Advanced Learning

I’ve spent my life navigating the tension between intellectual rigor and practical impact. I come from a family of experimenters and creators—my grandfather, S.S. “Smitty” Stevens, a pioneering Harvard psychologist known more for his ideas than his classroom charm; my father, Peter Stevens, an artist, architect, and author who modeled what it meant to build things that last.

Their influence gave me a strong backbone of curiosity and creative independence. But it wasn’t until I stepped into the world of adult education—almost by accident—that I realized where my work would live: in the messy, powerful space between theory and action.

In the early 2000s, I became the managing editor of the National Diabetes Education Initiative, designing continuing medical education (CME) for physicians and specialists. I didn’t know the term “instructional design” at the time, but I knew what worked. The incremental, evidence-based process of closing learning gaps in medicine gave me a framework I’d never shake. It taught me how people actually learn—and what it takes to truly move the needle.

At the same time, I was teaching English composition as an adjunct professor. I loved the classroom, but I quickly saw the gap between what academics talked about and what learners needed. My peers were steeped in theory. I was steeped in practice. And even then, I knew I had more to offer than either world alone could allow.

Over the years, I advanced through roles in digital learning, strategy, and executive leadership. A pivotal moment came when I joined Desert Schools Credit Union in Phoenix, where I met Laura Friday—a mentor and thought partner who transformed how I understood corporate culture. She helped me evolve beyond the lone innovator role I’d been comfortable with. I learned how to lead through influence, not just ideas. I learned how to negotiate, align, and make change that sticks.

Together, we brought those lessons to Wells Fargo, UnitedHealthcare, and eventually Prudential, where I led large-scale learning strategy—often integrating AI, agile methods, and layered learning ecosystems to meet business outcomes. But the heart of my work was always the same: support the people doing the learning, and support the professionals who make learning work.

I founded Advanced Learning Strategies to focus that mission: to support learning professionals with frameworks, training, and tools that scale. Too often, instructional designers and learning leaders are asked to solve complex problems with limited time, unclear expectations, and outdated resources. I’ve been there. I’ve led through it. And I know how to make it better.

Through online courses, consulting, and community, Advanced Learning Strategies is here to elevate the craft—and impact—of L&D.

But this is just the beginning.