Redefining L&D at Vendasta with Cal Cooper
What does it take to build a modern L&D function while supporting external enablement and internal growth? Cal Cooper is doing just that at Vendasta.
With a background that spans marketing, teaching, and instructional design, Cal brings a multidisciplinary lens to her work in Learning and Development. As Director of L&D at Vendasta, she leads a team that supports both employee growth and customer success through scalable, impactful learning programs.
Designing Learning for Scale and Speed
In this episode of The Intelligence Amplifiers Podcast, Cal shares how she helped launch an academy for external partners in just six weeks. From mapping out the structure to enabling subject matter experts, she breaks down how to go from zero to launch fast—without sacrificing quality.
She also shares how she built Vendasta’s first-ever leadership development program, supporting both people managers and high-potential future leaders.
From Creating Courses to Managing Knowledge
Cal explains why the role of L&D is shifting from content creation to knowledge management. Rather than owning all learning materials, her team focuses on enabling others to share knowledge across the organization—through documentation, mentorship, and systems that scale.
This approach not only reduces bottlenecks but also makes learning more embedded in day-to-day work.
Navigating the Human and Technological Sides of Learning
Cal and Marko discuss how AI is influencing the future of learning—offering new ways to automate, personalize, and scale. But Cal emphasizes that even as tools evolve, the human side of learning remains critical. Connection, coaching, and culture still drive behavior change.
Measuring the Impact of L&D on the Business
To show L&D’s strategic value, Cal aligns her programs directly with business outcomes. From reducing ramp time to supporting retention, she shares how tying learning initiatives to measurable impact helps earn trust and investment from leadership.
Advice for Building L&D in a Fast-Paced Environment
Whether you’re launching a new L&D function or evolving one that’s already in place, Cal offers practical insights on how to get started, build trust, and scale effectively. Her story is a roadmap for learning leaders navigating change in a high-growth company.
🎧 Listen now to hear how Cal is shaping the future of learning at Vendasta by connecting knowledge, people, and purpose.
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