Learning Design & Development

Gus Roque,
Ed.D.

Learning & Development leader with 15+ years building AI-powered leadership programs, global capability academies, and scalable learning operations across Amazon, Royal Caribbean Group, and higher education.

AI-First L&D Enterprise L&D Strategy Global Program Governance LATAM Specialist Ed.D.
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15+Years in L&D
1,900+Leaders in portfolio
3 LanguagesEN, ES, PT
6+ AwardsBrandon Hall, CLO, OLC
3 SectorsEnterprise, Hospitality, Higher Ed
About

Building learning that actually changes behavior

I own complex learning portfolios end-to-end: strategy, governance, design, delivery, and evaluation, with measurable enterprise impact.

Executive Summary

Known for translating business ambiguity into clear learning mechanisms, metrics, and leader-ready experiences across regions. Currently leading the LXD function at Amazon GOLD, overseeing a global portfolio of multi-day leadership programs (HR4/HR5/HR6/HR7) serving 1,900+ eligible participants across L4 through L8. Doctoral candidate at Florida International University researching professional identity in L&D. Co-creator of the 10X AI Leadership Solutions Sprint, a 2-day program helping Amazon senior leaders move from AI tool use to operating model transformation.

How I operate

  • AI-first acceleration: faster design cycles without sacrificing rigor or consistency
  • Governance and quality: standards, onboarding mechanisms, and design QA that scale
  • High-judgment practice: scenarios, simulations, and decision-ready application
  • Measurement: outcomes-based evaluation, behavior change signals, stakeholder-ready reporting
  • LATAM fluency: delivering in Spanish with NPS 95.83 vs 81.78 global benchmark
Programs

Selected Programs & Portfolio

A cross-section of enterprise learning initiatives spanning Amazon, Royal Caribbean Group, and higher education.

Signature Program

10X AI Leadership Solutions Sprint

A 2-day intensive co-designed and co-facilitated with Dr. Mark Boccia (Amazon GOLD) to move senior leaders past AI tool adoption into actual operating model transformation. Built on McKinsey, PwC, and HBR research. Field-tested with Amazon L6/L7 leaders. Participants leave with a working AI solution, a business case their finance partner can defend, and a 90-day deployment plan.

Stage 2 Thinking

2X

Do the same work faster. Save 30 minutes on a report you never questioned.

Stage 3/4 Thinking

10X

Ask whether the work should exist at all. Redesign the operating model.

10 Keys across 3 Clusters
Cluster 1

Strategic Transformation Architecture

Problem Reframing RAAP Classification 10X Shortlist The Provocateur
Cluster 2

Impact Demonstration & Scaling

Flywheel Mapping Impact Measurement Business Case Defense
Cluster 3

Human-Centered Change & Activation

The 3R Model Consequence Mapping 90-Day Cascade
L6/L7Amazon senior leader audience
3deliverables per participant
HRX leadership workshop participants in a large conference setting
HRX
Amazon GOLD

HRX Workshop Series (HR4–HR7)

Multi-day in-person leadership capability programs for Amazon HR professionals at L4 through L8. Full portfolio ownership across design, governance, delivery, facilitator readiness, and evaluation.

920 participants 16.77% knowledge gain 60.42% penetration
PXT Academy cohort group photos from global sessions
PXTA
Amazon GOLD

PXT Academy

3-day capability academy for Amazon HR leaders across Global Ops PXT. Includes the PXT Capabilities Guidebook, translated into Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese. High-visibility quarterly delivery across multiple regions.

NPS 100 (MX & BR) 28–45% gain 24 countries
High-Judgment eLearning module cover showing stress and decision-making scenarios
HJ
Amazon GOLD

High-Judgment Training Series

9-module eLearning and ILT series building critical decision-making capability across Amazon PXT. Covers bias, stress, DEI, courage, and leadership communication. Six modules refreshed in 15 days with 200+ enhancements.

9 modules 15-day rapid refresh Global delivery
Global Ops-PXT Capabilities Guidebook cover, translated into Spanish and Portuguese
LAT
Amazon LATAM

LATAM Learning Programs

Regionally adapted programs delivered in Spanish across Mexico, Brazil, and Costa Rica. CMT workshops, SLE/SLII certifications, and the 10-week PXT Academy "Three E's" curriculum for L5+ leaders.

NPS 95.83 vs 81.78 global 100% satisfaction MX / BR / CR
Royal Caribbean Group workshop with participants reviewing learning materials together
RCG
Royal Caribbean Group

Multimedia Learning & Onboarding

Award-winning onboarding and training programs for global shipboard and corporate audiences. Design Thinking programs and immersive learning experiences for crew and shoreside teams.

Brandon Hall Gold Communicator Awards CLO Silver
FIU course module grid showing blockchain, 3D printing, drones, and IoT curriculum
FIU
Florida International University

Higher Education & Instructional Design

10 years leading large-scale online learning at FIU Online, consulting with faculty on instructional strategy and technology. Currently adjunct faculty teaching IDH 3035 Honors Design Thinking Seminar.

OLC Award Adjunct Faculty Doctoral Candidate
Competencies

Strategy, systems, and delivery capabilities

Aligned to enterprise learning outcomes across global organizations.

Strategy & Leadership

  • Enterprise L&D Strategy
  • Leadership Development
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Global Program Governance
  • LXD Team Leadership

Design & Enablement

  • AI-First Instructional Design
  • Capability Academies
  • High-Judgment Programs
  • Localization (ES / PT)
  • Multimedia Learning Design

Operations & Measurement

  • Learning Operations
  • Analytics & Kirkpatrick Evaluation
  • Facilitator Readiness & Standards
  • AI-enabled Workflows & Automation
  • Design Quality Frameworks
Experience

Learning leadership across enterprise,
hospitality, and higher education

Amazon: Global Operations Learning & Development

2024–Present
Senior Manager, Learning Design & Development • Miami, FL
  • Own a global portfolio of multi-day leadership and capability programs (HR4/HR5/HR6/HR7) across strategy, governance, design quality, facilitator readiness, and measurement.
  • Scaled enterprise delivery: HR5 (920 participants, 35 sessions), HR7 (232 leaders, 8 sessions), HR4 (375 learners, 15 sessions).
  • Improved capability outcomes through data-driven design: HR5 achieved 16.77% knowledge gain; evaluation confirmed behavior improvement (+5.2%) and manager-observed growth (+10.3%).
  • Co-designed and launched the 10X AI Leadership Solutions Sprint for Amazon L6/L7 leaders, establishing an AI-first operating model transformation curriculum across Global Ops.
  • Elevated LXD team performance via operating standards, onboarding mechanisms, and quality frameworks; accelerated design cycles through AI-enabled workflows.

Amazon: LATAM, Global Operations Learning & Development

2023–2024
Regional L&D Specialist • Mexico, Brazil, Costa Rica
  • Led multi-country delivery and enablement across LATAM; built senior stakeholder partnerships with Heads of HR for Mexico and Brazil.
  • Facilitated 13+ programs with average NPS 95.83 vs 81.78 global benchmark and 100% course satisfaction.
  • Delivered cohorts with NPS 100 in MX and BR; Costa Rica cohort achieved 83.33 NPS and 41.81% knowledge gain.
  • Localized and redesigned assets for Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking audiences, including full translation of the PXT Capabilities Guidebook.

Amazon: Human Resources Learning & Development

2022–2023
Global L&D Manager • Global
  • Built Amazon's first dedicated instructional design and multimedia teams within HR L&D, establishing foundational design quality standards.
  • Designed and deployed multi-day leadership programs across multiple regions; translated complex requirements into scalable learning solutions.

Amazon: North America Consumer Fulfillment

2020–2022
Learning Technologist • USA
  • Designed and implemented digital learning experiences supporting large-scale operational capability building across NACF.

Royal Caribbean Group

2018–2020
Manager, Multimedia Learning Design & Development • Miami, FL
  • Led multimedia learning design for global shipboard and corporate audiences; built onboarding and capability programs for diverse crew populations.
  • Produced award-winning learning experiences recognized by Brandon Hall (Gold & Bronze) and Communicator Awards (Excellence & Distinction).

Florida International University (FIU Online)

2008–2018
Educational Technology Manager / Sr. Instructional Designer / Consultant • Miami, FL
  • Led large-scale online learning initiatives and consulted with faculty on instructional strategy, learning technology, and course design for a major research university.
  • Recipient of OLC Effective Practice Award for innovation in affordable online learning.
Education & Certifications

Formal training and recognized credentials

Education

  • Ed.D., Adult Education & Human Resource Development, Florida International University
  • M.S., Curriculum & Instruction (Instructional Technologies), Florida International University
  • B.S., Business Administration (Management Information Systems), Florida International University

Doctoral research: professional identity of instructional designers in higher education. 41 citations, h-index 3. Presented at ATD and the Academy of Human Resource Development. Adjunct faculty at FIU teaching IDH 3035 Honors Design Thinking Seminar.

Certifications

  • SLII Facilitator (Situational Leadership II)
  • Everything DiSC Workplace
  • Multipliers Leadership
  • Certified Design Thinking Practitioner
  • Quality Matters
  • Disney Institute: People Management
Additional

Publications, awards, affiliations & tools

Peer-Reviewed Publications

  • Roque, G., McGill, C.M., & Rocco, T.S. (2026). Claiming professional status: identity work among instructional designers in higher education. Journal of Computing in Higher Education.
  • Roque, G., McGill, C.M., & Rocco, T.S. (2025). Navigating the 'Third Space': Understanding the professional identity of instructional designers in higher education. American Journal of Distance Education, 1–21.
  • Munn, S.L., Huyler, D., Roque, G., Rocco, T.S., Delgado, P., & James, J.Y. (2023). A critical discussion of the work-life experiences of scholar practitioners. Adult Learning, 34(1), 40–46.
  • Acevedo, M.M., & Roque, G. (2019). Resisting the deprofessionalization of instructional design. In Optimizing Instructional Design Methods in Higher Education (pp. 9–26).
  • Feldman, E., Norelus, A., Rodriguez, I., & Roque, G. (2017). Five perspectives on teaching: Mapping a plurality of the good. Canadian Journal of Education, 40(3).
  • Roque, G., Rodriguez, I.K., & Acevedo, M.M. (2018). Distance education: Statewide, institutional, and international applications. New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development, 30(2), 66–68.
  • Thirunarayanan, M.O., Lezcano, H., McKee, M., & Roque, G. (2011). "Digital nerds" and "digital normals": Not "digital natives" and "digital immigrants." ITDL. [27 citations]

Affiliations, Ventures, Tools & Languages

  • Affiliations: ATD; OLC; Quality Matters; Latinos @Amazon
  • Ventures: Biscayne Strategy (custom L&D consulting, incl. Restaurant Brands International); AiDDIE (AI advisory for L&D teams)
  • Tools: Adobe Creative Cloud; Articulate 360; Vyond; Synthesia; LMS platforms; AI content & automation tools
  • Languages: English (Fluent); Spanish (Fluent); Portuguese (Conversational)
Contact

Let's connect

Open to conversations about learning leadership, AI-first program design, LATAM capability development, and organizational transformation.

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