Audrey Kimbrell Escalante

About Audrey Kimbrell Escalante

Strategic global Learning & Development leader with 14+ years of experience building and leading L&D functions across complex, fast-moving organizations. As Head of Global Operations Learning & Development, I lead global and regional L&D strategy and execution across AMER, EMEA, and APAC, supporting operational readiness, workforce capability, and change adoption at scale.My work focuses on transforming training into a true L&D capability, designing organizational structures, operating models, and governance that enable consistent global standards with effective regional execution. I lead initiatives spanning onboarding, technical and role-based development, annual training, early careers programs, and training/communications enablement for new processes, systems, and operational changes.I am known for strong cross-functional partnership, team leadership, and execution discipline, with experience in curriculum strategy, instructional design, LMS implementation and optimization, communications governance, budget management, and process improvement. I enjoy building high-performing teams and scalable learning ecosystems that align to business priorities and deliver measurable impact.Industry experience includes data centers, technology, medical devices, diagnostics, biotech, and education. Bachelor\'s in Chemistry and Education, Master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction.

Experience

1. Head of Global Operations Learning & Development

   Digital Realty

   Mar 2026 — Present · Austin, TX, US

   Head of Global Operations Learning & Development for Digital Realty, leading the global and regional Operations L&D organization across AMER, EMEA, and APAC.Responsible for setting the strategy, operating model, and execution roadmap for learning and development across the global operations function, supporting the employee lifecycle from onboarding through ongoing technical, operational, and growth development. Scope includes annual training, role-based learning, engineering onboarding, process/software rollouts, operational updates, and early careers program enablement.Lead a global/regional team structure that includes global functional leadership (Enablement, Instructional Design, LMS Administration, Operations Communications) and regional L&D leaders responsible for technical trainers and coordinators. Current organization includes 6 direct reports and 14 indirect reports with design to scale.Key contributions:• Designed and implemented a new global/regional Operations L&D organizational structure to support scale, consistency, and regional execution• Standardized engineering onboarding globally and created a broader Operations onboarding framework• Partnered with HR to implement a new LMS and strengthen the foundation for learning delivery• Established governance for Operations communications, training requests, and intake processes• Added dedicated capability to standardize and strengthen Operations early careers programs• Advanced L&D from a primarily training-delivery function to a more strategic organization with stronger governance, scalable programs, and global/regional alignment

Education

• Illinois State University

  Bachelor's

• Illinois State University

  Bachelors, Chemistry & Education

• Illinois State University

  Bachelor's of Science in Education, Chemistry & Education

• Illinois State University

  Bachelor of Science (BS), Chemistry

  2004 — 2008

• American College of Education

  Masters of Curriculum and Instruction

  2012 — 2013

• Illinois State University

  Bachelor's degree

• Illinois State University

  Bachelors

Skills

• Teaching
• Time Management
• Quality Assurance
• Public Speaking
• Presentations
• Curriculum Design
• Teamwork
• Technical Writing
• Management
• Maintaining Strong Client Relationships
• Networking
• Cross-Functional Communication
• Tutoring
• Research
• Chemistry
• Social Media
• Communication Skills
• Curriculum Development
• Insurance
• Communication
• Science
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office
• Sales
• Coaching
• Staff Development
• Crm
• Analytics
• Organization
• Proofreading
• Typing
• Analysis
• Compliance
• Social Networking
• Brand Awareness
• Project Design
• Building Relationships
• Office Management
• Biochemistry
• Training