The Global Scrum Gathering 2026 will feature inspiring keynotes who anchor the entire experience and set the stage for a productive, insightful conference.
Each keynote is intentionally placed to shape the arc of the gathering: how we begin, how we challenge ourselves, and ultimately, how we leave and how we show up when we return to work. This year, our lineup reflects the reality of the world we’re operating in—one defined by AI acceleration, enterprise complexity, and the need for deeply human leadership.
Here’s who will be taking the stage and why.
Opening keynote: start with a connection
Riaz Meghji
"Every Conversation Counts: Human-Centered Leadership in an Agile World"
We’re opening the gathering with a focus on something foundational, but often overlooked: meaningful human connection.
In agile environments, collaboration is a given. But real connection? That’s where teams either thrive or stall. As we kick off three days of learning, experimentation, and community, we wanted to set the tone with a reminder that agility isn’t just about frameworks—it’s about people.
Riaz Meghji brings a powerful perspective shaped by years of interviewing leaders across industries. His keynote challenges us to move beyond transactional communication and instead create conversations that build trust, alignment, and momentum.
Because before we can talk about AI, delivery, or enterprise agility, we need to reconnect with how we show up for each other.
Day 2 keynote: focus on outcomes
Richard Kasperowski
"Scrum Doesn’t Matter (And It Never Did)"
Day 2 is where we turn toward the heart of the agile community.
Each year, we invite a respected practitioner to challenge current thinking, and this year, that voice is Richard Kasperowski. His message is intentionally provocative because it reflects a shift we’re seeing across organizations: a move away from focusing solely on the scrum framework and toward delivering measurable results.
Business stakeholders don’t care about frameworks; they care about outcomes. But here’s the nuance: the right combination of rigorous scrum, strong technical practices, team dynamics, and AI doesn’t limit delivery; it accelerates it.
Richard will ground this in real-world application, sharing how these elements come together to enable teams to ship value faster than ever before. This keynote directly supports our broader theme: AI is better with agility.
Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how to connect frameworks to outcomes, and why, paradoxically, they matter more than ever.
Closing keynote: leave ready to thrive
Sam Rad (Samantha Radocchia)
"Radical Next: Thriving Through Uncertainty and Accelerating Change"
How we close matters just as much as how we begin.
We chose Sam Rad to send attendees home not just inspired, but equipped.
Agile was built for change, but today’s pace of transformation is testing even the most adaptive teams. Sam’s keynote meets that reality head-on with what we’d describe as “upbeat realism.” She doesn’t ignore the challenges, but she reframes them as opportunities for growth, innovation, and reinvention.
Through a blend of futurism, storytelling, and practical insight, Sam challenges us to rethink resilience, adaptability, and leadership in an AI-driven world. She invites us to look inward at our mindset, our teams, and our organizational DNA to understand what it really takes to continuously evolve.
You’ll leave with tools, perspective, and energy to navigate what’s next and thrive in it.
Why this lineup, and why now?
This year’s keynote strategy is grounded in two core ideas:
- AI is better with agility
- Enterprise agility is the next frontier
Together, these sessions tell a cohesive story:
- We begin with human connection (because agility starts with people)
- We move into delivery and results (because outcomes matter)
- We close with future readiness (because change isn’t slowing down)
This is how we reinforce Scrum Alliance’s role, not just as a steward of agile, but as a leader in helping individuals and organizations apply agility in a rapidly evolving world.
What else to expect
Beyond the keynotes, the Global Scrum Gathering is designed as a fully immersive experience:
- Hands-on sessions and workshops
- Opportunities to connect with practitioners across industries
- Practical insights you can apply immediately
- Moments of spontaneity, creativity, and community
Because ultimately, the value of this gathering isn’t just what happens on stage, it’s what happens between sessions, in conversations, and in the ideas you carry forward.
We can’t wait to see how these voices resonate with you, and how you’ll take what you learn back to your teams and organizations.
About the author
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