Kristen Grode
Scrum Master & Coach
Blaine,USA
Summary
Certified Scrum Master and Agile Coach with 19+ years of experience helping teams deliver complex tech solutions across industries.
Known for blending strategic vision with hands-on execution, I specialize in bringing clarity, flow, and energy to cross-functional teams — whether they're navigating legacy systems, cloud migrations, or full-scale Agile transformations. Equally comfortable in coaching roles or delivery leadership, I build alignment across business and technical stakeholders while respecting team dynamics and meeting people where they are. Tools of the trade: Azure DevOps, Jira, Visio, Miro, Teams, and a good sense of humor. Currently based in Minnesota and Portugal, I thrive in remote-first, global environments and bring solar-powered positivity wherever I go.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
7
7
Certification
Work History
Scrum Master & Coach
CHS, Inc
05.2023 - Current
- Act as an active Scrum Master and Agile coach for up to 10 IAM & cybersecurity teams at different stages of Agile maturity.
- Integrated Scrum methodologies within a traditionally waterfall-driven organization.
- Led Agile and Scrum training sessions to support enterprise-wide adoption.
- Provided broad perspective on development needs, corporate expectations, and organizational readiness.
- Managed IT Operations and Quality Assurance teams, ensuring strong product support and delivery.
IAM Scrum Facilitator, SAFe
University of Minnesota
05.2022 - 04.2023
- Enabled teams to self-organize, self-manage, and deliver within the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe).
- Guided adherence to Agile principles and best practices.
- Planned and facilitated Agile ceremonies including PI Planning, Iteration Reviews, and Retrospectives.
- Drove continuous improvement and enhanced Agile maturity across the program.
Agile Coach
Care First
01.2022 - 05.2022
- Primary ServiceNow contact for internal and vendor teams.
- Managed $100M program across five workstreams including Cloud Provider and Organizational Readiness.
- Coached Scrum team through Agile adoption across eight workstreams.
Technical Delivery Manager
CWT
09.2021 - 01.2022
- Led project management for SCA program, aligned with business goals.
- Served as Scrum Master and fostered a culture of continuous improvement.
Program Manager & Scrum Master
PhData
01.2020 - 12.2020
- Managed Agile tiger teams and facilitated Scrum ceremonies.
- Handled executive-level escalations and strategic communication.
- Managed multiple priorities and stakeholder communications.
IT Project Manager
AHEAD
09.2019 - 02.2020
- Led end-to-end technical project execution.
- Managed cross-functional teams, risks, and stakeholder relationships.
Program Manager
Aeritae Consulting
05.2018 - 09.2019
- Managed ServiceNow program and budget for major account.
- Mentored junior PMs and oversaw system consolidations and HR applications.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education (K–8), Minor in English
St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud, MN01.2002
Skills
- Agile / Scrum / SAFe Frameworks
- Cybersecurity & IAM Programs
- Remote Team Leadership
- IT Operations & Cloud Migrations
- Enterprise Coaching
- Stakeholder Management
- Digital Transformation
- Business Process Optimization
- Project Lifecycle Management
- ServiceNow JIRA Miro Teams SharePoint
- Mentorship & Team Building
Certification
- Leading SAFe 5.1 – ABC Agile, LLC (2022)
- ServiceNow Fundamentals & System Admin Training – St. Paul, MN (2018)
- Certified Scrum Master Training – ASPE, Bloomington, MN (2015)
- PM Study Boot Camp for Project Managers – Minneapolis, MN (2014)
- SharePoint for Project Managers – ASPE, St. Louis Park, MN (2014)
- Project Management Training – New Horizons, Eagan, MN (2011)
- Project Management Fundamentals – Ajilon University, Minneapolis, MN
Languages
English (Fluent)
Spanish (Conversational)
Portuguese (Basic)
Timeline
Scrum Master & Coach
CHS, Inc
05.2023 - Current
IAM Scrum Facilitator, SAFe
University of Minnesota
05.2022 - 04.2023
Agile Coach
Care First
01.2022 - 05.2022
Technical Delivery Manager
CWT
09.2021 - 01.2022
Program Manager & Scrum Master
PhData
01.2020 - 12.2020
IT Project Manager
AHEAD
09.2019 - 02.2020
Program Manager
Aeritae Consulting
05.2018 - 09.2019
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education (K–8), Minor in English
St. Cloud State University
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