and continuous improvement feedback to maintain productivity and quality expectations, consistently meeting or exceeding daily performance targets.
- Enhanced adaptability and attention to detail while collaborating with teams to process 1,000+ units per shift in large-scale operational environment.
Learning & Development Consultant (Subcontractor)
Independent Consulting Engagements
Los Angeles, CA
01.2020 - 12.2022
- Conducted learning needs analyses through stakeholder interviews, surveys, and feedback reviews to identify skill gaps and training priorities.
- Designed and delivered learning and development programs for nonprofit, faith-based, and mission-driven organizations, enhancing skills of staff, volunteers, and emerging leaders.
- Developed and facilitated instructor-led and virtual training sessions for groups of 10–50 participants, increasing engagement and knowledge retention.
- Created customized training materials, facilitator guides, and participant resources to align with adult learning principles and meet organizational goals.
- Evaluated training effectiveness using post-session surveys and assessments, applying insights to improve learning outcomes and participant satisfaction.
- Supported organizational change initiatives by equipping teams with essential communication, leadership, and collaboration skills.
Education
Master of Science (M.S.) - Industrial–Organizational Psychology
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZBachelor of Science (B.S.) - Christian Studies
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZSkills
- Learning and development strategy
- Training program design
- Adult learning principles
- Learning needs analysis
- Curriculum development
- Leadership development
- Employee training
- Training evaluation
- Remote learning facilitation
- Change management support
- Learning management systems
- Assessment tools
- Virtual collaboration platforms
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- Google Workspace expertise
Open To Remote Roles
True
Cover Letters
Dear Hiring Manager, I am writing to express my interest in the Learning & Development Specialist position. With a Master’s degree in Industrial–Organizational Psychology and experience supporting learning, training, and people development initiatives, I bring a strong commitment to building effective, engaging, and mission-aligned learning experiences. My background includes working in project-based and consulting capacities where I have designed and facilitated training programs for staff, volunteers, and emerging leaders. I have experience conducting learning needs analyses, developing curriculum grounded in adult learning principles, and evaluating training effectiveness to support knowledge transfer, skill development, and engagement. In addition to learning and development, I bring an understanding of how training intersects with onboarding, recruiting support, and retention. I have contributed to onboarding and early-stage development efforts by helping organizations align learning resources with role expectations, organizational values, and performance goals. My academic background, combined with hands-on experience in structured, performance-driven environments, has strengthened my ability to balance human-centered development with operational realities. I am comfortable working independently, collaborating across teams, and adapting learning approaches to meet organizational needs. Thank you for your time and consideration. I would welcome the opportunity to contribute my skills and experience to your organization. Sincerely, Curtis Cathey, Dear Hiring Manager, I am writing to express my interest in the Learning & Development Specialist position. With a Master’s degree in Industrial–Organizational Psychology and experience supporting nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, I am deeply motivated to contribute to learning initiatives that strengthen people, teams, and community impact. My professional experience includes working as a Learning & Development Consultant on a subcontractor basis, where I have designed and facilitated training programs for staff, volunteers, and emerging leaders. I have conducted learning needs analyses, developed engaging curricula grounded in adult learning principles, and evaluated training effectiveness to ensure meaningful knowledge transfer and skill adoption. My work has also supported recruiting and onboarding efforts by helping organizations align early learning experiences with mission, values, and role readiness. In addition to my consulting work, my experience within large, performance-driven organizations has strengthened my understanding of systems, standardized training, and continuous improvement. This allows me to design learning solutions that are both people-centered and operationally practical. My Bachelor’s degree in Christian Studies further grounds my work in values-based leadership, ethical decision-making, and service-oriented development. These principles guide how I approach learning design, facilitation, and collaboration in support of organizational missions. Thank you for your time and consideration. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experience can support your organization’s learning and development goals. Sincerely, Curtis Cathey
Professional Development
- Instructional Design for Corporate & Nonprofit Learning
- Organizational Development & Change Management
- Leadership Development & Coaching Skills
- Measuring Training Effectiveness & Program Evaluation
Timeline
Operations Associate
Wayfair
03.2025 - Current
Operations Associate
Amazon
10.2022 - 01.2025
Leadership Development & Training Specialist (Freelance)
Project-Based Engagements
01.2020 - Current
Learning & Development Consultant (Subcontractor)
Independent Consulting Engagements
01.2020 - 12.2022
Master of Science (M.S.) - Industrial–Organizational Psychology
Grand Canyon University
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Christian Studies
Grand Canyon University