Top Global Lean/ Agile Thought Leaders and Influencers 2025

Linsa Saji

6 days ago

Top Global Lean Agile Thought Leaders and Influencers 2025

Agile is more than a methodology—it’s a mindset that has revolutionized how organizations deliver value, adapt to change, and foster collaboration. From Software development to enterprise-level transformations, Agile has become the cornerstone of modern work, empowering teams to be flexible, iterative, and customer-focused. At its heart, Agile thrives on continuous learning, shared knowledge, and the passionate contributions of its practitioners and thought leaders.

This article is a tribute to the individuals who are shaping this dynamic field. These innovators, coaches, and consultants are not just theorists—they are practitioners making a measurable impact in the Agile and Kanban communities. They drive meaningful change through their books, talks, social platforms, and real-world implementations.

This list celebrates the diverse voices that fuel the Agile movement, from seasoned pioneers to emerging changemakers. Whether you’re new to Agile or a seasoned expert, these influencers offer invaluable insights, actionable strategies, and inspiration to elevate your practice.

So, dive in, get inspired, and join us in celebrating those who continue to drive the future of work through Agile and Kanban!

Mike Cohn

Mike Cohn is a Certified Scrum Trainer and co-founder of the Scrum Alliance, where he served as Chairman of the Board. With over 30 years of experience, he is the president of Mountain Goat Software, specializing in building high-performance Agile teams. A pioneer in Scrum since 1995, Mike has supported Agile adoption at leading companies like Google, Microsoft, Intuit, and Yahoo. Author of influential books like Succeeding with Agile and User Stories Applied, Mike is a sought-after speaker and trainer, with over 7,000 licenses sold for his video courses on Agile topics.

Karl A L Smith

Karl Smith is a global expert in customer engagement, specializing in Agile methodologies and enterprise technology across various industries. In 2023, he launched the Customer Agility Framework, integrating AI and UX research to transform customer requirements into actionable strategies. Karl has been instrumental in the evolution of UX, moving from usability diagnostics to UX strategy and design thinking. Currently working on two startups—Circles, a secure anonymous social media platform, and Agile World Recruitment—he is also a pioneer in research methodologies, including Ethnographics. Karl holds a master’s in computer science and has a deep background in design and technology.

Lyssa Adkins

A leading expert in leadership and organizational transformation, this coach specializes in enhancing leaders’ capacities to tackle current challenges and prepare for future demands. Co-founder of the Agile Coaching Institute, they have trained over 10,000 professionals and authored the acclaimed book Coaching Agile Teams, a bestseller for over 12 years with 75,000+ copies sold. Partnering with Greaterthan, they guide organizations in adopting self-organization, distributed leadership, and participatory governance. Certified in trauma-informed, somatic, and neurodiversity coaching, they hold key certifications such as PCC, ORSCC, and ICE-AC, focusing on future-fit leadership and leveraging Agile for global impact.

Jurgen Appelo

Jurgen Appelo, creator of Management 3.0, is a globally recognized innovator in Agile leadership and management. Founder of The unFIX Company and Happy Melly, and co-founder of the Agile Lean Europe network, he empowers organizations with tools like the unFIX model for organizational design and continuous innovation. Appelo is a prolific author, with bestsellers such as Management 3.0, Managing for Happiness, and Startup, Scaleup, Screwup. Ranked as a Top 50 Leadership Expert by Inc.com, he inspires professionals worldwide through his writing, speaking, and creative approaches to fostering business agility and engaging workplaces.

Jeff Sutherland

Jeff Sutherland, co-creator of Scrum and Scrum@Scale, has revolutionized Agile practices globally. Founder of Scrum Inc., he has trained countless professionals and organizations in adopting Scrum, now used by 74% of Agile software companies across 100+ countries. A signatory of the Agile Manifesto, Jeff’s career spans roles as a fighter pilot, medical researcher, and technology executive. He pioneered Scrum at five companies, leading to its current widespread adoption. His book, Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time, highlights his expertise in organizational transformation and Agile innovation. Jeff also manages Tesla Investment Holdings LLC, supporting Agile-centric businesses.

Ken Rubin

Ken Rubin is a globally recognized Agile thought leader and author of the Amazon #1 bestseller, Essential Scrum: A Practical Guide to the Most Popular Agile Process. Founder of Innolution, Ken helps organizations achieve exceptional results through Agile principles. With a background as a computer scientist and executive at IBM and ten startups, he bridges Agile strategies from the boardroom to teams. A Certified Scrum Trainer, he has trained over 34,000 professionals across six continents and coached 200+ companies, including Fortune 10 firms. As the first managing director of Scrum Alliance, Ken has profoundly shaped Agile’s global adoption.

Dave Snowden

Dave Snowden, creator of the Cynefin Framework, is a pioneer in applying complexity science to organizational decision-making. He founded The Cynefin Company and Cynefin Centre, focusing on sense-making and natural science approaches to social systems. Snowden designed SenseMaker®, the first distributed ethnography tool, and co-authored Managing Complexity in Times of Crisis, a critical guide for leaders. His work integrates anthropology, neuroscience, and adaptive systems theory, influencing global governments and industries. An accomplished academic and keynote speaker, he has held prestigious university roles and authored a celebrated Harvard Business Review article on leadership, earning accolades for his innovative insights.

Melissa Perri

Melissa Perri, CEO of Produx Labs and founder of Product Institute and CPO Accelerator, is a globally recognized product management expert. She has advised Fortune 500 companies like Capital One, Vanguard, and Walmart, driving value-driven product strategies within Agile frameworks. A Harvard Business School Senior Lecturer and author of Escaping the Build Trap, Perri simplifies complex concepts to empower product leaders. Her contributions include delivering keynotes in 40+ countries, training product managers at leading companies, and mentoring SaaS scaleups as a board member. Her innovative education platforms are shaping the next generation of product management leaders worldwide.

Lisa Crispin

Lisa Crispin, co-founder of the Agile Testing Fellowship, is a prominent advocate for integrating testing into Agile and DevOps practices. She co-authored influential books such as Agile Testing: A Practical Guide for Testers and Agile Teams and More Agile Testing, which offer strategies for holistic testing and continuous delivery. Through her training courses, Holistic Testing: Strategies for Agile Teams and Holistic Testing for Continuous Delivery, Lisa empowers teams to improve software quality. Known for her mission to bring “testing joy” to Agile and DevOps, she helps organizations address testing challenges and deliver high-quality software with confidence.

Arie van Bennekum

An Agile Strategist he is a pioneering voice in the Agile community, Arie van Bennekum is best known as a co-author of the Agile Manifesto, which laid the foundation for modern Agile practices. With a pragmatic approach grounded in structure, discipline, and common sense, Arie has driven transformative Agile strategies for businesses worldwide. At Wemanity, he champions value delivery through stakeholder alignment, clear role definitions, and an Agile, customer-oriented culture. A recognized thought leader, Arie is the creator of the Integrated Agile Transformation Model (IATM) and an influential speaker at global conferences, university lectures, and client workshops, inspiring organizations toward continuous growth and efficiency.

Joshua Kerievsky

Joshua Kerievsky is the founder and CEO of Industrial Logic, one of the most respected Agile consultancies globally, established in 1996. A pioneer in Extreme Programming, Lean Software Development, and Lean Startup, Joshua introduced Modern Agile, a principle-driven approach to agility. His contributions include the acclaimed books Joy of Agility and Refactoring to Patterns, Agile eLearning courses, and influential articles like Anzeneering and Stop Using Story Points. As an international speaker and active community leader, Joshua empowers teams across industries to achieve exceptional outcomes by embracing authentic agility, fostering innovation, and leveraging modern product development methodologies.

Jim Highsmith

With a remarkable 60-year career in IT, Jim Highsmith is a co-author of the Agile Manifesto and a founding member of the Agile Alliance. Known for his expertise in adaptive leadership and bridging gaps between technology and management, Jim has been instrumental in shaping Agile’s role in IT and business. He has served as an Executive Consultant at ThoughtWorks, co-founded the Agile Project Leadership Network, and authored six influential books, including Wild West to Agile (2023). A passionate storyteller and adventurer, Jim inspires teams and executives worldwide with innovative insights on Agile, business agility, and leadership transformation.

Esther Derby

Esther Derby is a renowned consultant, speaker, and author specializing in team dynamics and change management within Agile organizations. With over 40 years of experience, she has worked with startups and Fortune 500 companies, blending systems thinking and human-centric approaches to organizational transformation. Co-author of Agile Retrospectives and founder of Esther Derby Associates, Inc., Esther has profoundly influenced Agile leaders worldwide through high-impact workshops and experiential training. A two-term Agile Alliance board member, she co-founded the Retrospective Facilitator’s Gathering and the groundbreaking AYE Conference, pioneering interactive learning. Esther’s work continues to shape Agile practices globally.

Alistair Cockburn

Dr. Alistair Cockburn, a co-author of the Agile Manifesto, is a globally recognized thought leader in Agile and organizational psychology. Tasked by IBM in 1991 to develop modern methodologies, he pioneered innovative approaches to team success and documented his insights in Surviving Object-Oriented Projects. Renowned for his expertise in use cases, his book Writing Effective Use Cases remains a bestseller. Dr. Cockburn created the influential Hexagonal Architecture and founded the Heart of Agile framework, emphasizing collaboration, delivery, reflection, and improvement. A trailblazer in Agile development, he continues to guide organizations in harnessing decades of Agile learnings for sustainable success.

Kent Beck

Original signer of the Agile Manifesto, is a pioneering force in software development and Agile methodologies. Known for creating Extreme Programming (XP) and rediscovering Test-Driven Development (TDD), Kent’s work has transformed engineering practices worldwide. With over 45 years of programming experience, he thrives on teaching and innovating, focusing on topics like 3X product growth models, software development at scale, and the future of programming tools. As an inspiring keynote speaker, Kent empowers organizations to scale effectively and engineers to embrace incremental design and collaboration. His influential books and groundbreaking research continue to shape the Agile community.

Andy Hunt

Andy Hunt, a founding member of the Agile Alliance and co-author of the Agile Manifesto, is celebrated for his profound contributions to software development. Co-author of the best-selling The Pragmatic Programmer and co-founder of the Pragmatic Bookshelf, Andy has guided countless developers through cutting-edge programming and Agile methodologies. His pioneering work with Dave Thomas introduced the Western world to Ruby and revolutionized software design paradigms. Andy’s expertise spans decades of Unix, system design, and consulting. An accomplished author of technical and science fiction books, he also founded the GROWS Method® Institute, fostering sustainable innovation and learning across industries.

Ron Jeffries

Ron Jeffries, a prominent figure in the Agile community, is a co-author of the Agile Manifesto and a pioneer in Extreme Programming (XP). As the on-site XP coach for the original XP project, he brought practical insights into Agile methodologies. Ron is the senior author of Extreme Programming Installed and Extreme Programming Adventures in C#, which have become foundational texts for Agile practitioners. Founder of XProgramming.com, a top resource for Agile information, Ron continues to influence the field through consulting, training, and helping Scrum teams achieve “Done-Done.” His expertise and contributions have shaped modern Agile practices.

Dave Thomas

Dave Thomas, co-author of the seminal book The Pragmatic Programmer, is a foundational figure in the Agile and Ruby programming communities. As one of the original authors of the Agile Manifesto, he has significantly influenced modern software development practices. Dave introduced Ruby to Western developers through his book Programming Ruby and championed Rails adoption with Agile Web Development with Rails. A prolific author, speaker, and trainer, he continues to shape the industry through his expertise in Ruby, Elixir, and Agile methodologies. Beyond publishing and teaching, Dave remains a passionate programmer and advocate for innovation in software development.

Craig Larman

Craig Larman is the co-creator of Large-Scale Scrum (LeSS) and a renowned authority on scaling Agile for complex, multisite organizations. As a consultant, he has guided Agile transformations at major companies like BMW, Ericsson, JP Morgan, and Nokia Networks. Larman has authored influential books, including Large-Scale Scrum: More with LeSS and Scaling Lean & Agile Development. He pioneered Agile adoption at Chevron Research in the 1990s and has shaped Agile practices globally. Known for his expertise in software design, his book Applying UML & Patterns is a foundational text in object-oriented analysis and design, widely used in academia and industry.

Scott Ambler

Scott Ambler is a leading voice in enterprise Agile and the co-creator of PMI’s Disciplined Agile (DA) toolkit, which extends Agile practices to entire organizations. He is the creator of Agile Modeling (AM) and Agile Data (AD) methodologies, focusing on data warehousing, quality, and architecture. Ambler is a sought-after keynote speaker and has authored influential books like Choose Your WoW! and Refactoring Databases. With extensive expertise in enterprise Agile and Agile architecture, Ambler continues to empower teams to evolve their ways of working (WoW) and thinking (WoT), making him a pivotal figure in the Agile and enterprise transformation space.

Johanna Rothman

The “Pragmatic Manager” of Agile Project Management Known as the “Pragmatic Manager,” Johanna Rothman is a celebrated consultant, speaker, and author specializing in Agile project management and product development. With over 25 years of experience, she offers practical, results-oriented solutions that help leaders and teams navigate complex challenges. Johanna’s insightful guidance focuses on fostering effective collaboration, improving adaptability, and achieving key business outcomes. She has authored numerous books, including Manage Your Project Portfolio and Modern Management Made Easy, and writes widely-read blogs and newsletters. As a keynote speaker on five continents, Johanna’s expertise continues to inspire organizations striving for sustainable success in Agile environments.

Michael Sahota

Michael Sahota is a visionary in fostering Agile mindsets and cultural transformation within organizations. As the creator of the Shift3.14 Evolutionary Leadership Framework™ (SELF), Michael integrates strategy, culture, and leadership to drive sustainable success. His acclaimed books, including An Agile Adoption and Transformation Survival Guide and Leading Beyond Change, combine leadership insights with emotional intelligence, providing practical solutions for leaders navigating change. Renowned for his transformative training and consulting, Michael delves into the human ego to empower leaders with the tools for impactful cultural shifts. His work inspires organizations to embrace holistic growth and foster global change.

David J. Anderson

David J. Anderson is a trailblazer in modern management, renowned as the originator of the Kanban Method and co-creator of the Kanban Maturity Model and Fit-for-Purpose Framework. With over 30 years in high-tech industries like IBM, Motorola, and Microsoft, David’s influence extends globally through his best-selling books, including KANBAN: Successful Evolutionary Change for Your Technology Business. As founder of Kanban University and the David J. Anderson School of Management, he has trained leaders worldwide in business resilience, enterprise agility, and operational excellence. His pragmatic, evidence-based methods continue to revolutionize leadership and decision-making in 21st-century organizations. Kanban as an alternate path to Enterprise Agility, and Scrum better with Kanban, are powerful concepts helping enterprises become Agile with the help of the evolutionary Kanban Method.

Barry O’Reilly

Barry O’Reilly is a serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and innovation thought leader with over 20 years of experience in creating high-performance organizations. Co-author of Lean Enterprise and Unlearn, his work emphasizes applying Lean and Agile methodologies to drive innovation at scale in large enterprises. As co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Nobody Studios, Barry focuses on de-risking early-stage business ideas to build sustainable ventures. A faculty member at Singularity University and sought-after keynote speaker, he contributes to renowned publications like The Economist and MIT Sloan Management Review, influencing how organizations achieve transformative growth and success.

Masa K Maeda

Masa K Maeda is a globally recognized Agile and Lean expert, known for pioneering work in the Kanban method, XSCALE, and enterprise evolution frameworks. With experience spanning Fortune 100 companies to startups, he has consulted with over 50 organizations across diverse industries, helping align economic goals with market needs and human factors. Combining expertise in AI, computer science, psychology, and leadership, Masa develops tailored solutions that improve quality while reducing time and cost. As an international speaker and thought leader with nearly 100 talks and publications, he inspires leaders to create meaningful, lasting change and drive organizational success.

Mike Burrows

Mike Burrows, founder of Agendashift and co-founder of the Agendashift Academy, is a leading advocate for outcome-oriented change and participatory approaches in Lean and Agile. Known for his seminal work Kanban from the Inside and his books Agendashift and Right to Left, Mike pioneers strategies for continuous transformation and adaptive leadership. A former CTO and Executive Director, he also led high-impact digital projects for the UK government. With his focus on deliberately adaptive organizations, Mike’s expertise spans leadership, transformation, and strategy, making him a key figure in advancing modern Lean and Agile practices globally.

Jim Benson

Jim Benson, CEO of Modus Cooperandi and co-founder of Modus Institute, is a trailblazer in applying Lean and Kanban to knowledge work. Creator of Personal Kanban and co-author of the Shingo Award-winning Personal Kanban: Mapping Work | Navigating Life, he has also authored Why Plans Fail, Why Limit WIP, and Beyond Agile. Over three decades, Jim has collaborated with Fortune 10 companies, governments, and dynamic startups, addressing challenges in collaboration and decision-making. Renowned globally as a keynote speaker and thought leader, Jim’s innovative approach blends brain science, leadership, and problem-solving to foster clarity, collaboration, and sustainable work cultures.

Todd Little

Todd Little, Chairman of Kanban University and founder of Accelinnova, is a globally recognized thought leader in Lean and Agile practices. With over 35 years of experience in software development and leadership, he has held executive roles, including VP of Product Development at IHS and Director of Software and Technology at Landmark Graphics, a Halliburton division. A founding member and past president of the Agile Leadership Network, Todd has co-authored Stand Back and Deliver: Accelerating Business Agility. His expertise spans Agile methodologies, global leadership, and business agility. Todd is a sought-after speaker at international Agile and software conferences.

Dr. Klaus Leopold

Dr. Klaus Leopold, a renowned Kanban pioneer and creator of the Flight Levels Model, is a leading voice in Agile organizational transformation. With extensive experience as a top management consultant, he helps companies worldwide achieve market agility. Klaus is the author of bestsellers Rethinking Agile and Practical Kanban, and co-author of Kanban Change Leadership. A recipient of the prestigious Brickell Key Award for outstanding leadership in 2014, he is also the co-founder of the Flight Levels Academy. Klaus regularly delivers keynotes at global Lean and Agile conferences and shares insights on organizational development at LEANability.com.

Andrea Fryrear

Andrea Fryrear, CEO and Co-Founder of AgileSherpas, is a trailblazer in applying Agile principles to marketing. As the author of Mastering Marketing Agility and Death of a Marketer, Andrea has championed the transformation of marketing teams from high-stress to high-performance operations. Since founding AgileSherpas in 2017, she has trained over 2,500 marketers and introduced certifications like Agile Marketing Fundamentals (ICP-MKG). Andrea developed the Rimarketing framework, a roadmap for implementing Agile in marketing, and is a sought-after keynote speaker, webinar host, and podcast guest. Her mission is to revolutionize marketing operations through agility, empowering teams to achieve sustainable success.

Daniel Ploeg

Daniel Ploeg is a seasoned Agile and Kanban coach and trainer with over 20 years of experience in driving technology initiatives and organizational transformation. Known for his pragmatic and context-sensitive approach, Daniel specializes in tailoring Agile practices—such as Lean, Kanban, Scrum, and Extreme Programming—to create unique Agile identities for organizations. His coaching focuses on two key principles: fast feedback and continuous improvement, enabling teams to unlock their full potential. A skilled facilitator, Daniel is adept at navigating complexity using Cynefin methods and fostering technical excellence through practices like TDD and continuous integration, making him a sought-after expert in Agile transformation.

Dimitar Bakardzhiev

Dimitar Bakardzhiev is a seasoned Kanban expert and Managing Director of Taller Technologies Bulgaria. A Lean-Kanban University Accredited Kanban Trainer (AKT), Dimitar has been a pivotal advocate for Agile and Kanban in Bulgaria. He founded the country’s first international Agile Lean conference and published key management works in Bulgarian, including books on Kanban, Lean, and the Theory of Constraints. A finalist for the Kanban community’s prestigious Brickell Key Award in 2015, Dimitar recently earned a US patent for KEDEHub technology. With extensive experience managing complex, large-scale software projects, he is a sought-after lecturer and speaker on Agile and Lean principles.

Yuval Yeret

Yuval Yeret is an acclaimed Agile and Kanban consultant known for his no-nonsense approach to driving meaningful organizational change. With 15+ years of experience, he has helped global organizations optimize product development and company-wide growth. Notable achievements include guiding Gillette in using Scrum to design the Labs Exfoliating Razor and enabling enterprise-scale Kanban adoption at Siemens, CyberArk, and HP Software. Co-creator of Scrum.org’s Professional Scrum with Kanban, Yuval blends agility with evidence-based practices across industries, including biotech and marketing. Renowned for his pragmatic coaching, Yuval empowers teams and leaders to minimize process dogma and achieve sustainable agility.

Andy Carmichael

Andy Carmichael is a distinguished expert in Kanban and Agile methodologies with decades of experience as a trainer, coach, and consultant. Co-author of the definitive guide Essential Kanban Condensed and several other influential books, including Better Software Faster, Andy has been instrumental in advancing Agile practices across diverse industries. His career spans coaching at top organizations like Lloyds Banking Group and Ericsson, leading Agile consulting practices, and holding executive roles at companies such as TogetherSoft and Object UK. A Distinguished Fellow of Kanban University, Andy combines deep expertise with pragmatic insights to drive better business outcomes for organizations worldwide.

Colleen Johnson

Colleen Johnson, CEO of ProKanban.org, is a distinguished Kanban coach and trainer specializing in Team, Portfolio, and Enterprise Kanban Systems. She excels in aligning Lean and Agile practices with strategic goals and OKRs to enhance visibility, flexibility, and predictability. A sought-after speaker at global Agile events, Colleen shares expertise on flow metrics, retrospectives, and Lean delivery. Her systems-thinking approach focuses on customer-first principles and actionable metrics, solidifying her reputation as a leader in Agile transformation.

Helen Meek

Helen Meek, Director at RippleRock, is a dynamic coach, trainer, and consultant with a passion for guiding individuals, teams, and organizations toward agility. As an Accredited Kanban Trainer, Kanban Coaching Professional, and Scrum Alliance Certified Enterprise Coach, Helen specializes in rolling out enterprise-level Kanban and Scrum. She founded the Agile Coaching Exchange (ACE) and Kanban Coaching Exchange (KCE) and is a sought-after speaker, trainer, and community leader in Agile and Kanban practices.

Alexei Zheglov

Alexei Zheglov, Co-founder and Principal Consultant at SquirrelNorth, is a renowned expert in optimizing the flow of complex intellectual work for enterprises. A Kanban master and contributor, he has guided managers and leaders across industries and countries in leveraging its power for business success and customer satisfaction. With a career spanning math, software engineering, and business challenges, Alexei excels at simplifying complexity into actionable insights for meaningful improvement.

Stacey Louie

Stacey Louie, CEO of Hyperdrive, is a Silicon Valley thought leader specializing in Agile and Lean practices. With a client list that includes industry giants like PayPal, Tesla, and Twitter, Stacey has driven transformative product strategies and operational excellence. He founded AgileCamp.org, co-created the Agile Coaching Wheel, and co-organized Agile Coaches Retreats. A 3x-CIO and entrepreneur, he combines leadership with deep Agile expertise to empower organizations worldwide.

Henrik Kniberg

Henrik Kniberg, AI innovator and Chief Scientist at Ymnig.ai, brings unparalleled expertise in Agile and Lean practices. A co-creator of the renowned Spotify Model, Henrik has influenced agile culture at organizations like Spotify, LEGO, and Mojang, where he contributed to Minecraft development. As co-founder of Hups.com and GoClimate.com, he champions self-improving organizations and climate action. His work blends applied AI and agile innovation to drive transformative change.

Summary:

These top global thought leaders and influencers in Lean and Agile are redefining how teams innovate, adapt, and deliver value. By sharing their expertise, groundbreaking ideas, and proven methodologies, they’re driving the evolution of Lean and Agile practices across industries. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, actionable advice, or forward-thinking perspectives, following these experts can help you stay ahead of trends and transform how you approach Lean and Agile principles. Stay engaged with their work to elevate your skills, embrace agility, and achieve greater success in your career and projects.

Is Someone Missing From The List?

While this compilation isn’t exhaustive, it’s a heartfelt acknowledgment of the leaders whose work consistently stands out. If you know someone making a significant impact in Agile or Kanban, let us know—collaboration and inclusivity are the core values that keep this movement alive. Mail us at “marketing@nimblework.com” with their details, we will review and include them in the list.