Mandy Brown, EMBA

Experience

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  Freelance

  Jan 2010 - now

  Writer | Editor

  Currently sorting through 9000+ data points (messages & posts) to sort out a book project....✨ 𝐌𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – I write, revise, and/or edit content to engage and move readers. I proof manuscripts, provide structural feedback, and assist in revisions. Other responsibilities include researching relevant markets for my work and project managing larger manuscripts, including cover design and marketing strategy.𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 – Internationally published in various genres; over a dozen awards and honors with various organizations and publishers, including fellowships; first novel published by a small press. 💻 𝐒𝐞𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 💻𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 – Completed numerous short story and article edits; Completed novels: – Deadly Intruder by Anne Kelsey (🏆 Amazon Bestseller April 2014)– Ennara and the Fallen Druid by Angela Myron– Airship Neverland II: Captain Hook and the Pirates of Mars by John R. White– Fairy Dust Never Rusts by John R. White Show less

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  Texas State University

  Jun 2010 - Jan 2012

  ✨ 𝐌𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – I managed the center’s learner research, used that data to direct training efforts, and led the online center in supporting distance students. Some of my accomplishments include... 📋 Launching a client survey to determine pain points in the customer experience, a tool that collected data from over 3,000 individual client interactions. 💻 Closing tutor technical VILT skills, which grew the Online Writing Center’s capacity by 30%💰 Aiding in research and grant writing that expanded tutoring team by 25% Show less ✨ 𝐌𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – I managed the center’s website and spread event awareness to connect students with relevant learning experiences. Some of my accomplishments include...💻Generating traffic to our site using social media platforms (Twitter & Facebook), creating about a 50% increase in followers and increasing main site traffic by 63% 📅 Designing graphics and ad materials to publicize over 24 workshops and writing center events with an attendance rate of 74% or higher Show less ✨ 𝐌𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – I led supplemental instruction and mentorship for this non-profit organization dedicated to supporting English language, disabled, and low-socioeconomic learners in trauma earn credentials for employment. 🏫 By the end of the program, 98% of our learners earned at least one level of credentials, 82% of those earned writing and grammar credentials.My day-to-day included:1. Performing needs assessments to determine skill gaps in learner groups2. Writing relevant knowledge and performance objectives for academic (writing and grammar) and soft skills (time management, conflict resolution, critical thinking, and goal setting) 3. Designing lesson plans and curriculum-based assessments with my knowledge of educational theories 4. Tracking and analyzing learner data to inform intervention strategies Show less

  • Research Manager | Online Writing Center Coordinator | Adult Trainer | Writing Instructor

    Aug 2009 - Jan 2012

  • Webmaster | Social Media Manager | Public Relations Assistant Manager

    Jan 2009 - Jan 2011

  • Mentor | Content Developer | Assistant Teacher - Caminos Leadership Program

    Jun 2010 - Jul 2010
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  ESteampunk (sister magazine to eFiction)

  Jan 2012 - Jan 2013

  Managing Editor | Project Manager | Trainer | Webmaster

  ✨ 𝐌𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – I launched the magazine from the ground up for a global audience, built a team of editors, writers, and submission readings, and developed our workflow processes, acceptance/rejection rubrics, and editorial guidelines and templates. 🏆 At my contract’s end, steampunk had earned Amazon Bestseller status for February 2013 in three different categories: Science Fiction Short Stories, Fantasy Stories, and Steampunk.My day-to-day included:1. Managing the magazine website and sending submission calls2. Project managing multiple publication timelines to ensure we met deadlines and remained in budget 3. Training and onboarding team members on workflow and editorial processes 4. Developing team members so they could take on different roles and responsibilities Show less

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  The University of Texas at Austin

  Aug 2013 - Mar 2014

  Portfolio Strategist | Grant Writer | Administrative Assistant

  ✨ 𝐌𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – I interviewed and strategized with subject matter experts (SMEs) and faculty members to submit for various grants, fellowships, and honors. This included performing needs analyses to determine gaps in faculty qualifications for various awards and determine why eligible faculty may not be applying for them as well as project managing multiple submission periods and applications to ensure deadlines.👩‍🏫 At the end of my role, four faculty members completed submission packages, two submitted for tenure. Show less

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  Impact Center

  Aug 2014 - Dec 2020

  ✨ 𝐌𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – Using relationship-building, restorative justice, and trauma-informed practices, I leveraged action-mapping to close gaps in writing, communication, and interpersonal soft skills (perspective-taking, empathy building, and self-advocacy). Throughout my tenure I also💵 was awarded over $4,000 in grant funding for special learning ILT projects, which I researched, planned, and launched.⌚ saved 900 labor hours annually by streamlining our data collection and learning onboarding programs, the latter becoming 50% faster and more effective after the redesign. 📊 tracked 12 learner groups annually, performing needs analysis and designing instruction and assessment plans🏆 Earned highest performance rating 7 years consecutively; Teacher of the Year 2019💪 Closed skill gaps for 90% of my learners by translating and repackaging content and consulting with and providing individualized instruction for learners on day one of their enrollment🕹 Designed asynchronous, synchronous, blended-learning, and VILT/ILT lessons that engage learners using story, choice, and gamification elements🚀 Launched new technologies on campus, trained instructors, and mentored new, incoming employees so they could implement effective instructional strategies💻 Collaborated with trainers, instructors, and content developers to build a strong curriculum while leveraging blended and remote learning practices. Show less ✨ 𝐌𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – I launched the campus Professional Learning Community (PLC) program, beginning each year with a needs analysis, writing development plans to reach SMART goals, and monitoring and adjusting plans as data indicated. Past objectives include writing lessons across curriculums, integrating vocabulary development, classroom management through social-emotional awareness, and building and implementing eLearning. After two years and leading four campus-wide initiatives, I determined the facilitator position could rotate to interested team members as additional professional development. I mentored them to develop their skills and ease the transition and served in an advisory role. At the end of my tenure, I had...🏆 Led learning and development opportunities to engage veteran and novice instructors in continued professional training and development, resulting in 90% of the team earning further ID credentials, including Google Educator and ESL certs.💻 Implemented a new Learning Management System (LMS) training for remote and in-person instructors, resulting in 100% of instructors leveraging new LMS for instruction and building out new eLearning content.– Provided training on educational technology, distance learning, LMS tools, and other online learning solutions – Shared relevant materials, modeled various teaching strategies, and assessed collected data – Collaborated with training consultants and SMEs for additional supports in instructional strategies, curriculum planning, and educational technology as the need presents Show less

  • Instructional Designer | Lead SME & Curriculum Writer | Mentor Teacher | eLearning Developer

    Aug 2014 - Dec 2020

  • Professional Learning Community Coordinator | Training Facilitator | Project Manager | Trainer

    Aug 2014 - Dec 2020
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  Emergent Learning

  Apr 2019 - Jun 2019

  Curriculum Writer | eLearning Designer | Storyboard Writer

  I wrote storyboards and scripts, created screencasts, and narrated voiceover needs for the curriculum. I also sourced relevant images for build needs. Storyboards, script, audio files, and sourced images completed on time for the project

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  Hays CISD

  Jun 2019 - Jul 2019

  Intervention Program Instructor | Teacher

  ✨ 𝐌𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – I provided intervention instruction for high-risk learners with skill and learning gaps. 🏫 98% of my learners completed the program. The other 2% left before the end of the program ended.My day-to-day included: 1. Analyzing learner data to form learner groups and monitoring learner progress to adjust instruction2. Writing weekly and daily objectives and designing lessons to engage learners using gamification principles and various instructional strategies. 3. Designing relevant assessments and eLearning lessons - these lessons differentiated instruction for English language learners and disabled learners Show less

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  Lionbridge

  Sept 2020 - Feb 2021

  Online Education Consultant

  I evaluated various customer-facing, eLearning apps for educator approval to support customer experience and selection and analyzed UX/UI aspects and learner relevance of each app using my expertise of curriculum needs and instructional design.

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  Berlitz Corporation

  Dec 2020 - Dec 2021

  Learning Experience & eLearning Designer - Global Learning Products Team

  ✨ 𝐌𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – In partnership with a diverse, globally-minded team, I researched, designed, and executed language learning projects for a worldwide market, delivering innovative instructional content for adult language learners in live, online, blended, synchronous, and asynchronous environments. I performed needs analyses to determine curriculum and learning experience gaps in the current learning portfolio. I researched, planned, and implemented special learning projects that meet these gaps, developing proof of concepts and research-based business cases to empower executives to make strategic pivots. I designed, developed, and implemented multiple eLearning and ILT/VLT projects simultaneously. I also... 🗺 Managed, supported, and trained freelancers in building/revising content in multiple languages at multiple levels of complexity 🌏 Served over 7,000 global learners by implementing learning solutions and improvements to online blended-learning courses within the LMS 💰 Generated over $4.2 million in sales (in the first year) by advancing build efforts of Flex, an online offering (see attached video) 💻 Tested user experience of global product design and courseware 🌍 Trained and supported contractors improving learning materials for over 40 levels of language content at multiple levels of complexity ⏳ Drafted ILT lesson plans for 80 hours of advanced content 😎 Created proofs based on research and designed pilot programs to test market demand these proofs 🎮 Transformed content into various learning experiences: augmented and virtual reality, animated videos, and gamification 📚 Wrote and edited content for learning materials: playbooks, PPT slide presentations, job aids, workbooks, virtual classroom facilitator guides, videos, and interactive eLearning modules Show less

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  Gartner

  Dec 2021 - now

  Sr Learning Solutions & Instructional Designer - Leadership, Learning & Organizational Effectiveness

  🏔 Elevate existing content and create new learning experiences for sales manager onboarding, including on-demand content, job aids, facilitator and participant guides, videos, and leadership labs 🔎 Onboard new SME and trainer to the ADDIE process, including discovery calls, content gathering, and review cadence 👩‍🏫 Mentor colleagues in 1:1 sessions, workshops and showcases to develop instructional design and eLearning developer skills 🛠 Designed, developed, & delivered event-specific learning plans with over 30 deliverables to be time-released to learners over a 14-week window📗 Collaborated with over 11 stakeholders across business units in connection to the above project📈 Provide internal solutions support for 7915 global associates (new-to-the-workforce and seasoned professionals) leveraging blended learning, eLearning, micro-learning, and social/collaborative learning to close skill gaps. 👩‍💻 Revised existing content into a flipped classroom model, which doubled learner engagement with the content while decreasing lecture time, serving over 4500 global learners✨ Incorporated learner supports to minimize biases toward multilingual, nonbinary, and neurodivergent hires🗺 Assist in the instructional design and development of onboarding materials for new L&D hires and the Global Sales Learning and Development Program🌎 Consult with L&D leaders on authoring solutions, LMS tools, and other improvements to workflow to serve over 18,000 associates globally🎓 Consult with Fort Myers university program to build and revise current programming and build talent funnel into organization 📢 Interested in working at Gartner? 📢 I'm not a recruiter, but I'm happy to chat about my experience here & potentially set up a referral. Use Calendly link below to set up a virtual coffee chat! Show less

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  IDOL Academy

  Jan 2022 - Sept 2023

  👩‍🏫 Designed & launched a teacher-specific, trauma-informed curriculum and mentor program. The program includes topics to shift learner perspective from the classroom to corporate: 30 min. of deliberate instruction and practice & 30 min. of Q&AProgram Feedback: If you are burnt out and feeling lost, come to Mandy's sessions! She will help you feel SEEN and support you as you find your way to becoming an officially transitioned teacher!At first, I wanted to get straight to the practical steps, but I quickly realized the value of mental health support and I am so grateful to Mandy for emphasizing that aspect in all of her sessions!Mandy, your sessions have helped me develop the confidence I need to transition out of the teaching field and into the corporate world. Imposter syndrome be gone!Mandy will challenge you and give you feedback and you should welcome it! She makes you a better IDOL and job candidate! Mandy is an absolute rock star! 🤘🤩These sessions have been extremely helpful and enlightening. Although she is a former teacher and presents information from that viewpoint, her sessions are for everyone with ANY background. She is REAL and tells session attendees information they need to know in order to be successful in transitioning into the field of ID.Mandy always brings a well-prepared presentation and is generous with her knowledge. She genuinely wants us all to learn as much as we can. She encourages questions and takes time to answer all questions, even going as far as to continue the conversation in email if more time is needed to adequately address participant queries.Coh. 13 ~ 76 mentees - 25% 6+ session attendanceCoh.11 ~ 120 mentees - 28% 6+ session attendanceCoh. 10 ~ 100 mentees - 32% 6+ session attendanceCoh. 9 ~ 40 mentees - 25% 6+ session attendanceAs an IDOL affiliate, I benefit if you enroll with my link, but I don't share it unless specifically asked. 💜 Show less

  • Faculty & Mentor - Instructional Design and Online Learning

    Jan 2022 - Sept 2023

  • Instructional Design and Online Learning (IDOL) Content Writer & Blog Contributor

    Jan 2022 - Aug 2023
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  Mandy Brown LLC

  Sept 2023 - now

  Career Coach & Mentor (Trauma-informed & Neurodivergent)

  I was a transitioning teacher, horribly burned out, and overwhelmed in my job search/career pivot. I had a grit, push-through-at-all-costs attitude. And that default survival mode actually hindered my upskilling and career transition. I was also terrified I wouldn't make it in corporate, that teacher skills wouldn't transfer and corporate would be back-stabbing cubicle hell. And then I got into a role and realized how much abuse I had endured and how I was getting in my own way. I had made my transition journey harder on myself by pushing through and still had maladaptive behaviors and personal narratives holding me back. It took a lot of effort to unlearn that. I mentor now so that you get further along in your healing and career journey no matter what stage you're currently. So often we divorce our career selves and our personal selves, but it's all connected. And I help you see how and move forward. Show less