Webinars

Andy Cooper, Group Manager, Global Markets

My agile journey began when I was the Head of Marketing for Asia Pacific at CA Technologies, leading a large, globally distributed team. While rolling out a new website, I saw the true power of agility and how it could bring teams together to significantly speed up our time to market. I've been fascinated ever since. 

In 2011, I came across SoftEd, who was becoming a well-known name in the agile space. I joined the team as the Head of Sales and Marketing but wore many hats, including product strategy and design, business development, and operations. Eventually, I turned my attention to the rest of the world and helped establish our subsidiaries in Singapore and the United States. 

My passion comes from supporting and partnering with organisations to design transformation, coaching, and training programs that create innovative, agile cultures. Having worked with government departments, major insurers, banks, and Fortune 10 companies in Asia, the United States and Europe, I know there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. So, co-creation is the key. 

One of the best things about working at SoftEd is being part of a wider community of learners and change-makers. I've spoken at conferences and events and currently chair the Wellington Business Agility Meetup (WellyBAM). I'm also an ICAgile Authorised Trainer in Business Agility, and a track author for the ICAgile Business Agility Fundamentals and Agile Marketing certifications.

As well as business agility, I love learning about my own personal agility and growth - whether it's fitness, mindfulness, nutrition, or creating healthy habits. So, when I'm not working, you'll probably find me reading, listening to podcasts, or hitting the ski fields or the bike trails with my family. 

Find out more about Andy Cooper here.

Michelle Ruddenklau, Product Lead Organisational Performance

15+ years’ experience of working within the tertiary education sector, strategic implementation and education management. Michelle offers a unique breadth of experience having developed high-level strategy, to designing and developing workforce and education development solutions. Michelle is an experienced practitioner in developing multi-modal education models, qualifications, industry training, programme design, development and delivery. She has a deep knowledge of quality assurance and evaluation processes to strengthen the outcomes of education systems.  

Michelle’s background includes working closely with tertiary training providers from universities, polytechnics, industry training organisations, and private training establishments, designing and improving organisational performance and education solutions. These have delivered tangible, practical results for organisations across multiple industries, including the health, education, and primary industries sectors.  

Michelle’s recent work has included several research projects, including a case study evaluation of a disruptive educational model for workforce development for an iwi development group. An experienced educator and practitioner, examples include co-designing/delivering a multi-level leadership series for a New Zealand university, a train-the-trainer program for clients in Hong Kong, and quality assurance training for educational leaders in the Pacific. 

Michelle codesigned and heads our global Skills Development Centre and it's access to globally recognised expert consultants and coaches. This centre provides capability, diagnostics and talent development services for Skills Group’s clients across the United States, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. 

Find out more about Michelle Ruddenklau here.