Inside Look: Alexandra O’Hearn - Crafting Learning That Clicks

I’m the Sr. Manager of Training and Development at Peet’s Coffee, leading our T&D team primarily in support of our retail population. My career in Learning & Development (L&D) actually began in fashion—teaching remote Stylists about fit, fabrication, and trend. That early experience sparked a love for adult learning theory and how it can empower people at every stage of their career.  

At Peet’s, I’m responsible for designing and implementing learning and development strategies that will support baristas, store leadership, and home office professional development. My team creates seasonal training every time a new drink drops (check out our new Protein Smoothies on Jan. 7—the Cold Brew Protein Smoothie is my fave!). We also maintain onboarding and certification materials for all levels in the coffeebars.   

Leading this team is genuinely the best part of my job. I’m lucky to support Carolin Kramer, and I couldn’t be more proud of her growth this past year. She’s pushed herself to design more interactive, visually engaging, video-based learning, embraced AI as a creative tool, and built structure and process along the way. 

One project I’m especially proud of is our new Retail Competency Suite. Together with Carolin and our wonderful HR partners (Lisa, Amanda, Era, Suzanne, and Bill), we delivered a comprehensive package: new competencies and leveling, a development guide, PDP template, updated interview guides, and a rollout plan for more than 3,000 baristas and leaders. It was a true cross-functional lift—and it created a foundation for growth and development for years to come.  

Even though I joined Peet’s Coffee just a year ago, my connection to the brand goes way back. Growing up, I’d tag along with my dad to pick up his weekly pound of beans from the Peet’s up the street. Coffee was serious business in our house (dark roast, black), so Peet’s was the only brand we ever bought. Today, I take my own kids to that same Peet’s—officially making them the fourth generation of Peet’s loyalists in my family. (My grandma was a Garuda-only girlie.)  

When I began searching for my next role, I knew I wanted to believe in the company, the product, and the impact. So when my friend Kat Erickson reached out about an L&D opportunity at Peet’s, it felt like everything aligned: a product I genuinely love, a brand with deep Bay Area roots, and a role where I could contribute meaningfully. It was an easy yes.