Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Accomplishments
Board Membership
Affiliations
References
Timeline
Generic

Mary Bruno

Summary

Results-driven leader with proven expertise in crafting and executing strategic talent development initiatives. Demonstrated ability to assess training needs and create targeted programs that align with organizational goals. Established strong partnerships with executive leadership to enhance leadership development across all levels. Skilled in coaching and guiding employees on career advancement and performance management, fostering a culture of communication and alignment with company values.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Adjunct Faculty Member

University of Kentucky
08.2025 - Current
  • Deliver lectures and facilitated engaging classroom discussions.
  • Evaluate student performance through assignments and exams.
  • Provide academic advising and support to students.
  • Collaborate with faculty on curriculum development initiatives.

Senior Leader, Learning and Development, Sales Enablement

Walmart Connect
Hoboken
04.2024 - 02.2025
  • Designed and delivered enterprise-level leadership development programs for future-ready leaders.
  • Created and implemented complex training frameworks across advertising, print, and digital channels.
  • Established coaching structures and professional development pathways for high-potential talent.
  • Collaborated with subject matter experts to ensure ongoing relevance of training programs.
  • Led Communities of Practice to facilitate best practice sharing among teams.
  • Monitored program effectiveness and advised senior leaders on global talent frameworks.
  • Partnered cross-functionally on go-to-market strategies to drive growth.
  • Drove continuous improvement in leadership standards and capabilities.

Consultant Sales Talent Development, Optimum

Delane Consulting, Inc.
10.2023 - 03.2024
  • Designed and led comprehensive sales leadership and talent development strategies aligned with business growth goals.
  • Created and delivered innovative training solutions, career progression frameworks, and coaching programs to build high-performing teams, strengthen leadership pipelines, and nurture high-potential talent.
  • Partnered cross-functionally to ensure content relevance, sales readiness, and a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Developed and executed engaging training programs covering sales skills, product knowledge, negotiation, and closing techniques.
  • Established tailored development plans, career progression pathways, and one-on-one coaching to strengthen individual capabilities and prepare future leaders.
  • Fostered a culture of ongoing learning through structured performance feedback, mentoring, and talent pipeline development.
  • Provided advice on operational processes, business development initiatives, organizational changes and other areas of improvement.

Director of Talent, Learning & Development

Rocket Central
Detroit
05.2019 - 10.2023
  • Devised sales training programs with senior executives to enhance productivity and performance.
  • Led curriculum development by collaborating with leaders and subject matter experts.
  • Spearheaded learning program delivery, managing scheduling and logistics effectively.
  • Planned quarterly OKRs to elevate overall performance metrics.
  • Delivered impactful training using diverse learning platforms for cross-functional teams.
  • Created comprehensive onboarding programs, designing varied developmental experiences.
  • Managed a top-tier team of trainers, onboarded over 500 salespeople in 2020 and 2021.
  • Reduced onboarding time by two weeks, increasing revenue by 8% annually.

Associate Faculty Member

University of Phoenix
05.2005 - 04.2022
  • Developed course materials to enhance student engagement and learning experiences.
  • Facilitated classroom discussions to promote critical thinking and collaboration among students.
  • Evaluated student assignments to provide constructive feedback on performance and understanding.
  • Coordinated with faculty to align curriculum with educational standards and institutional goals.
  • Implemented technology tools to support remote learning and improve accessibility for students.

Director of Sales Learning & Development (Sales Enablement)

Valassis Communications, INC.
Livonia
08.2016 - 05.2019
  • Directed leadership and sales coaching initiatives for digital and print sales teams.
  • Executed comprehensive needs assessments of capabilities, strengths, and gaps.
  • Prioritized resources toward educational activities aligned with sales department's mission and strategic priorities.
  • Delivered all sales learning and development programs, incorporating cutting-edge lead development and CRM strategies.
  • Developed structured methods to evaluate quality and impact of learning programs using best practices.
  • Devised an effective sales onboarding program that included workshops and targeted coaching experiences.
  • Certified in Challenger Sales Methodology to enhance B2B sales effectiveness.
  • Oversaw implementation of CRM systems to optimize customer data management.

Manager of Sales Learning and Development

The Home Depot – Home Depot Measurement Services
Oak Park
03.2013 - 08.2016
  • Provided coaching and development on performance management, roles and routines, and process improvement.
  • Steered improvement initiatives within Services, including leadership development, associate engagement, and staffing performance.
  • Supported all HR initiatives, including associate engagement and associate functions.
  • Visited field markets to deliver training and development.
  • Conducted needs assessments, evaluated gap analysis, and implemented action plans in development and assessment of training curriculum.
  • Researched emerging industry trends, innovative technologies, concepts, and techniques to update current training curriculum.
  • Partnered with training leaders to standardize training delivery mechanisms and leverage best practices.
  • Conducted comprehensive needs assessments and developed learning strategies by function.
  • Improved associate retention by 7% over two years.
  • Shortened onboarding to accelerate time to productivity.

Education

Master of Arts - Education-Adult Education and Training

University of Phoenix

Skills

  • Training and development
  • Leadership development
  • Sales coaching
  • Program design
  • Performance management
  • Curriculum development
  • Talent strategy
  • Change management
  • Effective communication
  • Data-driven decision making
  • Quality control
  • Strategic planning
  • High-potential development
  • Performance assessment
  • Employee engagement
  • Team building
  • Coaching and mentorship
  • Talent pipeline management
  • Global talent strategies
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Salesforce CRM
  • Dialer systems
  • Articulate software
  • Generative AI tools
  • Chatbot development
  • Prompt optimization

Certification

  • ICF Associate Certified Coach, 09/30/25
  • Challenger Sales Methodology
  • Situational Leadership – Blanchard
  • Advanced Facilitator Certification
  • Managing for Peak Performance
  • Hiring Great Performers Certification
  • Leadership Fundamentals
  • Self-Coaching
  • Competency Certification, Korn-Ferry
  • Crucial Conversations
  • DiSC Certification
  • Clifton StrengthsFinder

Accomplishments

  • Created and implemented comprehensive leadership development solutions for all levels of management, from high-potential talent to senior executives.
  • Spearheaded Challenger Sales Training and subsequent follow-up sessions for 500 salespeople across the U.S; Achieved a 3% lift in overall client advertising spend.

Board Membership

ATD/NNJ, VP Marketing/Communications

Affiliations

  • Volunteer at Big Brothers/Big Sisters
  • Faculty of the Year - 2010

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Adjunct Faculty Member

University of Kentucky
08.2025 - Current

Senior Leader, Learning and Development, Sales Enablement

Walmart Connect
04.2024 - 02.2025

Consultant Sales Talent Development, Optimum

Delane Consulting, Inc.
10.2023 - 03.2024

Director of Talent, Learning & Development

Rocket Central
05.2019 - 10.2023

Director of Sales Learning & Development (Sales Enablement)

Valassis Communications, INC.
08.2016 - 05.2019

Manager of Sales Learning and Development

The Home Depot – Home Depot Measurement Services
03.2013 - 08.2016

Associate Faculty Member

University of Phoenix
05.2005 - 04.2022

Master of Arts - Education-Adult Education and Training

University of Phoenix

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