Mallori Steele
Empowering Organizations Through Learning & Development
Hey there!
I’m Mallori Steele, a results-driven Learning & Development consultant passionate about designing innovative, high-impact training solutions. With a background in instructional design, project management, and corporate training, I help organizations create engaging, inclusive, and scalable learning experiences that drive real business results.
As the founder of Growductive Consulting, a Black-owned, women-owned firm, I specialize in L&D strategy, e-learning development, leadership training, and change management. Whether you’re rolling out a new employee training program, revamping your onboarding experience, or integrating gamification into learning, I bring the expertise to turn your vision into reality —serving clients nationwide from my base in Northern Virginia in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area.
Looking for a trusted L&D consultant to elevate your training programs? Let’s connect!
Client Portfolio & Engagement Types
I’ve had the opportunity to partner with a diverse range of organizations, either directly or as a subcontractor through prime consulting firms. Whether you’re looking to collaborate with me for your own company’s learning initiatives or need an experienced consultant to support a project for your clients, I bring deep expertise in instructional design, learning experience, and program management.
1099 Clients
These clients were the end recipients of the deliverables, as I was hired on a 1099 basis by an agency or intermediary to work on specific projects. These engagements were typically for specialized, short-term, or individual consulting services, where my expertise directly contributed to the final deliverables for these clients.
- Design & Media: Scripps News
- Education & Training: International Coaching Federation, Menemsha Group
- Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals: Biogen Canada, Merck, MLB Healthcare, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
- Hospitality & Transportation: Tropical Smoothie Café
- Non-Profit & Foundations: de Beaumont Foundation, National & State PTA
- Technology: Microsoft
Corp-to-Corp Clients
These clients engaged Growductive Consulting through a corporate contract for project-based work, typically involving larger, ongoing collaborations. Some of these clients required Growductive to be an approved vendor, with work conducted under a Master Service Agreement (MSA) to ensure compliance with their internal processes and standards.
- Design & Media: Catharsis Productions, Sifa Design Group
- Education & Training: CARES Mentoring Movement, Institute for Global Health Sciences, Ohio Child Welfare Training Program, San Francisco Department of Public Health, The City University of New York, The University of California San Francisco, The University of Cincinnati, Teachers of Tomorrow
- Hospitality & Transportation: Hyatt Global, Marriott International, Capital Transportation Academy, Service Sales Academy
- Non-Profit & Foundations: Mastercard Foundation, National Cares Mentoring Movement, Pandemic Initiative for Equity & Action
recent Experience
Sr. Learning & Development Consultant/CEO | Growductive Consulting (2020–Present)
Providing tailored training solutions across industries, from tech and healthcare to education and non-profits. My work includes instructional design, curriculum development, and program management for organizations like Microsoft, Biogen Canada, Hyatt Global, and The University of California San Francisco.
Business Program Manager | Microsoft (2021–2023)
Led global training initiatives for Microsoft’s support engineers, ensuring readiness for product launches like Windows 11 and the Amazon Appstore. Designed accessible, multilingual training programs that improved employee performance and engagement.
Instructional Designer | Institute of Human Services (2020-2021)
Designed and developed tailored training solutions in various formats, collaborating with stakeholders to meet organizational needs, while mentoring team members and managing multiple projects to ensure successful implementation and alignment with objectives.
Education
- B.S. in International Business | Liberty University (Magna Cum Laude)
- Prosci® Certified Change Practitioner
- Gamification Designer & Facilitator
Skills & Specialties
- Corporate Training & Employee Development
- Instructional Design & E-Learning
- Learning Strategy & Training Program Development
- Change Management & Leadership Training
- Gamification & Interactive Learning
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Learning & Development
let’s work together
Looking for a trusted L&D consultant to enhance your organization’s training programs? I’d love to connect! Visit my LinkedIn and send me a direct message to discuss your project needs.
(Portfolio available upon request for confirmed projects.)
Freelance & Contract Services Offered
I specialize in freelance, temporary, and short-term project work, offering the following services:
- Strategic Consultation (Freelance and Contract Consulting)
- Project Management & Program Management (Freelance Project Management)
- Needs Analysis & Design Plans
- Learning Roadmaps & Storyboards
- PowerPoint Presentations for Corporate Training
- Virtual & In-Person Instructor-Led Training (Freelance Corporate Trainer)
- Instructor Guides & Learner Guides
- Digital Workbooks & Training Materials
- Train the Trainer Sessions
- Facilitation for Corporate Training
- Infographics & Job Aids
- Quick Reference Guides & Worksheets
- Workbooks & Training Manuals
- Interactive PDFs & E-Learning Courses
- Learning Articulate Rise & Articulate Storyline Development
- Narration & Closed Captions for Videos
- Audio Editing & Screen Casting for E-Learning
- Video Animation & Video Development for Training
- Quizzes, Assessments, & Gamification for Learning Programs
- Program Branding & Graphic Design for E-Learning Projects
- ADA Compliance & Translation Services
- Script Writing & Content Development for Training Materials
Whether you’re looking for freelance project management, temporary instructional design, or contract training solutions, I can support your team with high-quality, customized services designed to meet your specific business needs.
Speaking & Thought Leadership
As a recognized thought leader in Learning & Development, I’ve had the privilege of speaking at top industry conferences, virtual summits, and expert panels—sharing insights on instructional design, gamification, corporate training, and DEI in learning. Whether on stage or behind the mic, my goal is always the same: to inspire, educate, and push the boundaries of how we design and deliver learning experiences.
Featured Conference Speaking Engagements
I’ve presented at premier L&D and corporate training events, helping professionals and organizations rethink learning strategy, engagement, and innovation.
- DevLearn – Las Vegas, NV | Co-presenter: How to Create an Engaging Game-Based Training Experience
- United States Distance Learning Association – Orlando, FL | Behind the Scenes: A Look at My Approach to Storyboarding for Gamification
- Chicago eLearning & Technology Showcase – Chicago, IL | Level Up: Combining Design Tools for More Engaging e-Learning Experiences
- Learnapalooza 8 – Seattle, WA | Designing Training for Diverse Workforces
- Serious Play Conference 2023 – Toronto, CA | Persona Power: Crafting Learner Personas
Virtual Summits & Online Learning Events
I frequently contribute to global learning summits to help organizations unlock better learning experiences through technology, data, and gamification.
- GamiCon – Virtual | How We Created an Engaging Game-Based Training Experience
- Learning by Doing: Games & Gamification for Instructional Designers – Virtual | The Making of a Game-Based Training Experience
- The Data, Measurement, and Analytics Summit – Virtual | 5 Tips for Engaging Your Learning Audience and Showing Training Impact
- Women in L&D | Overcoming Barriers to Entry: How to Break into Leadership Roles & Navigating Feminine Politeness Norms in Professional Settings
Podcasts Features
- The Social Learning Lab | EmpowerED: Conferences as Social Learning Experiences
- BLOC Podcast | Creating Space to Work Together
- Learning Matters | Amplifying Black Voices in L&D, Finding Community, and Work-Life Balance
Original Concepts & Ideas (aka Passion Projects)
Founder & President | Black in L&D
Built a thriving community of 4,000+ Black professionals in Learning & Development.
Founder | The Learning Exchange™
Created The Learning Exchange™, a virtual conference amplifying Black voices in training, instructional design, and corporate education.
Founder | Bad-A$$ Moms
Planned and organized a virtual event celebrating professional, working mothers for Mother’s Day.
Growductive Consulting 