Esther draw on four decades of experience leading, observing, and living organizational change. She work with a broad array of organizations. Her clients include both start ups and Fortune 500 companies.
Based on experience and research, her approach blends attention to humans and deep knowledge of complex adaptive systems.
She has been called one of the most influential voices within the agile communities when it comes to developing organizations, coaching teams, and transforming management. Her work over many years has influenced coaches and leaders across many companies.
Jerry Weinberg exposed her to experiential training in 1991. Since then, she has applied experiential learning and adult learning theory to create high-impact workshops. She runs two of the most sought after trainings for leaders seeking to apply systems thinking and congruence to their work. Through hert work, she has influenced a generation of leaders in companies across the world.
She started her career as a programmer. However, over the years she has worn many hats, including business owner, internal consultant and manager. From all these perspectives, one thing was clear: individual, team, and even organizational success depends greatly on the work environment and organizational dynamics. As a result, she has spent the last twenty-five years helping companies shape their environment for optimum success.
In 1997, she founded esther derby associates, inc.
She has learned a lot about how organizations work through observation and action research. Esther holds an MA in Organizational Leadership and a certificate in Human Systems Dynamics, in addition, she has participated in several workshops at the NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Science.
Starting in 1991, she studied and worked extensively with Jerry Weinberg. In 1999, she participated in Jean McLendon's Year-long program exploring the Satir Growth Model.
In 2000, she was one of the original founders of the AYE Conference. This ground breaking conference had no powerpoint, and no lectures. All its sessions were half-day experiential explorations of topics related to working effectively in software organizations.
In 2002 Norm Kerth, Diana Larsen, and Esther started the Retrospective Facilitator's Gathering (RFG). RFG used Open Space Technology as an organizing principle.
Esther has served two terms on the Board of the Agile Alliance.
She live in northern Minnesota, not far from the shores of Lake Superior.