Bio

Taylor received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from Texas A & M University in 2001. After her time in the Human Resources sector of corporate America, she returned to school to receive her teaching certification in 2011. Dr. Gilley received her Masters of Education in Teacher Leadership with an emphasis in English as a Second Language in 2016 and her Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction from Texas A&M University in September of 2021. Dr. Gilley’s personal experiences in public education positions her to provide engaging learning and development experiences for adult learners. She is passionate about developing others and creating plans for all people to find career satisfaction. Dr. Gilley’s teaching passion lies in finding ways for all humans to learn and grow in safe and inclusive spaces. Currently, Taylor serves as the Director of Staff Learning and Development at the Houston Zoo. She has experience in nonprofit consulting and training. In her spare time, Taylor and her wife enjoy traveling, concerts, and time in their home garden. They are also active members of the domestic animal rescue community as bottle feeders for orphaned neonate kittens.

Professional Consulting Partnerships

TargetHunger; Houston, TX

Audubon Zoo; New Orleans, LA

Blackland Prairie Raptor Center; Allen, TX

Jenkinson’s Aquarium; Beachwood, NJ

Zoo New England, Boston Massachusetts

Spring ISD Department of Organizational Culture, Houston, TX

Presentations and Appearances

DIY Leadership: The Good, The Bad, and The What Were We Thinking; 2023 AZA Annual Conference, Columbus, OH

Natural Encounters, Inc TEC TALK Podcast Episode 178 Podcast - Natural Encounters

Non-Apparent Disabilities: Strategies for Effective Support and Inclusion; 2024 AZA Annual Conference, Calgary AB

Paying the Way for Inclusion: Paid Career Pathways for Students Historically Underrepresented in Conservation and Animal Sciences; 2024 AZA Annual Conference, Calgary, AB

Speak Up and Speak Out: Recognizing Bias in the Workplace; 2024 ZRA Conference, Kansas City, MO

Alchemy Consulting Group Podcast, Season 1, Ep. 20