Michelle Bergquist has been a dedicated PMI member and volunteer project manager with the Marketing Team since May 2024. Michelle was drawn to volunteer work by her desire to contribute her time and develop professionally. Since her day job involves interpersonal management, the opportunity to engage in marketing content management as a PMI volunteer allowed her to explore her creative side by writing social media posts on LinkedIn, creating the weekly newsletter, and participating in marketing strategy and planning. Michelle has enjoyed tremendous networking and professional development opportunities by working closely with other volunteers and board members, finding the community to be welcoming and inclusive. Michelle encourages new members or those considering volunteer work to give it a try, even if they are not experts in their area of interest. She believes that volunteering is what you make of it—you get what you put in. By taking on opportunities to participate, people can showcase their abilities, which can lead to more opportunities.

Michelle relayed her proudest career achievement was refusing to allow a career setback define her, when in 2019 she was let go, while pregnant, from a new job in a foreign country: Within three months she se-cured a fantastic new job and ended up obtaining her CAPM certification just two days welcoming her daughter. This experience taught her the power of resilience and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. Five years later, her 5-year-old confirms her hidden talent is that she has also learned to make the best waffles! This “can do” attitude has led to Michelle to learn how to ski in her late 30’s and to climb the summit of Mt. Washington, NH in the middle of winter – even though her favorite destination is London. Passionate about family and friends, Michelle values having a local tribe, especially after moving around a lot. Her business philosophy is to be nice and work with nice people, as the work will come and go, but the kindness of people will be remembered.

Matthew McNulty has been a dedicated member of PMI for eight years and began his volunteer journey in 2022 as a PMP Study Group Facilitator within the Professional Development team. Matthew has found immense satisfaction sharing his knowledge and connecting with aspiring PMPs by facilitating study groups and participating in the AZ PM Summit. Matthew encourages new PMI Phoenix Chapter members to volunteer, emphasizing that giving back is a fantastic way to expand one's network and stay updated with the latest knowledge to improve yourself professionally. Matthew's proudest career moment was seeing his design work displayed at Sky Harbor and Mesa Gateway airports. He is passionate about doing good work and collaborating with great people, and he lives by the business philosophy of "Measure twice, cut once."

Beyond his professional and volunteer commitments, Matthew has a hidden talent for cooking, ranging from BBQ to fancy dishes. His favorite destination is the Lee’s Ferry/Vermillion Cliffs area, a place he often thinks about despite having many places left to visit. Interestingly, his guilty pleasure is spoiling the plot of films and TV shows for his wife, a habit stemming from his extensive experience as a video editor. Personally, he cherishes being present for the births of his children. Driven by the finality of life, he strives not to take time for granted. His colleagues describe him as "the most not serious, serious guy," and he hopes to meet his great-grandchildren someday. Matthew cares deeply about healthcare and animal welfare, and his personal mottos are "It sucks? Do it." and "You've got more in ya!"

Check out some photos that Matthew shared with us: 

Henry Jones has been a dedicated PMI and Phoenix Chapter member since 2019. Prompted by a SharePoint Management volunteer position on the PMI Phoenix Chapter site, Henry found an opportunity that perfectly matched his skills and interests. Since then, he has been actively involved in new user onboarding, account setup, and creating sites and functionalities in Microsoft 365, SharePoint, and Teams. His contributions extend to working closely with department leaders on technology-related tasks and attending significant Chapter events, like the PMI Fusion Event in Glendale in late 2024. What Henry finds most rewarding about volunteering is the people he works with and the continuous education and learning opportunities. Henry encourages new members and those considering volunteer work to join, highlighting the chance to serve and share talents across various departments, including leadership, technology, marketing, membership enrollment, education, and training.

Beyond his professional and volunteer commitments, Henry has a range of personal interests and talents. He enjoys photograph and taking pictures here in Phoenix and just about any place he travels; he loves music and tinkers with various instruments and home recording software. Additionally, he writes fiction in the action, adventure, and dramatic genres. His favorite destination is the Hawaiian Islands, and he has a guilty pleasure for attending live concerts, including the AZ Jazz Fest and 80-90’s pop group performances. Henry is passionate about his faith, which has deepened over the years, and he actively participates in two men’s Bible discussion groups. He is also an avid supporter of his favorite sports teams: the Buckeyes, Browns, Cavs, and Guardians.

Here are some photos that Henry shared with us. 

Rachel Gersten has been an active member of PMI for a little over a year and a half, joining as a volunteer in July 2023 after earning her PMP certification. Encouraged by Bob Gates and Marissa Akins, who recognized her potential, Rachel quickly took on roles such as Facilitator for the Study Group. Her volunteer activities this year have been diverse, including leading Saturday Study Group sessions, speaking at ASU about the PMP application process, participating as a DEI Committee Member and rolling out DEI strategies, and serving as the Sponsorship Chair for the 2024 AZ PM Summit. Rachel finds great reward in empowering the next generation of project managers and values the recognition she receives from those who have passed their exams, knowing she played a part in their journey.

Rachel’s passion for education and mentorship is deeply rooted in her family background of teachers. She believes in making a positive impact and encourages new members to volunteer, highlighting the opportunity to meet amazing people and make a difference. Outside of her volunteer work, Rachel has a hidden talent for synchronized swimming, enjoys relaxing on Caribbean beaches, creating delicious dishes in her kitchen, and indulging in cool ranch Doritos while binge-watching a funny TV show.

Her business philosophy is, “If you don’t ask; you don’t get,” emphasizes the importance of communication. Inspired by her mom, grandmas, and aunts, Rachel is driven by a desire to continually grow. Her colleagues would describe her as a cheerleader who always sees the positive and sets people up for success. Rachel’s personal motto, “Assume positive intent,” reflects her optimistic and supportive nature.

Ali Conquest has been a dedicated member of PMI since March 20, 2023, and began volunteering shortly after, with her first event in Flagstaff taking place in August 2023. Ali’s involvement in the Programs and CORE (Community Outreach and Remote Engagement) teams has been instrumental in organizing various events, including the 45th anniversary celebration. Encouraged by Derick Brownell, Programs Board Director, and Cynthia Ford, CORE Board Director, to volunteer, Ali has hosted multiple events throughout the year, fostering a sense of community and providing educational and networking opportunities in Northern Arizona. Ali finds great reward in creating these connections and highly recommends volunteering to new members, emphasizing the invaluable relationships and experiences gained.

Passionate about the outdoors and climate change, Ali enjoys destinations with beautiful views, solitude, and good snacks. Her guilty pleasure is true crime, and she is driven by the fulfillment of accomplishing tasks, whether it’s climbing a mountain or completing a project milestone. Ali’s mentors include Derick Brownell and Stacey Matthiessen, who have provided significant guidance and support throughout her career transitions. Ali’s proudest moments include passing the PMP exam and finishing Ironman Arizona. Known for being dedicated, loyal, and reliable, Ali’s personal motto is, “You are capable of doing anything you WANT to do.”

Garet Burns joined PMI in 2006 and began volunteering in February 2023, motivated by a desire to engage more deeply with the community during a period between projects. This year, Garet has actively participated in several volunteer activities, including supporting Pat’s Run, contributing to the One Warm Coat initiative, and reviewing applicants for the Fresh Start Women’s Foundation Scholarship Program, where she helped select four deserving candidates. Her efforts have been particularly rewarding as she has witnessed firsthand the gratitude of community members, especially when donating hygiene kits and winter clothing to those in need. Garet encourages new members and those considering volunteer work for the Chapter to get involved, emphasizing that even a small investment of time can make a significant impact.

Outside of her volunteer work, Garet enjoys traveling with her family to Europe and indulging in the Food Network or HGTV. She believes in continuous learning through books, courses, and others’ experiences, with recent book favorites being “The Covenant of Water” by Abraham Verghese and “A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles. She admires her mother for her patience and love in raising six children. Her proudest career moment was attaining her PMP through self-study, and personally, she cherishes obtaining her MBA. Garet aspires to retire to travel more. Known for her supportiveness and humor, Garet is driven by the ability to learn new skills and adapt to challenges. Her personal motto is “Character counts.”

Farnaz Bagheri has been a PMI member for over a year and began volunteering in September 2023, shortly after earning her PMP certification. Encouraged by Chapter Board Directors Aaron Jang and Marissa Akins, she decided to get involved and quickly became an invaluable member of the Professional Development team. This year, Farnaz has facilitated study groups, served on the DEI committee, and played a key role in organizing the 2024 Arizona PM Summit. She finds her volunteer work immensely fulfilling, especially the chance to engage with people from diverse backgrounds, hear their stories, and learn how they found their way to project management.

Farnaz encourages new members, and anyone interested in volunteering with the Chapter to jump in, highlighting the rich learning experiences and supportive environment that allows members to grow and experiment without the pressures of high-stakes projects. Outside of her volunteer commitments, Farnaz enjoys traveling. Her favorite destination is Washington, D.C., for its rich history, art, and architecture. She also loves treating herself to cookie dough ice cream and binge-watching Friends. She is deeply passionate about justice and addressing inequality, and her business philosophy emphasizes embracing mistakes and focusing on solutions rather than problems. Inspired by her family and her husband’s support and resilience, Farnaz is committed to personal and professional growth, guided by her motto: “Hope is an act.”
  

PMI Phoenix Chapter Announces Board Chair Impact Award to Aaron Jang!

We are thrilled to announce that Aaron Jang has been honored with the prestigious Board Chair Impact Award! This award recognizes Aaron's remarkable contributions and dedication to the PMI Phoenix Chapter.

Over the past year, Aaron has been instrumental in expanding our chapter's offerings. He has grown our Study Group Program to include the PMI CAPM and PMI-ACP certifications, broadening the professional development opportunities for our members. In addition, Aaron served as a pivotal member of the Arizona Project Management Summit Speaker Committee, providing invaluable guidance to the team on setting up the Keynote Panel and supporting the committee throughout.

Beyond these accomplishments, Aaron has launched numerous additional Professional Development Classes, empowering our community to advance their skills and expertise. He has also collaborated cross-functionally with the Academic Outreach team, organizing impactful events with Arizona State University.

We are grateful for Aaron’s hard work, leadership, and passion for advancing project management within our chapter and beyond. Please join us in congratulating Aaron Jang on this well-deserved recognition! 🎉

We are thrilled to announce Shahrzad Badvipour as our Chapter Volunteer of the Month (VOTM). Shahrzad's dedication and commitment to the PMI community shine brightly, and we're excited to recognize her contributions.

Meet Shahrzad Badvipour:

• PMI Volunteer Position:Collegiate Faculty Advisor
• PMI Volunteer Team:Outreach and Education
• PMI Volunteer Supervisor/Manager:Steve Poessnecker

A Glimpse into Shahrzad's Journey:

Shahrzad joined PMI in 2020 and became a volunteer in 2021. Her decision to volunteer stemmed from a desire to give back to the community and share her experiences in her journey to become a project manager. She found a platform within PMI-Phoenix Chapter to contribute her skillset and engage with like-minded individuals.

Shahrzad's Volunteer Contributions:

Initially involved with the academic community, Shahrzad later embarked on a project, turning her ideas into reality with the help of a dedicated team. She expresses gratitude to Susan Wynne, Joan Barnes, and Trevor Stasik for their support throughout the process.

The Rewards of Volunteering:

For Shahrzad, the most rewarding aspect of volunteering lies in collaborating with seasoned project managers who generously share their knowledge and support. Through her volunteer service, she learned valuable lessons in motivation and teamwork, essential elements for project success.

Advice for Potential Volunteers:

To those considering volunteer work for the Chapter, Shahrzad emphasizes the opportunity to connect with passionate individuals sharing similar career goals. She encourages staying active, motivated, and engaged, as the community is a source of inspiration and support.

Getting to Know Shahrzad:

• Hidden Talent:Interior design
• Favorite Destination:Africa
• Guilty Pleasure:Warm cookie and ice cream
• Passionate About:Teaching & research, project management, environment, and sustainability

Personal Insights:

Shahrzad's philosophy revolves around never taking shortcuts and facing uncertainties head-on. She finds inspiration in everyday heroes and takes pride in moments where she can help others.

Dreams and Aspirations:

Shahrzad's bucket list includes extensive travel, exploring small towns, learning new skills like painting and musical instruments, and making a positive impact on others' lives.

Causes Close to Shahrzad's Heart:

She deeply cares about environmental issues and is dedicated to making a difference in this sphere.

Abhijit has been a PMI member for over 17 years and started to volunteer for the PMI Phoenix chapter from 2016 onwards. He is currently the Director of Volunteer Management in the membership team.  He plays a very key role in ensuring the chapter new members and volunteers get the best experience when they apply for a volunteer position. He does the first round of interaction with all those who apply to be a chapter volunteer. He is also a judge for STEM projects at PV Schools Science and Engineering Fair (PVSEF).

Abhijit started his career as a hands-on IT developer almost 3 decades ago and then moved into IT project management. Managed IT projects in Middle East, Japan, and US.  He has experience in Finance, Healthcare, Travel, Utilities and State Government Projects. He is currently driving Data Governance across the Business Unit for a large finance company in the valley.

When asked about the most memorable experience on his Project Management Journey, he says “All projects are unique, one of my projects was of Legal Nature with a tight timeline. We were the first project in the company to adopt Agile Methodology. We reduced the timeline by over 13 months and were able to meet all the requirements and passed the audits. We were very creative in our approach.”

When asked about the future of Project Management Profession, his views are that “The Project Management profession is changing very rapidly. The PM is expected to be a leader and lead the team from the front. The PM is expected to be on top of the latest trends, understand technology and provide creative solutions, besides taking care of the traditional responsibilities.”

The most rewarding part of his volunteer journey has been that he gets to interact with professionals from various Industries. He encourages members who are not yet volunteers to take a leap of faith as it will be a rich experience and provides access to a wider network of very creative individuals.

We did a rapid-fire round of question and answer with Abhijit: -

HIDDEN TALENT: Ardent hiker

FAVORITE DESTINATION: India

GUILTY PLEASURE:  Single Malt

PASSIONATE ABOUT: Data Governance and Technology

BUSINESS ADVICE/PHILOSOPHY:  Attitude determines altitude.

READING:  Anything management related

HEROES:  Many

PROUDEST MOMENT (CAREER):  achieving PMP, PgMP and ACP

PROUDEST MOMENT (PERSONAL):  Son picked by USNA, USAF and US Coast Guard Academies after high school.

WHAT INSPIRES / DRIVES YOU? The next goal

WHAT’S THE MOST INTERESTING THING ABOUT YOU THAT WE WOULDN’T LEARN FROM YOUR RESUME - Risk taker.

HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR COLLEAGUES WOULD DESCRIBE TO YOU? Amicable

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU DO BEFORE YOU DIE? Skydive

WHAT ARE SOME CAUSES YOU CARE ABOUT? Childhood cancer and trafficking

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PERSONAL MOTTO?  Live life to the fullest

Manish grew up in India and graduated in business management. His career journey took him to various continents from Australia to Europe to finally North America. His initial career was in IT technology building and support software products, an interest in people and outcome of the technology initiatives brought him to a Project manager role. He got his PMP in 2010, followed by his PgMP in 2016.

When asked about challenges he faced when he moved into the PM role – he says the key challenges were about working across multiple functional teams and ensuring everyone is aligned with the focus and directions of projects and programs and that the team is humming like one unit and not multiple small teams working in silos. I have seen the journey from very waterfall-oriented stages of a project to more nebulous ways of Agile, where the focus is on sprint and PI planning and not so much about the stages and hard dates.

The profession has gone through an interesting overhaul, where the role of a Project management professional has evolved from being the one to “track “and “govern “to more about “Leading “and “helping “through servant-leadership mindset in recent times.

He enjoys the challenge of delivering value through execution framework involving Projects, Programs, and strategic initiatives, especially as the outcomes are time bound and measurable in most cases – which helps to see first-hand how an initiative helped a client or a business challenge being resolved.

He became a PMI Phoenix chapter volunteer during 2020 – started with the Corporate Outreach and Ambassador team. The ambition was to have PMI PHX chapter increase its footprint in the corporate landscape of the valley , however the pandemic made it very hard to have any in-person meeting or gathering to generate real interest , as most companies were grappling with the fallout of the pandemic on their balance sheet as well as employees .  In his most recent stint as a volunteer, he has been part of the membership team and helped ensure blog posts like these are created as well as helped organize the monthly networking events which started during the fall of 2023.

His advice to new members is that volunteering is a fantastic opportunity to connect with volunteers and professionals who have diverse backgrounds and perspectives on everything related to Project Management and more. Don’t hold back if you want to give back to the profession and to the community of these amazing human beings who are making such a big difference in the world.

In his own words “It’s amazing to see the diversity of our profession, various industries from software to semiconductor to construction which employs amazing professionals like us and the challenges each industry faces which are solved by the profession of Project management.”

On the personal front, he is married and has two kids with his wife Tina and a dog named Uno. He loves to play tennis when it is not too hot (anything below 110°) and travel to novel places whenever possible.

Alex started his professional career in healthcare in Houston as an intern, where he got to be part of a big project at a large oncology practice and interacted with Doctors, Administrators, Nurses, and other cross functional teams. This ultimately led to a job there as a Contracting and Credentialing Coordinator. He moved from Houston to Phoenix and got an opportunity with a government subcontractor in the healthcare space. There he helped the organization oversee program compliance for a national hospital patient satisfaction survey. He moved from being coordinator to a Project Manager and wanted to get the formal certification. He had a colleague who had recently got her PMP certification and helped him connect with the PMI PHX study group. He earned his PMP certification in July 2021.

The certification helped him land a new project management job with a tech start up in Scottsdale in early 2022. He credits the PMP certification for removing barriers to entry for such a role and believes it helped him to get the job he is currently at. He is grateful for the support provided by Marrisa Atkins, Bob Gates, and Conrad “Skye” Sandoval for helping him in his PMP preparation. The knowledge of budgeting, scheduling, and Agile Project Management which he learned during PMP exam preparation helped him in his new job and positioned him to stay on top of project activities.

He became a volunteer at PMI Phoenix in 2021, as he was thankful for the support he received from the organization and wanted to give back and get involved. One initiative he volunteered for was the 2023 PMI Phoenix Chapter Arizona Project Management Summit. He liked the idea of meeting and working with other project managers of all professional backgrounds to discuss timely industry topics and share and learn from each other’s experience. It was lot of work, but it was quite rewarding for Alex, and he definitely recommends other chapter members to volunteer at events like these to learn new skills and expose themselves to challenges and rewards.

He is an enthusiastic fantasy football player, a Houston Astros fan and likes traveling and weightlifting in his spare time.

He believes PM skills are relevant to any kind of goal setting, whether it’s saving for a trip or getting in shape – all goals are more likely to be obtained using some PM skills. He feels this is a fantastic way to practice PM skills daily.

 His advice for chapter members who are thinking about volunteering is “There are a myriad of opportunities throughout the chapter. Whether you have an area of expertise you are looking to work in or want to branch out and try something new, you can find what you are looking for at PMI PHX.”

His favorite destination to travel is New Orleans, as it has a great combination of food, culture, history and fun and is like Paris. According to Alex it has the best food in the country.