About Kathryn

 
 

TLDR

I’m a Senior Instructional Designer and Trainer with over 10 years of experience in visual design, writing, talent management, coaching and facilitation. I am passionate taking information that might not otherwise be accessible or digestible and making it land in someone's heart and mind with clarity and ease.

My JOURNEY

Creating fulfilled my love of what makes people tick and why they resonate with different brands and products, so I started my career freelancing in advertising as an art director & graphic designer and eventually landed at We Are Social NY in 2012. Over a few years, I grew the creative team from one to six designers, wearing many hats — from art director to designer, project manager to people & culture management. I worked with clients such as: Reebok, Beats by Dre, Netflix, Old Navy, Banana Republic, AMC, Hyatt, 20th Century Fox and more. In my role, I discovered a passion for nurturing others’ talents, so I transitioned into talent development, recruiting and coaching.

Recruiting educated me in how to create authentic connections and have a wide-reaching view of the advertising & creative industries. Since 2015, I’ve had the privilege to coach, partner with, represent and place top talent and companies in the advertising and design industry from the junior to C-suite level at agencies & brands across the US. As I wanted to be able to provide more nuanced talent solutions for our candidates and clients, I received my certification in Co-Active coaching and helped establish Kay & Black’s coaching division Career Happy in 2017.

Coaching taught me how to remain curious, collaborate with many different kinds of people and ask deeper questions to get to the bottom line solution with grace and efficiency. It led me to speak on many panels and lead workshops and live courses. Over the years since, I have facilitated trainings & workshops at WeWork, General Assembly, She Runs It, Colorado Ad Club, The Broad Exchange, Marist, FIT, Fordham University, School of Visual Arts, Ladies Wine Design and more.

Training & Learning Design has brought me full circle. Using all the expertise I have gained over my years of being a creative, working with talent and educating others, I have been able to design live training modules and self-led resources internally at Kay & Black as well as for our coaching clients. What I love about this work is collaborating with subject matter experts and honing in on what’s essential so that learners can get from point A to point B with newfound confidence and clarity.

 

EDUCATION

  • B.A. English, Fordham University

  • B.A. Visual Arts, Fordham University

certifications

  • Mastering Instructional Design (In Progress)

  • ICF-Accredited Professional Certified Coach (PCC)

  • Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC)

  • Equify Certified (DEIC)

  • Sound Healing with Himalayan Chakra Singing Bowls - Level III: Atma Buti Sound & Vibrational School

  • Reiki Level I: Usui Shiki Ryoho lineage

  • Breathwork Healer Training Level 1: Erin Telford / David Elliott

  • Certificate in Integrative Thanatology (Death & Dying Studies): Art of Dying Institute at the NY Open Center

VOLUNTEERING

 

Resume

Kathryn Freund

SENIOR INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER | TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Email: kathrynafreund@gmail.com // Location: Denver, CO // LinkedIn

I am a seasoned talent development professional with 10+ years of experience in recruiting, design, writing, coaching and course design & delivery. Passionate about learning, growth and distilling information in a strategic way that empowers teams and individuals to reach their fullest potential.

Experience

Kay & Black LLC / Senior Talent Manager & Learning Designer
Jan 2015 - Present | NYC & Denver

  • Designed, researched and facilitated learning modules and training for internal teams & individuals on topics such as: recruitment, sales and new business, hiring, branding, emotional intelligence, networking, career planning and more.

  • Partnered with various stakeholders and SMEs including: C-suite business leaders, hiring managers, recruiters and HR professionals to assess company needs and provide talent and coaching solutions to engage and retain talent.

  • Recruited and placed over 500 full-time and freelance junior to C-suite talent across both agencies and brands. Areas of focus included: design, art direction, copywriting, production, account, strategy and administrative roles.

Career Happy™ / Lead Instructor, Learning Designer & Career Coach (PART-TIME)
Mar 2016 - Present | NYC & Denver

  • Created Career Happy, Kay & Black’s career coaching division, providing 1:1 coaching sessions, live courses and curriculum design on topics such as: Imposter Syndrome, DEIC, career pivots, networking and sales, personal branding and more.

  • Facilitated workshops and panels for groups of up to 100 attendees at General Assembly, WeWork, Adhouse, She Runs It, The Broad Exchange, Marist, FIT, Fordham University, SVA and Ladies Wine & Design among others.

Co-Active Training Institute / Technical Host & Course Assistant (PART-TIME)
Aug 2020 - Present | Denver, CO

Provided technical support, troubleshooting and facilitation for 3-5 day-long virtual courses, managing breakout rooms, presentation decks and Google Jamboards. Ensured a seamless and engaging participant experience.

Boon Health / Mental Health & Wellness Coach (CONTRACT)
July 2020 - Jan 2022 | Denver, CO

  • Coached employees in the workplace (employee assistance program), addressing topics such as: confidence, workplace dynamics, burnout, stress/anxiety, career transitions, communication and building positive habits.

  • Empowered employees to create behavioral changes through goal-setting and empathetic accountability.

We Are Social / Senior Designer & People Manager
Jan 2014 - Jan 2015 | New York, NY

Recruited and managed a team of 6 full-time creatives and additional freelancers. Oversaw hiring process, onboarding, talent development programs and educational budgets as part of agency leadership team. Retained and promoted all hired talent.

We Are Social / Digital & Graphic Designer
Aug 2012 - Dec 2013 | New York, NY

Established creative team structure, growth vision and agency culture as the US office’s first full-time designer. Worked across digital, social, print & branding work for clients such as: Reebok, Netflix, Old Navy, etc. Designed winning pitch presentations.

Volunteer Experience

Minds Matter Colorado Mentor Volunteer
Sept 2020- Present | Denver, CO

Co-mentored two first-generation high school students through their college application journey. Used Tovuti (LMS) and Loom.

Sound Healer & Reiki Practitioner / Hospice Volunteer
Apr 2018- Present | NYC & Denver

Performed one-on-one and group sound healing sessions. Volunteered as end of life companion at Agape Healthcare.

Skills & Interests

Curriculum Development
Workshop Facilitation
Adult Learning Theory
Positive Psychology & CBT

SOFTWARE

Microsoft Office & G Suite
Adobe Creative Suite
Tovuti (LMS) & Loom
Articulate 360 / Storyline