Tammy L. Cortez
Learning and Development Director and Leader | Upcoming Author | Web Design Consultant
Tammy L. Cortez
Learning and Development Director and Leader | Upcoming Author | Web Design Consultant
ABOUT TAMMY L. CORTEZ
My Background
I’m a seasoned learning and development professional passionate about empowering teams, fostering growth, and transforming learning into impactful experiences. With years of experience in leadership roles, I specialize in creating innovative training programs, coaching facilitators, guiding and upskilling leadership, and building strategies that drive employee engagement and success.
Leadership in Learning & Development
I have led global training initiatives, including the launch of a digital AR program to enhance team performance and engagement. By implementing scalable learning strategies and ID principles, I have supported employee onboarding, upskilling, and leadership development. Additionally, I have guided HR and L&D teams in creating transformative experiences that align with business goals. Read more about my career highlights below.
Forthcoming Author and Speaker | Facilitator
As the author of Generations of Grief: Embracing Change Through Loss, I explore the profound impact of grief on life and personal growth. Additionally, I have developed journaling programs as part of the book to support individuals processing grief and life transitions. As a speaker and facilitator, I focus on resilience, emotional intelligence, and navigating change.
Tammy's Key Achievements and Impactful Contributions
Director of Learning & Development (L&D / ID Manager)
Modernizing Learning & Development: Cutting Costs, Boosting Productivity, and Driving Impact
Streamlining Onboarding Through Cross-Department Collaboration
Tasked with aligning Learning and Development initiatives with organizational goals, I implemented strategic training programs that reduced pay vs. tool tracking errors by 55% in one month and introduced an AR/AI tool that cut job completion time by 20%. These efforts significantly enhanced employee performance and engagement, boosting overall engagement rates by 55%.
To further streamline learning, I centralized onboarding and upskilling across regions through a global LMS, saving $184.8K annually and improving scalability. By incorporating innovative methods such as AI, videos, and adult learning theories, we increased learner engagement from 40% to 91% and raised pass rates to 91.9%, driving impactful and measurable results.
Streamlining Onboarding Through Cross-Department Collaboration
Modernizing Learning & Development: Cutting Costs, Boosting Productivity, and Driving Impact
Streamlining Onboarding Through Cross-Department Collaboration
Faced with fragmented onboarding processes across departments, I collaborated with HR, IT, and Licensing teams to create a streamlined and cohesive onboarding experience. By aligning efforts, we identified inefficiencies and implemented clear, simplified workflows that addressed compliance, technical setup, and role-specific training needs. This collaboration resulted in the development of standardized processes and tools that improved communication between teams and ensured a seamless onboarding journey. As a result, new hire productivity increased by 30%, onboarding time was reduced by 60%, and employee satisfaction scores rose to 95%, establishing a more efficient and welcoming start for new team members.
Modernizing Learning & Development: Cutting Costs, Boosting Productivity, and Driving Impact
Modernizing Learning & Development: Cutting Costs, Boosting Productivity, and Driving Impact
Modernizing Learning & Development: Cutting Costs, Boosting Productivity, and Driving Impact
Confronted with outdated training systems and rising costs, I led a team of trainers and instructional designers to modernize learning delivery. Managing a $500K budget, I spearheaded a curriculum redesign and transitioned to a new LMS, reducing costs by 35% and saving $25K annually. To streamline workflows, I introduced Scrum, ADDIE, and storyboarding techniques, enabling the team to resolve over 200 JIRA tickets in six months while aligning content with organizational goals. Additionally, I developed assessments to align with the QA team to measure KPIs, increasing scores from 40% to 92%, and optimized operational processes, driving a 40% boost in productivity.
Leveraging Data to Drive Training Improvements and Align Business Goals
Transforming Leadership: Enhancing Communication and Collaboration with the Human Business Model and
Modernizing Learning & Development: Cutting Costs, Boosting Productivity, and Driving Impact
Faced with the challenge of improving training initiatives/effectiveness and employee engagement through-out my career, I have leveraged data from multiple sources, including PowerBi, CRM, LMS, and the use of NPS, to identify areas needing improvement. Partnering with the Data analysis team and managers, we analyzed performance metrics and training outcomes to track employee progress and pinpoint skill gaps. Through CRM data, I assessed customer feedback and sales performance, which helped align training programs with business objectives.
Additionally, I reviewed NPS scores to measure employee satisfaction and engagement with training content. Based on these insights, I made data-driven adjustments to the curriculum and onboarding processes, resulting in increase in training completion rates, a 25% improvement in employee satisfaction, and a 60% increase in customer satisfaction linked to better-trained staff.
Transforming Leadership: Enhancing Communication and Collaboration with the Human Business Model and
Transforming Leadership: Enhancing Communication and Collaboration with the Human Business Model and
Transforming Leadership: Enhancing Communication and Collaboration with the Human Business Model and
I was invited to present leadership courses to the senior VPs, focusing on improving communication with employees. In response, I developed a course centered on the Human Business Model to enhance organizational strategies, allowing more insight on how people communicate. I also successfully completed a two-day course on TDF patterns for all leadership, which explores how individuals view the world through three lenses: T (facts), D (choices), and F (relationships). The course focused on how these lenses shape perception and how understanding them can improve teamwork, communication, and motivation. It offered practical tools to foster collaboration and increase productivity by leveraging the diverse perspectives within teams.
The interactive and immersive presentation effectively illustrated the model's potential, leading to leadership buy-in and a clearer understanding of how the Human Business Model and TDF could drive business success and innovation.
By recognizing how people prioritize and process information differently, the team provided valuable strategies to help organizations enhance collaboration and productivity.
Fundamentals of Facilitation: Building Confident & Capable Trainers
Transforming Leadership: Enhancing Communication and Collaboration with the Human Business Model and
Transforming Leadership: Enhancing Communication and Collaboration with the Human Business Model and
Fundamentals of Facilitation is the core training I’ve delivered to a range of professionals, from brand new facilitators to subject matter experts transitioning into training roles, and even experienced facilitators who need a refresher. This course is all about building confidence and capability in leading discussions, engaging participants, and driving effective learning experiences.
Key areas I focus on include:
Understanding Group Dynamics – Knowing how to navigate different personalities and create an environment where everyone feels heard.
Strong Communication Skills – Active listening, asking the right questions, and guiding discussions with clarity.
Creating an Inclusive Learning Space – Making sure all voices are valued and encouraging participation.
Structuring Sessions & Managing Time – Designing effective agendas and keeping sessions on track.
Handling Challenges – Managing difficult conversations, disengagement, or conflicting opinions with ease.
Facilitation Techniques – Using interactive methods like brainstorming, storytelling, and breakout sessions to maximize engagement.
I’ve also developed an advancement structure where this course is a critical milestone, participants must successfully teach it back to move up to Lead Facilitator status. This ensures they not only understand facilitation but can effectively model and mentor others in the process.
Web Site Designer/Developer: A Blend of Design, Functionality, and Storytelling
Social Media Content Developer: Building Content, Strategy, Branding, and Engagement
Social Media Content Developer: Building Content, Strategy, Branding, and Engagement
Creating the website for ArizonaFreshBread.com was a journey focused on blending functionality with an inviting design to showcase the artisanal quality of the bread. My goal was to build a platform that not only highlights the unique offerings of the Arizona Bread Company but also makes it easy for customers to explore, learn, and connect.
The process began with understanding the brand's story and audience. I prioritized a clean, user-friendly design that reflects the warmth and authenticity of freshly baked bread. The website includes clear navigation, engaging visuals, and concise, compelling content to showcase the variety of bread options available.
To enhance functionality, I integrated features such as a product catalog, an events calendar highlighting local venues where the bread is sold, and a simple contact form for inquiries. Each element was thoughtfully designed to ensure a seamless user experience, especially for seniors and other customers looking for quality, locally made products.
ArizonaFreshBread.com and the social media site was built with accessibility in mind, ensuring the site is mobile-friendly and easy to navigate. The result is a digital platform that brings the Arizona Bread Company’s story to life while connecting with customers in a meaningful way.
Social Media Content Developer: Building Content, Strategy, Branding, and Engagement
Social Media Content Developer: Building Content, Strategy, Branding, and Engagement
Social Media Content Developer: Building Content, Strategy, Branding, and Engagement
Social Media Client Project
I am currently working on building a strong social media presence for a client by developing his platform and brand identity. This process involves optimizing his profile, ensuring his messaging aligns with his target audience, and creating a visually compelling cover image that immediately draws in potential clients.
The cover design incorporates brand-aligned colors, fonts, and imagery while effectively communicating his value proposition. Additionally, we will be crafting a content strategy that balances informative, engaging, and interactive posts to boost audience engagement.
Alongside content creation, I am guiding my client on best practices for maintaining consistency, fostering engagement, and analyzing insights to refine his approach once launched. By integrating these elements, I am helping him establish a professional and impactful online presence that resonates with his audience and supports his business growth.
Tammy L Cortez
UPCOMING AUTHOR OF
Generations of Grief: Embracing Change Through Loss
~Overview~
Generations of Grief: Embracing Change Through Loss offers readers a compassionate and transformative approach to understanding and navigating grief. This book blends personal experience with universal truths about loss, memory, and healing, serving as a gentle guide for readers facing their own grief journeys. It provides tools, reflective exercises, and supportive guidance to help readers honor their lost loved ones, find peace within complex emotions, and create a new relationship with the memories they hold dear.
In Generations of Grief: Embracing Change Through Loss, I offer a heartfelt exploration of grief, resilience, and transformation. This book opens by exploring “the change we never saw coming” the way loss alters us on multiple levels, from how we perceive the world to the ways we envision our future. I then move into the complexities of emotions that accompany grief, encouraging readers to honor the unique path each person takes toward healing.
In a series of practical yet deeply introspective chapters, Generations of Grief tackles topics such as:
- Understanding Personal Transformation: Recognizing how grief alters one’s inner and outer life.
- Navigating Family Dynamics: Acknowledging the varying ways people process loss and how to support each other.
- Embracing Complex Emotions: Creating space for mixed emotions, such as love and sorrow, hope and despair.
- Connecting with Spiritual Comfort: Allowing memories, dreams, and traditions to bridge the gap between loss and legacy.
- Moving Forward with Joy: Learning to carry the memory of loved ones in ways that enrich rather than diminish life.
I weave my personal story throughout, offering readers a companion on their own journeys of grief, and equipping them with tools for reflection, including a journaling section to explore their emotions. My accessible, empathetic approach makes Generations of Grief both a comforting resource and a source of encouragement for anyone navigating loss and change.
I hope you will take a moment to read this very personal yet inspiring book, once released.
Contact Me
Better Yet, Let's Work Together!
I’d love to hear about your learning and development needs or even better, your thoughts if you’ve read my book!
Feel free to reach out anytime.
Note: L&D work is based on availability
Empowering people & organizations to grow & learn.
