OUR STORY
Building Capability
That Performs in the Real World
FAST Ascension was built on the belief that learning should translate into real-world performance. We partner with organizations to strengthen teams, accelerate transformation, and build capability through applied learning, embedded expertise, and modern delivery practices.
More Than Training
A Strategic Transformation Partner
FAST Ascension combines expertise in technology, organizational transformation, behavioral science, and applied learning to help organizations build teams that are capable, adaptable, and prepared to thrive in rapidly evolving environments.
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Our work spans the full capability lifecycle—from onboarding and technical upskilling to organizational change, leadership alignment, and team optimization—ensuring people, process, and technology evolve together.
Applied Learning Environments
Global Expert Practitioners
AI-Enabled Capability
Measurable Business Impact
OUR APPROACH
Built Inside
Real-World Environments
We believe capability is built through application—not theory. FAST integrates immersive learning, embedded coaching, behavioral insight, and modern enterprise practices to ensure teams develop skills they can immediately apply within their real environments.
Embedded Expertise
Practitioners who guide teams through
real-world execution.
Applied Transformation
Learning integrated into workflows, systems,
and delivery.
Sustainable Performance
Long-term capability, alignment & measurable improvement.
Why FAST Ascension Exists
FAST Ascension was founded by leaders with decades of experience across software engineering, agile transformation, organizational development, facilitation, and behavioral science.
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After years of seeing traditional training fail to produce lasting impact, FAST was created to bridge the gap between learning and execution.
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Today, FAST partners with organizations to build modern capability across technology, AI, operations, and team performance—delivering transformation that extends beyond the classroom and into real business outcomes.
OUR TEAM
Meet the Leadership
Leeanne McManus
A dynamic Facilitator, Agile Enthusiast, and HR leader with 20+ years of experience helping organizations maximize team performance by bridging people and technology. Known as a “Team Whisperer,” she empowers individuals and teams through communication, emotional intelligence, agile coaching, and tailored learning experiences.
As Principal at FAST Ascension, she has led training programs, organizational change initiatives, and experiential learning solutions for high-performance teams. Her experience spans organizations including JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, and TTI Success Insights. With certifications in Prosci Change Management, Scrum, and behavioral science tools, she helps companies transform workforce potential into measurable results.
Kevin McManus
A seasoned entrepreneur and IT professional with 36 years of experience spanning systems administration, development, engineering management, and agile transformation. A certified ScrumMaster, Product Owner, Java Programmer, Prosci Change Practitioner, and Working Genius Certified Professional, he combines technical expertise with a passion for helping people and organizations grow.
As Principal at FAST Ascension, he has guided companies through agile and change management transformations. His experience includes leadership roles at Idaho State Insurance Fund, Zoot Enterprises, EDS, FAST Ascension, and ikuw Solutions. With expertise in Scrum, XP, Lean, Kanban, and software engineering, he drives innovation, agility, and business results.
Winston Gillies
Winston Gillies is a management consulting professional, entrepreneur, and co-founder of FAST, LLC. He has built his career around developing people, teams, and organizations through leadership, strategy, and applied learning. As a founder and operator, he has created programs that help individuals and businesses navigate growth, improve performance, and turn learning into real-world results.
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Known for leading teams, aligning stakeholders, and executing effective strategies, Gillies combines big-picture thinking with practical execution. His work spans consulting, program development, organizational transformation, education, workforce development, and innovation—always with a focus on empowering people and helping organizations achieve sustainable impact.
A Global Network of Practitioners
FAST Ascension brings together a global network of facilitators, coaches, curriculum developers, technologists, agile practitioners, and transformation experts with deep experience across complex enterprise environments. Our practitioners have worked across software engineering, organizational transformation, behavioral science, leadership development, and modern delivery practices—bringing both strategic perspective and hands-on execution expertise to every engagement.
By combining global expertise with applied learning and embedded collaboration, FAST helps organizations build capability that extends beyond traditional training. Our scalable delivery approach ensures teams receive practical, real-world guidance that is adaptable to their systems, workflows, and organizational culture. The result is transformation that is not only implemented effectively, but sustained through measurable performance improvement, stronger alignment, and long-term operational impact.
What Makes
FAST Different
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Real-World Application
Scenario-based environments aligned to actual business challenges.
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Embedded Delivery
Experts integrated directly into teams and
workflows.
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Human + Technical Alignment
Combining behavioral insight with modern technology execution.