Aprildawn Blackwell, Mba Email & Phone Number

Canada

Design, develop, and deliver courses and programs in the private sector for clients as well as diploma and post-graduate courses and international conferences.

Ontario, Canada

Selected to build a legacy for the University that would diversify learning opportunities for local, national, and international learners. Specifically, create the foundation of a central continuing education, executive development and long-life learning unit to support the University’s Strategic Plan.Results: ⭐️ Built all aspects of a new academic/business unit with collaboration from internal and external stakeholders⭐️ Described as a Transformational leader by my team who also initiated nominating me for a women’s leadership award⭐️ Business Development: created and implemented the strategic direction, sourced industry leads in key sectors (health, manufacturing, business services, NFP, Government & Engineering…) then secured training agreements in each⭐️ Initiated new education recognition framework to extend to professional development and lifelong learning and oversaw all stages of refinement through to approval⭐️ Successfully designed the new unit’s structure from org chart creation, job descriptions, approval processes, recruitment & selection, on-boarding, performance acceleration and empowermentHigh-level responsibilities and leadership results: ✅ Strategy development and unit business plan, budget and revenue plan, marketing plan, HR, and operational plan✅ Technology projects: systems identification, selection and implementation ✅ Creation of programming frameworks, labour market analysis practices and reports✅ Leading multiple successful funding applications, new MOUs ✅ Establish and implement policy and procedures across all aspects of the new unit✅ Reset labour relations with Two union groups with success✅ Define and establish new markets, marketing strategies, Business Development plans, and program launches All aspects of the role were approached with a co-creationist mindset with colleagues, community, partners, alumni, Faculties, students and industry.Rôle responsibilities expanded to include ESL unit in January 2022.

Greater Toronto Area, Canada

Role within the Associate Dean role: Regional Chair for School College Work Initiative (SCWI). - Chair of Provincial Regional Planning Team #2 representing six colleges, 10+ school boards for pathways programming, school board and college educators training and supports for youth apprenticeships, activities, Dual Credit and Speciality High Skills Majors (SHSM) programming.- Initiated the first provincial EDI committee.- Collaborated with 15+ partners to improve financial management of the multi-million dollar portfolio resulting in 15%+ increase in efficacy of funding allocations within 2 years while expanding programming and supports. - Collaborated to create first data-driven outreach with dual credit opportunities to young adults who had left the secondary education system.All results were team based with dedicated and engaged school board and college leaders with support from SCWI leaders.

Worked with academic and administrative leaders across the College for - domestic and international academic agreements - transfer credit and Prior Learning and Academic Recognition (PLAR)- School College Work Initiative ((SCWI) Dual Credit, OYAP and School Within A College))Additional accountabilities within this position included:- campus principal for the Pickering Learning Site, and - management of our University of Toronto Scarborough Campus joint programs as well as strategic partnerships with the University of Cape Breton University, Nipissing University and Brock University.The best part was working with great people, for a great purpose and building a great team in the Office of Academic Partnerships and Pathways!

Transferable skills and experience include:- establishment of a quality brand - development of learning modules- vision for first digital program review system - learning strategic assessment of changing industry requirements,- strategic and operational plans, implementation and follow-through,- an eye to project management critical paths,- team direction, autonomy, support, and promotion/development,- a focus on the objective to continuously improve the customer (student) experience,- facilitation of divergent approaches into a convergent direction with short and long term deliverables, and- an authentic interest and ability to foster consultative and collaborative approaches with a positive mindset.Accountabilities highlights: - Advisory and leadership roles as chair, co-chair or team member of multiple institution-wide committees and projects,- Aligned the institution's strategic priorities to a new quality plan with members of senior administration and collaboration by the working committee,- Developed brand awareness with a marketing and communications plan. The Conestoga Continuous Quality Improvement "CCQI" effort was established through presentations, engagement, merchandising, portals, emails, sponsorship, videos, web content, etc.,- Review of institutional Program Advisory Committee (PAC) administration requirements, advisement, and documentation management practices, and- Advise on and prepare quality audit/accreditation requirements, evidence and submission. (Member of the Quality team from Dec. 2012 to July 2013 on a part-time basis before moving into the Lead role).Provincially elected by peers to chair the inaugural Heads of Quality Management group for all 24 Ontario colleges. Achieved the mandate for development and implementation of the strategic plan in consultation with members and approval of Vice Presidents (liaisons). All successes are the result of team work!

Occasional blogger while completing my Executive MBA. Gary Woodill is the guru. - Research mobile learning practices in the private and public sectors- Explore innovative workplace learning strategies for integration of social, mobile, learning- Research into new approaches for learning (e.g. neuroplasticity) and the role of technology Specifically, mobile and social learning for increased employee engagement, learning experiences and retention, talent management and organizational results.

Toronto, Canada Area

Led a great team of professionals who were driven to design, develop and deliver training for over 47,000 employees and contractors on an annual basis for the BMO Institute for Learning.Accountable for the portfolio of all online enterprise regulatory training (and making it fun):- Strategic planning, rebranding, marketing/communications, budgetary oversight, internal partnership collaboration- Exploration into the gamification of learning and innovation - Change leadership and team developmentRESULTS:- new social media and gamification pilots increased completion by 15% in first month of roll out- new team outsourcing model for rapid online design and development of new programs- achieved testimonials for positive learning engagement and enterprise compliance on schedule- Honoured with two employee BRAVO awards Additional projects:- Within first three weeks of hire was the lead for a new Senior Executive enterprise regulatory effectiveness program for 500+ senior leaders (SVP and VP Steering Cttee, CEO and OSFI requirements, with guest speakers, video, case studies, co-facilitation, panels and breakout sessions with additional facilitators and train-the-trainer sessions - Consulting for new financial literacy learning initiative - Early planning for internal marketing of enterprise learning to all business lines- Accountable Sr. Mgr. for department's team recognition strategies and activities on behalf of the Director

Responsible for the vision and strategic direction of multi-million dollar national training solutions.RESULTS:- Launched new course offerings for social learning, modular express learning that was adopted by corporate clients - Expanded the national offering to over 700 sessions (increase of 40%)- Increased elearning, mobile learning and online offering by 20% - Introduced competency based learning, productivity improvements, marketing and mobile and social media testing for learning. Accountabilities:- Annual multi-million $ budgets, financial forecasting, proformas, and growth targets (then Great Recession hit and accountable for business sustainability strategies and plan execution)- Day-to-day operational management and vision for long-term leadership of the national business division. - 10,000 customers annually, over 140 different courses, hundreds of sessions annually, and 80 plus faculty. - Board presentations (to International and National Presidents) and clients, - Launch and leadership of new courses and learning solutions for blended and hybrid relearning- Thought leadership for social media learning and learning integration (financial and healthcare sectors) - Development and management of key partnerships for the organization (Harvard, Disney Institute, John Wiley & Sons, SkillSoft mobile learning)

RESULTS:- Won Harvard Business Publishing award for partnership (e/online learning client implementation)- International and national speaker for blended learning (Harvard Business Publishing, AMA, Imperial Consulting and delivered; webinars, at conferences, learning strategies presentations or solutions for clients and customers in Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines)- Developed first elearning courses, marketing, facilitator training, and customer experience (model is still in place today with current enhancements 10 years after market launch and industry development)- Increased articulation agreements with associations for accreditation of learning (two in first year)- Collaborated with instructional designers, authors, and subject matter experts for new programs (100+ for executives and functional skills training, hybrid and traditional deliveries for national clients)- Developed coaching business; coach recruitment, selection, management, client contracts, pricing models, marketing and overall management (now integrated into learning solutions)

Projects included:* Organizational structure and workflow analysis and redesign (healthcare sector)* Corporate training services - contract and client management as well as curriculum design, development, and delivery * Facilitation and group dynamics for change (government relations and public sector partnership discussions)* HR Consulting services included:* Executive search, compensation surveys, job description development and alignment, recruitment & selection policy development and practicesClients were NFPs, associations, government, and for profit organizations

Ontario, Canada

Results:- Staff Empowerment: Initiated employee consultations on team engagement. Implemented the first staff inclusion of seasonal hiring (75+ hires in 4 weeks).- Policy: Created & implemented the first anti harassment policy and procedures - Administration: oversaw all HR requirements including performance management, recruitment, selection and terminations, training, and communications with 90’s style employee newsletters and much more The restaurant and supper club had over 150 employees, open 7 days a week and seating for over 275 people with indoor and outdoor seating. Executive and Sous chef designed menu, wine, whiskey and scotch tastings. New Year’s and special occasions events as well as weekends with high volumes of customers (450+ people).

Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

Activities and Societies: Nominated social director for term community developmentCross-Enterprise curriculum allowing for personal.

Doctor Of Education - Edd, Adult And Continuing Education And Teaching

Continuing Education Course, International Business

Course Topic: Global Business and Politics. This course was woven together with real-world case studies and my classmates were senior.

Certificate, E-Learning

Part-time studies. Completed all elements of the program involved in online learning design and development and took Project Management.

Bachelor Of Business Administration (Bba), Management Studies

Activities and Societies: International Student Representative for the student association at the local campus.

Honours Certificate, Human Resources

Advanced Diploma, Business Administration And Management

Activities and Societies: Elected positions: Vice-President and President, Doon Student Association while a full-time student.

Advanced Diploma, Management Studies

Activities and Societies: President, Doon Student Association VP, Doon Student Association, Board of Directors, Student Association, AIDS.