About Us

Our Mission

At SoftEd, we equip professionals and teams to thrive in a constantly changing workplace. Through expert-led courses and practical resources—from complimentary webinars and articles to immersive certification programs—we turn knowledge into real-world capability. Our success is measured by the impact our learners create for their organizations.
26aca28c-be51-4755-aa0c-6dec7ca410b6

What we stand for

Our Core Values
Boldly Embrace Life

We believe life isn't for the faint-hearted. We encourage courage, bold decisions, and celebrating resilience as we navigate challenges together.

Always Learning, Always Growing

To stay ahead of customer needs, we continuously test, adapt, and innovate. Curiosity and experimentation are at the core of our mindset, driving growth for ourselves and our customers.
Action-Oriented Excellence

We don't just talk—we get things done. We prioritize practical execution, efficiency, and clear outcomes, always driven to deliver.

Fun Along the Way

Life’s too short for dull moments. We infuse enjoyment into learning, work, and relationships, appreciating and embracing fun in everyday interactions.

Our Story

From a single training room in Wellington, New Zealand, to a trusted partner for some of the world’s most recognized enterprises, SoftEd’s journey is rooted in one idea—help organizations thrive amid constant change.

 

1990 — A bold start.
SoftEd was founded by Martyn Jones through a management buy-out of Datacom Education, breaking away from one of Australasia’s largest IT services firms. Our founders believed workplace learning could—and should—move as fast as technology itself. Within its first year, SoftEd partnered with U.S. conference organizer DCI, bringing software-engineering luminaries such as Grady Booch and Martin Fowler to Australasia and grounding our courses in cutting-edge thinking.

2000s — Regional expansion and early champions of agility.

  • Acquired DCI’s Australian operation and additional training firms in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, serving major private-sector and federal-government clients.

  • Long before “Agile” became a board-room buzzword, our instructors were helping software teams shorten delivery cycles, improve quality, and delight customers—a pragmatic, experiment-and-iterate mindset that still guides every engagement.

2010s — Global impact.
Opened offices in Singapore and North Carolina while delivering 500-plus events a year for organizations such as DBS Bank, Walmart, BP, and National Australia Bank. Our faculty of internationally recognized thought leaders cemented SoftEd as a go-to advisor on agility, product management, and modern leadership.

2020 — A digital pivot.
In response to COVID-19 travel restrictions, we rapidly re-engineered flagship courses for live online delivery, enabling truly blended learning experiences for distributed teams worldwide.

2021 — Joining forces with Skills Consulting Group.
Becoming part of Skills amplified our bench strength in credentialed learning, workplace well-being, and education strategy.

2025 — A new chapter in North America.
SoftEd relaunched as an independent company dedicated to serving the United States and Canada. Backed by 30 + years of global experience—and still collaborating with our international network—we now focus on the unique challenges of large enterprises across financial services, insurance, retail, and other regulated industries.

What this means for you

  • Local insight, global expertise. North-American time zones and market knowledge, reinforced by proven global frameworks.

  • Change at your pace. No one-size-fits-all playbooks—only tailored programs that respect your culture, compliance requirements, and business goals.

  • Partners, not just providers. We embed with your teams to convert new knowledge into lasting capability and measurable outcomes.

SoftEd’s story is still being written—one successful learner, team, and organization at a time. We look forward to adding your chapter next.
about us

Our Vision

We envision a world where every motivated professional has open access to high-quality content and meaningful opportunities, empowering them to reach their fullest potential and deliver real impact.

Our Team

Committed to Supporting Your Goals
Andy van der Gugten
Andy van der Gugten
Facilitator

I’m a certified trainer, facilitator, and coach passionate about helping teams simplify complexity, collaborate effectively, and deliver lasting value. With a background in IT project management at Honda Suisse SA and Radford Software, I’ve always embraced agile principles by focusing on people, communication, and practical solutions. My work centers on building high-performing, empowered teams and fostering cultures where agility and DevOps thrive together. Outside of work, I enjoy renovating houses, traveling with my wife and four children, and life in Féchy—our Swiss village known for its exceptional white wine.

Chris Knotts
Chris Knotts
Facilitator

Chris is an experienced leader in enterprise technology with over two decades in training, coaching, and emergent technology enablement, particularly in project management. He excels in creating transformative technology training programs focused on software development, data environments, and agile methodologies. His expertise encompasses enterprise software engineering, advanced analytics, data engineering, and the application of AI and machine learning in business. Chris combines design thinking and lean technology management to innovate in product development and operational strategies, impacting various sectors such as government, education, and multinational corporations.

Learn more about Chris

 
Colin Garlick-1
Colin Garlick
Facilitator

With over 30 years in software design, development, and architecture, I bring a deep technical background and a passion for practical, value-driven solutions. Starting my career as a biostatistician, I soon found my true calling in IT—delivering systems across medical, telecommunications, construction, and finance sectors. As one of SoftEd’s longest-serving trainers, I help teams apply Agile and DevOps principles to build better systems and continuously improve. I believe true success comes from understanding the big picture, iterating in small steps, and always learning from experience.

 
Craig Smith-1
Craig Smith
Facilitator

I’m an Agile coach, trainer, and editor with a deep passion for helping people and organisations embrace agility and continuous improvement. My journey began as a software developer at Suncorp, where I first experienced the power of agile ways of working—and quickly became an advocate for faster, more collaborative delivery. Since then, I’ve led agile transformations across government and private sectors, including roles at the Australian Department of Home Affairs, GMHBA Limited, and Unbound DNA.

Today, I teach and coach at SoftEd, create and refine agile courses, and serve as Agile Editor at InfoQ. I’m also a board member of the Agile Alliance, a former director of YOW! Conferences, and host of The Agile Revolution podcast. I’m driven by connecting with others who share a passion for learning, collaboration, and making work better through agile thinking.

 
Dallas Jackson
Dallas Jackson
Facilitator

As a single, working mum, it was my son who inspired me to live in an agile way. He had a picture-filled Kanban board before he could even read, and the techniques helped us plan and prioritize our days. 

There is a principle in the agile manifesto about keeping things simple and maximizing the amount of work not done. This philosophy is how I make sure that everything I do is connected to real value and purpose. 

In my career, I started my agile journey as a developer, business analyst, project manager and agile lead at Whole Foods Market. My role was focused on bridging the gap between the information technology teams and the wider business by introducing a more collaborative, agile approach to working. 

When I moved into a team coaching and scrum master role, I realized the importance of putting people first. Agile helped me understand that at the heart of every product, service, or solution are the people who use them and the people who create them. I am a strong believer that I coach people, not resources. So, to bring out the best in our teams, I had to combine my technical expertise with holistic practices and behavioural science. 

This is something I've carried with me as an agile trainer and consultant. When I'm working and travelling internationally, connecting with people is what keeps me grounded. 

When I'm not at work, agile helps me balance all of my interests. I love to cook, and I’m a trained chef. I'm on the board of the Institute for Transactional Philosophy, and I am an active supporter of non-profit groups that provide safe places for families and refugees.

 
David Mantica
David Mantica
Managing Director

Fueled by his passion for developing empowered knowledge workers, David helps companies develop their teams through training and coaching, equipping them with the critical skills needed to work effectively in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world. 

Drawing from his experience in successfully building a B2B training firm (growing it to $13M in seven years), David speaks on the impact of technology on leadership and management, helping organizations cope with the ever-changing demands and complexities of modern business. 

With over 30 years of experience and more than 700 speaking engagements, he has inspired better work practices in marketing, product management, project management, software development, executive management, and other key areas of technology and business operations. 

David resides in Raleigh-Durham, NC, where he provides consulting to business owners. Driven by his love for helping people grow while maintaining their mental health, he also mentors a number of rising executive leaders, providing pro bono career coaching services that utilize his career insurance methodology. David is well known for his ability to butcher the English language, which is why this bio had to be heavily edited. 

George Bridges
George Bridges
Facilitator

Over the past 30 years, I've worked as a business analyst and project manager, helping companies like Unisys and Ford Motor to streamline their systems and improve the success rate of their projects. 

After working on many different projects across multiple industries, I uncovered the key to successful delivery. Delighting everyone involved in a project always comes back to how you engage stakeholders. This discovery inspired me to write my book Stakeholder in Your World. 

When I moved into a new role at a mortgage company, I was fascinated to find that they had adopted an agile way of working. I loved how agile had a strong focus on early and continuous collaboration from all stakeholders throughout the entire lifecycle of a project. From then on, I became actively involved in agile conferences and interest groups.  

The spirit of agile is all about creating a culture of curiosity and learning. That's why I'm so passionate about teaching. For over ten years, I've been a trainer, coach and consultant. I've also worked as an adjunct professor at Lawrence Technological University.  

In that time, I've supported thousands of students from all over the world, helping them to bring agile ways of thinking and working into their business analysis and project management practices. As a trainer and coach at Skills Development Group, I was also involved in developing the Business Data Analytics program. 

 
George Churchwell
George Churchwell
Facilitator

As a visionary in AI LLMs, Prompt Engineering, and AI for Excellence, George has used AI to create new and innovative solutions, including purpose-built GPTs.  His creation of AI applications, from sales intelligence scripts targeting a $1 billion market to AI-assisted eLearning content for Cisco, underscores a unique blend of technical prowess and strategic insight. His journey from launching startups to guiding them to successful exits is a testament to his unwavering passion for strategic innovation and steadfast commitment to team building. 

Jessica Katz
Jessica Katz
Facilitator

A highly experienced and passionate Agile coach and trainer, currently working as a Senior Agile Coach at SoftEd in the United States. With over 20 years of experience in the IT industry, Jessica has a proven track record of delivering successful Agile transformations for numerous Fortune 500 companies across various sectors. She has trained and coached thousands of individuals, teams, and organizations on Agile principles and practices.

Joseph Pierce
Joseph Pierce
FACILITATOR

With two decades of experience in the US Army, I learned that effective leadership is rooted in adaptability and continuous learning. Inspired by mentors who valued experimentation over rigidity, I developed a passion for agile ways of working and education. As a trainer and consultant at SoftEd, I help people and organizations embrace agility, build high-performing teams, and create environments where curiosity, collaboration, and growth thrive.

Kinzie Wyche
Kinzie Wyche
VP, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

I’ve been in the B2B training space since 1995. where I met my current business partner, David, at an IT training startup in Cary, NC. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on helping individuals and organizations develop and implement strategic learning and development plans that foster employee growth and align with business objectives. What drives me most is a deep passion for supporting professional growth.

I joined SoftEd in 2019, excited by the opportunity to help grow the U.S. business—which was still in its early stages at the time. Contributing to something from the ground up has been both inspiring and incredibly fulfilling.

What I enjoy most about working at SoftEd is the chance to connect with people from a wide variety of companies and backgrounds. Despite our differences, I’m continually reminded of how much we can learn from each other and how much we share.

Outside of work, you’ll find me cooking, exploring new restaurants, or spending time on the lake with my family and dogs. I’m also a voracious reader—and I’ll never say no to a good glass of rosé.

Lara Hill
Lara Hill
VP MARKETING

Lara has spent 15 years leading marketing strategy for various ecommerce and tech startups, emphasizing adaptability and value delivery. Her focus extends to advocating for AI literacy and ethical AI practices, ensuring a balanced integration of technology with a human touch in marketing strategies. She consults with organizations to assist leaders in strategically enhancing their digital presence through personal branding and content creation.

Marc Balcer-1
Marc Balcer
Facilitator

Marc is a recognized expert in information technology and software development, with notable contributions including the creation of TAME, a platform for software test specification and generation. He's also co-authored seminal books on software design and architecture. Marc's agile journey began in 1998, leading a groundbreaking project for a major financial services firm that emphasized adaptability and customer-centricity. Believing in the agile philosophy of experimentation and continuous learning, he remains hands-on in putting theory into practice. 

Nancy Nickel
Nancy Nickel
National Account Manager

Nancy's impressive professional journey includes key roles at prominent organizations such as Global Knowledge, Exit Certified, and the AICPA/CIMA, consistently exceeding sales targets and driving significant business growth. At SkillsDG/SoftEd, she successfully managed national accounts, achieving a notable 30% growth between 2023 and 2025 through strategic upselling and cross-selling. At Global Knowledge, she notably surpassed quota attainment by over 110% consistently, demonstrating her exceptional capability in developing tailored education solutions and fostering long-term client relationships.

Razvan Radulian
Razvan Radulian
Facilitator

Razvan Radulian brings over 20 years of business and IT experience both as an advanced Business Analyst and as a Project Manager, in both Traditional and Agile/Scaled Agile initiatives. He is an expert in Business and Enterprise Architecture, Business Analysis, Business Process Modeling, Analysis, and Design, User Experience, OOAD and UML within the Pharmaceutical, Clinical Trials, Clinical Testing, Non-Profit and Training industries. Razvan has used a wide-range of methodologies from highly formal (like Waterfall) to highly adaptive (like Scrum, Kanban, or SAFe).

Shane Hastie
Shane Hastie
Facilitator

I’ve always leaned towards agile ways of working, even before it became the phenomenon it is today. In the late 90s, I read one of the first published books on agile development and finally had a framework for what already seemed so natural. I applied some of the techniques with the teams I was leading at the time, and the results spoke for themselves – better quality products and delighted customers.

 

Todd Duchaine
Todd Duchaine
Facilitator

Todd A. Duchaine is an accomplished Agile Coach and Transformation Leader with a 15-year technical career. He has successfully led large teams at PriceWaterhouseCoopers and TD Bank, managing Agile transformation, establishing organizational goals, and delivering SAFe and non-SAFe training/certification courses. 

Previously at Lincoln Financial Group/Liberty Mutual Insurance, he improved team delivery commitments as a Scrum Master and Agile Quality Coach. At WellPoint, Inc. (Anthem), he managed software releases as a Release Management Senior Advisor. 

Todd holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Southern Maine. He is a certified Certified SAFe SPC, SAFe Agilist, Certified Agile Leader, and Project Management Professional with technical proficiencies in various platforms, tools, and hardware. 

 
Zaki Medina
Zaki Medina
Facilitator

Zaki Medina is a passionate technologist and AI strategist with 17+ years of experience helping businesses harness the power of AI, cloud, and data to drive real-world impact. He’s worked with Fortune 100 companies, startups, and industrial giants, shaping AI-driven strategies that have generated $1B in value. Zaki has a knack for making complex AI concepts accessible and actionable, whether he's advising executives, training sales teams, or speaking at global events. As a former Microsoft AI Business School Instructor, he’s helped healthcare, energy, and manufacturing leaders integrate AI into their operations. Zaki is always at the forefront of Generative AI, AI-driven automation, and intelligent systems. He’s not just about theory—he’s about making AI work for people, businesses, and industries in a way that delivers results. Curious about where AI is heading? Want to talk about Agentic AI or how to integrate AI into your business? Let’s connect!

Tommy Re
Tommy Re
Facilitator

Tommy is the founder and president of Vital Communication. He brings a rare blend of strategic insight, practical expertise, and presence to every engagement. With over 30 years of experience in organizational development and leadership training, Tommy has worked with top companies like Amgen, Biogen, Novo Nordisk, Marriott, Kite Pharma, Atara Bio, BPL, Lutron, Microporous, Revance, and Worldwide Clinical Trials.

In addition to his consulting work, Tommy has held senior leadership roles, including Chief People Officer at Lonesource and senior sales executive at TRG, a technology training company. He holds a master’s degree in Corporate Communication from Seton Hall University, has taught public speaking at the University of Phoenix, and is a frequent guest lecturer in the MSW program at NC State University.

He is also the author of The Power of Presentation: A Vital Guide to Delivering Compelling Business Presentations, a practical resource for leaders who need to communicate clearly in high-stakes environments.

And before all that?

He began his career as a professional actor, appearing on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning original production of A Chorus Line. That early experience taught him how to hold a room, speak with purpose, and connect with an audience—skills he now helps leaders develop every day.

Tyler Grant
Tyler Grant
Facilitator

Bio coming soon.

The SoftEd Advantage

Experience the SoftEd Advantage: zero-risk, expert-led training that fits your schedule. Every public class is guaranteed to run and backed by a 100 % money-back promise—plus free transfers, fast human support, and PDUs/CDUs included. Live online or onsite, our aggressively priced courses give you the skills to lead, deliver, and innovate.

Contact us