Keynote Speakers – PM Symposium

Kimia Penton

Kimia Penton is an Organized Creative with a passion for Organizational Psychology and Creative Arts. As Sr. Director of Global PMO for McKesson Corporation, VP of Applied Project Management for PMI Dallas chapter, adjunct faculty at UTD, TEDx speaker, and internationally touring recording artist and songwriter, Kimia believes in developing ourselves holistically to allow us to serve with maximum impact. A passionate, innovative and results driven-leader, Kimia believes in adding high value with fun and creativity. Kimia and her husband Andy live in Dallas with their two children. The family enjoy traveling, the outdoors, and performing at or attending live music shows together.

Pamela Dukes

Pamela Dukes is a Hall of Fame and Olympic athlete who is focused on helping teams through servant leadership and self-reliance strategies. She is passionate about learning and helping others as a coach, trainer, and mentor.

She has been a featured speaker at several Agile and Lean conferences and loves sharing her experiences with others. With over 20 years in the technology industry, she uses Agile practices and her experience with high-performing teams to improve team productivity and deliver high-value products. Her superpowers are her optimism, empathy, and finding ways to view and conquer challenges while motivating those around her.

She is a proud graduate of Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. At Stanford, she majored in Sociology with a focus on Organizational Behavior and has earned both a Bachelor’s and a Master of Arts. She has also earned several certifications in Agile methodologies and is a Certified Harada Method Trainer.

Her volunteer work included a board position on High Tech High Heels. She also mentors those who request her assistance and conducts goal-setting classes using the Harada Method periodically. She donates yearly to a couple of scholarships at her high school, Freehold Township High School. Her proudest and favorite role is as a mom to Alexander.

Mohamed Charkas

Mohamed Charkas serves as Executive Vice President of Infrastructure & Development for Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. He oversees the Design, Code & Construction, Commercial Development, Energy, Transportation & Asset Management, Controls & Analytics, and Planning departments. His responsibilities include directing all aspects of development at DFW, including master planning, engineering, a multi-billion dollars capital improvement program, airport development construction work, and commercial real estate development. More specifically, Mr. Charkas provides key leadership support to help guide the overall strategic planning of the Airport; the development, acquisition, leasing, and commercial property management of the Airport’s property and facilities; and the design and construction of facilities in fulfillment of the Airport Master Plan.

As an experienced program delivery professional and engineer with three decades of cross-industry expertise in infrastructure operations and construction management, Mr. Charkas was instrumental in the successful negotiations and execution of a new 10-year Use & Lease Agreement between DFW Airport and American Airlines. The agreement includes $4.8 billion in pre-approved capital investments, including Terminal F’s construction, Terminal C’s renovation, and other significant modernization projects that will ensure DFW Airport is ready for the future. His professional career includes roles with DFW Airport, including Sr. Vice President of Airport Development, Vice President of Planning, and Program Director for Design, Code, and Construction. In this capacity, Mr. Charkas led the execution of DFW Airport’s first Design-Build project, DPS Headquarters, as well as other significant improvements, including the Integrated Operations Center, Terminal D South Expansion, and the completion of a first-of-its-kind-modularly constructed terminal concourse, the High C Gates Demolition and Reconstruction project. Before joining DFW Airport, Mr. Charkas led in delivering programs with Abu Dhabi Midfield Terminal and Hamad International Airport.

Mr. Charkas holds an engineering degree, is a certified Project Management Professional, and is a LEED Green Associate.

Suzette Plaisance Bryan

Suzette Plaisance Bryan, Ph.D., SPHR, GPHR, SHRM-SCP has an extensive background in human resources, leadership development, and corporate training and development. A former tenured college professor teaching organizational communication courses to both undergraduate and graduate students, Suzette has presented at numerous conferences, including ones in Athens, Greece; Belfast, Ireland; and Vevey, Switzerland.

Her work has been published by the Consortium for the Study of Emotional Intelligence in Organizations. She has published book chapters and articles in academic and professional journals and is co-author of Scripts and Communication for Relationships published by Peter Lang Publishing. Suzette worked as head of training for a large organization in Dallas, for Nestle’ Health Science as a leadership and organizational development specialist and for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana as a leadership development consultant. She completed a six-month program in the Foundations of Neuroleadership, earning a Certificate of Distinction. She presently instructs in the Executive Master’s Program in the Jindal School of Business, and develops and facilitates corporate leadership programs. In addition, she served as Director of the Leadership Center at the Jindal School.