Bridging Neuroscience, Strategy, and Innovation to transform learning and leadership
Future-Proofing Workforces. Driving Smarter Learning. Scaling Leadership & Growth.
Let’s build your learning and development strategy.
Who I Am
Ashton Shaikh, M.Ed, MA, MS
Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience Specialist | L&D Innovator | Instructional Designer | Educator | Independent Contractor
With 20+ years in instructional design, cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, and leadership development, I help organizations build brain-based learning systems that improve retention, decision-making, and workforce engagement.
Trusted by Fortune 500 leaders, HR executives, and high-performance teams
Specializing in neuroscience-driven training that enhances leadership & business outcomes
Proven frameworks for corporate learning, leadership agility, and knowledge retention
What I Do
I help businesses, organizations, and leaders implement neuroscience-based learning strategies to:
Enhance Leadership Performance – Brain-based strategies to improve executive decision-making
Optimize Corporate Training – Transform traditional training into science-backed, high-retention learning
Improve Workforce Engagement & Retention – Design learning systems that boost long-term knowledge retention
Scale Knowledge & Learning – Build frameworks that grow with your business
Why It Matters
The Problem: Traditional Training Doesn’t Stick.
Studies show that up to 80% of training content is forgotten within a month if it isn't reinforced or designed in alignment with cognitive science (Murre & Dros, 2015).
The Solution: Neuroscience-Optimized Learning.
I apply cognitive and behavioral neuroscience with adult learning principles to design training and learning experiences that:
Improves knowledge retention & application – Reduces cognitive overload and enhances long-term memory formation
Enhances leadership agility & decision-making – Strengthens problem-solving, adaptability, and strategic thinking
Drives real business impact & workforce performance – Creates high-performing, resilient teams that sustain growth
Ensures learning sustainability – Embeds continuous improvement and reinforcement strategies to future-proof workforce skills
How I Work
At the heart of every successful project is a strong connection. That’s why I begin by truly listening—getting to know you, your goals, your team, and your challenges. This early collaboration builds trust, ensures alignment, and lays the foundation for high-impact, customized learning solutions that actually move the needle.
Step 1: Connect, Assess & Audit
We start with a discovery call or strategy session to clarify your goals, learner profiles, and organizational context. I then conduct a detailed training needs analysis and program audit, identifying performance gaps and cognitive barriers using a neuroscience-informed lens. This forms the foundation of the ADDIE process—specifically the Analysis phase—where every decision is rooted in evidence and aligned with business objectives.
Step 2: Design & Develop
Leveraging ADDIE, I move into the Design and Development phases—creating custom, science-backed solutions tailored to your audience. I apply principles of cognitive load theory, spaced retrieval, active recall, and scenario-based learning to boost retention, leadership agility, and real-world application. Everything is built with learner-centered design and performance objectives in mind.
Step 3: Implement, Optimize & Scale
Together, we roll out your solution through blended learning, microlearning modules, or asynchronous platforms. During the Implementation and Evaluation phases of ADDIE, I track impact through data-informed feedback loops, performance metrics, and stakeholder input—ensuring each learning experience is both measurable and scalable.
Why Clients Trust This Process
Connection-first approach ensures clarity, trust, and alignment from the start
Rooted in neuroscience, behavioral science, and instructional design theory
Flexible delivery models that meet learners where they are—on-site, remote, or hybrid
Built to scale across teams, departments, or industries
Industries I’ve Transformed with Strategic Learning Design
Corporate & Business Growth: Scalable leadership and workforce enablement systems
Healthcare & Emergency Services: Critical thinking and compliance training for high-stakes roles
Real Estate & Sales: High-performance learning paths that drive revenue and retention
Personal Branding & Influence: Instructional frameworks that monetize expertise and build authority
K–12 & Higher Education: Brain-based curriculum and leadership coaching that improves learning outcomes
Contact
Let’s Build a High-Impact Learning Strategy
Phone: +1 614 636 6707