I didn’t grow up imagining myself speaking at international Agile conferences. And I definitely didn’t expect to help organize one. Honestly, I still get nervous before speaking. I rehearse a lot, question myself more than I’d like to admit, and sometimes wonder if I’m the only one in the room who feels out of place. But every step into these events brought me closer to something I didn’t expect. A community. A purpose. A sense of belonging.
It started in New Orleans
My first Global Scrum Gathering was New Orleans in 2024. I was both a volunteer and a lightning talk speaker. That only happened after weeks of persistence, asking questions, and thankfully, getting support from my organization.
I gave the talk together with a colleague. We didn’t know if anyone would come, but people showed up, and it meant a lot. It made me realize that stories from places like mine matter too.
Then came Rio
A few months later, I went to the Regional Scrum Gathering in Rio as a volunteer. Someone I met in New Orleans encouraged me to go, and I really wanted to see what one of the biggest RSGs in the world looked like. I also wanted to understand why the Brazilian community felt so connected and full of energy.
At that point, my Portuguese was very basic. I’m still learning. I didn’t translate anything or take the mic. I helped with logistics, supported the team, and paid attention to how everything worked. I listened and learned. I felt welcome.
Lima was a full-circle moment
That same year, I co-facilitated a 90-minute workshop at RSG Lima with the same colleague from NOLA. We talked about how organizational design frameworks can support Agile transformations. It was interactive and practical, but also very personal.
I prepared a lot. Practiced even more. I was nervous. But people stayed. They participated. And many told us it meant something to see someone from Central America on that stage.
Munich felt like home
When I went to the Global Scrum Gathering in Munich in May 2025, something changed. I didn’t feel like a guest anymore. I was part of it.
I knew people. They knew me. I shared meals, helped friends get ready for their talks, and had long hallway conversations that felt real. I wasn’t there to prove anything. I was just… there. And that was enough.
Now we build together
In November 2025, Regional Scrum Gathering Central America will take place in Guatemala City. For the first time, our region will host a Scrum Gathering. And we’re building it with a lot of care.
We are a team of volunteers from across Central America and beyond. We want it to be bilingual, inclusive, and rooted in who we are. Every decision we make is guided by one question. What kind of space do we wish we had when we first joined this community?
It’s not about being the first. It’s about making sure we’re not the last.
And I’m still showing up
This year, I’m going back to Rio and Lima, and I was also invited to speak in Madrid. Not because I’ve made it, but because these communities trusted me from the start.
I’m not just going as a speaker. I’ll keep helping, volunteering, and being part of any space where people want to work in a better way and where I can share the little I’ve learned.
If someone wants to listen, I’ll be there. That’s enough for me.
Ricardo Rottmann-Ordoñez is a Learning Experience Designer and community builder from Guatemala. He has spoken at Scrum Gatherings in Rio, Lima, and the Global Scrum Gathering in New Orleans, and has volunteered at both Global and Regional Scrum Gatherings. He’s currently part of the team organizing the first Regional Scrum Gathering Central America in 2025. Richie is passionate about making learning more visual, meaningful, and human.
