Rachel Whitman Email & Phone Number

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

• New role for Nexstar Network. Working to establish Agile Product Management for Nexstar's key products: customer service training, technical training, leadership training, business and marketing coaching.
• Agile Product Management Leadership Certification by AIPMM, May 2022

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

• Architect and team leader of NexTech Academy—comprehensive online training for people wanting to grow as residential plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians.In this role I:
• Supported a team of instructional designers, developers, and subject matter experts.
• Created a collaborative working environment that champions the ADDIE training model.
• Incorporated new learning methods: participant-centered immersive training, AR, and VR courses.
• Analyzed user performance and leverage user feedback for curriculum improvements and better UX.
• Cleared obstacles so my teammates can capitalize on their strengths and grow as instructional designers and industry professionals.

Bloomington, Minnesota

Crafted e-learning training for Donaldson's Process Filtration division. The training enabled the sales team to easily understand and explain to customers how Donaldson's filters protect the food and beverage process lines, making what we eat and drink safe. Resulted in sales growth and strategic onboarding of sales and support staff.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Strategic planner and implementer of key marketing initiatives for Gonyea Homes and Remodeling and Stonegate Builders. Led the creative team through brand improvements and web redesign. Launched social media for Gonyea Companies.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

• United developments, sales and marketing teams on common goals and to improve communication, team relationships and job satisfaction.
• Conducted project mapping to help contributors understand the project scope and obtainbuy-in for multiple projects relating to business best practices, sales, HR and customer service.
• Independently managed projects from conception to completion using the Design ThinkingProcess. Effectively managed budgets, timelines and deliveries.
• Produced wireframes that contributed to user-centered design efforts for the relaunch of Nexstar’s websites. Resulted in improved website functionality with intuitive site navigation and content organization.
• Drove decision to move from SharePoint to a mobile-responsive WordPress platform with LMS capabilities to expand online training resources. Designed customized social network within new site.
• Managed usability testing in preparation for website redesign. Defined testing parameters, prepared prototypes, recruited users, facilitated tests, and analyzed and reported results.

Little Canada, MN

• Introduced design-thinking methodology to staff and used it to create new products and curriculum resulting in an increase in adaption and an estimated savings of $300,000 by eliminating outsourcing and consulting fees.
• Collaborated to build an onsite training center and video production studio which increased training frequency and resource development. Broke even on building expenses within the first year of operation.
• Created multiple e-learning series on business development and customer service using video and Articulate software. These series average 49,000 views annually.
• Implemented online event registration software; increased security of member data and saved 20 hrs. of work/week.
• Developed annual calendar of events and training (50+ classes/year plus 2 national conferences).
• Supported training team by continuing education in participant-centered learning and adult education best practices.

Little Canada, MN

• Established Nexstar Network’s social media presence, developing pages and content for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and blogs.
• Editor-in-chief for Nexstar’s quarterly magazine, At Your Service

Little Canada, MN

• Part of team that identified and created strategic vendor relationships for Nexstar and its members, resulting in a 10% increase in rebates back to Nexstar over the prior year.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

• Integrated market and design research to develop product concepts and then rapidly prototyped products. Shortened product development process from 18 months to six months for vacation bible school product line.
• Recruitment and development of subject matter experts, writers, contributors, and testers.
• Planning and facilitation of participatory design activities which led to new ways to develop resources.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

• Managed corporate branding efforts for internal and external communications—helped launch the new company logo, color palette and mission statement. Streamlined the printed catalog and mailing processes, saving over.

• Managed call center that handled 1800+ calls/day. Emphasized employee coaching and mentorship, resulting in the promotion of 5 direct reports into other roles within the company.

Served in a call center. Handled specific calls pertaining to Augsburg Fortress’ educational product lines.

Bachelor Of Arts, Journalism

Certification In Design Thinking, Design Thinking

Certification in Design Thinking, Minneapolis College of Art and Design / Stanford University School of Design

Certificates, Graphic Design & Photography

Adult Continuing Education in Graphic Design: Adobe Photoshop and InDesign and Digital Photography: Emphasis and Photojournalistic.

Design Thinking Certificate, Industrial And Product Design

Continuing education certificate in design thinking methodology from d.school, Stanford University.