Karla R. Smith
Scrum Master
Raleigh,NC
Summary
Certified Senior Scrum Master with a proven track record of leading multiple development teams through complex product lifecycles, ensuring on-time and cost-effective product delivery. Skilled in Agile frameworks facilitation, cross-team dependency management, and strategic backlog prioritization to achieve high-value outcomes. Proficient in removing impediments, conducting effective Scrum ceremonies, and implementing Agile metrics reporting for informed decision-making. Recognized for outstanding leadership and communication skills that foster team collaboration, continuous improvement, and successful project outcomes in enterprise-wide Agile transformations.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
6
6
Certifications
Work History
Senior Scrum Master – Senior Consultant
Booz Allen Hamilton
Charleston, SC
01.2023 - Current
- Managed end-to-end product development process for 3+ concurrent development teams, ensuring all milestones were met and products delivered on time and to specification while maintaining strict adherence to organizational standards
- Led all Scrum ceremonies (Sprint Planning, Daily Standups, Sprint Reviews, Retrospectives) for multiple teams, driving consistent delivery focus and value realization
- Led strategic backlog prioritization in partnership with the Product Owner and development team, ensuring teams consistently focused on highest-value features that aligned with business priorities and client needs
- Delivered projects on time and within budget through effective resource management, risk mitigation, and proactive issue escalation
- Resolved impediments to team progress by proactively identifying issues and facilitating effective solutions.
- Collaborated with Product Owners to develop clear product roadmaps and ensure timely release of high-quality deliverables.
- Ensured stakeholder alignment and clear communication through facilitated sprint reviews and proactive issue resolution, achieving 95% on-time delivery while managing expectations across cross-functional teams and senior leadership.
- Instrumental in fostering an environment conducive to open communication, resulting in increased trust among team members and improved decision-making processes.
- Improved overall project efficiency with effective coordination between development, testing, deployment, and support teams during release cycles.
- Coached teams in Agile practices and provided necessary training to create positive mindset to Agile methodologies.
Scrum Master- Consultant
Booz Allen Hamilton
Charleston, SC
10.2021 - Current
- Managed change requests and scope modifications while conducting thorough impact assessments on schedule, budget, and deliverables to maintain delivery commitments and stakeholder expectations
- Maintained and optimized Agile tools (JIRA, Mural, GitHub) ensuring accurate tracking, transparency, and adherence to organizational standards
- Facilitated all Agile ceremonies for multiple development teams, guiding teams through planning, development, and delivery phases with focus on value delivery
- Conducted daily stand-up meetings, sprint planning sessions, and sprint reviews, ensuring effective communication among team members.
- Developed custom Scrum boards for better task tracking and transparency within the team.
- Improved team efficiency by implementing Agile and Scrum methodologies for project management.
- Implemented continuous improvement initiatives through regular retrospective meetings with the team.
- Streamlined release processes through close coordination between development teams and operations staff.
- Implemented key performance metrics to track team progress and identify areas of improvement consistently throughout projects'' lifecycles.
Assistant Project Coordinator
Asymchem, Inc
Morrisville, NC
02.2020 - 09.2021
- Supported multiple high-visibility projects simultaneously, tracking milestones and facilitating meetings while maintaining compliance with organizational PMO standards
- Ensured project documentation and processes followed established best practices and compliance requirements
- Coordinated delivery activities across globally dispersed teams, ensuring timelines and deliverables were consistently met
- Developed comprehensive project reports and dashboards for senior leadership, maintaining transparency in progress, risks, and resource needs
- Reviewed documentation to verify conformance with established project criteria.
- Reduced project delays by proactively identifying potential roadblocks and escalating issues as needed.
- Boosted overall team effectiveness through diligent monitoring of task assignments and due dates.
Probation/Parole Officer
North Carolina Department of Public Safety
Durham, NC
03.2007 - 02.2020
- Trained and mentored new staff on policies and procedures, serving as key resource for process guidance and best practice implementation
- Led continuous improvement projects focused on team learning and performance enhancement, driving organizational effectiveness
- Managed high-stress situations through effective conflict resolution and problem-solving, ensuring compliance with departmental policies and procedures
- Interpreted and applied complex local, state, and federal regulations, ensuring consistent adherence to established standards and operating procedures
- Improved offender rehabilitation by conducting thorough assessments and creating individualized case plans.
- Assisted in the development of evidence-based programs for offender rehabilitation through research and data analysis.
- Reduced recidivism rates by providing offenders with resources, guidance, and support to successfully reintegrate into society.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
North Carolina Central University
Durham, NC 05.2001 -
Skills
SDLC Process Adherence
Process Improvement
Agile methodology coaching
Stakeholder Communication
JIRA
Confluence
Salesforce
Microsoft 365
SharePoint
Mural
Servant leadership
Coaching and mentoring
Agile best practices
Project management
Waterfall methodology
Project tracking
Certification
Advanced Certified Scrum Master (A-CSM)
Timeline
Senior Scrum Master – Senior Consultant
Booz Allen Hamilton
01.2023 - Current
Scrum Master- Consultant
Booz Allen Hamilton
10.2021 - Current
Assistant Project Coordinator
Asymchem, Inc
02.2020 - 09.2021
Probation/Parole Officer
North Carolina Department of Public Safety
03.2007 - 02.2020
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
North Carolina Central University
05.2001 -