I design systems—not just learning experiences.
These case studies reflect work focused on architecture, alignment, and scalability—helping organizations move from isolated efforts to cohesive learning systems.
Learning System in Action
Family, Adolescent & Children Community Service (FACCES)
“Gretchen approaches education as a system rather than isolated programs. She helped us think about how a learning platform could bring together our organizational pillars while allowing families to engage based on their interests, pace, and needs.”
Tricia Merenda - Education Pillar Committee Member
Impact
• End-to-end system across prenatal through grade 12
• Replaced fragmented programming
• Scalable curriculum + platform architecture
Designing a Prenatal–Grade 12 Learning System
Result: A scalable, end-to-end learning system replacing fragmented programming across developmental
Role: Education Director
Context
I led the end-to-end design of a digital learning platform serving families and students from prenatal planning through high school graduation. The work spanned curriculum architecture, instructional design, UX structure, and standards alignment—across multiple program areas and developmental stages.
The Challenge
The organization faced a scale challenge rooted in fragmentation rather than mission.
- Disconnected programming across developmental stages
- No cohesive curriculum architecture to guide growth
- Increasing expectations for accessibility, alignment, and reporting
- Pressure to expand platform functionality while content remained in flux
Systems Design Approach
I approached the work as a systems design problem, focusing on long-term scalability, alignment, and coherence across programs.
Learning Architecture & Strategy
- Designed a prenatal–Grade 12 curriculum framework aligned to academic, career-readiness, and social-emotional development
- Defined scope, sequence, and progression across developmental stages
- Established learning objectives, assessment logic, and mastery-based pathways
Platform & Experience Design
- Created scalable content templates and UX patterns to support consistency and accessibility
- Structured LMS modules to support personalization, iteration, and future expansion
- Balanced rapid prototyping with long-term platform integrity
Governance & Implementation
- Built documentation and workflows to support review, iteration, and cross-functional alignment
- Navigated evolving approval structures while maintaining momentum and quality
- Translated leadership priorities into clear, executable design decisions
Outcomes
The work shifted the organization from isolated program development to a cohesive, scalable learning system.
- Launched a multi-pillar learning platform supporting families across prenatal–Grade 12
- Established a reusable curriculum architecture aligned to academic, career, and SEL standards
- Developed 40+ standards-aligned modules with measurable learning objectives and progression pathways
- Reduced rework and improved efficiency through standardized workflows and documentation practices, contributing to a 30% decrease in meeting time
- Aligned program design to support grant funding, reporting, and long-term sustainability
The result was a system designed to evolve—rather than a collection of static courses.
“Gretchen bridges the gap between technical experts and business teams. She translates complex cybersecurity policies and risk frameworks into learning and communication that the entire organization can understand.”
Erol Raymond - Executive Director, Cybersercurity
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
Impact
- Global rollout across 67,000+ technologists
- Standardized cybersecurity learning architecture
- Increased adoption and alignment
SCALING CYBERSECURITY LEARNING FOR A GLOBAL WORKFORCE
Result: A globally aligned learning ecosystem that translated complex cybersecurity standards into a
A globally aligned learning ecosystem that translated complex cybersecurity standards into a clear, role-specific learning ecosystem adopted across a global workforce.
Role: Learning Experience Design & Global Program Execution
Context
At JPMorgan Chase, I was brought in to design and scale cybersecurity learning experiences for a global audience of 67,000+ technologists and business professionals. The challenge extended beyond content creation—this was a large-scale transformation effort requiring alignment across technical and non-technical audiences during a period of organizational restructuring.
The Challenge
- Translate complex cybersecurity standards into accessible, role-specific learning
- Align messaging across technical and business functions
- Build awareness and clarity during a major organizational restructure
- Create learning that could scale globally while still feeling relevant and human-centered
My Approach
I operated as an “idea translator”—bridging the gap between subject matter experts and diverse learner populations.
Key strategies included:
- Audience segmentation: Tailored messaging for technologists vs. business stakeholders
- Language translation: Simplified technical concepts into actionable, real-world understanding
- SME collaboration: Partnered closely with cybersecurity experts to ensure accuracy and relevance
- Experience design: Built engaging, scenario-based learning rather than static compliance content
Innovation: Culture + Connection as Learning
Beyond formal curriculum, I designed and led global engagement experiences to reinforce learning and build alignment:
- Monthly global events to connect distributed teams
- Training site leads to localize and extend learning impact
- Facilitated team-building experiences tied to organizational change
This turned learning into a shared cultural experience, not just a requirement.
Systems-Level Insights
- Learning is most effective when it is translated, not just delivered
- Systems-level change requires both content and connection
- Engagement is a critical lever for adoption at scale
Outcomes
- Enabled consistent understanding of cybersecurity standards across technical and non-technical audiences globall
- Increased adoption through role-specific, scenario-based learning experiences
- Strengthened alignment during a period of organizational restructuring and change
- Built a scalable model for ongoing training, communication, and engagement
The result was learning that moved beyond compliance—driving clarity, connection, and shared understanding at scale.
"Gretchen is the"Swiss Army" knife of Varsity Tutors. Programming, assessments, training development whatever the compay need - we could ask Gretchen and she- she had the vision to execute."
Danielle Juris - Director of Customer Success
Varsity Tutors
Impact
- End-to-end system across prenatal through grade 12
- Replaced fragmented programming
- Scalable curriculum + platform architecture
Designing a Rapid-Scale Learning Ecosystem During COVID
Result:
Built and scaled a multi-tier learning ecosystem from a rapid COVID response into one of the company’s highest-performing and most profitable business lines—expanding from summer programming to year-round, B2C, and B2B offerings. Increased access through free, high-visibility learning experiences featuring nationally recognized experts.
Role: Learning Experience & Program Design Lead
Context
At the onset of COVID-19, I was tapped directly by the CEO to design and launch a fully virtual summer learning experience for students nationwide. What began as an urgent response quickly evolved into a scalable, multi-offering learning ecosystem.
I led the end-to-end design across:
- Program architecture and curriculum development
- Platform experience and learner pathway
- Assessment and engagement strategie
- Expansion into B2B offerings and sales enablement
The work extended beyond programming into building a sustainable model for growth, access, and impact.
The Challenge
- Rapidly design and launch a high-quality virtual learning experience under extreme time constraints
- Engage students at scale during a time of widespread disruption and uncertainty
- Balance accessibility (free learning opportunities) with revenue-generating models
- Create coherence across rapidly expanding offerings (consumer, school, and enterprise audiences)
The Approach
1. Designed for Immediate Launch + Long-Term Scale
- Built a flexible summer program structure that could expand into year-round offerings
- Created repeatable systems for content development, instructor onboarding, and delivery
2. Expanded Access Through High-Visibility Learning Experiences
- Developed free, live classes featuring celebrities and experts (e.g., Bill Nye, Common, Aly Raisman)
- Positioned learning as engaging, relevant, and widely accessible during a global crisis
3. Created Personalized Learning Models for Families
- Designed and supported learning pods—small-group, customized learning environments
- Enabled families to build structured, high-quality at-home education experiences
- Bridged the gap between platform learning and real-world implementation
4. Built a Multi-Channel Business Model
- Expanded programming into:
- Year-round consumer offerings
- B2B and school partnerships
- Assessment design and instructional alignment
- Contributed to sales strategy and positioning (top 5 in sales performance early tenure)
Outcomes
Transformed a rapid-response initiative into a scalable, year-round learning ecosystem
- Established one of the highest-performing and most profitable areas of the business
- Increased brand visibility and engagement through high-profile partnerships
- Expanded equitable access to learning for students nationwide
- Delivered both human-centered solutions (learning pods) and enterprise-scale systems
From crisis response to scalable system—designing learning that meets people where they are and grows with them.
What makes these systems work
- Alignment across stakeholders
- Translation of complexity
- Scalable design
- Human-centered implementation
Let’s design learning systems that scale and drive impact.
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