Biography:

Dana Braccia brings over 30 years of project management and leadership experience across the private and public sectors in the U.S. and Micronesia. Her career spans government technology, hospitality, municipal services, and education, with organizations including Hilton International, Citibank, the San Francisco Giants, the City of Scottsdale, and Avenu Insights & Analytics.

Dana holds an MBA, a B.S. in Marketing, a Master’s in Information Systems, and is PMP-certified. She has led initiatives in SaaS implementation, customer experience blueprinting, strategic branding, virtual education, CSAT deployment, and content development. Her expertise includes technology integration, strategic planning, change management, communication, and customer success.

Dana has served as Executive Director of the Texas Library Association (6,000 members), Past President of the Mountain Plains Library Association, and has worked extensively with boards and volunteers to drive mission-aligned outcomes. A dedicated educator and mentor, she currently serves as a PMI mentor and has taught and developed curriculum for the University of Arizona, University of Tennessee, and University of Kentucky.

She is known for aligning strategy with execution, energizing cross-functional teams, and bringing structure and clarity to complex challenges—delivering results through collaboration and purpose-driven leadership."

Mentor, PMI Phoenix Mentor 2025 Mentorship Program

What specific personal talents, skills, or experience will you bring to the PMI Arizona Chapter?
As a former Executive Director of a 6,000-member association and Past President of a regional organization, I bring strong experience working with boards, volunteers, and diverse stakeholder groups—particularly during periods of growth and transition. I’m skilled at strategic planning, communication, and aligning teams around shared goals. I’m excited to support the newly merged PMI Arizona Chapter by bringing structure, energy, and a collaborative spirit to help shape a strong, unified future.

How do you envision the new AZ Chapter fostering inclusivity and delivering meaningful value to all members?
The merger of the Phoenix and Tucson chapters is a unique opportunity to reimagine how we engage project professionals across Arizona. To foster inclusivity, it's important to have a focus on accessibility, representation, and relevance. This includes offering virtual and hybrid programs to reach members statewide and ensuring diverse voices and experiences are reflected in our speakers, leadership, and events. Activities should engage members at all career stages, from those exploring certification to senior PMs, so everyone feels supported.

To deliver meaningful value, programming should blend practical skills with career growth. Topics like AI’s impact on project management, leadership development, and emerging tools can help members navigate new horizons ahead. Peer mentoring, job search support, and targeted workshops would also boost day-to-day value. Building community is key and can be done through networking events, volunteer opportunities, and online spaces where members can connect and share ideas across industries. This is an incredible moment in time to create a new chapter that’s not only informative but energizing - as well as a hub for learning, connection, and leadership. I’m excited about what’s ahead and ready to contribute to building a chapter that truly serves and reflects Arizona’s dynamic project management community.