About Me

L&D Strategist | Leadership Architect | Veteran | Disney Enthusiast 

I'm Rebecca Cruz—a people strategist, Army veteran, and builder of learning systems that fuel growth, performance, and possibility. 

💪 How I Lead and Learn: My Strengths in Action

Grounded in Gallup's Clifton Strengths, I lead with a performance mindset and a drive for meaningful impact. Here's how my top 5 strengths show up in my work:

  • Achiever – I bring relentless energy to every project and thrive on exceeding expectations—every day starts with momentum.

  • Command – I'm comfortable taking charge in complexity, guiding teams with clarity and decisiveness—especially when others hesitate.

  • Competition – I don't just aim to deliver—I aim to raise the bar. I thrive in environments where growth is tracked and celebrated.

  • Maximizer – I see potential everywhere. Whether it's a new idea or an emerging leader, I help elevate strengths to their highest level.

  • Self-Assurance – I trust my instincts and experience, and I'm not afraid to make bold decisions in uncertain situations.

 Together, these strengths help me build programs that are not just functional—but influential.                 

Education

I earned my Bachelor's degree in Biology (BS) from California State University, Long Beach, and later advanced my education with a Master's degree in Instructional Design and Technology (MEd) from West Texas A&M University. Following my Master's, I developed a strong interest in expanding my expertise into Business Management and Organizational Development (MBA) to adopt a more strategic approach in my career. I am currently pursuing these studies and expect to graduate in 2027.

Certifications

• Agile Instructional Design | LinkedIn

• Executive Management & Retail Leadership Certification | Portland State University

• Certified Scrum Master (CSM) | Scrum Alliance

• Learning SCORM & Tin Can API | LinkedIn

• Automate Your Workflows with Generative AI | LinkedIn

• Machine Learning for Business | DataCamp

• Case Study: HR Analytics in Tableau | DataCamp

• Data Preparation in Power BI | Data Camp

• Intermediate SQL | Data Camp

• Enhance Organizational Communications with Slack | Coursera Project Network

• Generational Strategist Certification | The Millennial Solution

With over 15 years in Learning & Development, Talent Strategy, and Organizational Design, my career has been about crafting stories of growth and success. From leading enterprise programs across North America and LATAM to designing inclusive, performance-driven learning experiences, I bring systems thinking, storytelling, and data together to create clear pathways to measurable outcomes. Just like a compelling narrative, I help organizations navigate challenges, connect the dots, and achieve their goals with purpose and impact.

What I bring to the table:

  • Military-tested leadership and clarity under pressure
  • Expertise in developing engaging, learner-centered training programs
  • Proven ability to align learning strategies with organizational goals
  • A passion for growing people, not just checking boxes
  • Strong facilitation skills, creating interactive and impactful learning experiences
  • Deep experience with LMS, HRIS, and Power BI dashboards
  • Data-driven decision-making to measure and improve program effectiveness
  • Commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning and development
  • A little Disney magic in everything I create

Career Highlights: 

📚 Built L&D function from scratch to train 3,000+ employees in North America/LATAM

💻 Project managed launch of two LMS platforms, enhancing training infrastructure while negotiating a $4 per-user cost reduction with system vendors

🤝 Collaborated with cross-functional stakeholders to align L&D with skill development needs, increasing employee satisfaction by 40%

💰 Doubled program revenue to $350K by redesigning sales associate training

💡 Saved $120K/year by bringing compliance training in-house with a +90% completion rate

🎮 Co-led Albertsons' first-ever VR-based training, reducing onboarding timeline by 4 weeks while driving 120% operational efficiency

📈 Engaged HRBPs and field ops in implementing L&D initiatives that cut turnover by 30%

📝 Designed 10 modular courses to boost financial literacy for 1,200+ managers nationwide

🗣️ Equipped 50+ emerging leaders with C-suite communication skills through a targeted professional development program in partnership with Boise State University

✔️ Boosted safety compliance from 76% to 91% via training grounded in adult learning theory

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