Taylor Blake

Degreed

Helping lead an initiative called Degreed Experiments where we evaluate emerging technologies through prototyping and research.

SVP New Initiatives

Degreed acquired Learn In and I became SVP of Product for Degreed Academies and Content Marketplace.

SVP Product

Learn In

Attract, develop, and retain your talent with a Talent Academy that: 
1) gives employees access to best external skill-building courses and programs through stipends, education benefits, or scholarships 
2) allows you to build your own programs that are cohort-based, hands-on, and collaborative

Easily meet every key learning moment and drive business performance.

Co-founder and Chief Product Officer

University Impact

University Impact sprung out of a desire to embrace a more sustainable way of creating large-scale, positive, social impact (while generating a financial return at the same time). Our mission is to find and fund ventures and businesses that are solving complex, vexing social problems with strong management teams, passion for change, and innovative business models.

Product Advisor

•  Researched, validated, and launched a suite of skill measurement products (Skill Rating, Skill Review, and Skill Certification) to measure any skill at any level. Skill measurement allows individuals and companies to identify gaps, measure progress, and get matched to career opportunities.

Product, Skills

•  Started when team was < 5 people chasing a crazy dream
•  Researched, prototyped, and built product offerings for consumers and enterprise clients
•  Oversaw client success, email marketing, content marketing, user acquisition, customer support

Founding Team / Product Manager

Kaplan EdTech Accelerator powered by TechStars

The Kaplan/TechStars Accelerator is a three month intensive, mentor-driven, deep immersion program for startups.  TechStars was ranked by Forbes as the #2 tech incubator in the world.

TechStars

The RBL Group

The RBL Group is a leadership and strategic HR consulting firm co-founded by Dave Ulrich.

Product Manager

Various

Microsoft - User experience design and research
LinkedIn - Product management for learning products
Innosight - Innovation and strategy consulting
Bloomreach - Market research

Student Intern

I help lead Degreed Experiments to explore how emerging technology (AI) can be leveraged in workplace learning. Feel free to connect or message me.

We’re here to make sure education and skills stay the key to economic opportunity in an AI-driven world—because the future shouldn’t just work for those who own all the capital or compute.

We aim to do this by:
- Helping people handle the changes AI brings to work and life.
- Teaching people how to use and get the most out of AI tools.
- Finding ways to use AI for more than just cutting costs—so we can invest back into people.

Our AI-related experiments help position L&D be at the forefront of navigating this change. Follow along, and let’s ensure human expertise continues to drive progress and opportunity.

Why Degreed? We started Degreed with a passion for lifelong learning and have since seen what works (and what doesn’t) across hundreds of the most innovative learning organizations. After we established the category of Learning Experience Platforms (LXP) at Degreed, I left to tackle a new set of ambitious challenges and cofounded Learn In.  In 2022, through acquisition, we combined the latest innovations from Learn In with Degreed’s market-leading platform to build the next chapter of products to support lifelong learning.

Senior Director, Learning Strategy

Senior Director, Client Experience - Academies 

Attract, develop, and retain your talent with a Talent Academy that: 

1) gives employees access to best external skill-building courses and programs through stipends, education benefits, or scholarships 
2) allows you to build your own programs that are cohort-based, hands-on, and collaborative

Easily meet every key learning moment and drive business performance.

Director of Academy Enablement (Learn In)

Advantage Solutions: Sales, Marketing, Technology

Led and supported a variety of initiatives to support our people, brands, and business goals.

Vice President, Learning & Development & Business Leadership – Advantage Culture & Commerce (Jan 2021 – Feb 2022)
▪ Led and managed skill-specific learning programs and academies
▪ Supported client-facing training initiatives
▪ Managed Culture initiatives and ongoing Pulse Surveys
▪ Business lead for Dole Foods.  

Vice President, Business Leadership – Edge Marketing (Sept 2018 – Jan 2021)
▪ Business lead for a variety of clients: Smithfield Foods, Jack Link's, Dole Foods, Organic Valley, and Three Dog Bakery. Led a cross-functional team of 15+ associates supporting client service, strategy, creative and digital projects. 
▪ Responsible for team and client-specific onboarding and training initiatives. 
▪ Helped created and lead the DE&I task force
▪ Created and managed new hire onboarding experience
▪ Established and managed Intern Programs
▪ Supported Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) initiatives and helped develop and launch a mentor and sponsorship program

Account Director – Edge Marketing (April 2016- Sept 2017) and Senior Account Director – Edge Marketing (Sept 2017 – Sept 2018)
▪ Business lead for Smithfield Foods client. Led a cross-functional team of 15+ associates supporting client service, strategy, creative and digital projects. 
▪ Responsible for team and client-specific onboarding and training initiatives.

Vice-President - Business Leadership and Learning & Development

Member: Talent Development Think Tank
🗓️ April 2021 - February 2024
The Talent Development Think Tank (TDTT) Community is where talent development professionals come together to share best practices, discover the latest trends, hear from experts and solve challenges so that they can perform better in their jobs and help their companies develop their people more effectively.

Facilitator & Coach: Own Your Career, Own Your Life
🗓️ October 2022 - December 2022
Helping people find ways to get in the driver's seat and Own their Career.

Learning Consultant, Facilitator & Brand Director: Learning Cluster Design
🗓️ February 2022 - June 2022
Helped learning experience creators disrupt one-and-done, one-size-fits-all learning experiences and drive lasting impact. Learning Cluster Design (LCD) Model that surrounds users with learning assets for real behavior change.

Consulting & Community

The Big Rip Brewing Company

Co-Owner

Dairy Farmers of America

Director, Corporate and Commercial Marketing

Brand & Product Manager

Developed and executed brand strategy and integrated support for multiple dairy brands in the U.S. and China.

Analyzed quantitative, qualitative and syndicated data to understand the Chinese consumers and  launch a new dairy brand in China. 

Managed marketing budget for working media and creative development resulting in increased sales. Presented monthly category and brand performance reviews to senior management.

Executed local retailer promotions through in-store signage, targeted digital marketing, social media, and product demonstrations. 

Led cross-functional team of operations, supply chain, finance and sales through Stage Gate process to launch various new items and identify opportunities to increase revenue.

Managed multiple advertising and promotional agencies to implement innovative advertising campaigns.

Senior Associate Brand & Product Manager

- Responsible for turning strategic initiatives into measurable results through the continuous development and management of the Borden brand identity, positioning and $14MM consumer advertising and promotions budget.
- Managed working relationships with advertising and promotions agencies to develop breakthrough creative while ensuring marketing support is in alignment with brand strategy, sales objectives, and retailer specific programs.
- Led weekly cross-functional sales, marketing, finance and operations business performance meetings to discuss key sales forecasts, financial measures and plant operation initiatives.
- Maintained awareness of current consumer trends and provide fact-based recommendations relating to category consumption, specific consumer insight and media use trends utilizing IRI, Spectra and qualitative and quantitative consumer research.
- Directed interactive strategy through on-line initiatives including website development and maintenance, social media platforms and integrated on-line advertising.

Associate Brand & Product Manager

Sullivan Higdon & Sink

- Launched year three of a $16.8M integrated marketing campaign for a national consumer packaged goods brand, which increased base volume sales over 15% 
- Lead partner agencies and internal team in brand planning and execution to create an integrated marketing campaign
- Managed research projects to assist with the formulation of marketing strategies
- Closely monitored and analyzed effectiveness of campaigns, sales volumes, market share trends and competitive activity
- Worked closely with clients throughout campaigns, managing administrative and organizational work to ensure work is completed on time and on budget
- Assisted in new product development beginning with ideation and on to commercialization

Senior Brand Manager

The Art Institutes International - Kansas City

- Facilitated classroom learning of core marketing and account management competencies for undergrads

Adjunct Instructor

American Advertising Federation - Kansas City

Served on the ad2 council as Special Events co-chair and Vice President

ad2 council member

Nicholson Kovac

- Successfully planned, negotiated and implemented print and out-of-home media campaigns for business to consumer and business to business clients
- Provided strategic and tactical rationale to clients on various publications as well as out-of-home mediums
- Researched and provided strategic feedback on various media channels
- Established quality relationships with media representatives as well as internal Nicholson Kovac staff to effectively contribute to quality marketing communication plans

Media Buyer (7 months) and Assistant Media Buyer (1yr)

Piropos Restaurant

- Developed, planned and promoted all special events and created trade show displays and strategies
- Researched industry competition to refine and strengthen marketing techniques
- Designed flyers and promotions to promote banquets and increase restaurant sales

Banquet and Marketing Manager (Variety of Positions)

I'm a Learning Strategist, Consultant, Speaker, and Facilitator with a passion for Talent Development. I can help you upskill your team at scale with Internal Talent Academies and help you drive engagement by leveraging principles of marketing. 

With 20 years of Marketing and Business Management experience and a concentration in Learning and Development over the past five years, I have tackled a variety of Talent Development experiences over my tenure:

☑ Led and supported skill-specific learning programs and academies
☑ Client training programs
☑ Created and managed new hire onboarding experiences
☑ Established and managed Intern programs
☑ Created and supported Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
☑ Managed Culture initiatives and ongoing Pulse Surveys
☑ Created and led the DE&I task force
☑ Developed mentor and sponsorship program

I live at the Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri with my husband, Josh, and fur-baby, Penny. In my spare time, you'll find me volunteering as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) and Fire Fighter for our local fire department, traveling, reading, or relaxing near the lake.

I look forward to learning alongside you!

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The Battle

Taylor Blake

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