Kim Brainard

Kim Brainard is an unconventional force in agile training who transforms how people learn. As Founder of Agile Brain Group and a Certified Scrum Trainer, Kim has built her reputation on creating high-energy, gamified learning experiences that make complex agile concepts accessible and memorable. When she entered the agile training scene, she recognized that traditional PowerPoint-heavy courses were putting students into a comatose state. Her solution? Completely reimagine the learning experience with interactive digital whiteboards, real-world examples, and collaborative exercises that keep students engaged and achieving a remarkable 99% first-time CSM exam pass rate.

Kim's work extends far beyond the classroom. In 2009, she founded Santa Pays It Forward, a nonprofit dedicated to helping low-income seniors during the holidays and throughout the year. By applying Scrum and Kanban frameworks, she scaled the organization from a one-person operation to a thriving nonprofit that has served 528+ seniors across eight states (Maryland, Virginia, and beyond), managing hundreds of volunteers, fundraising events, and community partnerships. This real-world application of agile principles to social change has become a hallmark of her teaching—demonstrating that agile isn't just for software teams. She served as Co-Chair for Scrum Alliance's Global Gathering 2017 and regularly keynotes major conferences including Agile2023, AgileCincy, and AgileIndy.

Kim is sometimes referred to as "Unconventional" for her creative tactics and as the "People Whisperer" for her street-savvy coaching style that brings out the best in people. Her fusion of real-life stories, down-to-earth humor, and conversational techniques connect with audiences of all backgrounds. She holds extensive certifications including Certified Scrum Trainer (CST), Certified Scrum Professional for both ScrumMaster (CSP-SM) and Product Owner (CSP-PO), Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM), and is an ICAgile Authorized Instructor. This part-time stand-up comedian, full-time trainer, dog mama, and vanlifer lives by her philosophy: "You create your own reality by the way you think and act. You are not your circumstances—you are your possibilities."