Annie A. – Agile Leader, Scrum Master, and Bilingual Professional in Charlotte, NC
Annie A. stands out as an accomplished professional who has carved a niche for herself in the fields of agile coaching, project management, and customer support. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, she is a SAFe 5 Certified Scrum Master (SSM) and bilingual in English and French. With more than six years of experience guiding teams, removing impediments, and ensuring successful delivery of high-quality software solutions, Annie A. has demonstrated the perfect blend of passion, persistence, and patience — the three principles she credits as the foundation of her professional success.
This article takes a closer look at her career, education, skills, and achievements, presenting a comprehensive portrait of a dynamic leader whose career path is both inspiring and instructive.
Career Philosophy
Annie A. firmly believes in the “three P’s of success”: passion, persistence, and patience. These principles have guided her throughout her career, enabling her to motivate high-performance teams, navigate challenges, and consistently deliver value. Her approach combines technical expertise with human-centred leadership, making her an asset to organisations looking to foster collaboration and efficiency in agile environments.
Professional Experience
Senior Customer Support Specialist – Rippling
July 2024 – Present (Remote)
Annie’s current role is with Rippling, where she works as a Senior Customer Support Specialist. Her responsibilities include ensuring client satisfaction, addressing queries with precision, and contributing to the company’s mission of simplifying HR, IT, and finance operations. Her bilingual ability in English and French enhances her ability to engage with a diverse customer base, making her a versatile member of the team.
Scrum Master / Recruitment Project Manager – GE Aerospace
June 2022 – June 2024 (Remote)
At GE Aerospace, Annie successfully merged her agile leadership expertise with recruitment project management. She coordinated the scheduling of French-speaking aviation candidates in Canada, reducing scheduling errors by 20% and increasing candidate satisfaction by 15%. By delivering engaging presentations on organisational benefits, she played a vital role in employer branding. Annie also ensured that every candidate received personalised support, enhancing their overall recruitment experience and reinforcing GE Aerospace’s reputation as an employer of choice.
Scrum Master / HR Specialist – SVP Worldwide
June 2018 – April 2022 (Remote)
During her tenure at SVP Worldwide, Annie coached teams in agile methodologies, optimised workflows using tools such as Jira, Allstacks, and Jira Align, and facilitated user story creation alongside Product Owners. She partnered with cross-functional teams including data engineers, analysts, and marketing managers, ensuring smooth collaboration across projects. Her experience in AWS DevOps environments further strengthened her ability to drive digital transformation and efficiency.
Project Manager – Navient
January 2017 – April 2018 (Remote)
Earlier in her career, Annie served as a Project Manager at Navient. She monitored stakeholder meetings, tracked project progress, and coordinated across four cross-functional teams. Her proactive approach to mitigating risks and resolving discrepancies helped projects stay on track and achieve deadlines. She also implemented programme security protocols, demonstrating her focus on safeguarding client data and maintaining compliance.
Education
Antioch High School
At Antioch High School, Annie studied Business and Finance, while also excelling in extracurricular activities. She was a member of the National Honor Society, served as a leadership student, and participated in Big Brother Big Sister, showcasing her early commitment to service and leadership.
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Annie pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She was actively involved in student organisations such as the CCI Diversity Leaders Society, the African Student Association, and the Multicultural Mentoring Program. Her contributions included overseeing financial administration, serving as a panellist during Diversity and Inclusion Week, and conducting professionalism workshops. These experiences reflect her dedication to fostering inclusion and supporting peers in their academic and professional journeys.
Additionally, she studied elements of Business Administration, combining communication with financial and organisational knowledge, giving her a strong interdisciplinary foundation.
Skills and Expertise
Agile Leadership
As a SAFe 5 Scrum Master, Annie excels at implementing agile frameworks, facilitating sprint planning, and ensuring smooth delivery. Her experience spans multiple methodologies, including Scrum and Kanban.
Stakeholder Management
Annie’s ability to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders has been critical to her success. She is adept at balancing competing priorities and aligning diverse teams towards shared goals.
Technical Tools
She is skilled in Jira, Jira Align, Allstacks, Tableau, Power BI, and Salesforce CPQ. Her technical proficiency enables her to monitor project flow, track performance, and encourage data-driven decision-making.
Bilingual Communication
Fluent in English and French, Annie leverages her linguistic skills to connect with international candidates and teams, particularly within recruitment and aerospace contexts.
Achievements and Awards
Extraordinary Professional Promise
Issued by the University of Tennessee in April 2020, this award recognised Annie’s outstanding contributions and potential in teaching, research, and professional practice.
The Society for Collegiate Leadership & Achievement
In 2016, Annie was inducted into the SCLA National Honour Society, celebrating her academic success and leadership qualities.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Scholarship Award
In 2015, she was selected among a small group of high-achieving high school students to receive this scholarship, which supported her pursuit of higher education.
Personal Attributes
Annie A. is more than a professional; she is a mentor, a motivator, and a collaborator. Her career illustrates resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to excellence. She is known for her ability to prioritise tasks, optimise workflows, and keep projects on track without losing sight of team wellbeing.
Her eagerness to contribute to others’ success, coupled with her networking skills, has made her a respected figure in every organisation she has joined. Annie consistently seeks opportunities to grow, mentor others, and create environments where diverse voices are heard.
Conclusion
Annie A. represents the ideal blend of technical skill, leadership ability, and interpersonal excellence. From her beginnings at Antioch High School through her achievements at the University of Tennessee, and across her diverse career spanning project management, HR, agile coaching, and customer support, she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to growth and success.
For organisations seeking a bilingual, SAFe 5 certified Scrum Master with a proven track record of results, Annie A. stands out as a professional who brings passion, persistence, and patience to every endeavour.
