By Natalie Warnert
Looking back on the five years of the Women in Agile (social movement turned nonprofit) partnership with the Agile Alliance is a wild ride. Starting out with our first event in 2016 in Atlanta, we had no idea that the event would triple in size in two years and continuously sell out (from about 100 people to 300+) and form such a diverse and passionate community. From speakers to swag, Women in Agile has become a brand that we are so proud of and overjoyed to build with the rapidly growing community of women and allies!
Abigail Harrison – 2017 
April Wensel – 2018 
Stephanie Thomas – 2019
This partnership with Agile Alliance has been our flagship event each year and our largest gathering of members and allies. In our 5th year, it only seems fitting that we are able to offer virtual participation to include much more of our global community. The organization of a virtual event is definitely different as there is more technology pre-work and coordination than an in person event, but it certainly cuts down on logistics such as name tags (something that always ends up being last minute) and mic checks and coffee runs.
What is also different in 2020 is that I, as the President of Women in Agile Org Nonprofit, have taken a step back from organizing the event. This is exciting because it is getting the new ideas of Cheryl Hammond and her organizing group and they are able to take it to new and exciting places. The diversity and passion of the team allows for us to continue with the parts of the event program that have become favorites over the past five years while also trying out new experiments for our community to continue to grow together.
When the going gets tough, as it often does, I think of the mission and what community Women in Agile is building and already has. I think of the expansion over the past 5-7 years, our now almost 60 local groups in 6 continents, countless events, and new voices launched – there’s been an impact! Seeing that impact and hearing the stories of how people have made Women in Agile their own makes all the tough stuff worth it! Thanks for being a part of this ongoing journey!
