Anna Cali didn’t take the usual route to instructional design, and that’s part of what makes her work so effective. With a background in professional theater and public education, she brings a rare blend of creativity, empathy, and strategic thinking to her role at the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP).
Before joining GaMEP three years ago, Anna spent years immersed in the world of theater, working as a costume designer, performer, and storyteller. Her love for narrative and design eventually led her to educational theater, where she discovered a passion for working with middle school students. That experience inspired her to earn a master’s degree in teaching and transition into public school classrooms, where she taught history and led academic teams across multiple states.
“I loved helping students and new teachers break down complex ideas into something they could really grasp,” she said. “That process of simplifying and humanizing learning is what drew me to instructional design.”
At GaMEP, Anna focuses on developing and refining our open enrollment courses, both in-person and virtual. She collaborates with project managers and subject matter experts to turn technical content into engaging, accessible learning experiences for Georgia’s manufacturing workforce. Her work is equal parts educator, designer, and translator, making sure that what’s taught resonates with learners at every level.
Storytelling remains central to her approach. “Whether I’m designing a course or teaching history, I’m always thinking about how to spark curiosity and emotional engagement,” she said. “That’s where the real learning happens.”
This year, Anna has taken on accessibility as a personal mission, working to ensure that GaMEP’s virtual offerings are inclusive and effective for all learners. It’s a natural extension of her belief that good design should serve everyone.
Anna’s professional inspiration is Jim Henson, whose work seamlessly blended education and entertainment. On a personal level, she looks up to Kermit the Frog, “a quiet, kind leader who still gets things done,” she said with a smile.
Outside of work, Anna is a creative force. She’s a movie buff, a garden and interior design enthusiast, and the mastermind behind elaborate themed parties that often include poetry recitations. She also loves spending time with her nieces, organizing pirate treasure hunts and mermaid spa days that keep the magic alive.
Recently, she navigated seven weeks with a broken arm, her dominant one, and used the experience to deepen her understanding of accessibility tools and keyboard shortcuts. “It was frustrating, but also eye-opening,” she said.
She is very proud of the work she gets to do at GaMEP. “We’re a lifeline for Georgia’s economy,” she said. “I’ve seen what happens when manufacturing jobs disappear from small towns. What we do here matters, and I’m proud to be part of it.”
If she had to sum herself up in three words, Anna would choose: adaptable, collaborative, and thoughtful. And anyone who’s worked with her would likely agree.
Contact Anna at anna.cali@innovate.gatech.edu to learn more about GaMEP’s training courses.
