|
7:15 am – 8:00 am |
Registration & Breakfast: Davidson-JSOM Atrium |
|
8:00 am – 8:15 am |
Welcome |
|
8:15 am – 9:30 am |
1st Keynote – Ben Smithee, CEO, The Smithee Group
|
|
9:30 am – 9:45 am |
Coffee Break: Davidson-JSOM Atrium |
|
9:45 am – 10:45 am |
Finding the Tipping Point to Improved Project Management: A Spectrum of Case Studies |
|
10:55 am – 11:55 am |
How the Grinch Stole the Schedule |
|
11:55 am – 01:00 pm |
Lunch |
|
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm |
PI Planning-If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail! |
|
2:10 pm – 3:10 pm |
Through the looking glass of AI – Project Management in Wonderland |
|
3:10 pm – 3:25 pm |
Coffee Break: JSOM Atrium |
|
3:30 pm – 4:45 pm |
2nd Keynote – Larry Solomon, Former Senior Vice President and Executive at Several Companies
|
|
4:45 pm – 6:00 pm |
Networking Reception
|
|
7:15 am – 8:00 am |
Continental Breakfast: JSOM Atrium |
|
8:00 am – 9:00 am |
3rd Keynote – Kandyce Ormes-Ripley – Associate Vice President Data Analysis & Strategy, Buckner International
|
|
9:00 am – 9:15 am |
Coffee Break: JSOM Atrium |
|
9:15 am – 10:15 am |
Big Companies, Small Projects – Big Impact: The Adaptive Thinking Process |
|
10:25 am – 11:25 am |
Future of Project Management shaped by Generative AI (GenAI) |
|
11:25 am – 12:45 pm |
Lunch |
|
12:45 pm – 1:45 pm |
4th Keynote – Lucas Smith, Toyota
|
|
1:45 pm – 2:00 pm |
Coffee Break: JSOM Atrium |
|
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm |
Impact of AI in our everyday life Abstract The impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our everyday lives is both profound and expanding, touching almost every aspect of our daily activities, work, and broader societal functions. These areas include healthcare, entertainment, home and workplace, education, security and surveillance and beyond. As AI continues to evolve, its integration into our daily existence is expected to grow, marking a future where its presence is both universal and vital. Learning objectives:
Panelists: 
Natalia FisherRead BioBio: Natalia Fisher is a Project Management Professional (PMP)® and has been working with marketing and IT projects and programs for over 10 years in a variety of industries, such as CPG, IT, telecommunication, transport and logistics, and healthcare. For more than five years, she has volunteered for the PMI Dallas Chapter and now she serves as a Chapter President. Natalia is very passionate about learning about AI and implementing her knowledge in her professional and personal lives. 
Jason AndrewRead BioBio: A technical specialist at Microsoft and an enthusiastic advocate for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Delivering consumer-facing applications using Natural Language Understanding since the early 2000s. Jason’s professional journey is marked by a commitment to integrating Generative AI into everyday life. Educated at the University of North Texas, Jason has cultivated a rich background in AI that complements his dynamic career. Beyond the tech arena, he enjoys golf, poker, and yoga, showcasing a well-rounded personality that informs his holistic approach to AI and its applications. 
Silvia DavisRead BioBio: With 20+ years of solid experience in technology (end-to-end application development and delivery lifecycle), business, and marketing, Silvia Davis has the skills and passion to bring digital products and solutions to market effectively and strategically by simplifying complex topics into stories that can be unique and make a difference for enterprises. In the last two years, She managed three critical products for Digital.ai -Intelligence AI-ML powered analytics and DevOps (Release & Deploy products). 
Mei LinRead BioBio: Mei Lin is a dynamic project management professional who excels in uniting teams to drive value in her role, which spans notable tenures at Microsoft and Texas Capital Bank. Her professional ethos is marked by a blend of efficiency and empathy, dedicating her days to connecting project teams and her heart to fostering positivity and kindness. This unique blend empowers her to inspire and uplift future leaders. She complements Mei’s expertise as a Gen AI Champion AZ AI 900 certification in 2022, and her practical experience with tools like Gen AI and Microsoft CoPilot, making her a valuable guide for project managers seeking to integrate cutting-edge AI technology into their workflows. As the author of “Mommy is a Project Manager,” she actively works towards breaking down gender biases and motivating change-makers from all walks of life. |
|
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm |
Panel: Strategies for Landing Your Next Project: Branding, Networking and Professional Presence Abstract Join for an engaging and dynamic session featuring a distinguished panel of experts as they delve into the art of marketing yourself effectively, whether you’re looking to excel in your current position or advance to your next role. This interactive discussion will provide you with invaluable insights into the latest strategies for personal branding, networking like a professional, and gaining recognition for your exceptional skills and capabilities. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain practical advice and actionable tips that will empower you to stand out in today’s competitive landscape and achieve your professional goals with confidence. Learning objectives:
PMI Triangle: Ways of Working – 1 PDU Panelists: 
Laurie SutherlinRead BioBio: Laurie Sutherlin has 17 years of staffing experience. She has acted as a recruiter, sales executive and has driven millions of dollars revenue consistently throughout her career. She has managed and lead teams; streamlined operations adding efficiencies to the onboarding and invoicing process. Her passion is understanding her client’s needs, helping candidates become their best and delivering impeccable customer service. Her 8 years of tenure at System Soft Technologies has enabled her to put together one of the strongest recruiting teams available! She services clients locally and worldwide. System Soft Technologies is 25 years in business, a global IT Staffing company with multiple offices in the U.S., nearshore and offshore. 
Jeff StewartRead BioBio: Jeff Stewart, FACHE, Vice President of Strategic Marketing at CHRISTUS Health, is a leader in healthcare marketing, launching initiatives that have improved the organization’s market presence, digital experience and brand equity. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jeff is deeply committed to nurturing talent, overseeing a team that excels in innovation and efficiency. His leadership has centralized marketing operations and fostering a culture of excellence. An acclaimed speaker, he brings to the panel a wealth of experience in branding, networking, and building professional presence, demonstrating his role as a strategist and as a mentor who elevates those around him. 
Suzette Plaisance BryanRead BioBio: 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. 
Mohun SundarRead BioBio: Mohun Sundar has been a member of PMI Dallas since 2013. He is a certified PMP, PMI-ACP, and PMI-RMP. He has 10+ years of experience in healthcare project management working with business and IT groups to achieve successful outcomes. In addition, he earned his Distinguished Toastmaster certification through the PMI Dallas Toastmasters club. Currently, he works as a senior program manager at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. |
Symposium Partners
