Mariah Koster

Experienced Agile Transformation Expert and Agile Coach Seeking Opportunities in the UK!

Are you looking for a seasoned Agile professional to drive your organisation's transformation? With over 13 years of expertise in Agile transformations and Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) in the US Federal sector, I am seeking new challenges in the United Kingdom.

What I Offer:

• Proven track record implementing Agile methodologies and enterprise agility strategies
• Extensive experience as an Agile Coach, Release Train Engineer (RTE), and Scrum Master
• Multiple certifications including SAFe SPC, RTE, SASM, and ICAgile Enterprise Agile Coaching
• Strong background in change management, strategic planning, and team leadership
• Expertise in adapting Agile principles for government and large-scale organisations

Key Achievements:

• Led Agile transformations for major US government agencies including DoD, DHS, and IRS
• Served as Agile Transformation Practice Leader and Services Offering Leader at IBM Consulting
• Successfully managed complex, multi-team Agile projects in high-stakes environments

Why the UK: I'm eager to bring my leadership acumen and deep Agile expertise to a global organisation, collaborating with diverse, international teams. My goal is to leverage my extensive US Federal sector experience to drive value and deliver exceptional results in new cultural contexts.

If you're seeking an Agile transformation expert who can help your organisation navigate complex challenges and achieve strategic objectives, let's connect. I'm excited about the opportunity to contribute to the UK's dynamic business landscape and take on new professional challenges.

Experienced Strategy Consultant with over 13 years of expertise in Agile transformations and Lean Portfolio Management (LPM), primarily in the US Federal sector. Career primarily focused on implementing Agile methodologies and enterprise agility strategies across various government agencies.

Key points of professional experience include:

1. Current role: Agile Transformation Practice Leader at IBM Consulting - US Federal (May 2024 - Present)
2. Long-term employment with IBM Consulting - US Federal (February 2011 - Present), progressing through roles such as Senior Managing Business Transformation and Strategy Consultant and Agile Transformation Services Offering Leader.
3. Extensive experience working with numerous US government agencies, including:
   • Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
   • Department of Defense (DoD)
   • Department of Transportation (DoT)
   • Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
   • Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
   • Department of Energy (DoE)
   • Agency for International Development (USAID)
   • General Services Administration (GSA)
   • Department of Justice (DoJ)
4. Diverse roles within these agencies, including:
   • Agile Lead and Release Train Engineer (RTE)
   • Solution Train Engineer
   • Enterprise Agility Coach
   • Agile Advisor
   • Deputy Programme Manager
   • Agile Subject Matter Expert & Coach
   • Scrum Master
   • Project Manager
   • Product Owner
   • IT Asset Management Team Lead
   • Change and Configuration Control SME

Strong educational background with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Elon University, complemented by numerous professional certifications in Agile methodologies, SAFe, ICAgile, Scrum@Scale, and AWS Cloud.