Experience

AIG Travel Guard

IT Project Manager II, (Scrum Master)

Automation Engagement Lead

I had the opportunity to work with the first Agile team for AIG Travel Guard Group, Inc. as IT Project Manager (Scrum Master), position in the PM - Program & Project Management (Information Technology) Department.

Responsible for managing Agile team on complex enterprise projects with internal and external customers. As Project Manager I can help provide direction to agile project teams.

Plan and implement strategy for end to end automation of claim value chain globally for claims across multiple product lines. Utilize industry standard concepts/innovative design methodologies such as robotics, OCR and decision rules engine technologies to develop solutions. Manage design of complex efforts that are both strategic and across geographies to achieve goal of modular automation in claim lifecycle to meet customer needs and drive shareholder value.

Design and manage Change Management and Stakeholder Engagement strategy for Global Claims Automation program including business readiness associated with technology and non-technology changes, training, communication and employee engagement. Ensure transparent & honest representation of change with automation to the business portfolio and its senior management team.

Product Lead - Global Travel Claims Operations

Set strategic direction for Travel Guard Worldwide Claims operationally including technology leverage and automation, business process improvement, standardization and cost avoidance. Work closely with the leadership teams across the field organization to drive greater consistency in workflows, process and procedures, key controls necessary to meet internal and external standards, and the use of audit and remediation tools when required.

American Bureau of Shipping

Scrum Master and Sr. Media Developer - Learning Organization

As Product Owner I would work closely with the engineers and surveyors out on vessels, in shipyards and on our MODU and offshore rigs which were our SME's for the business. Previously I was Scrum Master running four scrum teams which consisted of an instructional designer, graphic artist, 3D artist, media developer and tester which created innovative and interactive training for our maritime technology for the next generation. Our team was focused on the development and integration of container-related maritime technologies. The important part of this role was coaching and evangelization of Agile principles in the organization and facilitating the transition to Agile development from Waterfall and ADDIE Projects.

• Experience with Agile development methods
• Experience in the role of Scrum Master
• Knowledge of software development processes
• Good communication and mentoring skills
• Knowledge of the Maritime Industry and ABS Classed Vessels
• I made sure the board was clear of blocked stories and user stories that were populated based on team agreement
• I coached the team on Agile values and practices and encouraged them to continuously improve
• I also would help identify if there was work happening that was not represented on the board and help them create a user story
• Helped move standup meetings along briskly, referring in-depth discussions to follow-up meetings
• Ensured follow-up meetings and coordinated and verified them at the next standup meeting, as well as check if new stories came out of it
• Monitored that the user stories do not move on the board without meeting the team's kanban exit agreement
• Detected if a developer seemed confused or frustrated and worked with them until the issue was surfaced and there was a plan for resolution
• Detected when user stories were starting to stall and raise as an issue
• Ensured that no one was waiting for work or unclear where I could get them the help they needed
• Facilitated Scrum ceremonies, with the exception of externally facing team demos
• Helped the team and product owner with Trello dashboards and metrics

Apple Inc.

Scrum Master and Agile Coach

I was a part of Apple's Worldwide Marketing Communications organization (Marcom) as a Project Manager / Scrum Master which demonstrated ScrumMaster skills to help lead the development of tools used internally by our global teams. As Scrum Master I had a strategic vision and used a tool for enhancement from the product manager and then worked with the product manager, Ruby on Rails engineering team, and product owners to make the strategy into reality. I lead story writing workshops (requirements gathering), and sprint planning (functional and technical design discussions), and also participated in demoing (testing the proof-of-concept), working with business partners, and more. This role required strategic thinking around team needs and organizational goals and was not a solely tactical role. I was responsible for successful outcomes and delivery of usable software. I prioritized and worked on multiple highly detailed projects at the same time.

• Willing to do everything possible to surprise and delight our users.
• Ensured Agile/Scrum concepts and principles are followed and used appropriately to the project and the team.
• Bridged the gap between non-technical business users who are the product owners and the development team.
• Clearly set expectations and communicated status to both technical and business teams.
• Took full responsibility; felt a personal stake in the product we would ship.
• I value integrity; I managed conflict; and I worked for the success of the entire team.
• I have a proven ability to establish rapport, credibility and influence others to drive results across a large matrixed organization.
• I have strong leadership and excellent communication skills, with experience managing and motivating teams and individuals.
• Creative problem-solving skills related to team, project deliverables, and cross-functional issues.
• Flexible and resourceful to manage changing product goals, features, or distribution demands.
• Thrive in uncertainty and strive to bring order to it.
• Able to work equally well with people in creative and technical positions.
• I would notice risks and issues as they arose and elevated them to management.
• I had the courage to be a voice of reason and authority, and make the tough calls.
• I garnered respect from the team and was willing to do tedious tasks as well as glamorous ones to get the job done.
• Always have the enthusiasm for learning new tools and techniques to manage myself and a team.
• Facilitated difficult discussions and suggested creative alternatives or different approaches.
• I was passionate about user experience; able to inspire and educate designers and engineers with thought-provoking user stories.
• Adjusted my interpersonal approach to individuals and situations as needed to effectively work with others individually and in groups.
• I brought disclosure and transparency to the business about development process and progress and grew trust with business stakeholders.
• I had the ability to QA and follow-up on bugs, keeping in mind the big picture view and prioritizing as needed.

Apple Training and Development

Senior Instructional Designer / T3 Train the Trainer

Summary

My goal is to work in a challenging, fast-paced and life-enriching environment with ample room for creative thinking.

Specialties: Creating unique customer experiences, designing interactive learning experiences, facilitation, design review, leadership and management, Mac OS, iOS, Keynote, Pages, Final Cut Pro, Aperture, Logic Studio

Experience

Senior Instructional Designer - Retail Business

• Created and implemented a vision for the business customer experience in Apple retail stores
• Worked with subject matter experts to determine message, scope, and methodology for business training initiatives
• Designed and developed training initiatives to train to and support the business customer experience
• Oversaw development of training initiatives and supporting materials by other instructional designers
• Facilitated classroom training for Business teams
• Recruited and trained guest trainers to assist with facilitation of content

Instructional Designer - Apple University

• Designed and developed New Manager Orientation, in partnership with faculty
• Managed timeline and logistics for implementation of New Manager Orientation
• Created concepts for the training library
• Revised Apple Fundamentals content to meet the evolving standards of Apple University content
• Developed keynotes for custom program deliveries
• Served as subject matter expert in Apple history and culture

Instructional Designer - Worldwide Employee Development

• Designed and developed leadership and management training for Apple
• Built courses and workshops for the Apple Fundamentals training series
• Partnered with OD experts to design and deliver training targeted at specific organizational needs
• Established a standard process for design and development of new content
• Established a standard process for content review
• Facilitated Apple Fundamentals courses and workshops
• Prepared other facilitators to deliver new courses and workshops
• Architected the Manager Information Sessions training series (Open) 1 recommendation

Creative Trainer - Global Retail Training

• Architected the experience for One to One customers in Apple retail stores
• Developed and delivered classroom and online self-paced training to prepare store employees to deliver on the experience
• Facilitated courses worldwide
• Prepared a global team of 26 trainers to assist with global facilitation of content
• Established a standard process for recruiting and training guest trainers
• Focused on Apple creative software applications

Lead Creative

• Facilitated personal training sessions for Apple retail customers
• Delivered classes and hands-on workshops
• Mentored store team members
• Managed Creative work schedules, workshop and class schedules, and special events
• Maintained Studio equipment inventory

Kellogg's

Scrum Master, iPhone and iPad Trainer

As Scrum Master I owned the delivery of the User Stories on one or more Kellogg and Keebler teams by removing impediments and following the Scrum process. As ScrumMaster and servant leader of two Scrum teams and protected them from internal and external distractions so they can successfully accomplish their sprint goals. I worked closely with the Product Owner to understand how to create and maintain the product backlog so the right work is done in the right order. Insured the team was following the scrum methodology and keeping the team on track, productive and growing in ability.

• Identified and removed any impediments or obstacles that prevented the delivery teams from attaining sprint goals while always protecting the teams.
• Organized and facilitated sprint planning daily stand-up meetings, sprint review, retrospectives
• Continually assessed the Scrum maturity of the team and organized and coached the team to higher levels of maturity, at a pace that is sustainable and comfortable for the team and organization
• Reported sprint progress, team status and impediments to senior management using the Agile KANBAN and SCRUM boards with applied and maintained burn-up and burn down
• Assisted the Product Owner managing the backlog and ensure that continue refinement session are taking place
• Facilitated discussions and conflict resolution in order to improve the team's productivity while always promoting continuous improvement
• Assisted the teams in making appropriate commitments through story selections and tasks definitions
• Prepared and participated in company wide integrated release train sessions, representing Kellogg's teams
• Mentored and educated the SCRUM teams about practicing the core Agile principles and software engineering best practices.