Curtis Irwin
I help 10,000+ people grow.
Learning & Development Leader
Building the future of learning at Amazon across EMEA. I turn skill gaps into career breakthroughs through technology, design, and a little bit of magic.
The Numbers
1,100+
Leaders Trained Directly
50+
Team Members Led
9
Countries Delivered In
+74
Combined NPS
80+
Workshops Delivered
97%
Satisfaction Rate
20+
Years in L&D
40K+
Leaders in Program Reach
What People Say
In their own words.
I think [co-facilitator] and Curtis had led an amazing 2 days session. I was kept engaged the whole time and it did answer to my exceptions from this training
Curtis was an amazing instructor, ensuring a very safe space and making sure everybody gets heard
Engagement - Curtis (with the audience) was able to keep everyone involved and engaged for the 2 days training period - not an easy one! Curtis made easy to drop the room if urgent - he trusted us and we did trust him!
Curtis is such a great facilitator!
Leading and watching others leading sections, and then reviewing that against the best practices demonstrated by Curtis and [co-facilitator]
Real life examples from [co-facilitator] and Curtis
Very engaging facilitators, I was impressed by the insight and experience of Curtis and [co-facilitator]
It could've been easily a boring training, but the way Curtis and [co-facilitator] delivered added a lot of value. They were amazing.
Well done [co-facilitator] and Curtis
Read 20 more comments
Great learning experience with both Facilitators
As an experienced facilitator I enjoyed coming back into a learning environment learning from 2 established facilitators and the other learners in the room. The conversation was impactful and added value.
Having opportunity to listen for very experienced facilitators
No - the sessions were facilitated brilliantly
[name redacted] Great course that facilitators of all levels of experience could benefit from attending
Whether you’re an experienced facilitator or a newbie this is an amazing session to take and refresh knowledge as well as dive deep into new content!
Amazing beginning to any facilitators journey and is strengthened by the more diverse range of experiences in the room.
Thank you for facilitating an amazing shared experience 🙏
The facilitators, their stories and different style that complemented each other perfectly. Loved the fidget toys (was a great hit with the whole group)
Love it!!! It was an immersive experience into facilitating. Shows how much preparation and time you have spend on this. All I am say is great job
LeaF has taught me so much to make me, as an experienced facilitator, more effective both in a session but also in my wider role.
It taught theory that effectively supported building facilitation skills that I, even from a Learning role, learnt so much that can improve my impact in my role
A perfect first step into facilitating training as an L6 and will allow me to share knowledge with the UK network more widely
Fantastic group fantastic facilitators
It was great to hear from people with varied levels of facilitation experiences. Peer to peer discussion helped me learn a lot.
It was really nice experience with a great facilitators and senior teams
Meeting excellent facilitators and the learning opportunities provided
Fantastic experience with a great group who facilitated a great learning experience
Enjoyable and safe space to beginning or continue your facilitation journey. The facilitators built an environment to openly practice your ability to lead a training session and provide valid tangible feedback.
A great interactive session that engages and challenges your facilitation ability [name redacted]
What I Do
I build learning that actually works.
Design
Complex technical learning made simple. From eLearning to immersive experiences, I design solutions people actually want to complete.
Lead
Building and scaling high-performing L&D teams. I grow leaders who grow others — it's multipliers all the way down.
Innovate
Integrating AI, emerging tech, and creative approaches to transform how organizations develop their people at scale.
The Journey
From trainer to product leader.
2025 - Present
Sr. Learning Program Manager, Leadership Development
London
Co-owned the Leaders as Facilitator certification program, helping scale leadership development by qualifying experienced business leaders to facilitate — enabling Amazon to reach 40K+ leaders across the organization.
2023 - 2025
Manager, Learning Product Design
London
Led 6 Product Managers and Technologists building the technical learning infrastructure for EU Transportation Services. Where product thinking meets people development.
2022 - 2023
Manager, Learning Experience Design
London
Scaled a team of 20 designers and 4 managers across EU & UK Sort Centers. Reached 10,000 employees with training that bridged skill gaps through diverse modalities and cutting-edge tech.
2019 - 2022
Sr. Learning Experience Designer
London
Designed end-to-end learning for Amazon 4-Star physical stores and EU Vendor Managers. Built mobile-first training apps, evaluation frameworks, and performance support that moved the needle.
2016 - 2019
Global Payroll Training Program Manager
Bratislava
Built instructor-led and eLearning programs for global payroll compliance. Created the "Peculiar Partnership" program connecting vendors to Amazon's unique culture. The start of the Amazon chapter.
2012 - 2015
Senior Project Manager
Bratislava
Managed India-based team supporting enterprise customers. Designed global learning programs on access path diversity for sales teams and enhanced processes with outsourced vendors.
2011 - 2012
Senior Project Manager, Communications & Training
Bratislava
Designed and deployed operational process and professional skills training. Built training roadmaps across job families and implemented social networking tools for global collaboration.
2009 - 2011
Operations Manager, Project Management
Bratislava
Established go-to-market service delivery operations from scratch. Hired and developed 15 Project Managers for a new business model. Led training on Future Methods of Operations.
2007 - 2008
Transition Project Manager
Bratislava
Led business unit transition and expansion to Kosice Center. Implemented diverse learning programs in engineering and leadership while managing regulatory compliance.
2005 - 2007
Trainer & Leadership Development PM
Bratislava
Designed training programs for managers and engineers. Developed leadership programs for first and second-level managers and led the high-visibility Management Assessment Program. Where the L&D journey began.
2003 - 2005
Independent Trainer
Professional Communications · Bratislava
Delivered professional communications training independently in Bratislava before joining AT&T. The entrepreneurial start to a global L&D career.
Superpowers
What I bring to the table.
Learning Design
Team Leadership
Change Management
EdTech & AI
Performance Strategy
Leadership Facilitation
Education
B.S. Communications
Drury University, Springfield, MO
Certified In
Core Strengths SDI Facilitator
Liz Wiseman Multipliers & Impact Players Facilitator
Situational Leadership II Facilitator
FranklinCovey Leading at the Speed of Trust
CrossFit Level 1
In the Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI), a HUB is someone whose motivational value system is flexible, adaptable, and situational. Rather than being driven by one dominant motive, HUBs read the room and shift their approach depending on what the situation or people need — motivated by a blend of people, performance, and process.
What a HUB looks like
- •Adapts easily to different people and situations
- •Sees multiple sides of an issue
- •Mediates between different personalities or priorities
- •Values balance, fairness, and flexibility
- •Translates between people-focused, results-focused, and process-focused colleagues
Strengths of a HUB
- •Building bridges between different working styles
- •Staying open-minded and adjusting communication
- •Helping a team avoid extremes
- •Spotting when one approach is too rigid
- •Bringing balance to emotionally charged discussions
In a team, a HUB often acts like a connector, translator, or stabiliser. Their default is: “It depends. Let's look at what this situation actually needs.”
Possible overdone strengths
- •May seem inconsistent or hard to read
- •Can delay decisions by seeing too many angles
- •May adapt so much others are unsure what they really think
- •Flexibility can sometimes become ambiguity
In conflict
A HUB may become frustrated when people become too rigid, ideological, or competitive. They try to keep options open and restore balance. In conflict, a HUB thinks: “Why is everyone acting as if there is only one right way to see this?”
In short: A HUB is adaptable, balanced, situational, and able to connect different motivations. Their strength is flexibility. Their challenge is making sure that flexibility does not come across as lack of conviction.
Side Projects
What I'm working on outside work.
Pistol Performance
A platform I built for my sister, an ultra running coach, to manage her clients and give them a place to interact, track progress, and see their history. She's doing good for so many people — this is my way of helping.
Visit SiteFirst Mile Coach
The $1/month platform for new running coaches and personal trainers. A dead-simple way to manage your first clients — send plans, track progress, and message clients — without the cost of the big tools. Currently in free beta.
Visit SiteNewBossHub
A platform for first-time managers. 60% get no training — this gives them 90-day playbooks, 1-on-1 tools, micro-learning, and a peer community to lead with confidence from day one.
Visit SiteTrauma-Informed Leadership
An exploration of how leaders can understand the ways trauma may shape behaviour, trust, and performance, then respond with empathy, consistency, and choice. It matters because psychologically safer workplaces can reduce avoidable harm, strengthen connection, and help people and teams do their best work.
In developmentBeyond Work
30 countries. 3 countries called home.
I've lived and worked across continents. Every place shaped how I think about people, culture, and learning.
Called Home
United States
Slovakia
England
Passport Stamps
Americas
Europe
Asia & Middle East
30 countries · 4 continents · 3 countries called home ·still exploring
Let's build something together.
Whether it's transforming your L&D strategy, exploring a collaboration, or just talking shop — I'd love to hear from you.
curtisirwin@me.comGreater London Area, UK