As people began experimenting with virtual learning, Mike saw an opportunity – not just to create courses, but to reimagine what continuing education could be.

That spark became what is now The Training Refinery.

From the beginning, Mike was determined to do it right. He pursued accreditation through the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) – a process he describes as one of the hardest things he’s ever done. Every detail was scrutinized. Every standard mattered.

One night, on the verge of missing a critical deadline, Mike reached out on Upwork in a last-ditch effort for help. It was late. The odds were slim. But one person, Kayleen Holt, looked at Mike’s work, his mission, and what he stood for—and decided it mattered enough to stay up all night and help. Together, they crossed the finish line and earned accreditation. That moment set the tone for everything that followed.

Samantha Vanegas, MBA is the Chief of Staff at The Training Refinery. What started as a short-term engagement quickly became something much bigger. Samantha helped bring order to chaos, clarity to complex requirements, and momentum to a process that demanded both precision and heart. Together, the team crossed the accreditation finish line—and in doing so, set the foundation for how The Training Refinery would operate going forward.

Today, Samantha serves as the connective tissue of the organization—bridging vision and execution, people and process, big ideas and real-world delivery. From accreditation support and operational strategy to course execution and internal systems, she helps ensure that everything behind the scenes works as intentionally as the learning experiences themselves.

Samantha believes that continuing education should feel thoughtful, credible, and deeply human—and she’s proud to help build a company that treats it that way.

Kayleen Holt, M.S., is an award-winning learning experience designer with more than 30 years of experience in instructional design and education. Kayleen joined The Training Refinery during a pivotal moment—when founder Mike Veny reached out after an urgent search for someone who truly understood IACET accreditation requirements to help him refine his initial application and meet a critical deadline. What began as a last-minute, high-stakes push quickly became a defining collaboration. Together, they transformed a complex application into a clear, credible submission—earning accreditation and establishing the systems and standards that continue to guide the organization today.

Known for her calm presence in high-pressure moments, Kayleen specializes in helping purpose-driven organizations translate complex requirements into practical, human-centered learning experiences. Her work blends instructional rigor with storytelling, ensuring that continuing education is not only compliant—but engaging, accessible, and meaningful.

Kayleen has led the design of award-winning eLearning and blended learning programs for U.S. federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private-sector companies. She believes the best learning happens when structure and empathy work hand in hand—and she’s proud to help build a company that emphasizes human-centered learning that supports people, not just roles, and strengthens both performance and wellbeing.