“Sometimes life takes you on a journey that changes everything you thought you wanted.” - Melaina Rayne

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Growing up, I was determined to forge a path that had nothing to do with teaching, learning, or development. After all, my family already had more than enough experts in those fields. I wanted something different. Something uniquely mine.

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So, I chased careers that had nothing to do with training, learning design, or needs analysis. I explored, experimented, and pursued roles that felt far removed from the world I was avoiding. And yet, with every job I took, every project I led, I found myself drawn—sometimes unknowingly—toward those same familiar elements. I was coaching colleagues, designing better ways to do things, breaking down complex information into digestible pieces.

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Looking back now, I see it so clearly: the very passions I resisted were woven into every step of my journey. No matter how much I tried to outrun it, learning and development found me. It was exactly where I was meant to be all along. Here are some truths I have discovered about myself:

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• Learning is my passion and I am happiest when I am helping others do the same.

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• I am a lover of details - I enjoy getting into the weeds to understand how to create change on a larger scale.​

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• Data is delicious! - I relish digging into and using it to inform, predict, reveal trends, motivate, empower and transform. 

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• I believe in the power of consistent and transparent communication. It can make or break teams,  relationships, and even entire organizations. 

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When I am not developing or designing learning experiences, I love spending time with my husband and our beloved dog, Meatball, and reading voraciously. After moving from Wisconsin, I enjoy soaking up the Arizona sunshine, reveling in its spectacular sunsets and appreciating its clear night skies.

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