Heather L. Brown

I attribute my success to a combination of perseverance, adaptability, and a deep commitment to lifelong learning. My career path has been anything but linear, and that experience has shaped how I lead and how I approach my work today.

I began with a degree in psychology, originally planning to become a psychiatrist. Along the way, I discovered a love of teaching, which led me to pursue a career in elementary education. When a hiring freeze disrupted that plan, I pivoted again by earning my first Master’s in Instructional Design and Curriculum. That shift ultimately became my true calling.

Since then, I have worked across higher education, social services, and global corporate environments. I have pursued additional degrees, explored fields such as cosmetology, earned a CDL, and completed a second Master’s, all while continuing to learn wherever curiosity led me. None of it followed a straight line, but every experience strengthened my ability to navigate complexity, adapt quickly, and remain grounded when there was no clear playbook.

Today, I lead instructional design and learning strategy for global teams. At the heart of my work is helping organizations make sense of ambiguity by turning unclear goals, rapid change, and diverse audiences into learning systems that people can actually use. I focus on building scalable, human-centered learning while investing deeply in the teams behind it.

I have learned that success compounds when you invest in people. Building trust, asking better questions, and ensuring teams have the support and resources they need has been the foundation of my leadership. Empowering others to succeed brings me genuine fulfillment and has made my own success both meaningful and sustainable.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is that you can achieve almost anything you set your mind to if you’re willing to work hard, stay persistent, and remain open to learning and pivoting when needed. That combination of focus and flexibility has been critical for me. Very few careers unfold exactly as planned, and the ability to adapt without losing sight of your goals is what turns obstacles into opportunities.

Interestingly, that advice aligns closely with a quote I’ve carried with me for years. This morning, it actually popped up on my phone. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “You must do the things you think you cannot do.” That idea has been a driving force throughout my career.

There were many moments where I stepped into roles or challenges before I felt fully ready. In those moments, I leaned into what people often call a “fake it till you make it” mentality, but I see it more as choosing courage over comfort. Confidence didn’t come first. It’s a result of showing up consistently and learning in public.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to build a career you love—one that brings you true joy. Advocate for yourself as much as you advocate for your team. Be intentional about sharing your story, expanding your network, and developing your personal brand so your contributions are visible and recognized.

Deeply learn the fundamentals of your field. Master the craft, understand the why behind the work, and take pride in doing things well. At the same time, don’t confuse expertise with visibility. Your voice matters earlier than you think. Many women wait until they feel completely ready before speaking up, but clarity often comes through articulation. You don’t need the perfect answer to contribute something valuable. Often times when your voice is shaking the most is when you are saying the thing that needs to be said.

Be intentional about building relationships across roles, teams, and geographies. Some of the most meaningful opportunities in my career came from people who saw my work in one context and trusted me in another. Careers are not built in isolation. They’re built in ecosystems. When you invest in relationships with the same care you invest in skills, you create a network that supports growth, resilience, and long-term impact.

One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—in my field right now is being a strong, guiding voice for others, particularly women, showing that while the road may be bumpy and unpredictable, dedication and perseverance can lead to success not just for yourself, but for your team. One of the biggest opportunities, though, is scaling with integrity. In instructional design and digital learning, technology is moving faster than our ability to thoughtfully apply it. AI, automation, and global delivery models offer enormous reach, but they also demand stronger judgment.

The opportunity is to design learning that is not just efficient, but human—learning that respects context, culture, and cognitive load. The leaders who succeed will be the ones who balance speed with intention.

Integrity, clarity, and respect guide both my work and personal life. I believe in being direct and thoughtful in my communication, saying what I mean, and following through on commitments. Trust is built when people know where you stand and can rely on your word. I also believe strongly in treating people as partners rather than resources, recognizing the humanity, expertise, and lived experience they bring to the table.

A core part of that respect is leading by example. I do not ask my team to do anything I am not willing to do myself. Whether it is navigating uncertainty, putting in the work to meet a deadline, or owning a mistake, I believe leadership carries a responsibility to model the behavior and standards you expect from others.

Growth is another core value for me. I regularly examine what is working, what is not, and where I need to adjust. That requires a willingness to receive feedback, reflect honestly, and change course without defensiveness. I do not see growth as a weakness or an admission of failure, but as a responsibility that comes with leadership.

Whether at work or in my personal life, I strive to lead with curiosity and accountability. Curiosity helps me listen more deeply and understand perspectives that differ from my own. Accountability keeps me grounded in my actions and their impact. Together, those values allow me to lead in a way that is both principled and human.