Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Publications
Timeline
Generic

Heather Alicia Katz

Olney

Summary

Award-winning Learning and Development executive and visionary leader responsible for designing, developing, and implementing comprehensive evidence-based learning, development, and engagement strategies aligned with organizational goals. At AstraZeneca, led a 5-year Enterprise Learning Strategy achieving measurable results: 90% employee satisfaction, 60% user engagement, 47% improvement in job performance, and $2.5M annual budget savings. LMS proficiency includes innovating the US Navy's learning and LMS ecosystem, standing up the US Navy Medical first LMS, and leading 3 LMS migrations at BPTN. Forward-thinking professional skilled in creating inclusive, data-driven learning solutions to drive employee engagement, performance, and retention. Expert in leveraging advanced learning technologies and metrics to continuously enhance effectiveness and achieve tangible results. Collaborative leader, experienced in cross-functional partnerships to identify skill gaps, develop targeted training programs, compelling communication strategies, and interactive adult learning content. Passionate advocate for fostering continuous learning, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). At BPTN, closed racial equity gaps in the tech employment sector and achieved 125% ROI, 93% learner satisfaction, 97% job placement, and 99% job retention rates. Proven project manager consistently delivering initiatives on time, and within scope and budget. Visionary dedicated to nurturing leadership potential and strategically aligning talent development initiatives with overall business objectives to drive sustainable organizational excellence. At RTI, implemented a Kirkpatrick Evaluation, achieving Level 4 impact and winning 5 L&D industry awards.

Overview

91
91
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Head of Learning and Talent

BLACK PROFESSIONALS IN TECH NETWORK
01.1931 - 05.2022
  • Development and Head of Obsidi Academy
  • Led the design, development, launch, and execution of Obsidi Academy, a $24.2M inclusive learning and workforce development initiative to increase Black representation in the tech sector, training 362 Black Canadians (across six 3-month cohorts) to become Associate Software Engineers and Full-Stack developers and onboard to 6 decentralized Fortune 500 partners, achieving 125% ROI, 80 NPS, 99% graduation, 92% GPA, 93% learner satisfaction, 97% job placement, and 99% job retention rates
  • Led academic-industry collaboration to develop workforce planning and DEI initiatives, partnering with TD Bank, The Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Science, and Humber College to co-create learning and development programs
  • Spearheaded the business and talent recruitment strategy to stand up the L&D business unit and launch Obsidi Academy, within 3 months of my hire date, while simultaneously building, coaching, and leading a team of 12 L&D professionals and managing offshore vendor partnerships to build and deliver Obsidi Academy
  • Employed Agile methodologies to operationalize standard operating procedures, workflows, and implement a comprehensive talent acquisition and employee development lifecycle including performance-based metrics and benchmarks; succession planning; and vendor partnering with Criteria for psychometric assessments, Clarity Consultants and Hurix Digital for instructional design and development, and FirstAdvantage for employee background checks
  • Executed P&L and fiscal leadership for a $24.2M budget, using data and metrics to guide decision making and optimize operations and resource allocation, balancing in-house versus out-sourced solutions, and leveraging AI-assisted course creation to achieve $1M cost-savings and 125% ROI
  • Scaled the high-impact and innovative Obsidi Academy learning program via collaborating with Sales and Marketing to acquire $1.2M in contracts across 5 Fortune 500 companies: BMO, CIBC, Intact, Telus, and Scotia Bank
  • Collaborated with stakeholders and Marketing to co-create marketing assets and press releases, and host Tech-Talk webinars
  • Delivered consultative expertise to the CEO, reinforcing organizational culture and influencing organizational growth.

Director

TRIANGLE INSTITUTE (RTI) INTERNATIONAL
06.2019 - 01.2022
  • Integrated Learning Solutions and Chief of Party, Worldwide Training – USAID
  • Directed and executed P&L leadership and proposal and budget creation and management for USAID’s $60M Global Training, Human Capital, and Talent Management contract, implementing data-driven workforce learning strategies and leadership programs that impacted 10,000 employees across 100 countries: achieving Kirkpatrick Level 4 outcomes, 92% learner satisfaction, “Excellent” and “Very Good” Contract Performance Assessment Reports, and won five L&D industry awards: 3 Marcom Awards: 1 Gold in 2019 and 2 Platinum in 2020, and 2 AVA Digital Awards: 2 Gold in 2020
  • Led and coached a decentralized global L&D team of 10 direct, 74 global reports, and 15+ contracting reports while effectively navigating to fully remote operations during the COVID pandemic and shifting to hybrid operations post COVID
  • Spearheaded the full lifecycle services for programmatic and operational needs for instructional design, curation, and development for 10 eLearnings/microlearnings, 31 hybrid ILTs/vILTs, and 3 webinars; global delivery and logistics for 80 ILTs/vILTs across 100 countries, via Adobe Connect and Google Classroom, achieving a 92% learner satisfaction score
  • Created workforce development roadmaps; succession, risk mitigation, and change management plans; and developed L&D programs that aligned with global human capital strategies and learning initiatives, improving organizational performance as evidenced by achieving Kirkpatrick Level 4, and exceeding business goals
  • Led a decentralized team to conduct a Kirkpatrick Evaluation and a Curriculum Analysis and Competency Mapping that operationalized workforce development and organizational culture transformation and advised senior stakeholders
  • Led the strategy and creation of the USAID Professional Development and Training (PDT) Communication Plan and Toolkit that delivered campaign messaging across multiple communications channels to drive the brand and enhance the organizational culture across the USAID organization
  • Planned, executed, and facilitated DEB training and facilitated 11 annual leadership sessions with a 90% satisfaction rate.

Global Director

ASTRAZENECA PHARMACEUTICALS
01.2017 - 06.2018
  • Learning & Enterprise Development, HR Talent & Development
  • Designed and executed a 5-year Enterprise Learning Transformation Strategy and Technology Charter aligned to the Corporate Vision, consolidating 70 learning technologies into 10, reducing costs by $9M, and elevating learner engagement to 88% via driving innovative L&D programs resulting in a transformational organizational learning and cultural shift
  • Actualized $2.5M in Year-1 savings through strategic P&L leadership, budget management, partner collaboration, and vendor partnership and management
  • Spearheaded the global adoption of a custom microlearning platform, achieving a 2-year ROI with 90% employee satisfaction, 47% job performance improvement, 60% user engagement, 383K content views, and 98% user logon from 90 countries
  • Crafted 5 inclusive leadership development pathways and orchestrated the development and delivery of 22 webinars, obtaining a global audience of 1,340 users with a 98% participation rate throughout a dynamic 12-month period
  • Provided change management and collaborated with senior leaders to develop the Enterprise Learning Transformation and Communication Strategy via building relationships with HR stakeholders and influencing leadership across 12 business units.

Director of Education & Learning

ASTRAZENECA PHARMACEUTICALS
01.2015 - 01.2017
  • Global Medicines Development (GMD)
  • Developed competency-based learning frameworks in leadership, business acumen, and project management, delivered via a continuous microlearning gamification platform: BlueOceanBrain, engaging 6,500 employees that enhanced leadership capabilities across 10 business units achieving 93% user engagement and 215K views
  • Achieved $2.5M in cost savings via P&L leadership and strategic budget and vendor management while drafting and employing a comprehensive 5-year GMD Education and Learning Strategic, Capability, and Sustainability Plan across 10 business units
  • Earned Human Resources Awards Finalist for the innovative Business Acumen Onboarding Assessment and Training Portal and Business Acumen Leadership Toolkit, encompassing 75+ tailored eLearning courses for various career path levels
  • Advised senior leaders and collaborated with HR Business Partners, stakeholders, and vendors to prioritize and implement talent and development initiatives through strategic budget creation, execution, and P&L leadership for a $3M budget
  • Formulated and executed a continuous learning strategy for cross cultural collaboration via developing the DEIB strategy for working with China, Japan, United Kingdom, Sweden, and the United States, enhancing employee relations and global teaming.

Principal Research Analyst & Program Manager

ICF INTERNATIONAL
08.2011 - 01.2015
  • Managed a $2.5M cybersecurity workforce transformation initiative at the National Security Agency (NSA), developing 20 career pathways, 400 KSAs, and 10 competency-based training programs, optimizing workforce readiness across national security teams
  • Executed budget creation and P&L management for a $2.5M budget for eLearning, technical training, and leadership development programs for NSA, providing expert program and P&L management and forecasting
  • Developed the NSA Cybersecurity Workforce and Succession Plan and led a L&D and organizational development team of 10 to conduct 7 training needs assessments and job-task analyses, identifying 400 Key Skills Areas (KSAs) and associated job tasks
  • Distilled the 400 KSAs to develop 20 distinctive career pathways, 10 specialized curricula, complemented by engaging instructor-led training (ILT) and virtual ILT sessions, and 10 eLearning courses within the Learning Management System.

Program Manager & Senior Research Analyst

PDRI
01.2010 - 07.2011
  • Wrote proposals to win $2.5M in contract awards, heading strategic workforce planning, change and budget management, and human capital consulting services to conduct comprehensive research and front-end analyses
  • Devised and enacted compliance and regulation curriculum and bespoke learning solutions that markedly improved both human and organizational performance at the NSA and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)
  • Supervised an 8-member team in conducting enterprise-wide oversight and compliance training needs assessment, including 3 job-task and competency analysis, informing leadership and workforce development, succession planning, and career paths
  • Utilized the assessment outcomes to drive the formation of 6 specialized compliance eLearning courses.

INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT

09.2007 - 01.2010
  • Mobile Learning, Executive Leadership Development, and Human Performance Management
  • Developed the STEM mobile learning strategy and proof of concept, partnering with SPRINT Mobile and the Ewing Marion Foundation, for Hot Lava mobile platform merging with Outstart in 2009 and acquired by Kenexa and then IBM for $1.3B, evolving into IBM’s global talent HRIS platform
  • Contracted by the Institute for Simulation and Training at the University of Central Florida, to co-develop the US Defense Acquisition University Mobile Learning Strategy
  • Contracted by IDSI to co-develop, for the Defense Language Institute - Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC), the Distributed Learning (dL) In Foreign Language Education: Principles, Best Practices, and Approaches to Evaluation
  • Devised talent development and coaching online learning roadmap and products for Tyco International's C-suite, encompassing initiatives like Diversity and Inclusion for Executive Leaders and Recognizing Change for Managers
  • Provided program management, while partnering with the Corporate Executive Board: Corporate Leadership Council, for Improving Senior Leaders’ Adoption of Talent Management Best Practices.

Vice President of Learning Solutions

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, INC
09.2006 - 01.2008
  • Directed a $1.5M annual budget, designing NSF and US Treasury learning and development solutions and leadership programs that significantly improved executive performance and talent pipeline readiness
  • Supported a team of 25 professionals (i.e., program managers, facilitators, instructional and graphic designers, and LMS administrators), providing human capital and technical consulting for the National Science Foundation (NSF)
  • Developed a full lifecycle enterprise training proposal and produced 20 specialized leadership performance plans for NSF
  • Conceived, developed, and executed an innovative future-skill roadmap to modernize enterprise performance management, leadership development, and succession planning for the US Department of Treasury Financial Management Services, yielding 130 performance plans that elevated leadership efficiency and organizational performance through cross-functional collaboration
  • Led the design, development, and delivery of 12 eLearning courses for NIH, DHHS OIG, and the US Department of Education.

Adjunct University Professor and Course Developer

STRAYER UNIVERSITY ONLINE
08.2002 - 08.2007
  • Designed and instructed, using Blackboard, graduate and undergraduate courses aligning instructional design strategies with competency development and degree requirements
  • Undergraduate: PSY105ED: Introduction to Psychology and CIS105AD: Intro to Computer Information Systems
  • Graduate: EDU540: Designing, Developing and Evaluating Educational Technologies, EDU532: Instructional Supervision, EDU515: Designing Mandated and Discretionary Curricula, and EDU500: Theories of Teaching and Learning.

Program Manager & Senior Learning Research Analyst

INTELLIGENT DECISION SYSTEMS INC
05.2003 - 09.2006
  • Spearheaded a 5-year transformative L&D consulting corporate growth and change management strategy, achieving 1200% revenue growth via writing winning proposals, P&L leadership, and $5M per annum budget creation and management
  • Delivered high-impact consulting services in learning and workforce policy, technical training, and leadership development, meeting critical talent objectives and business priorities for US Federal (FDA CDER, ADL Co-Lab) and Department of Defense agencies
  • Led industry and government workshops on reusable content strategy that positively impacted the industry
  • Innovated the US Navy's learning and LMS ecosystem by designing the SCORM Content Object Model, Integration Guidelines for Technical Training and SCORM content, and Mobile Learning Design and Development Guidelines, establishing new US Federal government standards in mobile learning and SCORM content.

INTELLIGENT AUTOMATION, INC
11.2002 - 05.2003

SENIOR LEARNING RESEARCH ANALYST AND PROGRAM MANAGER

01.2002 - 01.2003
  • Secured $750K revenue via authoring winning proposals for eLearning, adaptive learning, and reusable learning objects for US Federal Government agencies
  • Developed three SCORM-compliant eLearning and two technology integration strategies
  • Led a team of 10 develop and execute the US Department of Education

Director Interactive

US NAVAL MEDICAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMAND, NMETC
11.2001 - 11.2002
  • Medical Multimedia (GS-13)
  • Stood up the first US Navy Medical LMS, leading a team of 10 L&D professionals to integrate 50 eLearning courses, improving medical personnel training efficiency by 35%, and optimizing digital learning transformation globally across the US Navy
  • Provided program, vendor, change management, and P&L and budget creation and management for $5M annual budget.

Education

PhD - Curriculum and Instructional Technology

University of Texas
Austin, TX

Master of Education -

Howard University
Washington, DC

Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science

Howard University
Washington, DC

Skills

  • Zoom
  • Asana
  • Confluence
  • Salesforce
  • Microsoft 365
  • Google Workspace
  • Workday
  • ADP
  • MURAL
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe Connect
  • Adobe Captivate
  • Google Classroom
  • Articulate
  • Cornerstone
  • BlueOceanBrain
  • ChatGPT

Certification

  • Certified Professional Coach, IPEC Coaching, 2023
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate, USF Corporate Training and Professional Education, 2023
  • Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner (ELI-MP), IPEC Coaching, 2022
  • Korn Ferry Emotional & Social Competency Inventory (ESCI) Assessment Certification, Korn Ferry, 2020
  • Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute, 2014, 2026

Publications

  • USAID Worldwide Training IQC Final Report: May 1, 2014 – December 31, 2021, 2021
  • USAID HCTM Core Course Kirkpatrick Evaluation (Level 1-4), 2020
  • Informal Learning through Mobile Technologies [Addressing STEM via Mobile], 2011
  • Distributed Learning (dL) In Foreign Language Education: Principles, Best Practices, and Approaches to Evaluation, 2009
  • DAU Mobile Learning Strategy, 2007
  • S1000D/SCORM Redundancy Analysis and Conversion Guidelines: Final Report, 2006
  • Focus on Solutions: A Culturally Sensitive, Computer-Based AIDS Prevention Program Targeting African American Women on College Campuses, 2002
  • Goal Orientation, Cognitive Tool Use, and Achievement: Preferences and Behaviors of African- and Latina-American College Women during Hypermedia Instruction, 2002
  • The Relationship Between Learners' Goal Orientation and their Cognitive Tool Use and Achievement in an Interactive Hypermedia Environment, 2001

Timeline

Director

TRIANGLE INSTITUTE (RTI) INTERNATIONAL
06.2019 - 01.2022

Global Director

ASTRAZENECA PHARMACEUTICALS
01.2017 - 06.2018

Director of Education & Learning

ASTRAZENECA PHARMACEUTICALS
01.2015 - 01.2017

Principal Research Analyst & Program Manager

ICF INTERNATIONAL
08.2011 - 01.2015

Program Manager & Senior Research Analyst

PDRI
01.2010 - 07.2011

INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT

09.2007 - 01.2010

Vice President of Learning Solutions

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, INC
09.2006 - 01.2008

Program Manager & Senior Learning Research Analyst

INTELLIGENT DECISION SYSTEMS INC
05.2003 - 09.2006

INTELLIGENT AUTOMATION, INC
11.2002 - 05.2003

Adjunct University Professor and Course Developer

STRAYER UNIVERSITY ONLINE
08.2002 - 08.2007

SENIOR LEARNING RESEARCH ANALYST AND PROGRAM MANAGER

01.2002 - 01.2003

Director Interactive

US NAVAL MEDICAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMAND, NMETC
11.2001 - 11.2002

PhD - Curriculum and Instructional Technology

University of Texas

Master of Education -

Howard University

Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science

Howard University

Head of Learning and Talent

BLACK PROFESSIONALS IN TECH NETWORK
01.1931 - 05.2022

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