Wear Your Cape to Work™

In this episode, Trina and Mathew talk with Joe Pusz, better known as "PMO Joe," about discovering project management, learning from mentors, leading PMOs, and understanding the business value behind project work.Joe shares why project leaders need to stay focused on purpose, customer needs, executive priorities, and the people doing the work. He also reflects on how being unemployed during the recession shaped his mission and inspired the work behind PMO Squad Staffing.1:45 | Joe’s project beginnings Joe shares how he first got started in project work.5:00 | Preparing for Y2K Joe talks about where his career went next, including Y2K and learning from his first great mentor.6:30 | Leading projects across industries Joe reflects on leading projects at Cessna Aircraft, Bell Helicopter, Textron Financial, and Wellstar Healthcare.7:05 | First PMO leadership role Joe shares how he stepped into his first PMO leadership role.8:25 | Projects have a purpose Joe talks about one of the most important lessons from his career.10:30 | Earned-value management The conversation turns to earned-value management and project performance. Joe shares that it does not matter how well the project is running if the work is not meeting the customer’s need.12:00 | Understanding the business Joe reflects on a mentor who helped him understand the business value of the project.13:00 | Managing experienced teams Joe talks about motivating and managing people with more experience through coaching, feedback, motivation, and team focus.14:25 | Not having all the answers Joe offers advice for PMO leaders managing big teams and large financial projects, including why you can never have too many mentors and why it is okay to say, “I don’t have all the answers.”15:48 | Translating project information for executives Joe talks about translating project information so executives can make strategic decisions. 18:44 | Correction Trina mentions “Ashley Simpson,” but meant to say Ashley Simmons.20:00 | Never forgetting that feeling Joe shares what it was like to be unemployed during the recession and never forgot the feeling of struggling to provide for his family. That experience helped inspire PMO Squad Staffing.23:00 | PMO Squad Staffing Joe explains the special edge PMO Squad Staffing brings across tech, consulting, and staffing.24:00 | Resume advice Joe shares why resumes need to show results and business acumen. Joe explains why project professionals should stop applying for jobs.27:45 | Be a force multiplier Joe encourages people to connect with 10 PMO leaders for mentoring advice.28:15 | Joe’s superpower Joe shares how staying connected to what people are going through, especially when it mirrors something he has gone through, has become one of his superpowers.29:00 | Take a bite of everything Joe closes with the advice to take a bite of everything at the buffet.PMO Squad Staffing Website: https://www.thepmosquad.com/Project Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

Katharine Manchanda is a strategy and execution leader with experience across IT, banking, retail, automotive finance, loyalty programs, data and analytics, and the winery industry. Throughout her career, she has led projects and programs, helped grow PMOs, updated governance structures, and mentored project managers.  We're excited to have her on the show because she is as passionate about people as she is about business strategy, and when you bring those two parts together, that’s when businesses really can move forward in what they want to accomplish. Show Notes1:16-2:47 | A career across industries Katharine shares her background in project and program leadership across several industries, along with her experience growing PMOs and governance structures.2:49-3:42 | Grocery and loyalty Katharine reflects on her work in major grocery retail launching a loyalty program.3:46-5:15 | How market and regulatory shifts impact project work Katharine discusses how changing consumer behavior and new regulations can quickly reshape priorities, timelines, and project plans. 5:31-7:27 | Strategy on the go Katharine and Trina talk about what happens when strategy changes interrupt long-range plans.7:47-9:00 | From delivery to strategic thinking She reflects on how depending on role, perspective needs to evolve from task-focused delivery to broader business relevance.9:20-11:11 | What executives need to see Katharine shares her thoughts on the information leaders need in order to make good decisions.11:11-13:01 | Successful vs. relevant Katharine explores the difference between delivering a project successfully and delivering benefits that still align with the original business strategy. 13:01-15:03 | Governance and decision speed Katharine discusses how governance and access to executive sponsors can affect momentum.15:03-17:38 | Risks and issues The conversation turns to why leaders need visibility into risks and issues, not just status.18:01-19:01 | Strategy work behind the scenes Katharine reflects on the difference between frontline delivery and more strategic PMO roles.19:04-20:05 | Aligning strengths to the work This part of the episode looks at how leaders can match people’s strengths to organizational needs.20:05-21:08 | Katharine’s superpower Katharine shares why the people side of leadership matters most to her.21:39-23:20 | Building a PMO Katharine offers advice for organizations setting up a PMO.23:20-24:29 | Capacity in real life Katharine and Trina discuss workload, competing priorities, and the realities of capacity.24:29-end | Aligning people to strategy The episode closes with a look at how people, capacity, and strategy come together.Project Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

Francis Solomon Knox is the Senior Director of Portfolio Management at Breakthrough T1D, a leading global type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization. Throughout his career, he has led portfolio transformation work across government and nonprofit organizations. In this episode, Steve and Trina explore how Francis brings clarity, alignment, and forward motion to a complex web of stakeholders.Show Notes1:00-4:00 | An accidental start in project management Francis shares how he unexpectedly found his way into project management. 6:00-8:00 | Harmonize, manage, deploy Francis explains his ability to bring order to complex problems and stakeholder environments. He talks about how every project introduces change, and why thoughtful change management is essential when navigating complexity.8:00-9:40 | Earning stakeholder buy-in This part of the conversation focuses on building support for change. Francis discusses the importance of helping people understand the benefits, identifying early adopters, and creating momentum that others can follow.9:40-12:00 | What it’s like to work at an organization like Breakthrough T1D Francis gives a look inside Breakthrough T1D and the many teams working together to advance its mission, including research, science, grants, lobbying, and affordable care. Project teams play an important role in supporting and connecting that mission-driven work.12:00-15:00 | Project management vs. portfolio management Francis breaks down the difference between project management and portfolio management. 15:00-17:00 | Prioritization, business drivers, and difficult decisions The conversation turns to prioritization and how PMO leaders help organizations make strategic choices when multiple initiatives are competing for the same resources. 7:00-22:00 | How Breakthrough T1D uses Project Insight for strategic portfolio managementFrancis shares how Project Insight helps Breakthrough T1D manage its portfolio with centralized visibility across all projects & programs. The platform helps the team see what is happening, prioritize effectively, decide what needs attention now versus later, and help executives make strategic decisions. Project Insight's Jira integration has been particularly powerful. Teams can work in Jira and their input automatically updates project data.23:00-24:00 | From chaos to symphony Francis reflects on the idea that portfolio management is not about controlling chaos for its own sake. It is about creating alignment, rhythm, and coordination across many moving parts, more like conducting a symphony than reacting to noise.24:00-end | Growing your change management style over time Francis closes with a reminder that change management is a skill that develops with experience. The more you practice, the more value you can bring to your team, your stakeholders, and your organization.Project Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

We’re replaying one of our most popular episodes this week as anticipation builds for NASA’s Artemis II mission, the agency’s first crewed lunar flyby in more than 50 years. In this episode of Wear Your Cape to Work, Trina sits down with NASA PM, Jeff Conner, who spent 43 years working with space projects. From the early days of the shuttle program to coordinating recovery efforts after the Columbia accident, Jeff’s career spans some of the most mission-critical projects in NASA’s history.This conversation explores Jeff’s career path, his family legacy in aerospace, and the mindset it takes to lead when failure is not an option.Topics covered:The family connection: Trina and Jeff as cousinsJeff’s father’s role at NASA in the Air Force physical standards labStarting his NASA career as a mechanical engineerPayload integration projects and contributing to the construction of the International Space StationInstalling payloads aboard space shuttle missionsPlanning for shuttle emergency landings and alternate recovery locationsProject management in the 1980s: printed schedules, phone calls, and couriered memosReflecting on a bygone work era—before nonstop email and instant messagingThe Columbia accident and Jeff’s role in the Air Boss helicopter recovery operationsRisk as a defining factor in space projects—and how to lead within itJeff’s superpower: identifying risks early and turning them into opportunities for precision and excellenceHow teams can minimize compounding issues when working on large, hazardous systemsLeading diverse teams through complexity, pressure, and changeIf you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to manage projects where the margin for error is zero, this episode is for you.Project Insight WebsiteWatch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTubeSpotifyApple PodcastsRSSProject Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

In this episode of Wear Your Cape to Work, Amy Altomare shares how she built a Project Support Center at City of Hope, starting within the nursing department and expanding across the organization. You’ll hear what project work looked like before that support existed, what it takes to earn trust and buy-in in a clinical environment, and the practical steps Amy used to create a model that helps teams lead meaningful projects with the right structure, coaching, and consistency.Episode Breakdown00:00–01:50 | Meet Amy Altomare and why project support matters in healthcare01:50–03:00 | City of Hope origins03:00–04:54 | Mission-driven work and improving how project work gets done04:54–05:21 | Process improvement as “heart projects”05:21–06:30 | Imposter syndrome and becoming the expert in how work gets delivered06:30–08:00 | People notice your superpowers08:00–09:00 | What it looked like before project management support existed09:00–10:41 | Making change happen and making it stick10:41–12:07 | “My tasks were not the most important.”12:07–15:25 | Starting the Project Support Center and reducing burden for clinicians15:25–16:29 | Formalizing processes and empowering departments16:29–17:58 | Expanding support beyond nursing17:58–20:00 | Getting buy-in through support and empowerment20:00–22:00 | How to start a Project Support Center for your Orgaization22:00–26:30 | Pitfalls to avoid: adoption, standardization, internal marketing26:30–28:00 | Amy’s superpower: leading projects with heart28:00–End | Flipping “process improvement” into “finding an assist”Connect with Amy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyea/Project Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

What if the qualities you once thought were holding you back were actually your greatest leadership strengths?In this episode of Wear Your Cape to Work, we sit down with Jorge Alzate, a former analytical chemist turned Digital Program Manager, who discovered that introversion is not a limitation. It is a leadership superpower.From leading complex data separation during a major corporate divestiture to founding ForwardQuest Coaching, Jorge shares how self-awareness, thoughtful communication, and relationship-building transformed his career. If you have ever wondered how to thrive in an extroverted world without changing who you are, this conversation is for you.Episode Breakdown00:00–03:50 | From Analytical Chemist to Project Leader03:50–05:00 | The Introvert’s Eye05:00–06:00 | Going Beyond the PMP06:00–07:30 | Finding the Dream Role07:30–09:40 | From Individual Contributor to Leader09:40–10:20 | Self-Analysis as a Leadership Tool10:20–14:00 | The Tropicana Divestiture Challenge14:53–16:00 | Agile Under Constraint16:00–18:34 | Recruiting Volunteers18:34–22:00 | The Introvert Super Skill22:00–23:00 | Leading From Your Strengths26:00 | The Thoughtful Speaker Superpower27:00–29:00 | Coaching & What He Loves Most29:00–34:00 | ForwardQuest Coaching34:00 | Eliminating Limiting BeliefsConnect with Jorge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorgealzate/Connect with ForwardQuest Coaching: https://forwardquestcoaching.com/Jorge's Successful Introvert Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-quest-powering-introverts-success/id1857112685Project Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

This episode is about the leadership superpowers required to run the biggest projects in the world. We’re joined by Tim McManus, a global expert in mega- and giga-project delivery who has led massive construction and infrastructure programs across continents. With experience across energy, transportation, and sports, Tim shares what changes at mega scale and why it demands a different kind of leader. Hear the stories and ask yourself if you have what it takes.1. 00:00–03:41 | Introduction & Background Tim’s path into mega- and giga-projects and his global career.2. 03:41–05:00 | Early Leadership Lessons The shift from managing projects to leading people.3. 05:34–07:00 | Learning From Mentors Why great leaders learn from those around them.4. 07:12–07:39 | What Are Mega & Gigaprojects? A clear definition across asset classes.5. 07:52–08:22 | Global Scale & Impact Why these projects exceed expectations worldwide.6. 09:30 | A Light Moment A humorous take on “mega projects.”7. 09:50–11:00 | Beyond the Budget Complexity, risk, and long-term impact.8. 11:58–13:18 | Crossrail Case Study Workforce challenges and strategic vision.9. 13:23–14:50 | Strategic Project Approach Why planning sets the foundation.10. 14:57–18:15 | Defining Success Legacy, people, and professional growth.11. 18:15–19:22 | Industry Outlook Why now is a compelling time in construction.12. 19:58–22:23 | Favorite Megaproject What made it stand out.13. 23:36–24:30 | Common Challenges Where mega- and giga-projects struggle.14. 24:33–25:12 | The Planning Gap Why planning is rushed at great risk.15. 25:45–26:45 | Lessons Learned The value of experience and insight.16. 26:46–30:26 | Olympic-Scale Lessons Leadership insights at extreme scale.17. 30:49–31:00 | Legacy Benefits Delivering lasting value.18. 31:17–34:00 | Leadership Mindsets Why many large projects lack leadership.19. 35:00–35:40 | Choosing the Right Leader How leaders are selected.20. 35:40–37:00 | Leadership Traits Communication, credibility, vision, and risk.21. 37:23–End | Developing Your Skills Continuing growth through learning and education.Additional ResourcesPMI Managing Mega-projects: https://bit.ly/4reLYdX PMI Managing Giga-projects: https://bit.ly/4a9IFPr The Art of Project Leadership (McKinsey): https://bit.ly/3ZiTw3z Managing Big Projects – Tim McManus: https://bit.ly/3LSzv0k Columbia Global Leaders in Construction Management: https://www.glcm.info/ Bent Flyvbjerg, How Big Things Get Done: https://www.linkedin.com/in/flyvbjerg/Project Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

In this special wrap-up episode, Trina and Mathew look back on the standout moments and superpowers from Season 2 of Wear Your Cape to Work. Together they revisit the insights, stories, and lessons that made this season unforgettable and share what they learned from each inspiring guest.Precision under constraint. The season opened with Jeff Conner, program manager from NASA, who described project management before online tools existed. Paper files, couriers, and in-person signoffs still led to flawless execution. His story showed how precision and accountability were the original super tools. Courage in leadership David Doty’s episode, It Takes Courage, stood out for his transparency and strength. Building a district from scratch under scrutiny, he modeled brave leadership and reminded us to celebrate real wins. Admirable endeavors: global aid when everything changes Lucas King explained how policy shifts or crises can reshape USAID projects overnight, proving adaptability across governments and cultures.  Empowering people’s strengths Project Insight customer Linda Goodrich of CureIS showed how aligning people’s passions with their work improves results through forecasting and a balanced pace. Finding calm thru clarity Lisa Haymes of Rimkus showed how organization creates calm and confidence.Curiosity as a catalyst Renee Clayton of Byte Strategies urged PMs to stay curious, experiment, and use AI thoughtfully to stay adaptable. Grit with generosity Charlene Reynolds, Director at John Wayne Airport, advanced by taking tough projects and shared guidance on leadership, motivation, and mentoring. Reliability that builds trust Fisayo Folarin rebuilt her project management career after moving from Nigeria to Canada, showing how reliability and honesty build trust. Comfortable in conflict Agatha Agbanobi’s passion for HR and DEIB work showed how empathy and courage turn conflict into progress and reminded us to see what teams carry beyond work. Decisive steadiness Sanjiv Bhagat from Amazon explained how a bias for action drives innovation, pairing decisiveness with humility in global logistics. Innovation with integrity Steve West reflected on the shift from faxed spreadsheets to real-time dashboards and the vision for one connected command center giving leaders a complete picture of work. Project Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

Steve West has seen project management evolve from the days when building an extranet to share files felt revolutionary to today’s era of AI-driven collaboration. As Product Manager at Project Insight, he’s witnessed every major shift—from desktop tools to browser-based systems to intelligent automation.In this episode of Wear Your Cape to Work, Trina, Mathew, and Steve talk about the early days of project management software, how teams learned to collaborate online, and why the leap from desktop to browser was such a defining moment for the industry. They explore how the PMP framework and artificial intelligence continue to shape the way Project Insight builds features that empower people—not just projects.Steve’s story is one of innovation, persistence, and belief in connecting people through technology.Episode HighlightsWhat project management looked like before the cloud—and why extranets were considered cutting-edgeThe leap from desktop tools to browser-based platforms and why many resisted at firstHow collaboration and visibility ultimately triumphed over siloed softwareThe evolution of Project Insight and how its product philosophy grew from those early challengesHow the PMP framework continues to guide modern PM practicesThe impact of artificial intelligence on portfolio and resource managementWhy Steve believes project management has always been about people first, technology secondReflections on what’s next for project management and AI🔗 Connect with Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-west-cali/ Project Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

Today on Wear Your Cape to Work, we’re joined by Sanjiv Bhagat, Manager of Program Management at Amazon. Sanjiv shares his journey from technical roles in the public sector to leading global logistics initiatives, how his love of puzzles shapes his prioritization skills, and why every project must start with the problem—not the tool. He also explains Amazon’s leadership principles, including Jeff Bezos’s “two-way vs. one-way door” decision framework, the bias toward action, and the minimum regret lens. Along the way, Sanjiv highlights how leaders can cut through tunnel vision, view their portfolios as a whole, and connect spend to true value delivered.What you’ll take away from this episode:Why projects must begin with the problem before jumping to solutions or toolsHow puzzles and prioritization sharpen decision-making in complex environmentsJeff Bezos’s decision framework: one-way vs. two-way doorsBias toward action and the minimum regret lens as antidotes to analysis paralysisCustomer obsession as the north star for projects at every levelBuilding a PMO that partners with the business, measures value, and stays simpleHelping leaders see the full picture: portfolio alignment, spend vs. outcomes, and strategic valueHumility and continuous learning as hallmarks of strong leadershipProject Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

We’re excited to welcome Agatha Agbanobi, founder and principal consultant of ResonantHR to the WYCTW podcast. With more than 15 years in project and program management and six years in HR leadership, she shares what it’s like to lead initiatives in employee relations, conflict resolution, workforce development, and DEIB.Agatha — unlike most of us — is comfortable being close to the fire. She uses her superpowers of values-based leadership, empathy, and people skills to help resolve conflict, build stronger company cultures, and connect HR initiatives directly to business goals. In this conversation, she talks about the evolving role of HR leaders, why proving ROI matters, and what inspired her upcoming Values-Driven Leadership Podcast.Episode HighlightsStarting in education and international development, but always leading projectsFinding her way into HR through DEIB work and expanding into HR leadershipWhy she pursued her PMP and how it strengthens her HR practiceWhat makes HR and DEIB project work uniqueTying HR projects to organization-wide initiatives and eliminating silosWhy today’s CHRO must evolve into a strategic business partnerHer commitment to DEIB and standing up for what she believes inHow empathy, people skills, and hope for resolution guide her leadershipHer “superpower” of being comfortable in high-conflict situationsA preview of her upcoming podcast on values-based leadership🔗 Connect with Agatha: LinkedInResonantHR WebsiteProject Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

Fisayo Folarin has built a reputation for being someone you can count on. Whether leading digital banking projects in Nigeria or driving SaaS implementations in Canada, her superpower is reliability combined with a deep commitment to transparency, communication, and continuous & curious learning.In this episode of Wear Your Cape to Work, Trina and Mathew talk with Fisayo about what it takes to restart your career in a new country, why project managers must be both curious and courageous, and how she helps teams achieve “100% efficiency” by asking the right questions and translating priorities between stakeholders.Fisayo’s story is one of transformation from starting out in customer service to becoming a trusted coach and delivery expert in tech, fintech, and SaaS.Episode HighlightsHow she went from customer service to project analyst before she even knew how to use ExcelWhat it was like to restart her project management career after moving from Nigeria to CanadaThe four skills she believes every project manager must develop: • Curiosity to ask why • Transparency about what you know (and what you don’t) • Communication that truly lands and is understood • A willingness to keep growing and scale up your skillsKey differences between project work in credit unions and commercial banksWhat “100% efficiency” really looks like in project delivery and how she helps teams get thereHow she explains scope, priorities, and customizations clearly to clientsWhy emotional intelligence is an essential but often overlooked part of project successHer tips for knowing when to keep what’s working and when to adjust what’s notHow she coaches others to define their own ways of workingHer personal superpowers: reliability, transparency, and helping teams get aligned and deliver🔗 Connect with Fisayo:  LinkedInProject Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

Today we’re joined by René Clayton, an AI strategist, PMP, author, & transformation leader with 20+ years in financial services, IT, & emerging tech.As founder & Chief Strategy Officer of Byte Strategy, René helps small businesses & fintechs bridge the gap between project management and AI. With MIT training and deep experience in automation and AI strategy, she shares how project managers can embrace technology with confidence & lead in an AI-driven world.In this episode, René takes us from her early career in project management to her current role shaping AI strategy, offering practical advice on how PMs can stay relevant, resilient, & future ready. 🚀Episode Highlights1:42 – How René got started in PM 2:40 – Earning her PMP & senior PM role at a credit union 3:20 – Early planner: bridal event coordinator at 18 4:30 – Taking on roles she didn’t yet know: “Commit and figure it out” 5:30 – Why you should glue yourself to subject matter experts 5:50 – Converting 800 credit unions & the camaraderie of success 6:45 – Project health colors: don’t fear “red” projects 8:12 – Ethically bound to tell the truth at all times 10:18 – Leading an online credit card platform change with many stakeholders 11:44 – Awakening to AI a decade ago, calling it “Augmented Intelligence” 13:23 – Diving into RPA, NLP, ML, chatbots, IoT, & AI strategy 16:04 – Generative AI & staying in touch with the niche 17:00 – René’s vision: how AI can assist PMs & why you must get comfortable with tools 18:42 – AI changes daily, so yesterday’s knowledge isn’t enough 22:00 – Talking about HeyGen for Agentic Clones 24:00 – Future-proofing your PM career by playing with AI today 25:00 – René’s favorite AI models & how she uses them 27:00 – Using AI to consolidate artifacts & interact with docs 29:00 – Security around GPTs 32:00 – Hallucinations, GPT drift, & when you might not need AI at all 33:00 – Consulting with Byte Strategy to help companies discern the right path 35:00 – Why EI (emotional intelligence) & AI go hand in hand 36:00 – Relational prompting & strategies to talk with AI 37:00 – Ethics, compliance, & why a PM must stay in the loop 38:00 – Core competency: conversing with AI 39:00 – Be curious, play, have fun, & keep learningReferenced Book: Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan MollackBooks by René ClaytonHow to Talk to Anyone with Ease: 21 Actionable Skills for Young AdultsWomen’s Success in Corporate LeadershipCómo Hablar Con Cualquier Persona Con Facilidad (Spanish Ed.)Generative AI: For Women Who Mean Business, A WorkbookProject Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

In this episode, we talk with David Doty, an education leader who’s taken on some of the toughest assignments in the field.From launching a brand-new school district in a divided Utah community to transforming educational access for incarcerated adults, David has led complex, high-stakes projects under intense public scrutiny.We explore what it takes to lead systems change, build trust in fractured environments, and stay grounded in purpose when the pressure is on. This one’s about courage, collaboration, and the kind of steady leadership that actually gets it done.2:00 – From Spanish Teacher to Education Leader David shares his journey through teaching, law, administration, and consulting.3:40 – Launching Canyon School District Superintendent of Utah’s first new district in 100 years: 34K students, $200M budget.4:12 – A Referendum and a Split The district formed by splitting from Jordan SD—one of the largest in the U.S.5:30 – Starting From Scratch Tasked with opening an entire school district in just 12 months.6:00 – Kitchen Table Planning Mapped out operations, staffing, and logistics at home—45 buildings, full IT, HR, and transport systems.7:45 – Legal Mindset in Action His law background helped navigate voting rights, benefits transfers, and property issues.9:00 – PM Insight: Getting People Behind You Trina highlights the core PM skill of rallying support for massive initiatives.10:45 – Incompatible Expectations Managing conflicting demands from parents, employees, and politics.11:34 – Stabilizing the Workforce Visited 45 schools for face-to-face staff meetings to calm fears and build trust.12:15 – Annual 1:1s With Staff Held personal meetings with each staff member every year.13:05 – “We All Have to Work Together” A reminder that students are coming—ready or not.14:08 – The Power of Vision Great leaders define and communicate a compelling vision.15:19 – Giving Every Student Our Best Basic literacy and high-quality instruction are non-negotiable.16:16 – Brown v. Board of Education Equity in education is still a personal and professional calling.17:31 – Passion Powers the Team David’s focus on disadvantaged students sets the tone.19:00 – Correctional Education Coding Program Launched tech training for incarcerated women—"making the world better is our work."20:00 – Academic Program Management at WGU Aligning stakeholders and launching impactful Master’s programs.21:00 – Data-Driven Success Uses data to ensure educational projects achieve their goals.22:00 – “The Projects Are the People” Education projects are always about the humans they serve.23:00 – Who’s the Customer? Balancing student and employer needs in curriculum design.25:00 – Breaking the Status Quo Innovation is hard in institutions built to resist risk.27:00 – Politics in Public Education Navigating legislation, parental input, business pressures, and teacher advocacy.28:00 – Social Media & Stakeholder Division Everyone’s an expert when it comes to their kids—pProject Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

Episode Summary: Charlene Reynolds began her career answering phones as a receptionist, a role many women were steered into. But she knew she was capable of more. Each time someone said she needed a degree or certification to move up, she earned it.Charlene built her path by raising her hand for difficult projects, leading through uncertainty, and elevating voices others overlooked. Now one of only 25 women in the U.S. running a commercial airport, she shares how she leads with transparency, adapts quickly, and keeps doors open for others to grow.⏱ Topics Covered3:12 – Early career development: Starting as a receptionist and recognizing her potential4:37 – Growth mindset: Told she didn’t qualify, so she made sure she did7:04 – Project ownership: Volunteering for tough, abandoned projects8:27, 9:17 – Public-private strategy: Launching a $1M sponsorship and city bike share10:29 – Talent recognition: Spotlighting quiet contributors to build success13:24 – Mentorship and succession: Helping others rise through coaching and access15:09 – Organizational transparency: Joining the C-suite and opening her door to all17:34 – Crisis leadership: Leading through the first COVID fatality in Arizona19:03 – Visible leadership: Walking the terminal to stay present and accessible21:09 – Process adaptation: Redesigning rent relief to support retailers23:23 – Stakeholder engagement: Meeting every new employee one-on-one23:39 – Human-centered leadership: Letting people see her as a person, not just a boss25:00 – Continuous learning: Solving for the 20 percent that’s new or different27:06 – Professional resilience: Holding your head high through internal challenges28:33 – Opportunity evaluation: Choosing the right fit after being a finalist elsewhere29:07 – Cross-functional management: Using business acumen and curiosity to lead diverse teams32:27 – Relationship building: Building trust before you need it35:17 – Change leadership: Modeling the behavior first and leading by example37:56 – Collaborative visioning: Asking others for their vision, not just sharing hers38:39 – Inclusive transformation: Bringing people into the process instead of pushing change39:40 – Executive communication: Coming to leadership with solutions, not just problems40:47 – Leadership maturity: Using your voice, staying clear, and never delegating upProject Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

Lisa was making daily to-do lists by age seven—not to be productive, but because it brought her peace. That instinct stayed with her and evolved into a leadership superpower. In this episode, Lisa shares how her natural drive to plan and prioritize led her into project management, how she grew into a PMO leadership role, and how Project Insight gave her team visibility across IT, marketing, and business portfolios.⏱ Timestamps & Topics00:00 – 03:00Lisa’s earliest memory of planning: daily checklists at age 703:00 – 06:00Why planning brought her peace—and how that ritual stuck06:00 – 08:00Her method for avoiding overwhelm with fast-win sub-lists08:00 – 10:00Project management felt like a natural extension of who she was10:00 – 13:00Her nonlinear journey: from project coordinator to PMO manager13:00 – 16:00On underselling herself and learning to step into leadership16:00 – 18:00Launching the PMO at Rimkus and supporting company-wide transformation18:00 – 21:00Implementing Project Insight to bring visibility and structure21:00 – 23:00Expanding the PMO to include marketing and business projects23:00 – 25:00Tailoring project approaches to fit different teams25:00 – EndAdvice to future PMO leaders: trust your instincts, and stay organizedA link to Project Management Offices: A Practice Guide on the PMO website. PMI Members can download it for free now: https://www.pmi.org/standards/pmoA link to Project Management Offices: A Practice Guide on Amazon - available August 9: https://www.amazon.com/Project-Management-Offices-Practice-Guide/dp/1628258225/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3NZBMBAQUMBUK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Gs5ULHn6bvKTvveZPnO071RE1PT8uqJvN9fVlqCyOCsrzlocwqMuaSoyN6pjOzf4pbI9Ndj9hGJAfjNhJFimmRbESuH6y56hKaiPnB_riv4.CCdfwOPiP7eJEtAmBgCbdjOb8UnW20pUepYv0hkXl3c&dib_tag=se&keywords=pmi+pmo+practice+guide&qid=1751440452&sprefix=PMI+PMO%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-1Project Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

Episode Summary:In this episode, we talk with Linda Goodrich, the VP of Delivery at CureIs Healthcare. CureIs a customer of Project Insight, and so we have been fortunate to get to see Linda's superpowers over the years. Operationally, she might be known for bringing a structure to project management org-wide, but her real PM personal superpower is having a keen awareness of her team, their capacities, passions, and helping them find their most fulfilling roles in the workplace.Show Notes00:00 – 02:00 Introduction and Linda’s early tech background02:00 – 04:00 Starting in help desk, managing projects without knowing it04:00 – 06:00 Gaining project experience prior to pursuing PMP certification06:00 – 08:00 PM as the liaison between leadership and operations08:00 – 10:00 Exposure to agile, forecasting, and real project complexity10:00 – 13:00 Tracking capacity and allocation across teams13:00 – 15:00 Using Project Insight to get real-time visibility into team bandwidth15:00 – 17:00 How project data informs delivery timelines and sales commitments17:00 – 19:00 Putting a dollar value on meetings and resource decisions19:00 – 21:00 Making data actionable is the most important visibility21:00 – 23:00 Helping team members blossom: right person, right role23:00 – 25:00 Creating a framework for mentorship, motivation, and fun25:00 – 27:00 PMBOK as a guideline, not a rigid rulebook27:00 – 29:00 Balancing structure with energy and team spirit29:00 – 31:00 The CureIS experience team and how they view their customers31:00 – 33:00 What project work looks like in healthcare33:00 – 35:00 Using Project Insight to unify sales and delivery processesProject Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

Episode Summary:In this episode of Wear Your Cape to Work, we dive into the world of international development project management with Lucas King of DAI, a leading USAID contractor.  Lucas shares what it’s like managing global development projects where the stakes are high, but the rewards are even higher.  And then throw in giant pivots of uncertainty from the recent DOGE cuts to USAID project budgets...you need a real superhero to keep the plates spinning.We explore how project management in the international development sector differs from corporate environments — from navigating donor requirements and political shifts to empowering local communities and building sustainable impact. Lucas’s project management "superpowers" shine through: his ability to stay calm under pressure, bridge gaps between diverse stakeholders, and build trust across cultures.If you’re curious about careers in global project management, managing USAID-funded initiatives, or what it takes to thrive in the dynamic world of development work, this episode offers a real-world look inside.00:00 – Introduction and kickoff00:35 – Meet Lucas King: Journey to international project management at DAI01:30 – How Lucas launched his career managing development projects around the world03:10 – How project management for international development differs from corporate PM work05:05 – Core skills for success: adaptability, relationship-building, navigating uncertainty07:00 – Lucas’s project management "superpowers":Remaining calm in high-stakes environmentsTranslating between field teams, technical experts, and donorsBuilding collaboration across countries and cultures09:15 – Inside USAID project management: Managing funding, compliance, and mission-driven goals12:00 – How politics, local dynamics, and sustainability impact project delivery14:20 – Advice for project managers considering careers in global development16:00 – Final reflections: Why working in international development is both challenging and deeply rewardingProject Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

In this episode of Wear Your Cape to Work, Trina sits down with Jeff Conner, who spent 43 years as a project manager at NASA. From the early days of the shuttle program to coordinating recovery efforts after the Columbia accident, Jeff’s career spans some of the most mission-critical projects in NASA’s history.This conversation explores Jeff’s career path, his family legacy in aerospace, and the mindset it takes to lead when failure is not an option.Topics covered:The family connection: Trina and Jeff as cousinsJeff’s father’s role at NASA in the Air Force physical standards labStarting his NASA career as a mechanical engineerPayload integration projects and contributing to the construction of the International Space StationInstalling payloads aboard space shuttle missionsPlanning for shuttle emergency landings and alternate recovery locationsProject management in the 1980s: printed schedules, phone calls, and couriered memosReflecting on a bygone work era—before nonstop email and instant messagingThe Columbia accident and Jeff’s role in the Air Boss helicopter recovery operationsRisk as a defining factor in space projects—and how to lead within itJeff’s superpower: identifying risks early and turning them into opportunities for precision and excellenceHow teams can minimize compounding issues when working on large, hazardous systemsLeading diverse teams through complexity, pressure, and changeIf you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to manage projects where the margin for error is zero, this episode is for you.Project Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

Wear Your Cape to Work is a podcast hosted by Project Insight.We believe that project and program managers truly are the superheroes of every organization. Our guests have poured their lives and talents into driving successful project outcomes for industries across the world. They wear their capes to work every day, and we want to celebrate them. We want you to hear their stories and be inspired to wear your own cape to work.Don't miss these exciting conversations with PMPs from companies like fairlife, Universal Studios, Activision Blizzard, PayPal and more.Subscribe and follow on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and other favorite podcast channels.Follow Project InsightWebsite: https://projectinsight.com/LinkedIn:   /company/projectinsightInstagram:   /projectinsight/X formerly Twitter:   /projectinsightFacebook:   /ProjectInsightPMSWFree PDU Project Management Webinars: projectinsight.com/project-management-webinarsProject Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

Hosts Trina and Mathew recap the first season of "Wear Your Cape to Work."Tune in to reminisce about a great first season.Season One Superheroes: Stephen Hall, Project Manager, fairlife Milk.Jen & Sukanya, Cybersecurity Program Managers, Activision Blizzard KingLindiwe Stenberg, Project Manager, PayPalMichelle Dickstein, Project Manager & DEI Co-Chair, Non-profit HealthcareMehul Shah, Senior Director PMO, Universal DestinationsJames Phillips, PMP & Informatics Analyst, HealthcareSree Karanakarun, Senior IT Project/Program Manager, Community GovernmentKevin Perkins, Sr. Director Product Management, InovalonJeremiah Hammon, PMP, Project RevolutionEmma Kelly, Program Manager, The Water ProjectKristina Curtiss, PMP, CEO, VP of Communications, PMI San DiegoSeason Two will Air in May/June 2025.Project Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

Episode Summary:In this episode, we sit down with Kristina Curtiss to discuss the unique role of project managers as translators—bridging the gap between technical teams, stakeholders, and business objectives. Kristina shares her journey from office management to leading large-scale healthcare and IT projects.2:12 Kristina’s early career at Home Depot3:00 Transitioning from office management to construction projects – similarities in organizational skills3:35 The role of time management, operational logic, and communication in project management4:30 Entering the healthcare project management space5:41 Implementing EPIC healthcare information systems6:00 Moving into IT project management and navigating the transition7:30 How leaders identify and nurture talent within their teams8:20 The challenge of relocating IT teams across 5 hospitals and 28 clinics9:42 The importance of change management—engaging stakeholders and addressing resistance10:15 Using emotional intelligence to understand and address concerns10:55 Managing scope creep and keeping projects aligned11:15 The unique skill of translating technical details into business impact11:45 Preparing organizations for transformation—from paper-based health records to digital systems14:45 How Emotional Intelligence 2.0 helped Kristina refine her ability to translate across teams15:45 Building strong workplace relationships for career success18:00 "Level Up Your Leadership"—the role of emotional intelligence in advancing leadership skills19:00 PMI San Diego and the value of professional communities20:20 Relationship management as a key leadership skill21:00 Getting the PMP Certification and its impact on her career22:30 How great leaders recognize untapped potential and open new career opportunities23:00 Accepting constructive feedback and authentic compliments to grow professionally23:50 The debate: Are project managers born or made?25:00 Coaching and consulting—helping others shine in their careers26:00 Finding fulfillment through volunteering and mentoring27:15 Team assessments—recognizing individual strengths to build high-performing teams28:00 Kristina’s role as VP of Communications and its impact on her leadership journeyUnstoppable: The Rise of Female Global Leaders Project Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

In today's episode we talk with Emma Kelly, a program manager from The Water Project. She shares about managing projects in the humanitarian sector where projects can span across continents...where part of your resource force is the community you are working in... and when you don't always have access to the internet. Hear about how program managers align projects with strategic initiatives and empower people to do their best work for a very important cause.Episode Highlights:Emma's Passion for WaterCommunity management in Humanitarian ProjectsProject Implementation in the Humanitarian SectorFrom Research to Projects in ActionCommunity as Stakeholders and resources3 Main program locations: Uganda, Kenya, Sierra Leone.Mission to provide full saturation/coverage of the area. A framework of coverageProgram Management: Managing Projects: Aligning projects with strategic initiatives.Program Management: People Management: Empowering people to do their best work.Cultural nuances of Intercultural teamsDiversity of Understanding = Diversity of IdeasComing into a new communityStrengths of Intercultural teams.Managing teams in different countriesProject Types in the Water SectorGround Nut SoupThe goal of full saturationShared vision with teamsTransparency with public and donorsHow can you support the Water ProjectThe Water PromiseCommitment to Monitoring and Reporting and Evaluating ProjectsEmma’s superpower of empowering people to do their best work.Relationships, Trust, Reliability: The Water Project's pillarsHow do you manage projects without the internetWorking to understand risks and issues to reduce future downtime.Sticking to the plan when there are obstacles.Show Links:The Water ProjectFollow Emma KellyFollow Trina SchaetzFollow Mathew SparkesProject Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

Today's guest is Jeremiah Hammon, PMP.  His passion for PMBOK guidelines is contagious, and his company, Project Revolution stands, by and supports project managers who are headed to certifications or who want to gain leadership roles in their organization.  02:00 – Jeremiah’s history: Becoming an accidental project manager in manufacturing.02:15 – Why he believes people drive business success.02:40 – The key to success: Learn the sector, understand processes, and build relationships.03:02 – How he discovered PMBOK methodologies.03:30 – Earning his PMP: A turning point that opened doors to nuclear energy.04:00 – Transitioning to nuclear & robotics—how PMP was essential.04:45 – PMBOK’s role in high-stakes industries.05:15 – His new sector: Missile Defense—Quality Systems, Manufacturing, and Compliance.06:17 – A reminder: No PM succeeds alone—teams drive success.06:45 – Building bridges as a PM and aligning stakeholders.07:19 – "Your network is your net worth"—inspiring teams to achieve the impossible.08:00 – Unlocking team potential: Listening, understanding, and caring.09:30 – Fitting relationship-building into a packed schedule.09:55 – Project Revolution’s mission: Creating better leaders for a better world.11:05 – Helping professionals pass PMP exams & apply principles effectively.12:00 – Leadership training and PMBOK as a guiding framework.13:00 – What is PMBOK? Its role in structured project management.15:00 – Project Insight: A PM software built on PMBOK best practices.15:36 – The career impact of earning a PMP.16:40 – The societal impact of project managers shaping the future.17:00 – Project Revolution as a strategic partner in PM implementation.18:00 – Overcoming resistance to change in projects.19:00 – Aggregating data across teams & software for better decisions.20:00 – Managing healthy tension in projects.21:00 – Emotional intelligence as a core PM skill.21:30 – Leadership training and growth in project management. Find Jeremiah on LinkedInFind TrinaFind MathewProject Revolution websiteProject Insight's PMBOK-compliant Features by DomainProject Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

Today’s superhero guest is Kevin Perkins, a long-time technical product manager with years of experience shaping and considering SaaS product development. He joins Steve West, CEO of Project Insight, for an engaging conversation on their early entrepreneurial friendship and the evolution of project management—where it was 20 years ago, where it stands today, and where it’s headed in the future. Can we trust Kevin’s insights on what’s next? Absolutely. His superpower lies in his ability to see the big picture, anticipate industry trends, and lead innovation before the rest of the world is ready. You won’t want to miss this discussion! 1-5 min: Kevin’s Journey in Product ManagementKevin’s career path and how he got into product managementSteve and Kevin’s entrepreneurial connectionEarly entrepreneurs when the internet was bornWhat was data connectivity like before the internet?Pre-online project management and learning as you go5-12 min: The Evolution of Project Management & Kevin's SuperpowerEarly tools in the early internetAgile born out of necessityCreating products to be monetized or invested inDigitizing businessesSuperpower of self-placement in the history and future of project management12-16 min: Building High-Performing Project TeamsHow teams adapted before modern PM softwarePeople want software developed yesterday – agile as a responseHow Agile helps keep projects iterating and customers informed16-23 min: How Tech is Transforming Project ManagementThe first chats weren’t Teams and SlackExtranets – before the cloud application ideaTaking company intranet activities and exposing them to external platformsTransformation of PPM tools – many tools emerged and disappeared23-24 min: Expert Insights on Scaling & GrowthWillingness to change – staying adaptive in tech and businessDon’t have to be an expert, but must keep moving with technology24-36 min: The Future of Project ManagementProject Management from the dotcom days to nowKevin’s endeavor with Squeezer app – making web pages mobile-friendlyCobbling tools together to make systems workPutting project management onlineInteroperability with best-of-breed toolsBringing in t-shirt sizes and story points and converting them into measurable dataTightly integrating applications to bring data to PMs36-41 min: Riffing on the Future: AI, PM, and BeyondFuture of project, program, product, and portfolio managementAI skepticism & anticipation2025 – the year of the agent?Follow Kevin     / kevinperkins  Project Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

Our superhero PMP guest today is Sree Karanakarun!Born and raised in India, Sree earned a degree in engineering and began her career as a mainframe IT developer. She quickly advanced through roles as a Business Analyst, Project Coordinator, and Project Manager, spending over 20 years in healthcare project and program management.Then, she made a bold career pivot—leaving healthcare to become a Senior IT Project Manager for Douglas County, Colorado, managing projects in the community government sector.In this episode, Mathew and I will dive into what it’s like to switch industries completely and explore her superpower: cutting through chaos as a project manager. 🚀2:00 – Introduction to SreeSree shares her journey in IT, healthcare, and government project management.4:00 – Walking in the Shoes of the TeamHer rise through roles—Business Analyst, Tester & QA, Developer, Architect, and Project/Program Manager.5:00 – Speaking "Developer" as a PMUnderstanding terminology, methodologies, workflows, and processes to bridge teams effectively.6:00 – Seeing Through the ChaosUsing experience to close the gap between business and technology.7:00 – Solving PuzzlesBalancing tools, technology, and teams. How PMs build trust and highlight contributors.10:00 – Representing vs. Doing the WorkA PM’s role in ensuring work is accurately represented.11:30 – Healthcare Project Management is Like an OceanManaging large-scale projects with a broad perspective.12:18 – Staying High-LevelFocusing on the big picture without getting lost in details.13:12 – Industry Terminology MattersEach project is a stepping stone; knowing sector-specific terms is key.15:48 – The Significance of Healthcare ProjectsCritical, mission-driven work with lasting impact.16:30 – Healthcare Project TypesA look at the projects shaping the industry.19:25 – Shifting to Community & Government ProjectsExploring public sector work and its effect on daily life.21:00 – A Universal PM LanguagePMs share common processes and challenges across industries.22:40 – Emotional Intelligence in PMA crucial skill for managing teams and stakeholders.25:00 – Strategic Thinking & Seeing Through ChaosLessons from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.27:00 – Understanding People in ProjectsNavigating stakeholders, leadership, and team dynamics.27:30 – PM Appreciation Every DayRecognizing project managers' contributions.28:56 – Group Projects & CollaborationWhy teamwork is central to success.31:00 – PMI Mile Hi ChapterDiscussing PMI’s role in the PM community.LINKS: PMI-Mile Hi ChapterPMI.org Chapter ListingsProject Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

Our guest today is James Phillips, an Informatics Analyst at Altamed and a dynamic leader with a rich and diverse background spanning communications, public relations, marketing, project management, medical coding, and healthcare informatics.James has been intentional about his professional development throughout his career. At every step, his sharp self-assessment has inspired him to acquire new skills, pursue additional degrees, and earn valuable certifications.Over time, he has built an impressive "super suit" of project management skills and expertise—a journey reminiscent of Tony Stark crafting his Ironman suit!What makes James truly remarkable, however, is his generosity in sharing his knowledge with aspiring project managers. He’s passionate about helping others identify their own paths and empowering them to navigate their personal PM journeys.Today, James will share his insights on how to determine if project management is the right career for you and how to chart a successful path forward in this dynamic field.Show Notes: :30 – Meet James PhillipsLearn about James Phillips, an informatics analyst and dynamic leader with expertise spanning healthcare informatics, PR, marketing, project management, and medical coding. Discover how to know if you’re cut out to be a PMP (Project Management Professional) and how to connect with resources for certification.2:31 – Started Out in HawaiiJames shares his roots in Hawaii and how they shaped his early journey.3:00 – The 9th Island of HawaiiDiscover why UNLV (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) is considered the 9th island of Hawaii and how it became part of James’s story.4:00 – Beginnings in PR & MarketingJames reflects on his early career in public relations and marketing, where glitz and glamour weren’t always what they seemed.7:00 – Transition to Medical CodingHow James shifted to medical coding and discovered his passion for healthcare informatics.8:30 – What Is Medical Health Systems Coding?James explains the role of medical health systems coding and its importance in the healthcare industry.9:54 – What Is Project Management?What does a project manager do, and how can you start your career in this field? James shares his insights.11:00 – Choosing Your IndustryTips on how to choose the right industry for your skills and interests, based on James’s experience.17:30 – Lean Six Sigma CertificationJames discusses his Lean Six Sigma certification and its value for project managers.19:00 – What Certifications Should You Get as a PM?Explore the certifications that James recommends for project managers to excel in their careers.20:00 – Work-Life Balance and Skills BalanceJames shares his approach to balancing work, life, and skills development.21:00 – Color Blocking: Scheduling for BalanceLearn how James uses color blocking and time management techniques to maintain work-life balance.22:00 – Time Blocking in Your CalendarTips on effectively managing your time and prioritizing tasks with time blocking.24:00 – Getting Involved in Your PMI ChapterThe benefits of engaging with your local Project Management Institute (PMI) chapteProject Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

In this episode, we talk with Mehul Shah, the Senior Director for the PMO and Operations at Universal Destinations and Experiences (Universal Studios).He started out in electrical engineering and found his way thru data analytics into project management.  He’s worked at PMOs in many different industries at companies like GE, Siemens, Scholastic, and now Universal and is going to share about his superpower of "techno-functional leadership" in building great teams that deliver the best project success. He'll also dive deep into intersection of project management, data analytics, AI and machine learning.And you’ll hear a bit about what its like to work next door to roller coasters!  Follow Mehul ShaFollow Trina SchaetzFollow Steve WestShow Notes2:00 - Intro to Mehul: Electrical Engineering background, PM leadership journey, and technical roles at GE and Accenture3:00 - Modernizing legacy infrastructure and tech stacks3:20 - Keys to team success: Collaboration and collective knowledge4:17 - Transition from technologist to techno-functional leader5:43 - Leveraging data insights for successful projects6:00 - Modernization efforts: Driving business-critical initiatives7:00 - Leadership programs at GE and early career growth7:16 - Era of AI and NLP: Why data and AI are not optional8:00 - Your data should do something for you: Making data actionable9:00 - The three most important data points for any business14:00 - The intersection of project management, data, and technology15:00 - How project management has evolved over the past 20 years19:00 - Reverting to spreadsheets when systems are disparate20:00 - Change management and adapting to new toolsProject Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

Working as a project manager in the non-profit world is rewarding. The projects you work on help fulfill a mission driven vision that you can "get behind". But it also comes with great responsibility when -for instance- you manage multi-million dollar grants which hinge on successful project outcomes. Our guest on this episode is Michelle Dickstein, a PMP from the nonprofit sector - who has many PMP superpowers, including flexible communication, the ability to manage broad expectations, and functioning as a liaison between product teams. She has her masters in public health and also brings expertise in setting up enterprise PMOs, which she amusingly refers to as "Mary Poppins syndrome"—but you'll have to listen to find out why. Introducing Michele.PM geek moments.Michelle’s PMP journey.Universal PM challenges across industries.Being a PMP in the nonprofit sector.Mission-driven projects.Supporting medical teams with PMP skills.Pregnant with twins during a project.Other unexpected health challenges.Navigating government-funded grants.Flexible communication strategies.Ensuring realistic timelines.Michele's BlogProject Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

This episode features "Time Ninja," Lindiwe Stenberg, PMP of PayPal.  She's a master of setting realistic project timelines to make time for work-life balance. (Something often elusive in a project manager's world). Listen now, to hear about the "Gantt chart in her head" and how to stack projects to make work efficient as possible.Productivity Balanced with Work-Life Balance: Lindiwe shares strategies for balancing high productivity with personal life.Setting Realistic Timelines: The superpower of establishing achievable project deadlines.Seeking Efficiencies: Techniques to execute tasks without wasting time.Work-Life Balance for Project Managers: Tips on maintaining harmony between work and personal life.Time Management Skills: Gathering abilities to effectively manage timelines.Nursing and Time Management: Applying nursing time management skills to project management.The Art and Intuition of PM Skills: Exploring the skill, art, and intuition involved in project management.Mental Gantt Charts: How to visualize project timelines internally.Stacking Projects: Learning to manage multiple projects simultaneously.Efficient Execution: Executing tasks efficiently without unnecessary delays.Setting Work Boundaries: The importance of stopping work at a specific time.Project Communications: Understanding how others' work impacts yours, especially in cross-functional teams.Automating Messages and Emails: Utilizing automation in project collaboration.Event Project Management Powers: Special skills required for managing events.Balancing Multiple Roles: Managing a full-time job, master's studies, volunteer work, and serving as a chapter secretary.Lindiwe Stenberg, PMP Trina Schaetz, Project InsightPMI-Los Angeles ChapterProject Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

In 2023, Microsoft acquired the Activision Blizzard gaming franchise for $75 billion and  now owns games like “Call of Duty.” “World of Warcraft,” “Diablo,” “Overwatch,” and “Candy Crush,” With over 400 million monthly active players across 190 countries, they take gaming security seriously to protect the joy of the game.In episode #2 of Wear Your Cape to Work, we’ll talk with cybersecurity program leaders, Jen and Sukanya about what it’s like to work for a gaming company, and how cyber projects have their own set of project management challenges. Listen now to pick up tips from these superhero PMPs about:Building rapport across large remote teams What it’s like to be a PM in CybersecurityEmbracing the change commonly a part of Cybersecurity projectsHow to manage work during mergers and acquisitions Whether to specialize in cybersecurity project management or to try different PMP pathsTime stamps0:00 – Introduction2:00 – Gaming Connections Across Teams4:06 – Remote Team Interactions6:00 – Jen’s Superpowers for Team Building6:15 – The Bygone Watercooler Days8:27 – Gaming Features in Microsoft Tools9:00 – Bringing Epic Entertainment to Work9:15 – Protecting the Joy of the Game11:00 – Jen’s Journey into Security Project Management12:00 – Gaming Security is Fun Security12:30 – Pivoting in Security PM14:30 – Annual Process Reviews15:00 – Organizational Change in Mergers and Acquisitions16:00 – Positive Ideas About Change16:30 – Rebuilding the Plan Mid-flight17:30 – Personality Tests and SWOT Analysis18:40 – Leveraging Team Strengths19:00 – Hiring for Weaknesses19:20 – DISC Personality Tests19:38 – Working with Different Personalities20:00 – Building Relationships: The First Superpower20:52 – Superhero Avatars at Work21:30 – Sukanya’s Superpower22:30 – To Specialize or Diversify in PM?25:00 – Exploring PM Industries26:00 – The Cybersecurity PM Experience27:20 – Getting Certified in Cybersecurity for Free28:00 – Closing Thank-YousShow LinksActivision Blizzard King Follow JenFollow SukanyaFollow TrinaStart your Career in CybersecurityFree Entry-level Cybersecurity Training + Certification ExamClick hereDiSC Personality Training and Personality TestProject Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

This episode of Wear your Cape to Work features Steven Hall, a project manager from fairlife, milk company. We're applauding Steven's knack for cross-functional relationships and how his belief in farilife's mission to "nourish the modern world" fuels his daily project work...or it is he really fueled by chocolate milk?Timestamps00:00:00 🎙️Welcome to WYCTW podcast00:00:37 ✨ From the Production Floor to Project Management00:00:58 🐄Nourish the Modern World00:01:19 🍫 Let’s Talk Favorites!00:02:00 💡 Revolutionizing Milk00:03:34 🤖 AI in Project Management00:05:39 🤫 Secret Recipes: KFC, fairlife, Coca-Cola00:07:21 💖 When Milk Saves Lives00:11:17 🌎 Big Goals 00:13:45 🛠️Project Managers Strategy to Execution00:15:37 💪 Superpower Alert: Cross-functional relationships00:17:32 🧠 Empathy FTW00:19:33🌀 The Art of Attitude Adjustments00:22:09❤️Falling in Love with Chaos00:29:32🎉 Cheers with Superhero Mugs00:30:18🦸‍♀️ Wrap-UpSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube Apple Spotify RSS  https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2419669.rssFollow Project InsightWebsite: projectinsight.comLinkedIn:   /company/projectinsightInstagram:   /projectinsight/X formerly Twitter:   /projectinsightFacebook:   /ProjectInsightPMSWFree PDU Project Management Webinars: projectinsight.com/project-management-webinars/Superhero Avatar Generator:Turn yourself into a superhero and download your image. https://bit.ly/3BiHpejOrder WYCTW Mug: Order a "Wear Your Cape to Work" mug with your new superhero image.https://projectinsightmerch.myshopify.com/Follow Steven Hall, PMPhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-hall-a59b4532/Follow Mathew Sparkeshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mathew-sparkes/Follow Trina Schaetzhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/trinaschaetz/Project Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS

Wear Your Cape to Work is a podcast hosted by Project Insight. We believe that project and program managers truly are the superheroes of every organization. Our guests have poured their lives and talents into driving successful project outcomes for industries across the world. They wear their capes to work every day, and we want to celebrate them. We want you to hear their stories and be inspired to wear your own cape to work.You won't want to miss any of our exciting conversations with PMPs from companies like fairlife, Universal Studios, Activision Blizzard, PayPal and more.Subscribe and follow on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and other favorite podcast channels.Follow Project InsightWebsite: https://projectinsight.com/LinkedIn:   /company/projectinsightInstagram:   /projectinsight/X formerly Twitter:   /projectinsightFacebook:   /ProjectInsightPMSWFree PDU Project Management Webinars: projectinsight.com/project-management-webinarsProject Insight Website Watch Video PodcastSubscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on:YouTube SpotifyApple PodcastsRSS