Meet Zenith
Performance Solutions
ZPS, where learning meets innovation, and development leads to success. Transform your training approach? Let’s ignite the future of learning together!
A Passion for Learning, A Legacy of Innovation
The Beginning: It all started with a vision and a deep-rooted passion for education. After four enriching years as a teacher, Dani Watkins, our founder, pursued and obtained her Master’s degree in Adult Learning and Instructional Design. This pivotal phase was more than an academic achievement—it was the foundation upon which Zenith Performance Solutions (ZPS) would be built.
Transition to Corporate Training: In 2000, Dani transitioned to the corporate world, applying her educational expertise to develop training programs for a leading software company. Her unique approach combined traditional learning principles with innovative corporate strategies, setting a new standard for effective workplace training.
Expanding Horizons: By 2004, Dani’s expertise and vision led her to a consulting role at a small firm. Here, she was instrumental in collaborating with a virtual team that served diverse clients across various industries. Her work spanned from crafting onboarding programs to developing sophisticated leadership and train-the-trainer initiatives. This experience was not just about broadening her professional reach; it was about deepening her impact.
The Birth of Zenith Performance Solutions: 2008 marked a significant milestone. With a decade of enriched experience and a network of like-minded professionals, Dani launched Zenith Performance Solutions. ZPS was more than a company; it was a commitment—a commitment to transform the landscape of learning and development and #IgniteLearning. Today, Dani and her team at ZPS collaborate closely with clients from myriad industries to create custom, impactful learning solutions.
Our Team’s Edge: At ZPS, we preserve a scalable and diverse team of instructional designers, eLearning developers, and trainers, each bringing a unique set of strengths to the table. Our agility allows us to meet distinct client needs and tight timelines with precision and creativity. We don’t just deliver training; we partner with our clients to design, develop, and deploy learning solutions that are as engaging as they are effective—both face-to-face and online.
Looking Forward: We are driven by the belief that every training challenge presents an opportunity for innovation. As we continue to grow and evolve, our focus remains steadfast on delivering excellence and empowering organizations through education. Our story is one of passion, transition, and transformation—a story that we continue to write with every client we serve.
Why shouldn’t work be fun? Not only do we love what we do, but we get to work with an amazing team.
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Dani Watkins
CLEO (Chief Learning Experience Officer)
Hi, I am Dani and I am the Founder and Chief Learning Experience Officer of Zenith Performance Solutions. My love for education runs deep! As a daughter of two teachers, I, too, took the education route. After graduating from Kansas State University, I pursued my graduate degree in Information Technology. That is where the dream of running a small instructional design company began and the rest is somewhat history.
In addition to igniting learning experiences through instructional design and eLearning development, I enjoy training teams on Social Styles and DiSC and other leadership topics — both instructor-led and virtual delivery, technically producing for other virtual training professionals and facilitating at learning and development conferences including Association for Talent Development and Training Magazine’s TechLearn and Training.
When I am not cranking out content, technically producing on a virtual training platform, or facilitating courses, you can find me hanging out with my family. My husband and our two daughters keep me pretty busy, but I am never too busy for a good trail run up a mountain, hiking a fourteener, or skiing the Rocky Mountains!
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Alycia Campbell
VP of Miscellaneous Stuff
Hey! Alycia here… I am the proud executive assistant at Zenith Performance Solutions. My role is to serve as Dani’s right-hand woman. While I am not an instructional designer by trade, I am a creative at heart! My first career was in healthcare where I served in various administrative and patient care positions. The common denominator was the various committees and groups I participated in. All related to employee engagement and process improvement.
When I am not hanging out in Canva creating graphics or responding to emails, you can catch me with either a cup of coffee or cupcake in hand — my guilty pleasures! And when I am not hiding in the corner enjoying my treats, I am either at a track meet, basketball game, soccer event, or cheer competition.
Get to know our team of fiercely talented Instructional Designers and eLearning Developers
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Bridget Brown
Instructional Designer
Ms. Brown brings more than 18 years of instructional design and e-learning development experience and over 20 years for experience as a facilitator. She has designed e-learning courses in the areas of compliance and cyber security for three Fortune 500 companies and is a former Adjunct Instructor in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. For the past three years, she has been teaching unconscious bias and diversity training for multiple agencies in the State of Connecticut.
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Joakima Carter
Instructional Designer | eLearning Developer
Greetings! I’m Joakima, the “eLearning Fairy”. I absolutely love what I do. I have always had a passion for technology, reading, and learning about all kinds of interesting topics. I earned a Masters in Instructional Design and Technology. My eye for color, design skills, voiceover and video editing experience make me a strong addition to the team at Zenith Performance Solutions.
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Keith Katte
Instructional Designer
Hi, I’m Keith, an instructional designer with Zenith Performance Solutions. I come from a legacy of educators including my father and sisters, and I too began my career in the classroom. My next stop was in corporate education where we launched a LMS and developed award-winning content, in partnership with ZPS. Now, as an instructional designer, I have come full circle and enjoy the content development process.
I enjoy long walks with my dog, catching my grandkids’ events, football and basketball games, and an occasional home improvement project.
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Deviyani Joshi
Instructional Designer
I am a two times graduate from Florida State University, where I obtained a Bachelor in Psychology and a Master in Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies. A Floridian who loves all things Harry Potter and when I’m not busy with Instructional Design, I have a side gig where I get to be the friendly neighborhood dog sitter!
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Maria Richard
Instructional Designer
I am a senior-level instructional designer and course developer for technical and service organizations. In my spare time, I’m out on the dance floor, or wherever my passion for travel and photography leads me.
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Linda Preston
Instructional Designer
Hi, I am Linda Preston. My first career was as a high school science teacher where I fell in love with technology. I have been doing eLearning and Instructional Design for the past 8 years. I am married to my high school sweetheart, married with 1 son and 2 beautiful grandchildren, whom I adore. When I am not working on the computer, I enjoy camping, fishing, sewing, and competing in muzzleloading rifle shooting competitions.
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Denise & Clark Winslow
Instructional Designers
Clark and Denise are Instructional Designers that come from the world of public education. There, they both created learning for all levels of ability and skills. Denise worked in social sciences, while Clark focused on history, although both have spent time working in the humanities classroom before becoming instructional designers. Both hold the rare Master of Arts Teaching degree, which allowed them to focus on how humans learn and how to use best practices to help their learners succeed.
Instructional Design became an easy second career choice once Clark and Denise realized that COVID was going to alter the landscape for learning. They bring different skills and knowledge together to create an amazing ID team, as Denise loves to design and work on the front end while Clark tends to dig into creation and development, although both engage in all levels of their projects. They love creating learning that engages a wide variety of skills and abilities and brings their love of understanding and compassion to all that they do. They bring their love of learning to the ID world, along with a passion to do good works
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Patti Bryant
Instructional Designer
Hi, I’m Patti! I have a master’s degree in Instructional Implementation and Design, Educational/Instructional Technology and a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems Security. I have used my experience as a computer consultant, HRIS specialist, and software trainer to help many tech companies improve customer experiences by elevating training and development opportunities for employees. I believe we’re meant to be in community with others and founded the ONILP (Online Network of Independent Learning Professionals), a worldwide community of over a thousand training managers, developers, and professionals. In fact, I believe in meaningful connection so much that I created The Way Back, a weekly shared practice that cultivates meaningful connection and allows us to be heard and seen for who we truly are. When I’m not creating training, I’m writing or reading!
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Jessica Rietjens
Instructional Designer
My name is Jessica Rietjens, and I live in Las Vegas. I spent six years as a secondary science educator, and I am now an instructional designer with Zenith Performance Solutions. I enjoy creating effective learning content for all types of learners. I have served a lot of different roles in my professional career, from yoga instructor, personal trainer, member services manager, educator, and dance coach, but being an instructional designer has been my most fulfilling and enjoyable role yet. My husband and I have a young daughter, and we enjoy hiking, cooking, and traveling together.
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Sarah Roberts
Leadership Consultant, Trainer, Professional Certified Coach
Hi there! I’m Founder and CEO of Clarity Matters Consulting LLC focused on organizational effectiveness through consulting, training, and coaching. I am an International Coaching Federation certified coach and coach trainer. I am also certified in DiSC, Emotional Intelligence, and numerous leadership and team building assessments and practices.
I met Dani through the Association of Talent Development and really love working and collaborating with her. We make a great team.
I love to laugh, watch funny dog and goat videos, read, and exercise at OrangeTheory Fitness.