91: From Trinidad to Oxford to PMI: David Cumberbatch on Reinventing Career Readiness in the Age of AI

Laurel Donnellan sits down with David Cumberbatch, newly appointed Managing Director of North America for the Project Management Institute (PMI), for a wide-ranging conversation on education, career readiness, and leadership in a rapidly changing world of work.Prefer to watch? Watch the full video conversation on the Compassionate Leaders Circle YouTube channel.David shares his journey from Trinidad and Tobago to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, through leadership roles at Procter & Gamble, Microsoft, the Gates Foundation, and ACT, and into his current work with the Project Management Institute. Together, Laurel and David explore why career paths are becoming more fluid, how education and technology can prepare people for the future, and why safety, trust, critical thinking, and communication matter more—not less—in an AI-enabled workplace. PMI serves a global community of more than 800,000 members and offers pathways into project-management careers through credentials including CAPM, PMP, and the AI-focused PMI-CPMAI.In this episode, you’ll explore: Why people may navigate multiple jobs and career chapters over a lifetime How AI is changing project management, education, and workforce readiness Why “power skills” such as critical thinking, communication, and relationship-building remain indispensable How PMI Infinity supports project professionals with AI-powered guidance and resources Why accessible credentials can create career opportunities without requiring a four-year degree What compassionate leadership, psychological safety, and trust have to do with high performance This is a conversation about future-ready careers, human-centered leadership, and helping people build the confidence and skills to thrive through change.Take the Next Step With Compassionate Leaders CircleFor individuals: Build a life and career that fit who you are through private purpose coaching or Plan for Purpose. Explore purpose programs for individuals.For organizations: Build remarkable leadership and lasting culture change with a custom, evidence-based program designed around your people, culture, and goals. Explore CLC solutions for organizations.Resources & Links Mentioned PMI website: pmi.org PMI job board (for certified members) PMI Infinity (PMI's AI companion platform) CPM AI Certification and CAPM/PMP certification pathways PM Ready certificate (high school level) University of Pennsylvania high school internship training program Crimson Global Academy (referenced re: UK/US K-12 comparison — see Laurel's earlier interview) Opportunity@Work (referenced re: non-degree career pathways) Resources & Links Mentioned PMI website: pmi.org PMI job board (for certified members) PMI Infinity (PMI's AI companion platform) CPM AI Certification and CAPM/PMP certification pathways PM Ready certificate (high school level) University of Pennsylvania high school internship training program Crimson Global Academy (referenced re: UK/US K-12 comparison — see Laurel's earlier interview) Opportunity@Work (referenced re: non-degree career pathways