Meet Our VP of L&D: Shelley Osborne

By Jennifer Farris

Today, we’re profiling our VP of Learning and Development, Shelley Osborne.

Shelley’s path to HR began in the classroom. She got a jumpstart on all of us at developing curriculum and coaching our future workforce as a high school Spanish and English teacher. As Shelley’s enthusiasm for honing communication skills and cultivating best practices grew, so did her influence beyond the classroom: Shelley began giving adult Spanish classes “just for fun” in the evenings. She dabbled in the conference circuit, helping other teachers establish best practices and spearheaded and facilitated various committees. On top of that, she got certified as a conflict resolution facilitator. It was during a conversation with a friend and mentor that Shelley realized what was at the root of everything she was doing: a deep passion for lifelong learning and employee engagement.

Subsequently landing a job at an international construction company exposed Shelley to all of the bits and pieces of learning and development and confirm her passion. She also holds a Masters in Education with a focus on Leadership, Gamification, and Workplace Learning (as if you needed any more evidence of what a badass our Shelley is).

Here at Farside, Shelley heads up our talent leadership program with various training initiatives and curriculum work. She’ll somehow find a valid educational reason to bring VR goggles and video games to a workshop, curates the best videos and memes that perfectly relate to her training, and knows how to work a simile like a boss.

She also happens to be our resident creative, on-staff writer and all-round brand genius. Her colleagues have been known to gush about her “incredible insight,” “instinctive approach,” and uncanny ability to “take fuzzy concepts and make them digestible and understandable, yet interesting and fun.” They also note that she has read more books than all people combined (yes, ALL people!).

Learn more about Shelley in our Q&A:

Name: Shelley Osborne

Nickname: Leslie Knope

Why are you so passionate about changing the face of HR?

Nobody seems to question the value of an education when we are young, but as soon as we hit the workforce there seems to be an expectation that people can only learn on the job, or that not knowing something is unacceptable. L&D is often the last part of the HR system companies bother with. I think organizations that adopt a culture of learning and promote lifelong learning early are destined to greatness. A culture of learning builds companies that are willing to evolve, to engage their employees, and to continually seek to be better. We are never done learning, and we shouldn’t want our employees to be.

What is so different about Farside from all the other tools?

For me, the best part of Farside is the integration. We are going to give you the tool, and we’ll build it so that it connects with all the other functions. But then, we are going to make sure your employees know how to use it, why it matters, and best practices associated with its use. Farside, unlike many tools, isn’t just going to drop you in the middle of nowhere without a map. We have a carefully designed and administered learning solution to help you find your way.

Biggest pain point?

Poor learning design. Death by ppt, painful e-learning, and generally using the wrong solution. As an L&D professional people often just immediately ask me for a ½ day course, or want an online solution — and they want it yesterday. We really have to consider what we’re trying to teach, who we’re trying to reach and determine the best delivery method.

What I’ve learned (about work):

There is always a way to connect what you are passionate about to a line of work.

Favorite Quote?

“Don’t set out in life to be an interesting person; set out to be an interested person.” John W. Gardner

Favorite place to visit? Spain. And back home, Edmonton, Canada.

If you could live anywhere in the world? Spain.

Guilty Pleasures? London Fogs, White Chocolate and Pizza. Oh, and Coke Zero.

Fun fact? During university I worked as a zamboni driver at a local hockey arena.