Hannah Toney, Ed.D.
Speaker • Learning Ecosystem Designer • Organizational Strategist
Email:
I do my best work where the answers aren't obvious.
If your challenge could be solved with a template, you probably wouldn't need me.
I partner with organizations facing complex questions about learning, leadership, organizational change, communication, creativity, and the future of work. Together, we untangle complexity, build practical solutions, and create systems that help people—and organizations—thrive.
For more than twenty years, I've helped leaders rethink how people learn, adapt, and work together. My experience spans federal workforce development, state government, higher education, nonprofit organizations, and community-based learning environments, but the work has always centered on the same question:
How do we create conditions where people can do their best work?
Trusted By
My work has supported organizations including:
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U.S. Department of Labor
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National Veterans' Training Institute
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Library of Congress
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National Academy of Public Administration
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U.S. Navy
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U.S. Army
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U.S. Forest Service
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Veterans Benefits Administration
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Department of the Treasury
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National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
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Food and Drug Administration
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General Services Administration
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Department of Defense
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State and Local Government Agencies
What I Do
Better Work
Helping organizations build stronger leaders, healthier teams, and more effective collaboration through leadership development, facilitation, communication, and organizational learning.
Better Learning
Designing learning experiences that people actually remember, apply, and use—from onboarding systems and curriculum design to large-scale learning ecosystems.
Better with AI
Helping organizations move beyond AI hype toward thoughtful, practical, and human-centered adoption that supports people rather than replaces them.
Better Change
Supporting organizations as they navigate complexity, innovation, and change by building cultures grounded in curiosity, adaptability, and continuous learning.
Career Highlights
Throughout my career I have had the opportunity to:
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Direct the National Veterans' Training Institute learning ecosystem supporting workforce professionals across the United States.
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Lead award-winning federal learning initiatives recognized nationally for innovation and impact.
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Design statewide leadership and supervisory development programs for government employees.
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Advise senior leaders on learning strategy, organizational change, communication, and workforce development.
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Build multidisciplinary teams responsible for curriculum, learning technology, facilitation, organizational consulting, and large-scale training initiatives.
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Create learning experiences that have supported thousands of professionals across government, education, and workforce development.
My Philosophy
Organizations don't become better simply because they have more information.
They become better when people are given the opportunity to think, experiment, collaborate, and grow.
I believe learning should increase agency, not simply knowledge.
I believe creativity is not separate from leadership, strategy, or innovation.
It is foundational to all of them.
Whether I'm facilitating an executive retreat, speaking at a national conference, designing a learning ecosystem, or teaching a creative workshop in my mountain studio, my work is guided by the same principles:
Curiosity.
Belonging.
Reflection.
Practical action.
Because when people feel safe enough to ask better questions, they build better organizations.
Speaking & Thought Leadership
I regularly speak and facilitate conversations on topics including:
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Learning Ecosystem Design
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Leadership Development
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Human-Centered Design
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AI & The Future of Work
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Neuro-Inclusive Leadership
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Organizational Learning
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Creativity & Innovation
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Storytelling for Leadership
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Change & Organizational Adaptation
My presentations have been featured by organizations including SHRM Talent, the New Jersey Judiciary, the American Association of Federal Employee Advisors, the National Association of State Workforce Agencies, the American Society of Military Comptrollers, and numerous federal agencies and professional associations.
Education, Certifications, & Professional Development
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Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Curriculum & Instruction
Marshall University, 2012 -
Master of Arts, Teaching
Marshall University, 2005 -
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Design & Technical Theatre
Marshall University, 2000 -
IDEO U, Foundations of Creative Leadership
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IDEO U, Learning Experience Design
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IDEO U, Leading for Creativity
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IDEO U, Cultivating Creative Collaboration
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IDEO U, Storytelling for Influence
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Digital Storytelling Certification, West Virginia Commission for the Arts
Work Experience
Management Concepts Director, Custom Learning Solutions Division
August 2014 – December 2025
State of West Virginia – Division of Personnel
Assistant Director / Development Consultant, Training & Development
2011 – 2014
Kanawha County Schools
Director of Curriculum & Theatre | Educator
2002 – 2011
Led complex learning, leadership, and workforce development initiatives for federal clients and cross-functional teams.
Directed the National Veterans’ Training Institute learning ecosystem for the U.S. Department of Labor, supporting nationwide veteran employment services.
Designed and operationalized a human-centered ecosystem of delivery model later adopted across broader organizational training and proposal strategy.
Advised senior government leaders on communication, stakeholder engagement, leadership development, organizational readiness, and learning strategy.
Built and led teams of managers, instructional designers, and consultants through complex, multi-stakeholder projects requiring clarity, creativity, and mature judgment.
Directed statewide leadership and supervisory development programs for West Virginia government employees.
Modernized training delivery through curriculum redesign, eLearning implementation, and statewide facilitation strategy.
Founded and led the first statewide Organization & Human Resource Development Conference, which became an annual event.
Consulted with senior leaders on team effectiveness, interpersonal communication, systems improvement, and workforce development.
Served as Theatre Director at West Virginia’s magnet school for the performing arts.
Designed, built, directed, and facilitated six mainstage productions annually while teaching a full course load across theatre disciplines.
Selected for the statewide K–12 performing arts curriculum drafting committee, contributing to standards development and instructional resources.
Beyond the Resume
Outside of my consulting and speaking work, I'm also an author, artist, educator, and founder of Serendipity Sellers, a creative studio in the mountains of North Georgia.
While those pursuits may seem unrelated, they are deeply connected.
Writing novels, making pottery, teaching creative workshops, and designing organizational learning all require the same essential skills: curiosity, careful observation, thoughtful design, and the ability to help people see familiar problems in new ways.
I've come to believe that creativity isn't a luxury reserved for artists.
It's one of the most important leadership skills we have.
Let's Build Something Thoughtful
The best partnerships begin with a conversation.
If your organization is navigating change, rethinking learning, exploring AI, developing leaders, or trying to build a healthier, more human-centered workplace, I'd love to hear what you're working on.
Together, we'll figure out what comes next.
