Here are our great speakers for 2019 were...
Introductory Speech
Sunil Prashara.
As President & Chief Executive Officer of the Project Management Institute (PMI), Sunil Prashara is the lead advocate for PMI’s global organization, serving more than three million professionals working in nearly every country of the world. His primary responsibility is to implement PMI’s global strategic plan with a priority on strategic focus, customer centricity and organizational agility. This includes expanding the PMI footprint globally, as well as digitizing PMI’s offerings and platforms to benefit its members and a variety of other stakeholders. The plan will also continue to enhance and advocate for the profession of project management.
Sunil's talk: Introductory Speech.
Keynote Speaker
Paul Pelletier.
Paul Pelletier is a corporate lawyer, PMP, a former executive, the author of two books on workplace bullying and an internationally sought-after keynote speaker. He served on PMI’s Ethics Member Advisory Group and has presented at over 40 PM conferences and events. Recognized as a global thought leader on workplace respect, he also ran a tour company for 17 years and guided tours in over 87 countries while practicing law full-time. Sharing his experiences with the Maasai tribe of Tanzania, learn how their wisdom helped Paul rethink the “impossible”. Paul’s programs empower us to change our views on our project management challenges, workplace culture, teams, client relations and conflicts. Paul describes himself as a guy who passionately believes that “can’t” “never” and “impossible” are words that represent opportunities.
Paul's keynote: Pushing Past Impossible - Ancient Insights for a Modern World.
Conference Speakers
Agata Czopek.
Agata Czopek, PhD, PMP is a Digital Capability Development Manager creating learning programs for digital teams in 40 markets.
She has 15 years of experience in building learning solutions (platforms, digital content, learning ecosystems) across industries.
Agata is a member of PMI Switzerland Chapter, acting vice president responsible for social good programs for schools and NGOs.
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Agata's talk: Finding your place in the world through diversity and inclusion.
Maria Matarelli.
Maria Matarelli is an international business consultant, experienced Agile Coach, and Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) who consults and trains companies around the world on reaching true agility. Maria is the Founder and President of Formula Ink, an international consulting company and Maria has pioneered the application of Agile outside of IT as co-founder of the Agile Marketing Academy and Personal Agility Institute. Maria and her team are passionate about helping businesses get real results.
Maria's talk: Influence, Inspiration, Trust.
Donna Brighton.
Donna Brighton is a culture change strategist, keynote speaker, masterful facilitator and leadership coach. A recognized expert in the field of organizational change, she is the past President of the Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP). Donna has an M.S. in Organizational Leadership. She is the author of Culturally Intelligent Change, the Flourishing Workplace and the Rebel Leader’s Field Guide to Your Leadership Voice. Donna is also the co-founder of Leadership Uncorked, connecting 3 of her passions: brilliant leaders, insightful learning, and exceptional wine..
Donna's talk: The Rebel Leader - My Journey.
Ravi Avasarala.
Ravi Avasarala is a Project/Program Management Advisor at CVS Health. He has over 20 years of experience in Information Technology with a broad background in project/program management, technology and software development. Mr. Avasarala has worked in the telecommunications, financial services, banking, insurance, automobile and healthcare industries. He has been an active member of the PMI Chicagoland Chapter since 2009 and is current the VP of Marketing & Communications. He was a member of the 2018 PMI Leadership Institute Master class.
Ravi's talk: Collaboration or Competition - A Hybrid approach : A winning combination.
Narasimha Acharya.
Nara Acharya is an Assistant Director in the Client Technology Practice at Ernst and Young in Atlanta, USA and Past Chair, PMI Atlanta Chapter. He has over 20 years of experience in information technology, with a broad background in project and program management, technology consulting, systems integration, and software development. He has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Bangalore University, India and a MS in Systems Science from Louisiana State University in the United States.
Narasimha's talk: Self-Improvement and Leadership Development – Applying LIMC Experiences and Learnings.
Donatella Calderini.
Certified PMP and PMI LIMC Alumni 2013, former PMI-NIC Toscana & Umbria Branch Director (of which she was co-founder) from 2008 in 2016, in 2016 Donatella Calderini became Director for Volunteers at the PMI-NIC Board. For over 20 years, she managed projects especially in IT, Quality, Organization and Processes. She started her experience at large global companiesin the pharmaceutical field, today she is Chief Quality & Information Officer in the IT Company Group.
Donatella's talk: From VIP to VEP.
Karthik Ramamurthy.
P3M, Strategy & Leadership expert with a 30+-year track record delivering project success globally. Inspirational speaker: 30+ highly engaging and highly-rated sessions at PMI Global events, LIMs, and PM conferences in ten countries. Author of the recent global bestseller, "Say YES to Project Success," and #1 influencer on projectmanagement.com for Leadership, Talent Management, and Organizational Culture. Passionate PMI volunteer leader for 15+ years in several global and national roles, now serving on the Ethics MAG.
Karthik's talk: Achieving 3-D success by Leading Intelligently, Magnetically, Caringly (LIMC).
Raj Nair.
Raj has 27+ years of IT experience in strategic solution delivery, program management and information technology leadership holding several PMI certifications. He is recognized for communication, collaboration, coordination, and commitment. He is also involved with PMI Global and Chicagoland activities as a spokesperson for project management ethics and standards. He mentors project managers and helps them master project management knowledge areas.. Currently he is a management consultant and a visiting professor.
Raj's talk: Discovering the Blue in Red
Fabio Rigamonti.
Fabio Rigamonti has +15 years of experience in project management, leading multi-cultural teams across Europe; he lives in Milan, Italy and works in Switzerland. He is an engineer, but one main area of interest and expertise has always been Ethics in Project Management: from volunteering for the ProjEthics program at Northern Italy Chapter to leading the "Ethics in Project Management – Community of Practice" and now enjoying the collaboration with the PMI Ethics Members Advisory Group (EMAG).
Fabio is a 2013 PMI Leadership Master Class Alumnus, and a LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® certified facilitator which he uses in organizations to leverage their potential and to help them solve complex issues.
Fabio's talk: Ohana & Alaka'i
Laura Davidson.
Project Manager, Tour Guide, Servant Leader, Trainer, and all-around Serial Volunteer – Laura Davidson has held many roles at Coca-Cola, Georgia-Pacific, AT&T, the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations and currently at IHG in Atlanta, GA. A great communicator, Laura connects with her teams through enthusiasm and ‘edu-tainment.’ Former Past President of PMI Atlanta, and CMAG. Locally, she is a guest ambassador for the Georgia Aquarium, and President of the National Speakers Association Georgia.
Laura's talk: I’m a Better Me Because of LIMC.