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Holly Owens

Holly Owens Profile Photo

Founder and Host

Holly Owens is the Director of Growth Marketing at Yellowdig where she leads strategic marketing initiatives to drive brand awareness, engagement, and customer acquisition. With over 17 years of experience in education, instructional technology, and marketing, Holly specializes in creating inclusive and engaging learning experiences that leverage technology to solve complex challenges.

Before joining Yellowdig, Holly built an extensive career in eLearning and instructional design, transitioning from teaching to instructional technology in 2011. She held roles at Northern Virginia Community College, Coppin State University, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore Countybefore serving as a Senior Instructional Designer at RisePoint (formerly Academic Partnerships). She also worked as an Instructional Designer at Touro University, where she remains an Adjunct Instructor in the Graduate School of Technology, teaching instructional design courses since 2012.

Holly holds two master’s degrees from the University of Maryland, Global Campus—one in Instructional Technology and another in Distance Education—along with a certificate in Distance Education Leadership. Her passion for education extends beyond the classroom as the host of the EdUp L&D podcast, where she explores emerging trends in learning and development, featuring industry experts who share insights on the future of education and workforce training.

Recognized for her expertise in marketing, UX, and project management, Holly has worked closely with executive leaders, including CEOs, VPs, and Public Affairs teams, to refine brand messaging, drive engagement, and support data-driven marketing strategies. She has also collaborated with sales teams—including the Land and Expand and Enterprise teams—to attract and convert new customers across higher education and online learning platforms.

Currently residing in Wilmington, NC, Holly shares her life with her partner, Will, their daughter, Juniper, and their furbaby, Berkley. She is dedicated to empowering learners, fostering innovation, and making education more accessible and impactful worldwide.

187: Ask Holly: Where Do I Start?
Oct. 20, 2025

187: Ask Holly: Where Do I Start?

In this “Ask Holly” edition of the EdUp Learning and Development podcast, Holly Owens shares her personal journey and insights on navigating career transitions, particularly for those moving into learning and development roles. She emphasizes the importance of understanding one's direction, taking …

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184: How Do I Stand Out? — Be the Candidate They Remember in L&D
Sept. 24, 2025

184: How Do I Stand Out? — Be the Candidate They Remember in L&D

In this episode of Ask Holly, host Holly Owens dives deep into the essential strategies for standing out in the Learning and Development (L&D) field. She discusses the importance of crafting a compelling portfolio and resume, emphasizing storytelling and impact over mere tasks. Holly also shares in…

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160: L&D Career Options Beyond Instructional Design
June 18, 2025

160: L&D Career Options Beyond Instructional Design

In this session, Holly Owens discusses the transition from teaching to various roles in Learning and Development (L&D). She emphasizes that instructional design is just one of many paths available in L&D, highlighting the gro...

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159: Teach, Design, Market: A Journey Fueled by Mentorship
June 10, 2025

159: Teach, Design, Market: A Journey Fueled by Mentorship

Note: This episode was previously recorded LIVE on Linkedin. In this conversation, Holly Owens shares her extensive journey through education and instructional design, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, self-belief, an...

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158: Empowering Yourself: The Importance of Knowing Your Worth
April 9, 2025

158: Empowering Yourself: The Importance of Knowing Your Worth

Summary In this episode of EdUp L&D, Holly Owens dives into the critical topic of salary transparency, discussing its importance in the job market and how it affects individuals in learning and development. She shares persona...

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156: 5 Things YOU Should Be Doing to Land a Role in Learning and Development
Jan. 13, 2025

156: 5 Things YOU Should Be Doing to Land a Role in Learning and Deve…

Overivew In this episode of EdUp Learning and Development, I share my personal journey and five key strategies for transitioning into a career in learning and development. I emphasize the importance of building a strong perso...

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Episode 2: The Digging in Series - The Human Element in AI Learning with Shaunak Roy, Founder and CEO of Yellowdig
Nov. 19, 2024

Episode 2: The Digging in Series - The Human Element in AI Learning w…

In this episode, Holly Owens and Shaunak Roy discuss the transformative role of AI in education, exploring its evolution, implications for learning, and the importance of maintaining human connections. They delve into the eth...

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Episode 1: The Digging in Series - The Journey of Entrepreneurship with Shaunak Roy, Founder and CEO of Yellowdig
Nov. 6, 2024

Episode 1: The Digging in Series - The Journey of Entrepreneurship wi…

If you're thinking about getting into the entrepreneurial space, this episode is for YOU! In this episode of EdUp Learning and Development I got to sit down with my new boss Shaunak Roy, founder and CEO of Yellowdig, to chat ...

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153: Instructional Design Interview Questions and How to Answer Them with Holly Owens, Seasoned ID Professional
Sept. 26, 2024

153: Instructional Design Interview Questions and How to Answer Them …

In this engaging webinar, Holly Owens shares her extensive experience in instructional design and offers valuable insights into the interview process for aspiring instructional designers. The discussion covers key strategies ...

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150: Learning & Development Demystified: L&D Across Sectors and Contexts
Sept. 10, 2024

150: Learning & Development Demystified: L&D Across Sectors and Conte…

Some might ask... What is L&D? In this episode, hosts Holly Owens and Nadia Johnson discuss their experiences and expertise in the field of learning and development (L&D). They share their personal journeys from teaching to i...

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149: Insights into the Field of Instructional Design with Holly Owens, Adjunct Instructor, Touro University
Sept. 3, 2024

149: Insights into the Field of Instructional Design with Holly Owens…

The tables have turned and our host, Holly Owens is being interviewed about her experience as an Instructional Designer and her love for teaching by guest host, Shriti Panda, Digital Marketing Specialist at Touro. In this epi...

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148: It's Not Just One Thing - Tips for Navigating the L&D Job Market with Our Very Own Holly Owens
Aug. 15, 2024

148: It's Not Just One Thing - Tips for Navigating the L&D Job Market…

Summary In this episode, Holly Owens covers navigating the learning and development job market, emphasizing networking, authentic connections, and the skills needed for success as an instructional designer. She advises job se...

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137: Starting Your Career Transition: Taking the First Step to a Career in L&D - Part 1 of 3
April 17, 2024

137: Starting Your Career Transition: Taking the First Step to a Care…

In this episode, Holly discusses the topic of transitioning into a career in learning and development (L&D), specifically in instructional design. The speaker emphasizes the importance of being intentional and strategic in th...

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133: Crafting Your Professional Presence: A Deep Dive into LinkedIn Optimization, Part I
March 4, 2024

133: Crafting Your Professional Presence: A Deep Dive into LinkedIn O…

In this episode, Holly Owens and Nadia Johnson delve into the intricacies of LinkedIn optimization, emphasizing the critical nature of establishing a polished professional profile. Key recommendations include utilizing a prof...

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132: Navigating Instructional Design Careers: Decoding Job Descriptions and Landing Your Dream Role
March 2, 2024

132: Navigating Instructional Design Careers: Decoding Job Descriptio…

In this discussion, Holly provides advice on how to navigate job descriptions when applying for roles in instructional design or the learning and development (L&D) field. She emphasizes the importance of identifying the secto...

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127: Job Search Jumpstart: Proven Strategies and Tips from Holly Owens and Nadia Johnson on Landing a role in EdTech and Instructional Design
Feb. 12, 2024

127: Job Search Jumpstart: Proven Strategies and Tips from Holly Owen…

Holly Owens and Nadia Johnson discussed their experiences transitioning into instructional design and ed tech roles. They emphasized the importance of knowing what you want to do, conducting thorough research, and networking....

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