Our Story

Learning as a way of life

At Handcrafted Learning we love to learn—from the person running payroll to the person running strategy sessions.

We’re learners first

We’re consultants, strategists, designers, and developers, but at our core we’re learners. It’s how we see the world.

We get excited when learning about a client’s supply chain or customer base. It also shows up in what we share beyond work. How to make kimchi tacos. How to pyrograph with a soldering iron. How to level a rogue in an MMORPG.

We believe in the power of learning to change individuals, groups of people, and the world. It’s what we’ve personally experienced—and it’s why we do what we do.

Why isn't corporate training better?

Most people have had a bad learning experience, whether at school or a job. It felt punitive, passive, and like a waste of time.

Unfortunately, traditional corporate training was modeled on traditional education: knowledge memorization and test taking instead of skill development and real-world application.

As students, we’re told that if we’re not getting anything from abstract lectures and boring videos, we’re the problem. But it’s the system for learning that’s broken.

Luckily, we’re craftspeople who love fixing things.

Learning experiences can be GREAT

We built Handcrafted Learning to create great learning experiences for millions of people—training that’s relatable, relevant, and grounded in the science of how people learn.

Over the last two decades we’ve gotten to see the impact that thoughtfully designed learning can have on individuals and organizations.

A new hire shared with tears in her eyes, “I didn’t think I had what it takes, and now I know I can do this job.”
A blind learner tester said with relief, “I’ve never felt more included by a training.”
A client stakeholder started off as a nervous new hire 10 years ago and is now the leader of a Fortune 100 company’s learning team.

We’ve seen that when a culture of learning is nurtured, Fortune 500 companies can be a force for good.

What Works

Our creative structure supports our creative culture

Handcrafted Learning is governed by a set of purposes, which ensure that we:

Offer practice-based interactive learning experiences that drive behavior change.
Champion high-quality work through craft, nuance, and artistry.
Advocate for the needs of the learners we serve.
Enable employees to work where they live.
Create an environment that supports curiosity, self-reflection, and empathy.

Our clients make this an even greater place to work

We’ve been named a Great Place to Work® and are a certified minority- and women-owned business, but perhaps the greatest testament to our culture is how often we laugh with one another—and our clients.

We’re delighted to hear our partners say, “Meeting with Handcrafted Learning is my favorite hour of the day!”

Our Leadership Team

Rachel Teeter

Managing Director

Directs business strategy for Handcrafted Learning and manages the creative/operational leadership team.

Passions: Mental health advocacy, social equality, and family

Gem Moon

Design Director

Leads large-scale initiatives for some of the world’s most iconic brands by directing a team of creators and consultants.

Passions: Handmaking clothing, plant life, and literary video games

Tony Clavelli

Design Director

Leads a team of innovative designers and developers to create immersive learning experiences for Fortune 500 companies.

Passions: Games with surprises and how people tell stories

Bracha Kurtzer Gross

Client Experience Manager

Facilitates the experience of working with Handcrafted Learning for our Fortune 500 partners.

Passions: Family, making and enjoying art, and strategy board games

Rachel Tobie

Talent & Culture Manager

Oversees recruiting for Handcrafted Learning and supports team development, growth, and culture.

Passions: Languages, animation, and how people communicate

Jason Zeaman

President

Manages legal and financial operations for Handcrafted Learning and oversees domestic and international growth.

Passions: Emotional, naturalistic films and behavioral psychology

Dorothy Cafino Finnigan

Founder

Leads the creative vision and strategic direction for Handcrafted Learning and coaches c-suites through culture change.

Passions: Healthy ecosystems and near-future science fiction

“It’s a culture that cares about people first. Employees are supported, encouraged, and celebrated, but I love that our team also cares about how our work affects learners and the world at large.”

“I love working here because learning is infused into everything we do. As I've evolved through roles here, I've had the opportunity to explore and develop new strengths, and it feels like there is always something new to learn. It's literally impossible to get bored!”

“Everyone here at Handcrafted is kind, hard-working, considerate, and wonderfully creative. It's rare to find a team like ours that always feels like it’s pulling in the same direction.”

“I love that our team is flexible and adaptable: not only in what we design, but in how we design it. We think of ways to tweak and improve our processes, which makes our work environment feel like a living, breathing thing as opposed to a structure set in stone.”

“Everything we do here is in service of learning, and that extends beyond the experiences we design for our clients. It’s woven into the internal processes and the way people support one other. I am so grateful for the warmth and generosity of my team members.”

Join Our Team

We’re always looking for creative, empathetic people to join our team. Please reach out and introduce yourself to our Talent & Culture Manager, Rachel.

Email Rachel