Gary Allison | Director of Learning Applications

Gary’s focus is enhancing the learning experience and ensuring that clients’ learning is applicable and “sticky”. His skills toolbox is vast: leveraging adult learning theory, creating pre and post program activities, finding &/or creating tools to evaluate program outcomes, exploring learning innovations, and emphasizing learner-centered approaches.

As a relationship-driven professional, Gary believes that trust is the foundation for a collaborative environment and brings the best solutions for our clients. He is strategic and often brings ideas to the table that challenge traditional thinking. His experiences in higher education and as an L&D leader in public accounting have taught him the value of applying transferable skills to overcome novel challenges.

Spiirall gives Gary a tremendous opportunity to work as a consulting L&D leader serving public accounting firms. He is proud to be a change agent who leaves a tangible impact on the organizations he serves. He has no doubt that Spiirall will transform how firms value and engage in L&D.

Gary has a Master of Arts in education and spent 10 years as a higher education professional, including roles such as Senior Academic Advisor, Program Specialist for Supplemental Instruction, and Part-Time Instructor. At the University of New Mexico, he created and institutionalized the university’s Learning Strategies program and provided training and instructional design support. He left higher education for public accounting, starting as a Training & Development Specialist and soon advancing to lead the firmwide Learning & Development function. He has been an active participant in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging strategies throughout his professional career.

Gary resides in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Outside of Spiirall, he is almost always with his family. He loves travel, hiking, history, research, studio recording, museums, theater, live music, comedy shows, food, and football.