Kate Backler Transformation Lead/Release Train Engineer, Strategic Programmes, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

With over 15 years of strategic leadership and management experience across diverse sectors, Kate Backler is a visionary leader passionate about driving organisational improvement and business agility. Since 2020, she has spearheaded transformative initiatives at the University of Auckland, transforming the operating model to enhance strategy execution and business agility. Her efforts are deeply rooted in te ao Māori (the Māori world), ensuring impactful change that resonates with the diverse university community.

Currently, Kate is at the forefront of implementing the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe®), collaborating with senior leadership and delivery teams to launch their first Agile Release Train in June 2024. Her commitment to indigenisation is grounded in partnerships with indigenous leaders, embedding Māori values and principles into the SAFe® implementation to deliver measurable value where it matters most.

with Quentin Christie – Associate Director Strategic Programmes, University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau

In Aotearoa New Zealand, Māori are Indigenous or Tangata Whenua, the people of our land. The University of Auckland is in the top 10 internationally for sustainable development impact, with staff and students from 107 nations.

Learn how the University of Auckland has partnered to embed indigenous Māori values into their SAFe® transformation in a diverse community and how this took them from launching their first Agile Release Train and Lean Portfolio Management to Equestria, the place where magic happens.