Hi, I'm Gwendolyn Gardner Veal…
I am a Learning Strategy Leader and Senior Instructional Designer with 15+ years of experience creating impactful training, onboarding, and learning experiences. I specialize in adult learning for business and higher education, blending instructional design, technology, and storytelling to turn complex ideas into meaningful, performance-driven learning.
How I Work / My Approach
I approach learning design as both a strategist and a storyteller. I begin by
understanding the business need, the learner’s reality, and the performance gap—then design learning
that is purposeful, engaging, and measurable.
My process blends data-driven insight with creative instructional design. I use analytics, stakeholder
input, and learner feedback to shape solutions, while leveraging storytelling, multimedia, and
interactive design to make learning memorable and actionable. Every decision—from structure to tool
selection—is intentional and aligned to learner outcomes.
With a background in senior-level customer support, I design with empathy and clarity, ensuring learning
is accessible, practical, and immediately applicable. Whether developing onboarding programs,
customer-facing training, or higher education content, my goal is always the same: to create learning
experiences that support people, drive performance, and scale with the organization.
Showcase Preview
Project: Learning and Development
This project shows how I help people move from understanding big ideas to actually using
them in real situations. I broke down complex topics like AI governance and data privacy
into practical lessons that build confidence and real-world judgment. The end result was
digital training that helps learners think clearly, ask better questions, and make
thoughtful decisions.
Challenge
Learners often understand AI governance and privacy at a theoretical level but struggle to
apply concepts in real-world, high-stakes scenarios. The objective was to design instruction
that translated complex, abstract frameworks into practical decision-making skills.
Strategy
I developed a scaffolded, digitally deliverable learning experience that moved learners from
core concepts to applied analysis.
- Broke complex topics into focused, digestible modules
- Embedded low-stakes knowledge checks to confirm mastery before progression
- Designed a realistic case study requiring learners to evaluate trade-offs, assess ethical risk, and make defensible recommendations
The approach emphasized systems thinking, ethical reasoning, and real-world application.
Deliverables
- Interactive, SCORM-ready microlearning modules
- Embedded formative assessments aligned to learning objectives
- A case-based application exercise centered on AI governance and privacy challenges
- Structured decision-making framework for applied analysis
Results
- Improved learner ability to apply governance and privacy frameworks in realistic scenarios
- Increased confidence in navigating ethical ambiguity
- Strengthened critical thinking and structured decision-making skills
- Shifted learning from conceptual understanding to applied competence
This project demonstrates my ability to design instruction that is practical, measurable,
and aligned with real-world professional demands.
Project: Course Module
This project turned a traditional, lecture-heavy regulatory update into a more engaging and
useful learning experience. By helping senior experts focus on practical skills, breaking
content into manageable pieces, and adding interactive elements, we made it easier for
learners to absorb and apply key information. The new approach boosted participation, sped
up delivery, and became the go-to model for future training.
Challenge
Senior experts needed to deliver critical regulatory updates, but the
existing lecture-heavy format was overwhelming. Engagement was low, and feedback showed that
the most important information wasn't being retained or applied on the job.
Strategy
- Expert Coaching: Worked with subject matter experts to shift their focus from "covering data" to teaching actionable skills.
- Interactive Design: Broke dense information into manageable pieces and introduced live polling to track learner understanding in real-time.
- Technical Coordination: Managed the end-to-end production of live webcasts and ensured all handouts were polished and ready for immediate use.
Deliverables
- Focused Lessons: Short, interactive digital modules designed for easy access and high engagement.
- Practical Case Study: Developed a scenario-based exercise involving privacy and technology challenges, requiring learners to solve real-world problems.
- Frequent Knowledge Checks: Integrated brief assessments to confirm mastery before moving on to more complex topics.
Results
- 40% Increase in learner participation and engagement scores.
- Efficiency: Completed the project 3 weeks faster than previous years by following a strict, milestone-driven schedule.
- Company-Wide Impact: The organization adopted this format as the official blueprint for all future specialized training.
What Clients & Colleagues Say
"Gwendolyn is an exceptional Senior Program Analyst and leader who drove profound improvements in organizational effectiveness during her tenure at the GSA. She possesses an unparalleled ability to conduct in-depth end-user needs analyses and translate complex enterprise architecture principles into accessible, high-impact digital solutions. Utilizing advanced authoring tools and robust evaluation methodologies, Gwendolyn delivered measurable results, including a remarkable 92% completion rate on critical compliance modules. Beyond her technical prowess, she is a sophisticated collaborator who excels at engaging stakeholders at all levels, including senior management, to ensure strategic alignment and successful project outcomes. Gwendolyn's commitment to data-driven reporting and continuous improvement makes her an invaluable asset for any organization seeking to enhance productivity and capability in a dynamic environment."
"Gwendolyn is a high-impact leader in customer education and enablement who consistently delivers exceptional results in complex technical environments. During her tenure at the U.S. General Services Administration, she demonstrated a masterful ability to translate technical complexities into digestible, role-based learning journeys that achieved some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the organization. Beyond her expertise in instructional design and multi-modal content creation, Gwendolyn is a dedicated change management strategist who proactively drives technology adoption through innovation and personalized support. She is a results-oriented collaborator and a proven leader who possesses the rare combination of technical acumen and a deep-seated passion for the customer experience."
"Gwen is a passionate, self-motivated, and impressive learning and development specialist. She has a gift for facilitating webinars, striking a commanding yet inclusive tone while breaking down technical material into clear, easy-to-digest language. When her mind is set on something, she goes above and beyond to ensure the final product meets her client’s needs. She is creative, deeply considerate of her audience, and consistently elevates any existing product. I highly recommend Gwen for any eLearning, webinar, or infographic development and training!"
Get in Touch
Interested in collaborating or have a project in mind? Feel free to reach out!