Nadia Fernández
Nadia Fernandez is a Certified Scrum Master and Agile Delivery Lead with over 18 years of experience in IT and software, specializing in driving high-performance, cross-functional teams. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she excels at facilitating Scrum ceremonies, removing delivery impediments, and fostering alignment across Product, Engineering, and QA teams. Her professional philosophy centers on servant leadership, clear communication, and creating an environment where teams can consistently deliver predictable, high-quality software. Certified as a ScrumMaster (CSM®) and Scrum Developer (CSD®), Nadia combines her technical expertise with a strong focus on continuous improvement and team performance. Throughout her career at ITX Corp., Nadia has progressed from junior QA roles to Senior Leadership positions, including Project Manager, Scrum Master, and Senior Software Quality Assurance Lead. She has led initiatives that improved team velocity, implemented cross-functional test strategy forums, and enhanced backlog readiness and sprint predictability. Known for her ability to balance delivery discipline with team autonomy, she has earned recognition from peers and clients for fostering accountability, psychological safety, and consistent execution in complex, distributed environments. She has recently started the position of Data Processor and Automations Coordinator at DDX (Donor Database Experts), where her focus is getting a strong foundation in gift processing and data operations, while expanding into building and supporting DDX’s automation, AI, and analytics services. She will play a key role in executing high-quality data work for clients while also helping the company identify, test, and build more efficient ways of working as they grow. Outside of her professional work, Nadia demonstrates a strong commitment to community and inclusion. She volunteers with Challenger Miracle Field, a nonprofit providing adaptive sports opportunities for individuals with disabilities, and serves on its board. Her dedication to service, empathy, and recognition of others’ contributions extends beyond her teams, reflecting a career-long focus on positively impacting both people and projects in meaningful, measurable ways.
• Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
• AI for Scrum Masters
• Agile Stakeholder Engagement
• Get Started with AI Prompt Engineering
• AI & Agility: A Comprehensive Introduction
• Certified Scrum Developer (CSD)
• Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL)
• SPOAC - Scrum Product Owner Accredited Certification
• SMAC - Scrum Master Accredited Certification
• STMAC - Scrum Team Member Accredited Certification
• Escuela de Administración - B.A.
• Scrum Alliance
• Challenger Miracle Field
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to service-driven leadership and a combination of passion and professionalism. I strive to lead with empathy, curiosity, and a commitment to motivating and elevating others, a focus that has been recognized by both peers and clients alike.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve received is that consistency builds trust, and trust builds opportunity. In my experience, showing up consistently, being reliable, collaborative, and solution-oriented, has opened more doors than anything else. It’s what allowed me to grow within the same company for many years, take on more leadership responsibilities, and now confidently step into new challenges.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering this industry that you don’t need a title to be a leader. Focus on staying curious, fearless, and committed to serving others. True impact happens when passion meets professionalism and excellence is guided by empathy. Measure success not only by promotions, but by the lives you help elevate along the way.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I see in my field is the ongoing industry restructuring and the increasing shift toward outsourcing within IT, which can create job transitions and uncertainty. I believe that maintaining visibility and building a strong personal brand are essential tools for navigating these changes and seizing new opportunities as they arise.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are service, empathy, passion, professionalism, and excellence. I am motivated by the opportunity to make an impact and by recognition from peers, which reinforces my commitment to continuously grow and contribute meaningfully.
Locations
DDX
Rochester, NY 14604