“I love design. I love helping others be amazing at their jobs because they have the right tools and resources to be empowered and capable. ”
Learning Strategy, Design, & Development | Instructional & Human Centered Design | Branding & Program Management | Assessment Design, Writing, & Alignment | UX Research
Caryn Elizabeth Kelly
Instructional Designer
Professional Experience
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Sr. Learning Specialist
Merck Manufacturing Division (MMD) 2023 - Present
Steer the functionality, technical design, and development of critical learning assets, including curriculum maps, design documents, learning plans, wireframes, and prototypes.
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Sr. Program Manager - Learning Experience
Amazon & Amazon Web Services 2018 - 2023
Steer the functionality, technical design, and development of critical learning assets, including curriculum maps, design documents, learning plans, wireframes, and prototypes. Recommend instructional solutions to remediate an identified business problem. Monitored the activities of over 3-4 junior designers brought in to enhance the learning experience and development process.
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Instructional Designer (Accreditation)
Federal Law Enforcement Center (FLETC) 2017-2018
Hired with security clearance to lead the instructional design and curriculum development processes within this federal training center. Role ‘s main focus was to establish the foundation and related documentation, procedures, and policies to obtain FLETA accreditation. Support three training divisions within the Training and Professional Development (TPD) program.
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Assessment Writer, K12-Evaluation & Research Specialist
CK Elizabeth Designs 2012-2018
Hired for various contract-based and freelance positions to assist clients CK Elizabeth Designs (2016-Present) and K12, Inc (2012-13 & 2015-18) with program, project and instructional design support. Demonstrate exceptional communication skills while working on a virtual team, ensuring the timely delivery of all project deliverables and routinely exceeding expectations.
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Instructional Designer
CitiBank 2014-2017
As a remote Instructional Designer, provided insight into digital banking and mobile-first solutions that benefited Citi customers, in this fast-paced, high volume company. Developed learning plans, curriculum maps, materials, manuals, communications, e-books, and interactive storyboards and wireframes on finance-related topics in an Agile project management environment.
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Project Manager & Instructional Designer (Academy Program)
Cisco 2011-2014
In this multi-dimensional role, managed the completion of deliverables and other project assets with tight deadlines. Prioritized assignments based on business need and utilized JIRA and SCRUM methods to ensure delivery of project manager and instructional designer responsibilities.
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Instructional Designer & Assessment Writer
Instructional Designer & Assessment Writer 2011-2012
Utilized extensive human relations and communication skills while working in a virtual workspace with co-workers around the country. Assisted with the development of new processes for current and future projects. Oversaw quality controls of product as it was delivered. Wrote and edited assessment questions for various courses.
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MODSIM (Modeling and Simulation) Curriculum Workshop Coordinator (Project Manager),
NASA - Penn State 2-11-2011
Responsible for ensuring consistent curriculum among three NASA Research Centers for a two week Modeling and Simulation Workshop and assisting with the adding of a K-5 track to the MODSIM World Workshop with the NASA Strategic Relations Office at Langley Research Center.
Created of the agenda and curriculum content for a two week workshop for 10 teachers onsite and 18 others between two other centers across the country in collaboration with a Project Engineer for technical components. Organized presenters to include an astronaut, aerospace engineers, and other technical experts; on- and off-site tours; and hands-on, field, and computer based activities. -
High School Science Teacher (Biology and Alternative Education)
Suffolk & Norfolk Public Schools 2010-2011; 2005-2007
Provided district approved curriculum to students as an alternative education teacher using a pilot, online program with Odyssey to overage students to graduate on time. Managed multiple classrooms.
Provided and developed district approved curriculum to students as a Science teacher.
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Program Manager & Training & Curriculum Specialist
United States Department of Defense (DOD) - MWR & FFSC 2005-2010
Responsible for all aspects of the Work and Life Skills Training Program, including: curriculum design, training delivery, course marketing, training validation, trainee evaluation and individual coaching.
Developed, managed, and continually evaluated the curriculum for six separate training programs. Established monthly and annual training calendars and coordinated training with 50 different departments.
What my learning journey has consisted thus far of.
What I am currently learning.

FAQs
What key skills do you have that can support our needs?
Strategic Planning | Design Thinking Promotion | Design Systems SME | UX Research Expertise | Resource Management | Valuable Design Insights | Agile Certified Professional | Technical Training Programs | Defines Policies & Procedures | Program Performance Metrics | Professional Development | Documenting Processes | Time & Cost Improvements | Curricula Learning Strategies | Onboarding Time Reductions | Team Training | Quality Assurance | Information Technology | Educational Expertise | Technology Integration & Management
What technology do you have experience with?
Advanced Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel) JIRA | Asana | Quip | SmartSheets | Learning & Content Management Systems |SnagIt | Slack | SharePoint | VPN | Excel for Data Analytics | Storyline 360 Level 1 and 2 | Rise | AI & ChatGPT | Adobe Creative Suite and Camtasia (knowledgeable) | Various Web-meeting platforms | PM Tool Project Libre | AWS Services ATMS (Proprietary Machine Learning (ML) software for translation) | Acrolinx (knowledgeable) | MadCap Flare | Learn Worlds & Thinktific LMS | Axonify
What other industry certifications do you possess?
Agile Scrum Product Owner (PO) | Agile Scrum Master (SM) Certified | AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification | UX Researcher Certificate | Human Centered Design (HCD) – Interactive Design Foundation (UX & Product Certifications)
*Currently working towards FAA Part 107 license and working on Geospacial Information Systems (GIS training to include remote sensing and map development with ArcGIS and similar tools.