Pat Reed

Ever since I was young, I've been interested in human behaviour and dynamics. That’s what led me to study clinical psychology and start my career as a forensic analyst working in criminal intelligence.

For my next challenge, I made the leap into the entertainment world. I was recruited by the Walt Disney Company to radically transform their operations and introduce digital animation technologies. At the time, everything was still hand-drawn. So, we adopted an agile ‘test and learn’ approach to create cutting-edge motion pictures that still had that Disney magic. 

I’m a problem solver at heart, and leading organisations through transformational change is where I thrive. I’ve led agile transformation projects in Silicon Valley and for well-known brands, including Universal Studios, eBay, and Gap. The biggest change initiative I've led so far was for a team of 2.6 million employees at Walmart. 

A successful transformation is all about changing a belief system, and for that, you need strong leadership. The goal is to create an environment where people can thrive. 

I first came across SoftEd when I was on the international Agile Alliance Board with Shane Hastie. He invited me to take on the seemingly impossible challenge of leading a complex transformation for a large Australian organisation, and of course, I couldn't resist!  

Today, one of my many hats is working as a consultant at SoftEd, where I help senior leaders embrace the spirit of agile. I also created the Business Agility Accelerator and Adaptive Leadership programs. 

I love to learn by overcoming complex challenges and then share my learnings with others. That’s why, alongside my consulting work, I’m an Adjunct Professor at UC Berkley, where I teach all things agile with a bent towards innovation and leadership.

When I was on the international Agile Alliance Board, a highlight was helping the South American government adopt agility and launching the Brazilian Agile Alliance. I also worked closely with the Project Management Institute (PMI) when they embraced an agile approach, and I’m currently the Council Lead for the PMI Agile Community of Practice. 

Since Covid hit, I have spent most of my time enjoying the idyllic coastal community I call home in San Francisco. I love to transform my environment through creativity – gardening in particular. Transformation and growth are obviously a theme in my life. 

My certifications

• ICAgile Certified Expert in Delivery Management (ICE-DM)                  

My education:

• Master of Business Administration in Information Technology, Woodbury University
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign