Holly Owens

Holly Owens is a higher education professor, instructional designer, entrepreneur, podcaster, and proud helper of humans with nearly 20 years of experience in learning and development, instructional technology, higher education, and corporate learning.

Throughout her career, Holly has worked across higher education, corporate L&D, marketing, and instructional design, helping organizations and individuals create better learning experiences, embrace technology, and navigate the ever-changing world of work and learning. She is passionate about making learning more accessible, practical, engaging, and human.

Holly is also the host of EdUp L&D, where she shares insights, ideas, tools, and real-world conversations about instructional design, learning and development, AI, technology, careers, and the people behind the work. Through the podcast and her online community, Holly brings together industry professionals and friends to share their stories, experiences, and expertise.

An entrepreneur and lifelong learner, Holly holds a B.A. in American Studies from UMBC and two master’s degrees from the University of Maryland Global Campus in Instructional Technology and Distance Education, along with a certificate in Distance Education Leadership.

Whether she's teaching, designing learning experiences, exploring AI and emerging technology, building her business, or having conversations with people doing meaningful work, Holly's mission is simple: help humans and share what she knows.

Speak It. Build It. Land It.