Program Manager Development Specialist

Zahra Dhayow

Minneapolis, Minnesota ***********@*****.*** 651-***-****

Experience

Learning & Development Specialist Columbia University – New York City, NY Sept 2022 – May 2025

● Designed and operationalized virtual and in-person development programs supporting multiple administrative and academic departments.

● Managed end-to-end program logistics including scheduling, vendor coordination, LMS setup, and post-program analytics.

● Developed scalable, tech-forward content with SMEs, aligning learning experiences to performance metrics and enterprise goals.

● Applied adult learning theory (ADDIE, Kirkpatrick) and DEI principles to create inclusive, learner-centered content.

● Led cross-functional project teams to execute new curriculum rollouts with high stakeholder engagement and on-time delivery.

● Monitored learning outcomes through data analysis and learner feedback to drive iterative improvement and measurable impact.

Learning & Development Program Manager Dailypay – New York City, NY Apr 2021 – Sept 2022

● Directed change management and adoption strategies for new digital learning platforms across a scaling fintech organization.

● Partnered with DEI, Legal, and People teams to embed inclusive storytelling and cultural fluency into leadership and compliance training.

● Facilitated strategic learning engagements for early-career and BIPOC employees to promote internal mobility and career growth.

● Supported executive stakeholders through data-informed learning design that advanced team performance and engagement goals.

HR Training & Operations Analyst Minnesota Daily – Minneapolis, MN Sep 2020 – Apr 2021

● Developed onboarding programs and operational toolkits, reducing new hire ramp-up time by 25%.

● Supported peer mentorship initiatives and led training documentation across editorial and advertising departments.

● Introduced systems for tracking participation, evaluation scores, and learning feedback. Learning & Development Intern City of Minneapolis (Public Works) – Minneapolis, MN Apr 2018 – Sep 2019

● Supported policy and safety training rollouts impacting over 200 field and administrative workers.

● Created interactive content and process guides aligned to city compliance standards.

● Contributed to mentoring initiatives and workforce equity programming. Leadership Projects

Youth Storytelling Leadership Series - Program Designer & Facilitator

● Designed and led a storytelling and civic leadership program for diverse high school students, combining media literacy, design thinking, and public narrative.

● Facilitated workshops teaching youth how to craft personal stories, conduct interviews, and present their ideas across digital and live platforms.

● Integrated themes of social responsibility, identity, and media ethics into the curriculum to empower first-gen and BIPOC students.

Education

University of Minnesota – BS Organizational Development June 2020

• Pullman Scholarship, Dell Scholar

Skills

Change Management & Communication: Change Impact Analysis, User Adoption Strategy, End-User Communications, Training Development, Stakeholder Engagement

Learning & Talent Tech: Workday (Learning, Talent), Canvas LMS, Articulate Storyline, Camtasia, Asana, Qualtrics, Microsoft Office, Adobe Suite

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