Picture an L&D professional who gets equally excited about creative learning solutions and efficient L&D operations—that’s me! I’m Robyn A. Defelice, PhD, and for the past 25 years, I’ve been on a mission to transform how organizations approach learning and development. My claim to fame? A decade-plus of research on training development times that’s become an unofficial benchmark in the industry, paired with a knack for turning L&D teams from support functions into strategic powerhouses.

From my early days as an instructional designer to roles as a director of training and fractional chief learning officer, I’ve maintained one core belief: L&D can do extraordinary things with the right tools and strategies. This drives everything I do—whether I’m helping teams optimize their processes, creating capability frameworks that actually work, or developing practical solutions that let L&D professionals work smarter, not harder. My experience spans corporate to manufacturing, government to higher education, and my insights have shaped both Microlearning: Short and Sweet and my upcoming book Maximizing the Power of Microlearning.

When I’m not consulting with organizations or diving into data, you’ll find me speaking at conferences, writing articles, or actively contributing to the L&D community. My favorite moments? When teams discover their untapped potential and realize just how much impact they can have. I’m always ready to share a practical tip, tackle a thorny organizational challenge, or geek out about efficiency metrics— usually with a cup of tea and a smile.