April 2025 Breakfast Meeting - Support of working with a staffing agency

 
 

Presentation Title: 

Support of working with a staffing agency and all things marketing yourself throughout the interview process

Presentation Summary:

This session will explore the benefits of working with a staffing agency and how to effectively market yourself throughout the interview process. We will discuss how staffing agencies can help job seekers find opportunities, provide interview support, and offer career guidance. Additionally, we will cover best practices for self-marketing, including personal branding and interview strategies to stand out to potential employers.
 

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the role of a staffing agency in job placement and career development.
  • Identify key benefits of working with a staffing agency, including access to exclusive job opportunities and professional guidance.
  • Develop a personal branding strategy to effectively present skills and experience.
  • Apply effective interview techniques to confidently communicate value to potential employers.
  • Utilize follow-up strategies to reinforce interest and professionalism post-interview.

You can download the presentation here.

Headshot_-_Gina_Bovi.jpg

Speaker: 

Gina Bovi

Swoon Staffing Agency

Speaker Bio: 

Gina Bovi is a Business Development Manager at Swoon Staffing, where she partners with clients across the Valley and the U.S. to deliver top tier staffing solutions. With nearly three years at Swoon, Gina has played a key role in helping businesses build high-performing teams. Prior to her career in staffing, she worked at American Express, gaining valuable experience in client relations and business strategy. Passionate about connecting talent with opportunity, Gina brings a strategic and people-first approach to workforce solutions.

March Breakfast Meeting - Sustainability in Action – Integrating Green Practices into Project Management

 

Presentation Title: 

Sustainability in Action – Integrating Green Practices into Project Management

Presentation Summary:

Sustainability is no longer optional—it’s a necessity. Project managers play a crucial role in embedding sustainable practices into project planning, execution, and delivery. This interactive session will explore practical strategies to integrate green principles into project management processes. Attendees will learn how to align projects with sustainability goals, minimize environmental impact, and drive long-term value.
 

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the principles of sustainable project management
  • Identify key areas where sustainability can be integrated into project life cycles
  • Apply green project management tools and frameworks
  • Measure and communicate sustainability impacts effectively
  • Overcome challenges in implementing sustainable practices

You can download the presentation here.

Pitch Professional Headshot

Speaker: 

Dr Pitchiah Balasubramanian, PhD, MBA, MS, BE, PgMP, PMP, PMOCP, ITIL
NTT DATA Services Inc
Director / Industry Consulting
 

Speaker Bio: 

Dr Pitchiah "Pitch" Balasubramanian is a seasoned and innovative business technology leader with over 32 years of progressive leadership experience, currently serving as Director of Industry Consulting at NTT DATA Americas, Inc. In addition, Dr Pitch holds key roles within the PMI Phoenix Chapter as Treasurer/CFO (2nd term) and Board-Chair Elect for 2025. A proud PMI member since 1999, he celebrated 25 years of membership in November 2024. Certified as a PMP, PgMP, PMOCP, and ITIL, he brings extensive expertise and thought leadership to the field of project management including green project management. His dedication to advancing the profession is evident through a long history of volunteerism and leadership across PMI Global and Local Chapters, including PMI Great Lakes (MI), PMI Pittsburgh (PA), PMI Chicagoland (IL), and PMI Phoenix (AZ).PDU: 1.0 Business Acumen (Strategic)

Breakfast Meeting - Nov 2024 - Understanding Business Acumen and Decision Performance

 

Presentation Summary:

Join us for an engaging session on Business Acumen and Decision Performance. Our speaker will guide us through an interactive program designed to explore the value of measuring decision performance and its impact on day-to-day decision-making. The presentation will highlight the importance of business acumen in making informed choices, how decision performance can shape the outcomes of our decisions, and practical strategies for enhancing decision-making skills. This event promises valuable insights into improving the way we approach decisions in a business context.

Speaker:  Derick Brownell

Derick Brownell

Speaker Bio: 

Derick Brownell, PMP, serves as the PMI Phoenix Chapter Board Director for Programs and is transitioning into a new role focusing on membership engagement. With extensive experience in project management and leadership, Derick brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in guiding teams and fostering professional growth. His passion for connecting professionals and advancing the project management field is evident through his work with PMI, where he has played a key role in developing programs that drive success for members.

 

Mentorship Program: Panel Discussion with Mentors

 
The PMI Phoenix Chapter Mentorship Program's Mentor Panel Discussion, held on November 13, 2024, featured an engaging exchange of insights from experienced mentors in diverse industries, including IT, construction, healthcare, and financial services. Panelists shared valuable advice on breaking into project management roles, navigating hybrid methodologies, and leveraging soft skills alongside technical expertise. They emphasized networking, continuous learning, and adaptability as crucial for career growth. The session also touched on industry-specific challenges, remote work dynamics, and emerging trends like AI and cybersecurity, providing attendees with actionable strategies for professional development.
 
Event Structure: Each Panel Mentor will provide a high-level overview of their industry sector. Then, the Mentor accepted questions from the audience for a few minutes. In the end, the panel will be open to general questions.

Career Private Group Mentorship Clinic

 
The PMI Phoenix Chapter Mentorship Program's "Career Private Group Mentorship Clinic" covers strategies and best practices for job seekers in today's competitive market. Bruce Schwickrath introduces topics including resume tailoring, networking effectively, and understanding hiring managers' needs. Cynthia Estalilla expands on these topics by sharing insights from her HR and career coaching experience. Key takeaways include the importance of specific and achievement-driven resumes, strategic networking using tools like LinkedIn, and adapting to evolving job market dynamics. Practical advice includes leveraging AI tools to align resumes with job postings, building meaningful professional relationships, and showcasing unique skills and value to prospective employers. This interactive session is designed to prepare participants for job searching and career advancement, with an emphasis on personal branding and proactive engagement.

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