Marya Alston
About Marya Alston
Marya Alston is a Sr. Scrum Master and Program Manager at Advance Auto Parts, with a background in operations and product management at companies like IBM and The Stanley Gibbons Group. She holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has developed several innovative systems, including a patented method for quick recovery of customer items.
Work at Advance Auto Parts
Marya Alston has been employed at Advance Auto Parts since 2018, where she holds the position of Senior Scrum Master and Program Manager. In this role, she oversees agile project management practices and facilitates collaboration among teams to ensure successful project delivery. Her experience in managing complex projects and leading cross-functional teams contributes to the operational efficiency of the organization.
Previous Experience at IBM
Marya Alston worked at IBM for a total of ten years, holding various roles including Operations Manager, Quality Engineering Team Lead, Senior Software Engineer, and Project Manager/Business Analyst. Her tenure at IBM spanned from 2003 to 2013, during which she developed expertise in software engineering, quality assurance, and project management. This extensive experience laid a strong foundation for her subsequent roles in agile project management.
Education and Expertise
Marya Alston earned her MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Kenan-Flagler Business School. Additionally, she holds a Certificate in Computer Programming from North Carolina State University, where she also completed her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science. Her educational background equips her with a solid understanding of both business management and technical principles.
Innovations and Patents
Marya Alston holds a patent for a system and method designed for the quick recovery of customer items in controlled environments. She has also developed several innovative systems, including an assistance system for alerting emergency personnel when a driver is incapacitated and a method for document sharing and compilation in real-time through Instant Messaging Chat. These contributions reflect her commitment to enhancing operational processes and improving user experiences.
Career Progression and Roles
Throughout her career, Marya Alston has held various positions that highlight her versatility and expertise in project management and product development. Prior to her current role, she worked as a Product Manager at The Stanley Gibbons Group plc and as a Technical Product Owner/Agile Coach at National Agents Alliance. Her diverse experience across different organizations has strengthened her ability to adapt and lead in dynamic environments.