Codi Saad leads Agile teams at Lexipol with a servant-leader focus

Codi Saad, Manager of Scrum Masters at Lexipol in Mission Viejo, California, has built a 12-year IT career after starting in academia. Her leadership centers on Agile delivery, team development and thoughtful use of artificial intelligence in technology workplaces.

Why it matters: - Saad’s career reflects how nontraditional paths can shape leadership in technology. - Her work sits at the intersection of Agile delivery, team management and AI adoption, where companies are under pressure to improve efficiency without losing human connection. - Saad also represents a push for more inclusive leadership in IT, especially for women and women of color.

What happened: - Codi Saad is Manager of Scrum Masters at Lexipol in Mission Viejo, California. - Saad has spent the past 12 years building a career in IT after starting in academia. - Her leadership style centers on servant leadership, collaboration and continuous improvement. - Her specialties include Agile delivery leadership, Scrum Master management, Agile methodologies, the Scrum framework, and Agile transformation and scaling.

The details: - Saad earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Michigan State University. - Saad earned a Master of Arts in International and Global Studies from the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs. - Saad began her professional career as a professor at Jackson Community College. - While working in IT roles on the side, Saad found an interest in people management and process improvement. - She later moved full time into IT and built her career through hands-on experience and continuous learning. - Saad holds certifications that include Certified Scrum Professional, Advanced Certified ScrumMaster, Certified ScrumMaster, Certified Agile Leadership, Certified Agile Scaling, AI for Scrum Masters, Certified Artificial Intelligence for Agile Leaders and a Lean Six Sigma White Belt Certification. - Saad says the best advice she received was to ask questions and stay curious when joining a new team. - Saad believes leaders should understand a company’s history, culture and processes before making changes. - Saad defines servant leadership as listening first, learning from others and focusing on team support. - Saad’s advice to young women in technology is to stay open-minded, flexible and willing to step outside their comfort zone. - Saad says her own move from teaching to IT shows how new opportunities can emerge from unexpected choices.

Between the lines: - Saad’s focus on servant leadership suggests a management style built around support rather than command-and-control decision-making. - Her emphasis on AI reflects a broader industry question: how to use automation and data tools without weakening team culture or inclusion. - Saad frames gender dynamics in technology as both a challenge and an opportunity, especially for workplace access and advancement. - Her background in education likely reinforces the mentoring and coaching approach she brings to Agile teams. - Saad’s emphasis on service positions leadership as a responsibility to others, not just a career track.

What's next: - Saad says the priority is to use AI thoughtfully while preserving strong human connection, inclusive leadership and effective teamwork. - She plans to keep developing people, strengthening teams and guiding organizations through changes in Agile and technology. - Saad also continues her advocacy through groups including Scrum Alliance, Women in Agile and Black Women Code. - She contributes resources and donations to Black Girls CODE to support women of color pursuing STEM opportunities. - Through mentoring and team leadership, Saad aims to help more people grow into technology roles and leadership positions.

The bottom line: - Saad’s career shows how curiosity, service and inclusive leadership can turn an unconventional path into a technology leadership platform.