18th Annual UT Dallas Project Management
Symposium Keynote Speakers
Kimia Penton
M.S., PMP, Sr. Director, Global Program Management at McKessonFrom passenger to pilot: taking ownership of your career through key leadership lessons
In today’s evolving workplace, career advancement requires intentional leadership from every individual. This keynote empowers professionals to take ownership of their career trajectories by applying foundational leadership principles in practical, impactful ways. Through the REAL framework — Reclaim, Embody, Align, Lead — we’ll explore how clarity of vision, values-driven decision making, and authentic leadership can drive meaningful growth and organizational impact. You’ll learn how to navigate change with resilience, leverage feedback strategically, and align personal purpose with organizational goals, while having fun and incorporating lessons from creative industries. This session will help professionals shape their own paths, and become catalysts for positive change within their organizations.
Kimia Penton is a keynote speaker, Fortune-10 transformation leader, award-winning musician, and executive coach who helps audiences turn change into momentum. Drawing on decades leading enterprise programs and her signature frameworks—REAL (Reclaim, Embody, Align, Lead) and ALIVE (Authenticity, Leadership, Innovation, Vision, Empowerment)—Kimia blends compelling storytelling, original music, and evidence-based tools to spark courageous, values-aligned action. As the creator of the “Not a Chameleon” methodology, she equips leaders and teams to own their careers, communicate with clarity, and build inclusive, innovation-ready cultures. In this keynote, expect energizing insights, practical takeaways you can apply immediately, and a memorable experience that moves people from inspiration to execution.
Sherry James
PMP, Certified Global Speaker, Author, Trusted AdvisorSherry James, PMP, is a dynamic force in the world of leadership, keynote speaking, and corporate consulting. As an international best-selling co-author of “Ripple Effect of Impact”, she has established herself as a trailblazer in revolutionizing the way organizations thrive and leaders lead. In 2019, Sherry founded both Phoenix Speaks, Inc. and 2020 Lives Changed, Inc., where she serves as the visionary Chief Experience Officer (CXO), spearheading transformative work in next- generation leadership development, corporate mental wealth, suicide prevention, and executive-level growth. Sherry is also the mastermind behind the #CreatingMentalWealth Movement©, a groundbreaking philosophy that bridges financial literacy with mental health. Her innovative approach empowers corporations, communities, and academic institutions to cultivate mental wealth, ensuring a more resilient, profitable and sustainable future. With over two decades of leadership experience and expertise in HR, IT, PMP, and Korn Ferry® certifications. Sherry excels in helping organizations build and retain high- performance teams. Her client roster includes entrepreneurs, educational institutions, and Fortune 50 companies, where she consistently proves herself as a trusted advisor, flipping conventional business models and helping her clients unlock extraordinary success through her Creating Mental Wealth™ Philosophy.
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