Bridging IT and business
since 2017
From test coordinator
to transformation lead
I started my career as a test coordinator in retail, where I first encountered Agile and discovered I was more interested in how teams worked than in the tools they used. That curiosity took me from tester to functional designer to Scrum Master — and eventually into the role of Release Train Engineer, where I could work at the intersection of strategy and execution across dozens of teams.
Today, through Gavant, I work as an RTE, Enterprise Agile Coach, and facilitator. I've guided agile release trains of 35 to 150+ people, across government and technology organisations. I'm certified as an Enterprise Agile Coach, SAFe RTE, and Advanced Scrum Master — but what matters more to me is what happens in the room.
I'm inspired by Simon Sinek, David Marquet, and Rory Sutherland — thinkers who take human behaviour seriously. My approach is learning by doing, not by broadcasting. I design sessions for reflection, ownership, and honest dialogue.
Agile as a named method will eventually go out of fashion. That's fine. The underlying questions — how do people work well together under uncertainty, how does strategy connect to daily work, how do teams stay resilient when plans change — those aren't going anywhere. That's what I work on.
"Adaptability isn't a skill you train in a workshop. It's something you build together, in the work, over time."
- 8+ years in IT and transformation
- ARTs from 35 to 150+ people
- Government & technology sector
- Based in the Netherlands
Education & certifications
What others say
"Damian has an uncanny ability to sense what's really going on and engages the conversation with respect, sharpness, and openness. He challenges you, pushes you to get to the substance — sometimes confrontational, but always connective. With his energy, every session becomes a valuable experiment. Working with Damian is a pleasure, strategically, tactically, and operationally. We always came out better for it."Merel Wams
"Damian has helped our leadership team on several occasions to put difficult topics on the table — commitment, ownership, the things that don't come up easily. He's sharp, adapts quickly, and brings a can-do energy that doesn't feel forced. Through clarifying questions he keeps you focused on your goal; through flexibility and humour he helps you reach it. He reads the room well and gets people moving at every level."Suzanne Groen
"Damian has proven to be an effective facilitator during workshops, using real cases to describe the context and challenges facing teams at the Municipality of Amsterdam. His approach combines inspiring group sessions with one-on-one coaching to help colleagues grow."Mohammed Assad
Want to know if this is the right fit?
The fastest way to find out is a short conversation. No agenda, no pitch — just seeing whether the situation matches what I do well.
Get in touch