Debbie Koehler
Appleton,WI
Summary
Strategic Learning and Development Leader with expertise in translating enterprise learning strategies into scalable programs that enhance capability and drive business performance. Partners effectively across HR and business units to identify capability needs and design impactful learning solutions. Skilled in program planning, governance, and cross-functional collaboration while utilizing data to measure learning effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Sr. Manager, HR Enterprise Learning
Best Buy
, USA
11.2021 - Current
- Provide enterprise leadership for learning strategy, ensuring capability building, leadership readiness, and performance improvement align with organizational transformation priorities.
- Direct the design, development, and operationalization of scalable learning programs that deliver measurable impact for thousands of employees across diverse business areas.
- Built and managed strong stakeholder relationships as trusted advisor to HR, senior business leaders, and cross-functional teams, diagnosing capability needs, shaping learning priorities, and ensuring alignment with enterprise strategy.
- Managed complex stakeholder groups across matrixed organization, influencing priorities and driving alignment for successful adoption of learning solutions at scale.
Manager, HR Enterprise Learning
Best Buy
, USA
09.2020 - 11.2021
- Designed and delivered enterprise learning programs that strengthened leadership capability and enhanced operational performance across multiple business areas.
- Modernized learning experiences through updated methodologies and digital solutions that supported enterprise initiatives and improved learner engagement.
Manager, Center of Excellence – Retail Services Operations & OEM Repair
Best Buy
, USA
07.2019 - 09.2020
- Directed learning programs that enhanced repair operations and retail services, leading to improved efficiency and service delivery.
- Developed capability programs in technical, operational, and leadership areas to deepen skills, stabilize performance, and create career progression pathways.
Market Geek Squad Senior Manager
Best Buy
, USA
05.2014 - 07.2020
- Led multi‑market technical services teams, enhancing operational consistency and service quality to improve customer experience across diverse regions.
- Elevated team performance and leadership capability by developing talent and strengthening operational processes to foster accountability and continuous improvement.
Territory Multi‑Channel Sales Support Director — Midwest Territory
Best Buy
, USA
01.2012 - 05.2014
- Provided operational leadership for 7 Area Managers spanning 11 districts and 149 stores, influencing performance for 14,000+ employees and $5B in annual revenue.
- Oversaw multi‑channel operations and controls, ensuring inventory accuracy, brand consistency, and exceptional customer experiences across markets.
- Led organization’s turnaround, guiding teams through transformation and adopting new operational and cultural standards.
Territory Field Support Director — Midwest Territory
Best Buy
, USA
01.2008 - 01.2012
- Provided operational leadership for 138 stores, generating $4.5B in revenue and employing 15,000 team members, ensuring consistent execution and performance across all markets.
- Oversaw end-to-end store operations, merchandising execution, and inventory accountability, driving operational excellence, and strengthening customer experience across the region.
Operations Field Support Director — Midwest
Best Buy
, USA
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Managed 10 direct reports across two territories and 200 stores, influencing operational excellence, and co-creating retail strategies with corporate teams to enhance business outcomes.
- Led the successful deployment of the New Store Operating Model and the new Labor & Scheduling system, improving productivity, streamlining processes, and driving consistent execution across the network.
Education
Master of Science - Business Administration & Management
Western Governors University
01.2022
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice & Business Management
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MISkills
Strategic & Enterprise Learning Leadership
- Enterprise learning strategy
- Translating strategy into scalable learning programs
- Learning governance and prioritization
Program & Solution Design
- Program design and development
- Leadership development and capability building
- Blended and virtual learning design
Operationalizing Learning
- Program roadmapping and planning
- Operational excellence in learning delivery
- Change management and transformation
Data, Measurement & Insights
- Data-driven decision making
- Learning measurement and analytics
- Continuous improvement of learning experiences
Cross‑Functional Leadership & Collaboration
- Cross-functional partnership and stakeholder alignment
- Influencing in a matrixed environment
- Vendor and partner management
People Leadership
- Leading and developing high-performing teams
- Coaching and talent development
- Building cultures of continuous learning
Communication & Storytelling
- Strategic communication
- Storytelling that connects learning to business outcomes
- Executive-level communication
Selected Achievements
- Consistently recognized for industry‑leading performance, achieving top results across multiple years.
- Selected as a national peer leader, facilitating onboarding for new multi‑unit leaders to accelerate their ramp‑up and performance.
- Honored with the Chairman’s Innovation Award for creating high‑impact community engagement initiatives that strengthened brand reputation and local partnerships.
- Achieved top‑quartile employee satisfaction year over year, driven by strong leadership, team engagement, and performance coaching.
- Led the organization in multi‑channel customer satisfaction for store pickup operations, transforming the experience into a key competitive differentiator.
Certification
Coursera Google AI Prompting Essentials
Timeline
Sr. Manager, HR Enterprise Learning
Best Buy
11.2021 - Current
Manager, HR Enterprise Learning
Best Buy
09.2020 - 11.2021
Manager, Center of Excellence – Retail Services Operations & OEM Repair
Best Buy
07.2019 - 09.2020
Market Geek Squad Senior Manager
Best Buy
05.2014 - 07.2020
Territory Multi‑Channel Sales Support Director — Midwest Territory
Best Buy
01.2012 - 05.2014
Territory Field Support Director — Midwest Territory
Best Buy
01.2008 - 01.2012
Operations Field Support Director — Midwest
Best Buy
01.2007 - 01.2008
Master of Science - Business Administration & Management
Western Governors University
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice & Business Management
Eastern Michigan University