Norma Ortega

I attribute my success to my natural passion for teaching, mentoring, and empowering others. Throughout my career, I have consistently gravitated toward helping people learn, sharing knowledge, and making complex concepts easier to understand. I have learned that effective learning is not simply about delivering information; it is about giving people the tools, resources, and confidence they need to succeed. My experience across financial institutions, enterprise organizations, and government environments has strengthened my ability to understand different audiences, identify their needs, and create practical learning experiences that make a meaningful impact. Reaching the level of AVP of Learning Experience Design was an important milestone, but it also helped me recognize that my greatest fulfillment comes from the creative work of designing learning experiences. Today, through my independent practice and work with ELB Learning, I measure my success by the value I create and the people I empower to learn, grow, and become more confident in their abilities.

The best career advice I have received has been to recognize and trust my natural ability to teach, mentor, and help others grow. Early in my career, my first learning and development manager helped me understand that the instincts I had always possessed could be developed into a meaningful professional discipline. She taught me that successful learning is built not only on strong content but also on connection, trust, encouragement, and meaningful feedback. That perspective has shaped how I approach learning design and leadership development throughout my career. I have also learned from my children that mentorship is not one-directional; sometimes the greatest form of empowerment is knowing when to step back and give people the space to apply what they have learned and navigate challenges independently. These lessons have reinforced my belief that effective leaders and educators create an environment where people feel supported, trusted, and confident enough to grow.

My advice to young women entering the learning and development field is to remain open, curious, and intentional in how you build relationships. One of the most valuable skills I have developed is learning to listen to understand rather than simply listening to formulate a response. Taking a moment to truly understand someone’s perspective before reacting creates space for more thoughtful decisions, stronger relationships, and better learning opportunities. I also encourage women to remain open to the possibility that their careers may evolve in unexpected ways. My own journey taught me that success does not always mean continuing upward along a traditional career path; sometimes, stepping into a different direction can bring you closer to the work that genuinely inspires you. Finally, I encourage emerging professionals to recognize that effective learning extends beyond the training itself. Leaders play an essential role in reinforcing development, encouraging employees to apply new skills, and creating an environment where continuous growth is supported.

I believe the biggest opportunity in learning and development is the rapid evolution of technology and the ability to make learning more accessible, flexible, and personalized. Since 2020, I have seen organizations rethink where and how learning takes place, moving beyond traditional classrooms and offices into digital environments where employees can access knowledge, resources, and support from virtually anywhere. Artificial intelligence is now creating another significant transformation, and I see tremendous potential for learning and development professionals to help organizations and leaders understand how to work effectively with AI and emerging technologies while keeping people at the center of the process. The challenge is using these tools thoughtfully rather than allowing technology to become the focus itself. For me, effective learning will always come back to understanding what people need to know, providing them with practical resources, and giving them the confidence to apply what they have learned. As I build my independent practice and continue my creative work with ELB Learning, I am excited to be part of a field that continues to evolve and create new opportunities to empower people through learning, curiosity, and growth.

The values that are most important to me are empowerment, trust, thoughtful communication, and continuous learning. I believe anyone can learn when information is presented in a way that meets them where they are, which is why I focus on understanding an audience’s knowledge, needs, and goals before creating a learning experience. I also believe strongly in empowering others through knowledge and development. When leaders invest in teaching their teams, they build stronger, more capable employees while creating opportunities to delegate with greater confidence. Trust is equally important to me because people are more receptive to learning when they feel respected, supported, and understood. I also value constructive feedback and believe it should be delivered as an investment in someone’s growth rather than something to fear. Personally, motherhood has reinforced my belief that growth is a lifelong, two-way process. I have learned that effective mentorship means knowing when to guide and when to step back, ultimately giving people the confidence and independence to make their own decisions and pursue what matters most to them.