L&D Consultant · Houston, TX

I build learning systems that actually change how people work.

Agile transformation, AI-powered training, and operational overhauls — for organizations that have outgrown the old way of doing L&D.

86%
Reduction in out-of-scope work
50+
eLearning courses in 4 months
2026
Building what’s next in L&D

Proven Results

The Optum Transformation

How a complete agile overhaul turned a drowning L&D team into a high-performing operation — in months, not years.

The Problem

Optum’s L&D team was drowning in ad-hoc requests, unclear intake processes, and constant context-switching. Projects routinely ran over budget. Designers were burning out. Stakeholders were frustrated by slow turnaround times and inconsistent quality.

The Approach

I designed and led a complete agile transformation — implementing Scrum ceremonies, rebuilding the intake system from scratch, creating transparent capacity planning tools, and coaching team members on sustainable workflows. Real change management with real buy-in.

The Outcome

Within months, chaos became clarity. Leadership got visibility. Designers got breathing room. Stakeholders got better, faster results. The team transformed from reactive firefighting to proactive, scalable delivery.

86%
Out-of-scope work reduced
From chaotic to predictable
77%
Of team reported less stress
Team surveys post-transformation
99%
Daily standup response rate
Team alignment achieved

The Future of L&D

AI-Enhanced Learning Solutions

Most L&D consultants are still building courses in Storyline and Rise. I build AI-powered learning systems that adapt, engage, and scale.

Traditional Approach (2024)

  • Linear navigation — click “Next” 47 times
  • Same content for every learner
  • Quiz at the end as gatekeeper
  • No way to ask questions or go deeper
  • 30-minute mandatory slog

AI-Enhanced Approach (2026)

  • Conversational AI coach guides the experience
  • Personalized scenarios based on learner responses
  • Learning assessed through dialogue, not multiple choice
  • Ask any question, get instant expert answers
  • Engaging, memorable, and measurably effective

🦺 Live Example: Dropped Objects Safety Training

An AI-powered safety coach for the oil & gas industry. Same learning objectives, completely different experience.

Launch Demo →

✅ Live Example: ReviewSync — L&D Review & Approval Platform

Built to solve the chaotic back-and-forth between Instructional Designers and SMEs. Centralized review rounds, deadlines, and bottleneck tracking.

Launch Demo →

What I Build

Solutions That Scale

For growing companies that need to scale L&D without adding headcount — or sacrificing quality.

01

L&D Operations Transformation

Agile coaching, intake redesign, workflow optimization. Turn chaotic L&D teams into high-performing operations with predictable delivery and sustainable pace.

02

AI-Powered Learning Systems

Custom conversational coaches, adaptive learning paths, personalized training that replaces cookie-cutter LMS courses. Built from scratch, not templates.

03

Custom Learning Portals

Onboarding systems, compliance training, performance support tools designed specifically for your organization — not generic off-the-shelf solutions.

04

L&D Operations Tools

Intake systems, capacity planning dashboards, project tracking infrastructure — the operational backbone that makes L&D scalable and measurable.

Work Samples

See the Full Portfolio

Job aids, eLearning courses, animated videos, and process documentation — a curated collection of instructional design work across healthcare, energy, and operations.

View Portfolio →

What People Say

Recommendations

From colleagues and managers who experienced the work firsthand.

Kara has led our team in transitioning to agile methodologies, resulting in remarkable improvements in productivity and outcomes. Her leadership has redefined and optimized our process flows, creating a more efficient and positive team culture.

MM
Michaela Menigo, CSM®
L&D Leader · Scrum Master · Instructional Designer
Senior Colleague at Optum · January 2025

Kara is truly the definition of efficiency, organization, and autonomy. Her ability to balance structure with flexibility, all while fostering a culture of kind and supportive partnership, has made a lasting impact. If every team had a Kara, things would run effortlessly.

KF
Kelsey Funk
Instructional Designer · Educational Consultant
Direct Manager at Optum · January 2025

Why I’m Different

The Rare Combination

Most L&D consultants fall into two camps: traditional instructional designers who know learning theory but are stuck using outdated tools — or developers and AI enthusiasts who can build cool tech but don’t understand how L&D actually operates inside organizations.

“L&D operations expertise + proven results + AI development capability — in one person.”

As a Certified Scrum Master, I transformed how an instructional design team at Optum operated — reducing chaos, improving morale, and delivering measurable business impact. Now I apply that same operational thinking to build AI-powered learning solutions that didn’t exist two years ago.

I don’t just recommend tools. I build them. I don’t just design processes. I lead teams through them.

Certified Scrum Master Agile Transformation Leader AI Developer Houston-Based Energy · Healthcare · Tech
Background & Credentials
  • Certified Scrum Master — led agile transformation at Optum Health
  • Built 50+ eLearning courses in 4 months at Lowe’s Companies
  • Designed SharePoint intake system used across enterprise L&D team
  • AI developer — building custom learning tools for energy & healthcare
  • Houston-based, serving clients nationwide

Thinking Out Loud

Writing & Ideas

Articles coming soon
Agile L&D

The Intake Problem: Why L&D Teams Stay Stuck in Reactive Mode

Most L&D intake processes were never designed. They just accumulated. Here’s how to fix that.

Coming soon · 5 min read
Operations

Scrum for L&D: What Works, What Doesn’t, and What Nobody Tells You

Lessons from leading an agile transformation on a team that had never heard of a sprint.

Coming soon · 6 min read
AI Tools

Building a Conversational Safety Coach with AI: A Case Study

How I turned a traditional oil & gas safety module into an interactive AI coaching experience.

Coming soon · 7 min read

Let’s Talk

Ready to Transform Your L&D?

Whether you’re struggling with chaotic intake, looking to build AI-enhanced training, or just want to explore what’s possible — let’s have a conversation.

Based in Houston · Serving companies nationwide