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Chief Learning Officer @City of Detroit
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WORK HISTORY
Chief Learning Officer @City of Detroit
Detroit, MI, US
After an absence of more than eight years without any formalized training and development function, lead the design, development and integration of the Talent Development and Performance Management function into the city\'s operations supporting employees. Design and develop the organizational strategy, team creation and integration, related process and policy execution using lean methodology. Champion the following organizational drivers to support KPI\'s: Human Capital Strategy, Talent Development, Capacity and Continuous Improvement, Performance Management, Organizational Development, Leadership Development and Evaluation and Measurement. Including, but not limited to:restructuring of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Human Resources, and the Department of Innovation and Technology (IT); ERP, HRIS, and LMS Implementation training strategy; Performance Management and Evaluation development implementation and execution; Applicant tracking sourcing, acquisition and implementation to support enterprise-wide recruiting and selection for all restructuring efforts; redesigning, development and implementation of New Employee Orientation. Sourcing, Engaging and Managing multiple supplier groups and teams to support organizational strategy. Successfully Internally developed and implemented Competency-Based and Strategically Aligned enterprise-wide programs and initiatives to drive internal sustainability and measurable ROI, including but not limited to: City-Wide New Employee Orientation, Performance Management, 10 Module Supervisor Training Program, Employee Mediation Program, The Public Administration Academy (K-12 career exploration program and role-specific training matrices, and certification programs.
EDUCATION
University of Michigan
Certification, Lean Office and Service
Wayne State University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Administrative and Organizational Studies - Learning Design and Technology
Michigan State University
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Communications - Advertising and Human Resource Management
Wayne State University
Master of Arts (MA), Employment and Labor Relations
Harvard University
Harvard University Division of Continuing Education, Design Thinking Workshop
Lansing Community College
Associate of Arts - AA, General Studies
SKILLS
ABOUT IRIS WARE
As a transformational leader in learning and talent development, I believe that building a culture of continuous learning is the foundation for sustainable organizational excellence. With over two decades of experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, I specialize in creating innovative, scalable, and human-centered learning solutions that drive business value and workforce resilience.Currently serving as the Chief Learning Officer for the City of Detroit, I lead the strategic design and integration of performance, learning, and development initiatives that support over employees. My work bridges systems thinking with design thinking—aligning individual growth with organizational performance. I\'m proud to have built and led enterprise-wide programs that improve skills, close capability gaps, and empower diverse talent at all levels.My academic credentials include a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, and both master’s and doctoral degrees from Wayne State University. I hold certifications in Lean Office and Services (University of Michigan), Design Thinking (Harvard), and I’m a certified Human Performance Technologist, Human Capital Strategist, and Change Management practitioner. I am Artificial Intelligence of Business Professionals, Hogan Assessments, SAFe® 6.0 Scrum Master, Senior Certified HR Professional, Human Capital Strategist, Organizational Development & Change Management Consultant certified. My team achieved International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) Accreditation for the City of Detroit. I am a State of Michigan licensed Personnel Consulting Agent and Agency. I also lead several passion projects: Ware & Associates LLC, Women of Vision, and the Learning and Development Innovation Lab—all focused on transforming the future of work.My areas of specialization are Organizational Turnaround and Transformation, HRD and OD Strategic Plan Development and Execution, Accelerated Talent Development, Performance Management, Leadership Development, Executive Coaching, Executive and Employee Mediation.As a recognized thought leader, I’m deeply committed to advancing the field of organizational learning through applied research, practitioner collaboration, and equity-driven strategies. My models and frameworks have been featured across conferences, publications, and podcasts.I believe the future belongs to the learner—and I’m here to help organizations shape that future.
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