UT Dallas PM Virtual Conference

Dr. Ricardo Viana Vargas, PMI Fellow

Presentation Title: What about the Future Project Manager: Thriving in the Age of AI

As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms the workplace; the role of the project manager is also undergoing a profound evolution. This session explores how AI is reshaping decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and project delivery, requiring project leaders to develop new skills, mindsets, and tools. Through real-world examples and strategic insights, we will examine the critical capabilities the future project manager must master to remain relevant, lead effectively, and thrive in an AI-augmented environment.

Dr. Alfonso Bucero, PhD, PMP, PMI-RMP, PfMP, PMI-Fellow

Presentation Title: Passion, Persistence, and Patience – Attitudes to achieve project success

Our life is full of what we call obstacles, which are actually challenges that we must overcome, that we should and can overcome from our excellence as professionals. The new paradigm we are experiencing and the transformation of businesses means that people have to ‘adapt’ to each situation in every ‘context’. This conference aims to explain to the audience the best practices of Alfonso Bucero by applying his 3 Ps (Passion, Persistence, and Patience) throughout his life and professional career in different organizations.
Everything you think you can achieve in your life, you can achieve by applying your passion, persistence, and patience. Learn how to do it and interact with the speaker by attending this presentation. This will be a dynamic and interactive session.

Ana Maria Rodriguez, PMP, PMI Chapter Founder and local leader

Presentation Title: Empowering the Entrepreneurial Spirit: A Woman’s Journey in Project Management

In this engaging session, we will explore the journey of an entrepreneur who transformed her career in Civil Engineering into a thriving business in Project Management. Starting her path at the University of Texas in Austin, the speaker will share valuable insights from her experience as a woman entrepreneur in the PM field, highlighting the challenges and successes she encountered along the way.
From launching her own business to navigating the complexities of leadership and project management, attendees will gain practical advice and inspiration on how to combine the power of Project Management with entrepreneurial vision. The session will also reflect on the unique barriers faced by women in this space and offer actionable ideas for overcoming them.

Dr. Prasad S. Kodukula, PMP, PgMP, DASM, DASSM

Guz Vinueza, MBA, MS (Finance)

Presentation Title: AI in Action: Elevating PMO and Project Management with Agentic and Generative Tools

Explore how agentic and generative AI are reshaping the future of PMO and project management. Through interactive demos, learn how to deploy AI tools for portfolio management, scheduling, cost analysis, and risk assessment. Understand when to use agentic AI for decision support and when to leverage generative AI for automation and content creation. This session focuses on practical application—equipping you not only to understand AI but also to apply it with confidence.

Bios

Dr. Prasad S. Kodukula

LinkedIn

Guz Vinueza

LinkedIn

Frank Saladis, PMP, PMI Fellow

Presentation Title: The Value Driven Project Manager

There is some debate as to whether project management is a profession or simply a methodology but there is no doubt that a well-trained, experienced, and competent professional project manager will make a meaningful, value adding contribution to any organization. The career-minded project manager focuses on personal and organizational success and the creation of value. It is the mission of the professional project manager to develop the skills required to achieve the goals of the customer, the organization to which he or she is assigned while planning to upskill and grow professionally and personally. Today’s project managers are expected to overcome challenges and obstacles that, just a few years ago, could not even be imagined. These challenges require a unique type of person who understands the meaning of value from multiple perspectives, and the personal values that drive one’s own direction.
Values are developed over time and from many sources of influence and are associated with things we believe are important and useful. They are also associated with enduring beliefs and ideals. The successful project manager understands value from a business perspective and a personal perspective and, using leadership skills, an understanding of the complexities of working with people, and a desire to accomplish objectives, creates a plan for success. This seminar addresses how core values are formed at the individual level and at the organizational level. It also addresses how these values drive personal performance, affect personal brand, organizational brand, and influence the effectiveness of the professional project manager and project teams.

Dr. Ashley Forsyth

Presentation Title: TBA