The dust has settled on PMI Global Summit 2024, and the echoes of insightful discussions and inspiring presentations still linger. For project managers seeking to elevate their careers, this annual event offers a treasure trove of knowledge, networking opportunities, and professional development. Let’s drill into the highlights from this years annual bonanza and explore how attending such conferences can significantly impact your journey as a project management professional. We also hear from one of this year’s Platinum Sponsors PMTraining, to get a behind the curtain view of what it was like to be at the industry’s premier event. A Hub of Innovation and Inspiration This year’s Global Summit, held in Los Angeles, California, was a testament to the dynamic nature of the project management profession. The event brought together industry leaders, experts, and aspiring professionals from around the world to share insights, discuss emerging trends, and explore the latest advancements in project management methodologies and technologies. From the keynote speeches to the breakout sessions, the conference covered a wide range of topics, including: A host of speakers, thought-leaders, influencers and every-day practitioners shared their insights, expectations and aspirations for the industry. Building Your Professional Network One of the most significant…
Google is dedicated to building a more sustainable future in Nebraska, focusing on clean energy, water stewardship, and climate-conscious cooling. The company has made significant strides in these areas, with several ongoing projects and collaborations in the state. Expanding Clean Energy Resources Google has partnered with Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) to pioneer a procurement framework that enables the supply of carbon-free energy (CFE) resources to OPPD. This framework allows Google to execute large-scale clean energy deals and share the cost savings and benefits with OPPD’s customer base, increasing access to clean energy capacity for all Nebraskans. A key project under this framework is the Pierce County Energy Center, a 420-megawatt solar system and a 680MWh battery energy storage system. This project is expected to come online in 2027 and will support Google’s 24/7 CFE goal and OPPD’s clean energy ambitions. Additionally, Google will share the clean energy capacity attributes with OPPD for the benefit of all energy customers in the region. “This partnership is a big step forward in our continuing work to add 3,200 megawatts of power by the end of the decade, with most of the energy coming from renewable energy sources.”-Javier Fernandez, OPPD President and CEO…
Invert Inc., a leading carbon reduction and removal company, and The Earth Lab (TEL), a prominent Mexican carbon project developer, have announced the successful first issuance of removal-focused Climate Reserve Tonnes from their Improved Forest Management (IFM) projects in the Yucatan Peninsula. The Bonos Laguna Síjil Noh-Há project, a collaboration between Invert, TEL, and the local ejido community, has been verified under the Climate Action Reserve’s Mexico Forest Protocol. This achievement validates the project’s effectiveness in preserving and enhancing forest carbon stocks through sustainable practices. By preventing deforestation, promoting reforestation, and fostering biodiversity, these projects are significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing carbon sequestration in the Yucatan region. The first issuance from this project brings over 380,000 high-quality, North American IFM Removal Tonnes to market. Beyond environmental benefits, the projects are also contributing to local economic development and community well-being. By working closely with ejido communities, Invert and TEL have ensured that local knowledge and needs are integrated into the project design. This collaboration has led to enhanced forest stewardship, knowledge transfer, and a new income stream for partner ejidos. “Our partnership with The Earth Lab and the ejido communities has been essential to the success of these projects…
Hetal Vyas, a veteran project management professional with over 30 years of experience, is proud to announce the release of his new book, Project Management Power Play: Your Guide to Delivering on Time, Every Time, now available on Amazon in several languages. This comprehensive guide offers practical project management training for professionals at the beginner and intermediate levels. “I am very excited to release the latest edition of my project management master class,” said Vyas. “Project Management Power Play is the guide I wish I had when starting my career. It covers everything a project manager needs to know at every level and applies to virtually every industry.” Throughout his distinguished career in the manufacturing industry, Hetal Vyas has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead complex projects successfully. Vyas received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Michigan State University in 1990, where he further specialized in supply chain management and strategic leadership. He was an active member of The Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU), the Aerospace Club, and Hindu YUVA, experiences that helped shape his multidisciplinary approach to project management. In addition to his expertise in the field, Vyas is deeply committed to mentoring young professionals. He regularly…
BuildOps, a leading all-in-one software platform for commercial contractors, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Duncan Grazier as Chief Technology Officer. Duncan’s extensive experience in scaling engineering teams and driving product innovation will be instrumental in shaping BuildOps’ future. “Duncan’s expertise in AI, machine learning, and system performance optimization is transformative,” said Alok Chanani, BuildOps CEO. “We’re focused on building the most efficient, resilient platform the industry has ever seen, and Duncan is the leader to get us there.” Duncan joins BuildOps with a proven track record of success in the technology industry. At Weedmaps, he led his team through a successful IPO and redefined industry standards with cutting-edge solutions. His contributions to the company’s growth and efficiency highlight his ability to drive innovation and optimize operations. “I’m thrilled to join BuildOps at such an exciting time,” Duncan said. “Leading this talented engineering team to develop next-generation tools for the commercial trades is incredibly exciting. Driving the innovation of the BuildOps platform while increasing our customers’ top line and decreasing their costs is our focus for the next few years. The engineering & product teams at BuildOps plan on leveraging AI & machine learning to optimize workflows that help…
Asana, a leading AI work management platform, announced today the appointment of Josh Abdulla as Head of Customer Experience. Abdulla will report to Chief Revenue Officer, Ed McDonnell, and oversee Asana’s customer success, professional services, and support teams, technical support, and customer success. Most recently, he served as Chief Customer Officer at LiveRamp, leading the company’s Customer Solutions organization. “Josh’s proven track record of building and scaling world-class customer success organizations makes him the ideal leader to take our customer strategies, communications, and engagements to the next level,” said Ed McDonnell, Chief Revenue Officer, Asana. “His deep expertise and long-held passion for customers will be invaluable as we expand our enterprise footprint and enable our customers to run their entire business on Asana.” In his new role, Abdulla will drive adoption and ensure Asana’s 150,000+ customers realize maximum value from the platform by overseeing the development of service offerings in support of their unique use cases. McDonnell continued, “Josh’s arrival reinforces our focus on solving our customers’ biggest challenges – providing even greater experiences through shared insights, learnings, streamlined communications, and support. Our goal is faster time to value for each customer, and Josh will be critical to harmonizing the…
onWater Fish, a mobile mapping app for recreational anglers, has launched the ambitious C.A.T.C.H. Project (Community of Anglers Tracking for Conservation & Habitat). This groundbreaking initiative combines cutting-edge technology with community science to revolutionize recreational fishing and fisheries management. C.A.T.C.H. empowers everyday anglers to make a real difference by providing them with tools to: onWater prioritizes data privacy – onWater Fish won’t share anglers’ catch locations, ensuring their success on the water remains private. All catch data is stored securely in the angler’s private in-app journal and is only shared with vetted conservation agencies. C.A.T.C.H. is already gaining traction with leading conservation organizations: onWater Fish invites everyone in the fishing industry to join the movement: Alex Maier, CMO at onWater Fish, said: “Our unique strength lies in being a data company first. Through our mobile app, we’re putting powerful conservation tools in the hands of every angler, free of charge. We’re not just collecting data for fisheries management, we’re empowering anglers with insights to improve their fishing experience with every fish they catch or trip they take. It goes without saying, but this whole project is a huge part of our vision of Fishing Access for All™.” For more information…
Scanifly, a provider of PV design and field operations software, has announced a strategic integration with SubcontractorHub, an end-to-end platform for residential solar sales, project management, and PV design. This partnership combines Scanifly’s advanced design capabilities with SubcontractorHub’s robust sales, financing, and project management solutions, offering contractors a streamlined workflow for solar projects. Scanifly specializes in powering the operational stages of solar projects, including design, site survey, engineering, commissioning, and maintenance. By integrating with SubcontractorHub, contractors now have access to a comprehensive one-stop-shop solution that covers both the “front-end” and “back-end” aspects of solar installations. “Our efforts with SubcontractorHub mirror our recent collaboration with Energy Toolbase, which provides a similar experience for commercial developers. We’re excited to continue offering contractors front-end optionality by expanding our partnerships with various proposal tools,” commented Scanifly CEO, Jason Steinberg. The SubcontractorHub + Scanifly integration synchronizes project data at critical stages throughout the solar project lifecycle. Sales representatives can initiate Scanifly remote designs directly from their SubcontractorHub accounts, and completed designs are automatically populated in project records and timelines. Surveyors and operations personnel can also upload field data and checklists directly from Scanifly Mobile into SubcontractorHub for M2 and M3 submissions. Additionally, Scanifly’s drone-based 3D…
Pyxis Advisory Group, a global industrial advisory firm, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kait Dinunzio as Managing Director. Dinunzio will lead Pyxis’ global Organizational Change practice and contribute to the firm’s mergers and acquisitions, digital transformation, and complex business and IT implementation services. With nearly 20 years of experience in organizational leadership and change management, Dinunzio brings a wealth of expertise to Pyxis. Prior to joining Pyxis, she served as a Senior Partner at Helios Consulting, where she led strategic planning, change initiatives, and project management initiatives. Based in Calgary, Canada, Dinunzio will also play a key role in expanding Pyxis’ presence in the Canadian market. Her deep understanding of the corporate and public sector sectors will be invaluable in providing organizational leadership services to clients in the region. “Kait’s ability to consistently deliver complex and strategic transformational initiatives successfully for her clients both at the operating site and corporate levels really makes her unique. Her dedication to clients and ‘doing what is right’ for them has always been at the core of her approach to client service,” said Stephen Bell, Partner of Pyxis Advisory Group. “Kait will be an excellent addition to the Pyxis leadership team. We…
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) of Grenada is inviting expressions of interest (EOIs) for a renewable energy project at the island nation’s main international airport. The project aims to increase Grenada’s reliance on renewable energy and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. PURC is seeking an independent power producer (IPP) to develop and operate either a 15.1MW standalone solar PV plant or a solar-plus-storage plant combining 15.1MW of solar PV and a 10.6MW/21.2MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). The project will be located at Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA) and will integrate into the existing grid operated by Grenada Electricity Services Limited (Grenlec). The project offers the opportunity for investors to contribute to Grenada’s sustainable energy goals and benefit from the potential for long-term revenue through a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Grenlec. The selected IPP will be responsible for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the plant for a period of 25 years. The solar PV plant will be distributed across three sites near MBIA, and the BESS will be located at a new substation to be constructed by Grenlec. Both options will include the provision of a power management system to ensure seamless integration and control…
