14: Organizational Development with Jenifer Johnson

In this episode, I chat with my former manager, Jenifer Johnson, about organizational development (OD) (or, as I like to call it, instructional design's cousin) and how OD can transform your organization, improve performance, and engage employees. She also shares some tips for managing a virtual team and how to keep some of the work-from-home perks we currently enjoy after the pandemic is over. 


Jen is currently the Senior Manager of Associate Experience at Dealer Tire in Cleveland, Ohio. As an Ohio native, she possesses a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and Communications with an emphasis in Business from Baldwin-Wallace University and a Master’s Degree in Education in Adult Learning and Development from Cleveland State University. At eighteen, as first in her family, she earned her Associate of Arts degree from Lorain County Community College through the Post Secondary Enrollment Options Program (PSEO) two weeks before graduating from high school. She also holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification and is currently pursuing a Certified Learning and Performance Professional (CPLP) Certification. Jenifer also possesses 14 years of experience in education and organizational development and has been recognized locally and nationally for her work.  

Jen began her educational work in one of the founding Early Colleges in Ohio as a College Transition Adviser. In her role, she served as a college readiness instructor, an academic advisor to students and alumni, and a community outreach coordinator, partnering with teachers, professors, and community members to create real world learning experiences, enrichment programs, internships and guided pathways. Her school was one of the most successful Early Colleges in the country and became a model for other Early College programs. 

After leaving Early College, Jen has worked in several industries as a Learning and Organizational Development Manager and Consultant. She has developed and implemented instructor-led and virtual courses, programs and certifications for diverse audiences across the Americas and Europe, in a wide variety of subjects, including: leadership, change management, talent management, secondary school instruction, and various other technical and soft skill topics. In addition, she has designed, implemented. and managed several large-scale competency-based talent management initiatives that have included recruitment, on-boarding, learning and development, coaching, performance management, employee recognition, succession planning, employee engagement, and implementing learning management systems (LMS). Jen has also led several organizations through multiple significant restructures and change initiatives. 

A self-proclaimed nerd, Jen loves to read and experience new things. Jen travels extensively and has been to all 50 states as well as six of the seven continents.


Jen's suggestions for learning more about organizational development:

Association for Talent Development

OD Network

Connect with Heidi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidiekirby/ or on my website: www.heidikirby.com

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