Brandon
Carson
Executive coaching and learning strategy lead. I work one-on-one with leaders, and design the systems that develop them at scale.
About
A coach with a systems brain.
Brandon Carson is a learning and development executive with more than 25 years of experience building learning ecosystems, developing organizational capability, and advising senior leaders at some of the world's largest organizations.
He is the author of two books published by ATD Press — L&D's Playbook for the Digital Age and Learning in the Age of Immediacy — and a contributor to the AI-Powered Workforce Series alongside Dr. Markus Bernhardt. His work has shaped how enterprises think about learning strategy, capability building, and the evolving role of the L&D function.
Brandon is also an executive and career coach. At the senior end, he works one-on-one with VPs, CHROs, and CLOs navigating pivotal moments in their careers — including coaching newly placed executives at a Fortune 1 company. And for anyone wanting to grow more deliberately in their work, he brings that same practice to career coaching at any level: helping people see the full picture and move with intention.
Through the Elevate practice, he works with HR and L&D leaders who are building and rebuilding their functions for what comes next: new expectations, new technology, and a workforce that is asking more of learning than ever before.
What I work on
Four ways I
engage
From quarterly coaching engagements to multi-month strategy work. Most relationships start with a no-pressure intro call to figure out which shape fits.
Executive & career coaching
One-on-one coaching for senior leaders navigating new roles, expanded scope, or moments that ask them to lead differently — and for anyone at any level who wants to grow more deliberately in their work. Coaching meets you where you are.
Leadership development design
Designing and building leadership development programs — from assessment-based development journeys and emerging leader pipelines to high-potential cohorts and manager effectiveness programs.
Skills & learning strategy
For HR and L&D leaders building or rebuilding their function: skills-based organization design, learning architectures, and operating models that connect skilling investment to measurable workforce capability.
L&D function transformation
Strategic advisory for L&D leaders transforming their function — from redefining the team's scope and stakeholder relationships to building the capability model and operating cadence that makes the function credible at the executive table.
Writing & published work
Publications
Two books, an article series, and ongoing writing on learning strategy, leadership development, and the future of workforce capability.
L&D's Playbook for the Digital Age
A comprehensive guide for L&D leaders navigating digital transformation — from rethinking learning architectures to building workforce capability for what's next. Second edition.
ATD Press
Learning in the Age of Immediacy: 5 factors for how we connect, communicate, and get work done
Five forces are reshaping how people connect, communicate, and get work done — and what it means for how organizations must approach learning in a world that no longer waits.
ATD Press
The AI-Powered Workforce Series
Explore six strategic actions that executive teams should take to prepare their L&D functions for the age of AI. Expert advice from Brandon Carson and Dr. Markus Bernhardt.
With Dr. Markus Bernhardt · ATD
Get in touch
Let's talk about where you're trying to go.
Coaching engagement, capability strategy work, or just a conversation — a paragraph or two about what you're navigating is plenty to start. I'll write back within two business days.
Coaching intake
Speaking inquiries