Abstract

The Wonderful World of Power Skills:
Achieving Exceptional Performance

Success does not just happen — it is made to happen! Success is born of behaviors and choices that lead to exceptional performance. Based on Neal’s new book, "Power Skills that Lead to Exceptional Performance", Neal reveals 10 critical, best-practice, results-oriented Power Skills that can promote your professional and personal success. Implementing some of these Power Skills may initially cause your palms to sweat and your heart to race. However, your personal limitations at work and across your life are directly impacted by your willingness and tenacity to deliberately embrace and execute on these Power Skills.

About Speaker - Neal Whitten, PMP

Neal Whitten, is a consultant, trainer, mentor, speaker, and author in the areas of power skills and leadership, project management, team building, and employee development. He is the author of eight books, has written over 150 articles for professional magazines, and was a contributing editor of PMI’s PM Network® magazine for over 15 years. He has presented to thousands of people from across hundreds of companies, institutions, and public organizations worldwide. Neal has been a Project Management Professional (PMP)® since 1992.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nealwhitten/

Abstract

Building Project Management Superstars with Business Acumen

The current business climate has executives seeking more employees with broader business expertise.

The constant wave of disruption from startups and technological advances is wreaking havoc with almost every industry. Corporate leaders report they need people – at all levels — adept at comprehending, valuing, and contributing to strategic initiatives and systematic improvements. Leaders want managers, including project managers, program managers, product managers, and others, to focus on the big picture of the business, cultivate relationships across the organization, and contribute to advancing the firm’s goals. It’s not simply a matter of subject-area expertise but an individual’s ability to understand various business dimensions in play as situations arise.

This presentation will provide participants with a solid foundation to build their business acumen and contribute more effectively to the firm's goals.

About Speaker - Steven Haines

Steven Haines is a world-renowned author, speaker, and thought leader in the areas of product management and business acumen.

As the founder of Sequent Learning Networks (sequentlearning.com) and the Business Acumen Institute (business-acumen.com), he has trained tens of thousands of people to work as emerging leaders and managers in business product management. His industry-defining work has contributed to the transformation of mindsets, methods, and corporate competitiveness.

Steven's books include The Product Manager's Desk Reference (1st – 3rd editions), The Product Manager's Survival Guide (2nd edition), and The Business Acumen Handbook.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenjhaines/

Abstract

The 4 Cs of Leadership Success

All effective leadership utilizes four elements — the 4 Cs of Leadership — which each build upon the other. Leaders must demonstrate the proper character, which helps them shape valuable messages for communication. Communication is vital to compromise, which opens the door for collaboration.

Participants actively shape their understanding of these four elements and their interconnectedness while exploring their application and benefit in their work and lives.

About Speaker - Jim Salvucci, PhD

Jim Salvucci, PhD, led a 30-year career as an English professor and university administrator before refocusing on the corporate world. As a C-suite higher education executive, he developed leadership as his second discipline of study to master and teach to others. He assured that institutional leaders at every level could become their best professional selves and cultivate the best in others by refocusing on their personal values and organizational mission.

After seeing the need for his specialized thinking and support in the business world, Jim moved into the corporate arena where he offers his vast experience and commitment to leaders and emerging leaders in every field that values its mission. As a former English professor, Jim is also an expert in writing and communication and a passionate teacher. His varied experience and vast learning have made him a seasoned public speaker, engaging audiences on four continents.

In addition to his Ph.D. in English from the University of Toronto, Jim is a Certified Tiny Habits Coach, a Thrive Certified Coach, and a Certified Life Coach and holds a certificate from the Institute for Management and Leadership at Harvard University as well as a certificate from the Institute for Chief Academic Officers at the American Council on Education.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-salvucci-phd/

Abstract

Professional Agility: Not Just a Buzz Word

Professional Agility is the blend of transferable skills and specific knowledge essential in project management. Learning and adapting is crucial; my journey, including earning a variety of certifications, highlights the need for continuous growth to enhance strategic planning and optimize solutions, advancing organizational value.

Join us to explore your adaptability.

About Speaker - Lauri Accardi, CSP-SM, PMI-ACP, CAL-E/O, SA, SP, LSSGB, DASSM, PMP, SPC

Lauri Accardi, founder of CataPoint Consulting, LLC, leverages over two decades of experience and 26 professional certifications to empower leaders and teams. Transitioning from her role as Director of Program Management at Comcast, she now focuses on coaching in leadership and project management, blending strategic expertise with a passion for people development.

Lauri is an MBA candidate at Penn State World Campus, set to graduate in 2024, and is concurrently pursuing a Masters in Strategic Management and Executive Leadership for 2025. A member of Phi Sigma Pi and Sigma Nu Tau, and an award-winning leader, Lauri balances her professional endeavors with being a dedicated mother of four.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriaccardi/

Diana Cano



Ido Shatzky

Abstract

Herding Nerds – Using Physics in Technology Project Management

Project managers often “herd cats” and in technical projects with engineers they “herd nerds.”

In this presentation, we’ll learn how to connect with these engineers in developing your organizational breakdown structure and stakeholder map by relating it to creating a free body diagram.

About Speaker - Diana Cano, PhD

Diana Cano, PhD leads teams in program delivery, product development, and systems engineering. She teaches project management at The College of New Jersey, drawing from her doctoral research at Rutgers University on institutional innovation adoption. She earned her MSE from the University of Pennsylvania and her BSME from Northwestern University.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianacano/

About Speaker - Ido Shatzky

Ido Shatzky is a consultant providing GTM and business development services to entrepreneurial companies. He has applied this framework for 25 years to reach and exceed team sales targets. Ido has a BSc in engineering, cum laude, from Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, and an MBA from University of Massachusetts, Lowell.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ido-shatzky/

Abstract

Games or Projects? Manage Projects Like You're Designing Games

Game Designers craft an elaborate UX that helps players achieve goals, and a project manager creates a roadmap for teams to accomplish a project's goals - are these areas very different?

How can we take principles of what keeps players engaged, and apply them to a team working on a project?

About Speaker - Rocco Ricciardi, PMP

Whether it was in the early days of studying video game design, or later on in digital marketing and advertising, Rocco's career revolved around one concept: being the project management glue that brought it all together.

Bridging the gap between technology, people, and solutions has been a staple of the last decade of his career, blending creativity and technicality in his approach. With an eclectic range of hobbies from carpentry, fencing, public speaking, DJing, and gaming, Rocco brings a unique perspective and whimsy to his daily life. Rocco serves as a volunteer in a number of organizations, including PMINJ Marketing.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rocco-ricciardi/

Abstract

Servant Leadership as a Service

You might be thinking: "How will the software development life cycle and software as a service help me become a stellar servant leader?"

About Speaker - Erik Rueter

Erik K. Rueter, PMP, PMI-ACP (he/him) has over 20 years of professional experience across industries from tech to art education to healthcare. He has been a public policy analyst, marketing director, and now the senior project manager at American Marketing Association.

He co-authored papers on health inequity, contributed to Mastering Solution Delivery, and presented to Medtronic and the San Antonio Spurs. He founded Human-Centered Success to help create more inclusive workspaces. He holds a BA in neuroscience and MicroMasters in Design Thinking and Project Management through RIT.

He lives outside Pittsburgh, PA, with his husband and two dachshunds.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikrueter/

Abstract

Modern Work Manifesto

Work is broken. We point to the pandemic as the cause, but the reality is work was broken far before we all learned to work from home. To fix work we need to fundamentally change the way we approach work…we need something to rally us together…we need a manifesto!

Join collaboration architect and coach, Mark Cruth, as we dive into the principles that shape the Modern Work Manifesto, such as flow and adaptability. Discover how to implement the manifesto in your work by incorporating three practical techniques that you can begin applying as early as tomorrow. Viva la Modern Work!

Session Takeaways:

• Gain an understanding of what Modern Work is and why the way we work together needs to be dramatically changed
• Discover the core principles of the Modern Work Manifesto and how to apply them to spark better collaboration
• Learn three actionable techniques to immediately enhance your work, emphasizing flow and adaptability

About Speaker - Mark Cruth

Focused on practice over theory, Mark is a pragmatic modern work designer and coach. With over a decade of experience experimenting with teamwork practices at places like Boeing, Nordstrom, Charles Schwab, and Rocket Mortgage, Mark's mission is to inject modern ways of working, a transformation mindset, and the power of expert storytelling into everything he does.

Today Mark works as the Principle Modern Work Coach for Atlassian, a company focused on unleashing the potential of every team! Mark spends his days coaching both Atlassian and customer teams on new ways of working, then sharing what he's learned at events around the world!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcruth/

Abstract

The Right Projects for the Right Costs to Achieve Strategic Objectives

This session will discuss the ideal prioritization process that will allow desired goals to be met. Those goals include the ability to enable the business to decide what initiatives to start, stop or continue, and how to deliver value to the business based on project merit and ROI. It will explain how to focus on the items that move the needle for the business and provide clarity to the overall organization on current priorities.

The session will outline the steps needed to create a realistic roadmap and to recognize the need to be flexible to adjust as the business demands as well as how to eliminate the tendency for politically driven decision-making.

At the conclusion of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Outline an effective and efficient prioritization process for strategic priorities, key initiatives, and new ideas; and
• Apply ADKAR (awareness / desire / knowledge / ability / reinforcement) techniques to develop change management plans and influence the people side of change.

About Speaker - Rajini Vinayagamoorthy, PMP

Rajini Vinayagamoorthy, ITIL, PMP, Certified Scrum Master, has more than 20 years of project/portfolio management experience. She has led several multimillion-dollar projects for IT and business sectors for various global and U.S. based companies, such as McKesson Corporation, Highmark, PPG Industries, and Thermo Fisher.

She is a results-driven leader who successfully developed and deployed global project and portfolio management processes for PPG and Thermo Fisher to simplify operations while helping to drive growth through innovation.

She holds a degree in computer science from Slippery Rock University and is a Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification holder.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajiniv/

Abstract

Applying PM Principles to Achieve Community Sustainability

Making communities sustainable is an approach that is action based. Actions come in the form of looking at an overall health of the community, through municipal functions, such as water, waste, health, energy and public engagement.

This presentation will review that approach into making communities better for the future.

About Speaker - Matthew von der Hayden, PMP

Matt von der Hayden is the Township Administrator and the Director of the Water & Sewer Utility in Stafford Township, NJ.

Matt is an adjunct faculty member for Villanova’s MPA program and he is a Ph.D. candidate in Old Dominion University’s Public Administration and Policy program. He has an MPA from Villanova University, along with an MBA from Rutgers University and Bachelors in Biological Sciences from Rowan University. He has been a PMP since 2021, along with being a CFM and SHRM-SCP.

His professional work is related to finance, project management, grants and administration while serving the public.

Abstract

Get Off The Hamster Wheel!

In today’s virtual environment, burnout is prevalent, and no one is immune to it. Burnout causes devastating impacts physically and emotionally. Organizations and leaders mean well, but they make decisions that are loaded with competing priorities and conflicts of interest. Frequently, employees are on the losing side.

It is imperative that each individual learns to be their own self-advocate and self-steward.

About Speaker - Sophia Schell

Sophia has 30 years of experience specializing in strategy consulting, product management and project management.

Sophia is part of the John Maxwell Leadership team and is a certified coach and speaker. She focuses on personal development, transformation, and leadership.

Sophia went through challenges that dramatically impacted her personally and professionally. She simultaneously experienced the loss of her father, severe burnout, and debilitating depression but through perseverance and support she is on a journey to wellness.

Sophia left her corporate role and now serves as a catalyst to help clients accelerate their desired goals and overcome limiting beliefs and challenges

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophia-schell/

Abstract

Everyone Communicates, Few Connect

Adam will take you on a journey through his art of storytelling and many failures, so attendees can gain their own personal awareness of how to improve in all areas of their life by connecting. This interactive, energic workshop will not disappoint.

About Speaker - Adam Holbrook

Adam Holbrook is a John Maxwell Certified Leadership Trainer, a “Time to Teach” classroom management Facilitator, and Financial Consultant for schools.

He serves as the financial consultant and board member for the nonprofit, Peace Through Play Nursery School. He is the president of Sunset Toastmasters public speaking club. Adam is a writer, a mastermind personal growth facilitator, men’s physique masters bodybuilding champion, and father. Adam has successfully founded, developed and sold 2 companies. The last was sold in January 2020 for 7+ figures.

Adam wants to live a life of purpose by empowering leaders and living a life of significance.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-holbrook-40618019/

Abstract

Poker for Project Managers – A Decision-Making Lab

Project teams often struggle with making decisions. Through the game Texas Hold-Em and the research of two winning professional players, this presentation will provide suggestions and a working model project managers can use to accelerate their decisions and to stick to decisions with confidence.

About Speaker - David Vincenti, PMP

David Vincenti, PMP is a father, husband, project manager, engineer, accordionist, poet, and Mets fan.

In his 35-year career in the medical device industry, David led projects to develop phlebotomy accessories, protein-separating ultracentrifuges, and diabetes management systems. He has presented to academic and professional audiences on topics interviewing skills, professional development, and project management, and has been recognized for his career-planning work with early-career technical professionals.

David holds degrees in Materials Engineering and Technology Management from Stevens Institute of Technology and is an Adjunct Professor at Montclair State University.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-vincenti-pmp-b496902/