Hello!
My name is Joe and I am a Senior Instructional Designer based in Ottawa, Canada. With a passion for creating impactful and inclusive learning experiences, I specialize in designing solutions that inspire, engage, and empower learners. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working on projects that drive meaningful change, from fostering workplace inclusion to promoting accessibility and wellness. When I’m not diving into learning design, you’ll find me exploring creative outlets like gaming, traveling, and spending time with my partner and our two dogs!
Senior Instructional Designer building inclusive learning at scale.
Experience
Team Lead, Senior Instructional Designer.
February 2024 - Present
• Leading the Healthy and Inclusive Workplaces learning portfolio, covering Diversity & Inclusion, Occupational Health & Safety, and Accessibility, in alignment with federal legislation and policy for a department of over 40,000 employees.
• Supervising and leading a team of instructional designers and courseware developers to deliver high-impact learning products, including eLearning modules, facilitated courses, videos, and job aids.
• Leading project management and portfolio learning strategy development, overseeing the full design cycle from needs assessment to implementation and evaluation.
• Applying adult learning principles (ADDIE), modern technologies and integrating generative artificial intelligence tools to support accessible, engaging and personalized employee learning experiences.
Instructional Designer
February 2022 - February 2024
• Managed the design and implementation of a national Mandatory Training Curriculum for 40,000 employees.
• Developed courses on topics including digital accessibility, information management, information technology security, and other corporate learning priorities.
• Worked closely with stakeholders and subject matter experts to gather requirements, synthesize complex information, and translate it into engaging, easy-to-follow materials for broad internal audiences.
• Applied strong writing, editing, and content organization skills to improve readability, clarity, and learner engagement across multiple formats, including facilitated learning, self-paced eLearning, videos, and job aids.
Outreach and Engagement Coordinator, Learning
January 2021 - February 2022
Partnered with subject matter experts and communications specialists to develop clear, audience-focused materials that increased awareness and participation in national learning events.
• Supported the design, coordination, and delivery of more than 20 national learning events with over 25,000 participants and a 90% learner satisfaction rate.
• Co-developed communication materials including emails, job aids, and videos to support the launch and adoption of learning initiatives tied to policy and legislative priorities.
Learning Project Officer
October 2019 - January 2021
• Worked directly with internal and external subject matter experts to design, develop and release learning and training on workplace inclusion, accessibility, anti-Black racism, mental health and unconscious bias.
• Performed needs assessments to highlight learning gaps within current learning curricula, measured against employee feedback and organizational objectives, resulting in targeted curriculum improvements and enhanced learning outcomes.
Trainer / Facilitator (Creative Pro)
October 2018 - October 2019
• Facilitated engaging training sessions and workshops that helped customers understand and confidently use Apple technology, including macOS, iOS, and creative tools.
• Translated product features, workflows, and technical concepts into clear, accessible instruction for users with varying levels of experience.
User Acceptance Testing Lead
January 2019 - June 2019
• Led and coordinated a team of 15 testers through the user acceptance testing phase of the software development lifecycle of a new internal application built on the SAP platform.
• Developed and executed test cases to validate product functionality, support release readiness and alignment with business product owner expectations.
• Authored the first user guide and technical documentation for IVAN Phase I to guide future users, testers, and UAT leads, translating testing and system knowledge into clear, usable reference material.
• Worked in a fast-paced cross-functional environment that required precision, strong written communication, and attention to detail.
Apple Certified Mac Technician
April 2014 - October 2019
• Diagnosed and resolved hardware and software issues for Apple customers across macOS and iOS
• Explained technical issues, troubleshooting steps, and recommended solutions in clear, plain language tailored to different levels of user comfort and technical ability.
• Built strong practical expertise in Apple products, workflows, and user support through hundreds of customer interactions and repairs.
University of Ottawa
Master of Education
Nipissing University
Bachelor of Education
Nipissing University
Bachelor of Arts, Honours
Education
Senior Instructional Designer building inclusive learning at scale.
My name is Joe and I am a Senior Instructional Designer based in Ottawa, Canada. With a passion for creating impactful and inclusive learning experiences, I specialize in designing solutions that inspire, engage, and empower learners. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working on projects that drive meaningful change, from fostering workplace inclusion to promoting accessibility and wellness. When I’m not diving into learning design, you’ll find me exploring creative outlets like gaming, traveling, and spending time with my partner and our two dogs!
Experience
Team Lead, Senior Instructional Designer.
Employment and Social Development Canada
February 2024 - Present
• Managed and developed a team of 10+ Instructional Designers and Courseware Developers, providing feedback, allocating resources, and setting strategic direction across projects ranging from facilitated learning sessions to self-paced learning products while ensuring high-quality, on-time delivery aligned with organizational priorities.
• Owned the full project lifecycle for enterprise learning initiatives supporting 1,000+ front-line employees, from requirements gathering and needs analysis through planning, design, development, stakeholder validation, implementation, and post-launch improvement.
• Led learning and documentation initiatives for government-based benefits delivery systems, translating complex system functionality, business rules, workflows, and operational requirements into user- centered training and technical resources.
• Built cross-functional partnerships with subject matter experts, operational leaders, and business stakeholders to define requirements, navigate competing priorities, and identify operational gaps, which contributed to improved process efficiency, reduced learner support requirements, and successful program adoption.
Instructional Designer
Employment and Social Development Canada
February 2022 - February 2024
• Managed the design and implementation of a national Mandatory Training Curriculum serving 40,000 employees, coordinating 10+ learning initiatives from requirements gathering and planning through development, stakeholder review, implementation, and continuous improvement.
• Led the development of 5+ enterprise learning programs across digital accessibility, information management, information technology security, and other corporate priorities, translating complex requirements into scalable learning solutions for internal audiences of roughly 40,000 employees.
• Partnered with leadership and subject matter experts to define requirements, synthesize complex technical and business information, resolve content and workflow questions, and align learning solutions with organizational priorities, resulting in successful project delivery, improved learner readiness, and increased stakeholder confidence.
• Directed content strategy and development across facilitated learning, self-paced eLearning, video, and job aids, applying strong writing, editing, and information architecture skills to improve clarity, accessibility, consistency, and learner engagement, which led to increased knowledge retention, improved learner performance, and higher stakeholder satisfaction.
Outreach and Engagement Coordinator, Learning
Canada School of Public Service
January 2021 - February 2022
• Coordinated the design, planning, and delivery of 20+ national learning events (panel discussions, fire- side chats, keynote speakers and conferences) reaching 25,000+ participants and achieving a 90% learner satisfaction rate from post-event evaluations.
• Partnered with subject matter experts, communications specialists, and organizational stakeholders to
translate complex policy and legislative priorities into clear, audience-focused learning and communications strategies, including training programs, implementation toolkits, executive communications, and operational guidance materials.• Co-developed multi-channel communications and learning resources, including email campaigns, job aids, and short-form videos, to support the launch, adoption, and sustained engagement of enterprise learning initiatives, which contributed to increased awareness, stronger learner engagement, and successful adoption of new processes and tools.
Learning Project Officer
Canada School of Public Service
October 2019 - January 2021
• Managed learning projects from needs assessment through design, development, leadership review, and launch, partnering with internal and external subject matter experts to deliver training on accessibility, inclusion, anti-Black racism, mental health, unconscious bias, and other organizational priorities.
• Conducted needs assessments and analyzed learner and stakeholder feedback to identify learning gaps, prioritize curriculum improvements, and inform targeted solutions that strengthened learning outcomes and program effectiveness.
Trainer / Facilitator (Creative Pro)
January 2018 - January 2019 & June 2019 - October 2019
• Facilitated technical training sessions and workshops to hundreds of Apple customers with varying levels of technical proficiency to enable them to confidently use Apple hardware, software, and creative tools across macOS and iOS environments.
• Assessed user needs and adapted instructional approaches to simplify complex technical concepts, build learner confidence, and enable effective adoption of new tools and workflows.
User Acceptance Testing Lead - Career Experience
January 2019 - June 2019
• Led and coordinated a team of 15 testers through the User Acceptance Testing phase of the software development lifecycle for a new SAP-based retail system, developing and executing test cases to validate functionality, support release readiness, and ensure alignment with business requirements.
• Authored the first user guide and technical documentation for the new retail system, translating complex testing results, system functionality, and workflows into clear, user-focused resources for future users, testers, and UAT leads.
Apple Certified Mac Technician
April 2014 - January 2018
• Diagnosed and resolved complex hardware and software issues across macOS and iOS, using structured problem-solving and technical troubleshooting to deliver effective solutions across 1000+ customer interactions and repairs, while maintaining an average net promoter score of 90.
• Identified recurring technical issues and opportunities to improve troubleshooting processes, applying hands-on knowledge of Apple systems and user workflows to support efficient resolution and a high- quality customer experience.
University of Ottawa
Master of Education
Nipissing University
Bachelor of Education
Nipissing University
Bachelor of Arts, Honours