Next Path Design Approach
Our experiences are designed with the knowledge that learning happens best when:
- Experiences are guided but flexible: Our courses provide a clear structure while respecting each learner’s unique pace and goals.
- Theory meets practice: We bridge research-backed learning approaches with immediate, practical application.
- Community supports growth: Optional collaborative components allow learners to share insights and build professional connections.
- Reflection drives development: Each course includes structured opportunities to connect learning to personal and professional goals.
Founder Biography
Professional Background
Jennifer Maddrell, PhD, is a learning experience designer, facilitator, and researcher dedicated to supporting individuals and organizations through tailored learning and performance improvement opportunities. With over 35 years of combined corporate leadership and educational expertise, she has guided learning and professional development projects at Fortune 200 companies, educational institutions, nonprofits, and other organizations.
Career Journey
Jennifer’s professional journey began in business, where she earned a BBA in Finance, Risk Management, and Insurance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MBA in Strategic Management and Marketing from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She spent 15 years in senior management roles at global insurance industry leaders, including Swiss Reinsurance America (Associate Product Line Manager), Chubb & Son (Regional Underwriting Manager), and Kemper Insurance Companies (Managing Consultant), with combined operational responsibility exceeding $500M across Fortune 200 companies. She later transitioned to education, earning a Master’s in Education from Indiana University and a PhD in Instructional Design and Technology from Old Dominion University.
Leadership and Teaching Experience
In 2014, Jennifer founded Designers for Learning, a nonprofit where thousands of aspiring instructional designers and volunteers collaborated to create open educational resources (OER) for adult foundational skills. She also teaches Instructional Technology courses at the University of Virginia and has held teaching positions at Old Dominion University and the University of New Mexico. With over a decade of experience on academic journal editorial teams, Jennifer offers extensive expertise in writing, research, and educational technology integration. From 2020-2025, she provided strategic consulting services to major nonprofits including ScaleIT, Women Employed, and World Education on large-scale technology integration and professional development initiatives.
Current Focus
Today, Jennifer is focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), one of the most pressing challenges and opportunities of our time. Through her AI Pathfinder online courses and other professional development experiences, she guides individuals and organizations through learning explorations tailored to their specific needs. Her approach combines collaboration, evidence-based design, and real-world application, the core principles behind all Next Path Design initiatives.
