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
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 -