VIVIAN CALENDER
AGILE PROJECT PROFESSIONAL
Certified Scrum Master & Agile Coach empowering cross-functional teams to solve complex challenges for valued outcomes.
Professional Overview
I’m a Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and Agile Coach (ICP-ACC), an Agile Project Professional with 20 years of progressive experience helping individuals and teams embrace change, innovate, and deliver value in fast-paced, complex environments. Known for my collaborative style and servant leadership, I thrive on empowering cross-functional teams, fostering continuous learning, and removing barriers to execution so organizations can achieve meaningful outcomes.
My career began in corporate law firms, where I managed cross-organizational initiatives and streamlined complex administrative projects. At one firm, I led a client survey project requiring three years of data on student recruiting, hiring, development, promotions, and pro bono proframming. By coordinating across departments, aligning stakeholders, and consolidating results into a single actionable report, I helped secure the client’s decision to retain the firm as outside counsel — an experience that cemented my passion for Agile principles long before I held the title.
In 2016, I transitioned into the utilities sector at Exelon, where I applied formal Agile practices and frameworks to accelerate delivery in highly regulated environments. Serving as a key enabler for development teams, I drove end-to-end delivery of critical operational solutions, strengthened collaboration, and advanced business agility.
Along the way, I’ve deepened my expertise through certifications including PMP, SAFe 6 Scrum Master, Professional Scrum Master II, and Professional Scrum Product Owner II. These frameworks have reinforced what my career has taught me: that iterative delivery, transparency, and servant leadership unlock innovation and drive business value.
I believe in building trust, promoting accountability, and creating environments where teams can focus on outcomes that matter most.
THE 4 KEY VALUES OF AGILE
Individuals and interactions OVER processes and tools.
Working software OVER comprehensive documentation.
Customer collaboration OVER contract negotiation.
Responding to change OVER following a plan.
Skills & Competencies
Agile Competencies
- Frameworks & Methods:
- Scrum, Kanban, SAFe
- Leadership & Coaching:
- Servant Leadership, Facilitation, Coaching, Impediment Removal, Conflict Resolution, Stakeholder Engagement
- Operational & Team Capabilities:
- Team Empowerment, Process Improvement, Risk Management, Change Management
Tools & Platforms
- Project & Product Management:
- Jira, Confluence, Trello, Asana
- Collaboration & Communication:
- Miro, Zoom, Google Meet, MS Office
- Business Intelligence & Analytics:
- Power BI, SCADA
- Enterprise Systems & Compliance
- ServiceNow, Everbridge, ACAS, FERC, NERC CIP
- Generative AI:
- ChatGPT, Gemini, CoPilot
Professional Experience
1
Calender Project Solutions
(2022-Present)
(2022-Present)
Project Management: As an independent consultant, I leveraged my Agile and project management expertise to deliver end-to-end solutions for private clients, focusing on complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
- Orchestrated a large-scale renovation project
- Provided essential coordination and project leadership for a complex healthcare program,
2
Qualitest @ Exelon / Utilities
(2016-2022)
(2016-2022)
Empowering Teams: Agile Project Coordinator implementing Scrum and Kanban principles across multiple IT departments, facilitating enterprise-wide adoption of critical operational solutions; streamlined information access to accelerate decision making and enhance team efficiency for faster innovation; coached, mentored team members.
3
Mayer Brown / Law
(2013-2015)
(2013-2015)
Program Launches:
- Facilitated the execution of strategic growth initiatives, applying Agile principles to proactively remove impediments and ensure the smooth delivery of recruiting and development programs.
- Led the full-lifecycle delivery of over 40 strategic programs, guiding stakeholder consensus and navigating complex logistics to foster business growth and deepen client partnerships.
4
Perkins Coie / Law
(2011-2013)
(2011-2013)
- Led stakeholder engagement across multiple initiatives (e.g., client pitches, affinity group conference sponsorships), proactively removing impediments and fostering alignment to ensure continuous progress.
- Applied a servant leadership approach to guide high-impact strategic programs, consistently delivering value that fueled organizational growth.
- Facilitated data report development for cross-functional teams using a Kanban approach, which enabled timely strategic decision-making and improved access to key insights (e.g., DI Annual Report, Data Requests, Burndown and Burnup Charts).
5
DLA / Law
(2004-2011)
(2004-2011)
- Facilitated data collection, analysis, and reporting, providing actionable insights for strategic talent and resource allocation decisions (e.g., client/industry surveys, demographic shifts).
- Orchestrated the end-to-end delivery of over 50 high-impact initiatives (up to $250K budgets), coordinating complex logistics and driving multi-stakeholder alignment to ensure successful outcomes.
- Drove the conceptualization and cross-functional delivery of a Power BI data solution for critical business insights (HR/Client), reducing data cycle time by 40% and increasing strategic decision-making velocity.
Portfolio Highlights
Enterprise Software Adoption
Enabled iterative delivery of critical operational solutions (IT Storm Duty scheduling) across six regional utilities through the Everbridge software adoption and coaching teams for operational readiness.
Knowledge Management
Established SharePoint Hub consolidating 10 years of documentation to streamline information access, accelerate decision making and enhance team efficiency.
Data-Driven Solutions
Drove cross-functional delivery of Power BI data solutions for critical business insights, reducing data cycle time by 40% and increasing strategic decision-making velocity.
Case Studies
(1) Project Title: Driving Strategic Insights: Power BI Data Solution
Overview & Challenge:
As member of a key business unit, I faced significant delays and inefficiencies in accessing critical HR and client data. Fragmented data sources and manual reporting processes led to a slow data cycle time, hindering timely strategic decision making and proactive talent management.
As member of a key business unit, I faced significant delays and inefficiencies in accessing critical HR and client data. Fragmented data sources and manual reporting processes led to a slow data cycle time, hindering timely strategic decision making and proactive talent management.
My Role & Approach:
After discussions with HRIS and Accounting, I conceptualized a database solution to automate and simplify the collection of client-requested data. With leadership approval, I served as an Agile Project Lead within a cross-functional team, spearheading the development and deployment of this more automated solution. In close collaboration with the IT team, we proposed a Power BI data solution. Our approach involved iterative delivery, continuous stakeholder feedback, and fostering deep collaboration among HR, IT, and Accounting business users. I leveraged a Kanban approach to manage the backlog and ensure a smooth flow of development and feedback cycles.
After discussions with HRIS and Accounting, I conceptualized a database solution to automate and simplify the collection of client-requested data. With leadership approval, I served as an Agile Project Lead within a cross-functional team, spearheading the development and deployment of this more automated solution. In close collaboration with the IT team, we proposed a Power BI data solution. Our approach involved iterative delivery, continuous stakeholder feedback, and fostering deep collaboration among HR, IT, and Accounting business users. I leveraged a Kanban approach to manage the backlog and ensure a smooth flow of development and feedback cycles.
Key Actions & Contributions:
- Conceptualized Data Automation Solution: Initiated and designed a database solution to automate and simplify the collection of critical HR and client data, directly addressing existing delays and inefficiencies.
- Led Cross-Functional Project Development: Spearheaded the development and deployment of the Power BI data solution as an Agile Project Lead within a diverse team including HR, IT, and Accounting.
- Facilitated Collaborative Development Process: Fostered deep collaboration and ensured continuous stakeholder feedback among business users (HR, Accounting) and the IT team throughout the project lifecycle.
- Managed Iterative Delivery with Kanban: Leveraged a Kanban approach to effectively manage the project backlog, ensuring a smooth and consistent flow of development and feedback cycles.
- Championed Solution Proposal & Approval: Collaborated closely with the IT team to propose the Power BI data solution and secured crucial leadership approval to proceed with its development.
Outcomes & Impact:
- Automated Data Collection & Reporting: Transformed manual, fragmented data processes into a streamlined, automated system for HR and client data.
- Accelerated Data Cycle Time: Significantly reduced (40%) the time taken from data collection to insight generation, leading to faster access to critical information.
- Enhanced Strategic Decision-Making Velocity: Empowered faster and more informed strategic decisions by providing readily available, integrated HR and client data.
- Improved Proactive Talent Management: Enabled more effective and proactive talent management through streamlined access to relevant data.
- Increased Collaboration Efficiency: Fostered a more efficient and integrated working relationship between HR, IT, and Accounting through shared ownership and a unified data solution.
Key Learnings:
This project reinforced the value of rapid prototyping and iterative delivery for data solutions. Early and continuous feedback from end-users was critical in shaping a truly impactful product. It also highlighted how strong cross-functional alignment is the bedrock of successful data initiatives.
This project reinforced the value of rapid prototyping and iterative delivery for data solutions. Early and continuous feedback from end-users was critical in shaping a truly impactful product. It also highlighted how strong cross-functional alignment is the bedrock of successful data initiatives.
Non-IT Agile Transformation | Non-Traditional Environment
(2) Project Title: Driving Inclusive Strategic Growth: Agile Talent & Client Development
Overview & Challenge:
In a demanding corporate law firm environment, the execution of strategic diversity-focused initiatives – particularly talent recruitment, professional development, and client engagement programming – often suffered from traditional, siloed, and linear approaches. These traditional approaches were particularly ill-suited for sensitive, people-centric initiatives, where nuanced coordination and ethical considerations were essential. The complexity of such factors led to extended launch times, misaligned stakeholder expectations, and inefficient use of resources, ultimately hindering partnership development and business growth. The challenge was to bring structure, speed, and collaboration to complex, people-centric programs without formal IT development cycles.
In a demanding corporate law firm environment, the execution of strategic diversity-focused initiatives – particularly talent recruitment, professional development, and client engagement programming – often suffered from traditional, siloed, and linear approaches. These traditional approaches were particularly ill-suited for sensitive, people-centric initiatives, where nuanced coordination and ethical considerations were essential. The complexity of such factors led to extended launch times, misaligned stakeholder expectations, and inefficient use of resources, ultimately hindering partnership development and business growth. The challenge was to bring structure, speed, and collaboration to complex, people-centric programs without formal IT development cycles.
My Role & Approach:
As a project lead and internal consultant, I instinctively applied Agile principles and an iterative mindset to orchestrate the full-lifecycle execution of numerous client and talent development programs. Long before formal Agile certifications, I operated as an internal 'Scrum Master' and 'Product Owner,' focusing on proactive impediment removal, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and continuous stakeholder engagement, particularly crucial in sensitive, people-centric initiatives. I adapted concepts like Kanban to visualize workflows, track tasks, and facilitate discussions, driving continuous progress in a non-traditional setting.
As a project lead and internal consultant, I instinctively applied Agile principles and an iterative mindset to orchestrate the full-lifecycle execution of numerous client and talent development programs. Long before formal Agile certifications, I operated as an internal 'Scrum Master' and 'Product Owner,' focusing on proactive impediment removal, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and continuous stakeholder engagement, particularly crucial in sensitive, people-centric initiatives. I adapted concepts like Kanban to visualize workflows, track tasks, and facilitate discussions, driving continuous progress in a non-traditional setting.
Key Actions & Contributions:
- Agile Program Orchestration: Spearheaded the end-to-end execution of over 40 high-impact strategic client engagement and talent development programs (with budgets up to $250K), guiding them from conceptualization to successful launch.
- Facilitated Inclusive Collaboration: Fostered deep collaboration across diverse internal departments (e.g., Marketing, HR, Practice Groups, Finance), intentionally ensuring all voices were heard to navigate complex logistics and build multi-stakeholder consensus for program design and delivery.
- Proactively Resolved Impediments: Instinctively identified and actively addressed organizational, logistical, and communication barriers, including those unique to sensitive people-centric initiatives, to ensure smooth program delivery and maintain momentum.
- Applied Iterative & Adaptive Program Design: Leveraged Agile principles for iterative program development, allowing for continuous feedback loops and rapid adaptation to ensure programs remained responsive to evolving needs and ethical considerations.
- Ensured Strategic & Equitable Outcomes: Drove all program activities with a clear focus on cultivating business growth by deepening client partnerships and enhancing internal talent capabilities, with a particular emphasis on fostering equitable opportunities.
Outcomes & Impact:
- Accelerated Program Delivery & Launch: Significantly reduced the time-to-market for strategic client engagement and talent development programs by streamlining workflows and enhancing cross-functional coordination.
- Enhanced Program Effectiveness & Inclusivity: Developed and launched more impactful and equitably designed programs by embedding continuous feedback loops and proactively addressing nuanced coordination and ethical considerations.
- Improved Strategic Partnership & Business Growth: Strengthened client relationships and directly contributed to business expansion through more responsive and targeted engagement initiatives.
- Optimized Resource Utilization: Achieved greater efficiency in resource allocation and budget adherence by employing adaptive planning and iterative execution.
- Cultivated Adaptive Organizational Culture: Fostered a more collaborative, agile, and responsive environment, demonstrating the successful application of iterative methodologies in non-IT, people-centric contexts.
Key Learnings:
This experience powerfully demonstrated that Agile principles are universally applicable, extending far beyond traditional IT environments. It underscored the critical importance of iterative feedback loops, proactive impediment removal, and adaptive planning in navigating the inherent complexities of sensitive, people-centric initiatives. The project reinforced that genuine cross-functional collaboration and continuous stakeholder engagement are paramount to fostering equitable outcomes and maximizing value, even in contexts where ethical considerations and nuanced coordination are central.
This experience powerfully demonstrated that Agile principles are universally applicable, extending far beyond traditional IT environments. It underscored the critical importance of iterative feedback loops, proactive impediment removal, and adaptive planning in navigating the inherent complexities of sensitive, people-centric initiatives. The project reinforced that genuine cross-functional collaboration and continuous stakeholder engagement are paramount to fostering equitable outcomes and maximizing value, even in contexts where ethical considerations and nuanced coordination are central.
Education
DePaul University
Bachelor's Degree, Leadership Studies/Organizational Behavior
( Senior )
Capstone: Impact of Executive Leadership on Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Success
( Senior )
Capstone: Impact of Executive Leadership on Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Success
American Management Association
Certificate, Business Communications & Project Management
Certifications
Scrum Master
- SAFe Scrum Master 6 (SSM 6)
- Professional Scrum Master I & II (PSM I, PSM II)
- Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
- Professional Scrum Facilitator Skills (PSFS)
- Professional Scrum Product Owner II (PSPO II)
Project Management
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Certified Associate of Project Management (CAPM)
- Professional Agile Leadership I (PAL I)
- PAL - Evidence Based Management (PAL-EBM)
Problem Solving
- A3 Problem Solving for Continuous Improvement, Root Cause Analysis: Getting to the Root of Business Problems
- Scrum Alliance: AI for Scrum Masters
- Scrum Alliance: Change Management - Overcoming Resistance for Agile Transformation
- PMI: Talking to AI: Prompt Engineering for Project Managers
Coach
- ICAgile Certified Professional - Agile Certified Coaching (ICP-ACC)
Memberships
Project Management Institute | Project Management Institute - Chicagoland
Scaled Agile Inc. | Scrum Alliance | Scrum.org
ICAgile | Toastmasters International
Testimonials
Vivian proved instrumental establishing and iteratively refining a SharePoint Hub for OMS/GIS teams, significantly boosting team collaboration and knowledge sharing. She also successfully assisted our IT EPS team in its participation in company-wide deployment of Everbridge, supporting IT storm duty teams across six OpCos with the scheduling feature, actively supporting/collaborating with Crisis Management/DevOps and empowering IT EPS team's adoption through coaching.
— Theodore Johnson, Exelon IT Director
— Theodore Johnson, Exelon IT Director
Under Vivian’s guidance, I personally learned the importance of taking the time to integrate each team member’s learning and communication styles, a skill essential to fostering a diverse and cohesive work environment.
— Anderia Steward, ACLU Staff, DLA Alum
— Anderia Steward, ACLU Staff, DLA Alum
Vivian was an effective and efficient diversity specialist. She is a good communicator, has great event planner skills, and is an efficient project manager. She is very good at executing a vision in a corporate environment.
— Theresa Cropper, Advisor, DEI Thought Leader, DLA and Perkins Coie Alum
— Theresa Cropper, Advisor, DEI Thought Leader, DLA and Perkins Coie Alum
Vivian is a devoted and diligent professional who considers “dropping the ball” an unthinkable result. Her attention to detail is unmatched and I can honestly say that I would entrust Vivian to manage and address any project within the diversity space. I recommend Vivian Calender without caveat or hesitation.
— Sean Carter, the Carter Law Group, DLA Alum
— Sean Carter, the Carter Law Group, DLA Alum
Vivian is a consummate professional and she always has a "can do" attitude. It's always a great experience working with Vivian.
— Gerry Wells, RITA's Franchise Chief Compliance Officer & General Counsel, DLA Alum
— Gerry Wells, RITA's Franchise Chief Compliance Officer & General Counsel, DLA Alum
Vivian is a go to person who gets the job done.
— Ray Williams, DLA Senior Counsel
— Ray Williams, DLA Senior Counsel
Contact Information
