2025 Professional Development Day Speakers

The world, and certainly the United States, has never been the same since the events of September 11 th , 2001. And yet, the pace of change has increased so consistently that it’s hard to mark any one thing that has stayed the same since then. Clearly, our ability to respond to change, to bounce back from crisis and loss, from disruption and chaos, and to move forward in the face of uncertainty has been tested regularly since then. As project leaders, we are frequently tested on a micro level to respond to setbacks, to reach stakeholders of differing viewpoints and unite us towards a common goal and bring us together.

Project Managers spend up to 90% of their time communicating—but it's not just
about what you say, it’s about how you say it. In today’s world, technical skills alone
won’t drive success. True project excellence requires the ability to influence, earn
trust quickly, and make complex information clear and compelling. Whether you're
leading a virtual meeting, delivering a high-stakes presentation, or sharing data with
decision-makers, your ability to connect, engage, and persuade makes all the
difference.
In this highly interactive session, communication expert Lori Klinka will guide you
through strategies to present with purpose and influence. You'll explore how to craft
messages that stick, use storytelling to make data come alive, and practice delivery
techniques that boost clarity and confidence. Lori will also coach select participants
live—giving everyone a chance to learn through real-time feedback and practical
insights.

Redefine what's possible and empower yourself and those around you to rise above the ordinary by unlocking full potential. Whether you're an aspiring leader, a seasoned professional, or part of a team seeking new energy and direction, this powerful experience will equip you with the tools, mindset, and inspiration to elevate performance and purpose. Through compelling stories, personal insights, and the introduction of his innovative MVP Model—Mindset, Vision, and Purpose—Brian guides participants to break through limiting beliefs, reignite their drive, and perform at their highest level. With lessons drawn from his own journey, he illustrates how mental fortitude and a sense of purpose can transform lives. Attendees will leave with clear, actionable strategies to activate their MVP model and cultivate a culture of growth, collaboration, and meaningful impact, no matter their role or industry.

This interactive session dives into the essential role of emotional intelligence (EQ) in project leadership and team dynamics. Max Brown unpacks how self-awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation are not just soft skills—they’re strategic assets that elevate collaboration, decision-making, and stakeholder engagement. Participants will explore how emotionally intelligent leaders create psychologically safe environments where innovation thrives and conflict becomes constructive. 

Project managers are expected to deliver results, stay on track, and lead
confidence—even when navigating the most unpredictable variable of all: people.
Conflict, personality clashes, and miscommunication can quietly erode trust, slow
progress, and drain morale. But with the right tools, these challenges can become
turning points for stronger collaboration and leadership.
In support of this year’s theme—Honoring Resilience, Building the Future—this
program equips project professionals with strategies to lead difficult conversations
with poise and build positive team dynamics under pressure.
In this engaging and interactive session, communication strategist Lori Klinka uses
insight, and humorous characterizations to illustrate common difficult behaviors and
2the tools to manage them with clarity and empathy. Participants will engage in
practical group discussions to explore what really works (and what doesn’t) when
dealing with high-stress interactions.

As project complexity increases and resources tighten, resilience is no longer optional—it’s a leadership imperative. In this forward-thinking yet practical session, you’ll learn how to integrate AI into your day-to-day work as a strategic partner, not just a tech tool. From drafting communications and summarizing project updates with Copilot to using AI as a coach, we’ll explore real-world ways to lighten the workload and level up your leadership.

Attendees will walk away with proven frameworks, AI prompt examples, and actionable insights for building more adaptive, productive, and future-ready project teams. Whether you're just starting with AI or looking to refine your practice, this session will help you lead with clarity, resilience, and purpose.

In this thought-provoking session, Aaron Matthews challenges the current AI hype by revealing what project managers really need to know to prepare for an AI-driven future. While everyone chases the latest AI tools, most organizations lack the foundational processes and skills necessary to leverage AI effectively. Through practical examples and real-world insights, this session shows PMs how simple changes to their current projects create the foundation AI needs to succeed.

But project preparation is only half the story. Aaron Matthews explores how AI will fundamentally change what it means to be a project manager, Illustrating how technology will free PMs from mundane tasks to focus on uniquely human capabilities: strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, creative problem-solving, and change leadership.

In an ideal world, projects would unfold seamlessly—unlimited resources, flexible deadlines, and perfectly aligned requirements. But reality often presents a different picture, with constraints in funding, materials, personnel, and time. Most professionals have navigated the \\\"perfect storm\\\"—budget cuts, delayed hardware deliveries, software installation issues, staffing shortages, and shifting project scopes. This presentation draws on over thirty years of firsthand experience managing high-profile IT projects across industries, including Fortune 500 companies and government agencies, as well as directing award-winning documentaries. Through real-world examples, it explores strategies for overcoming obstacles, recovering troubled projects, and even finding ways to optimize resources beyond expectations. Whether your project capsizes, survives the storm, or sails through smoothly, understanding how to manage uncertainty is key to success.

Unleash the Power of We through the PG3 Model—an empowering framework built on positivity, passion, perspective, gratitude, grace, and generosity. This interactive breakout session is designed for everyone, whether you're guiding a team of many or leading yourself on your own journey. You’ll dive deeper into the PG3 principles and explore how they can transform mindset, connection, and impact. Through individual reflection, small group collaboration, and large group discussion, you'll build your own personalized PG3 blueprint to take back and implement immediately. This engaging session is about real-world application, lasting growth, and purpose-driven leadership that brings people together and drives meaningful results.