Meet our July Member of the Month: Katy Carnes

Tell us about your experience in the Talent Development space including places you've worked, roles you've held, and organizations you're a part of. 

I have always had a strong passion for learning, which naturally led me to the Talent Development space. Much of that passion comes from my mom, who is a lifelong learner, exceptional teacher, and instructional coach in the education field. Watching her instilled in me a deep appreciation for the impact that effective teaching and development can have on individuals and organizations. Before joining Scooter’s Coffee as an Instructional Designer, I spent 6 years in the IT and Security industry. During that time, I had the opportunity to wear multiple hats—including roles in training, marketing, and culture-building initiatives. These experiences allowed me to develop a well-rounded perspective on employee engagement, knowledge transfer, and the importance of aligning learning with business goals. While I gained valuable skills in those roles, I was drawn to the opportunity to step into the QSR industry and expand my impact in a more dynamic, customer-focused environment. My current role has allowed me to deepen my expertise in instructional design while learning the unique operational and training needs of a growing brand. 

What are some of your interests, strengths, and unique qualities that would help others get to know you better?

I’d say I’m someone who is curious, creative, and people-focused, with a strong drive to help others grow. Some of my biggest interests center around learning, creativity, and building meaningful connections. I genuinely enjoy finding new ways to make learning experiences FUN–whether that’s through video, storytelling, or hands-on activities. Outside of work, I’m drawn to anything that fuels creativity like, crafting, gardening, and music. I believe one of my key strengths is adaptability. Having worked across training, marketing, and culture-building roles, I’m comfortable stepping into new challenges and figuring out how to make an impact quickly. 

What "work related" accomplishment(s) are you the most proud of?

One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is how I’ve helped transform the learning experience at Scooter’s Coffee, particularly within our barista and seasonal campaign courses. I introduced a more modern, TikTok-style video approach to learning—focusing on short and engaging content. This shift has helped make training more relevant and approachable for our baristas, ultimately driving better engagement and retention. I’m also incredibly proud of the growth I’ve experienced over the past year while owning our seasonal campaign courses. Through continuous iteration and feedback from the field, I’ve been able to streamline content, significantly reduce learning time, and make the courses more interactive and engaging. Most importantly, I’ve heard directly from teams that these improvements have had a real impact—helping baristas not only understand the material more quickly, but also apply it confidently through hands-on practice. 

Favorite quote
“People don’t remember what you said, they remember how you made them feel.”
– Maya Angelou 

Do you have any favorite books or resources that you think others would find helpful?

One book I recommend is Design for How People Learn by Julie Dirksen. It really shaped how I think about creating learning experiences that are not only engaging, but actually drive behavior change. It reinforces the importance of designing with the learner in mind and ensuring content is practical and easy to apply—something I focus on heavily in my work. I also find a lot of value in modern learning resources and communities, especially those centered around microlearning and video-based content. These have influenced how I approach short-form, engaging training that meets learners where they are and supports real-world application. 

LinkedIn URL: www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-carnes 

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