Project managers are often expected to lead people, influence stakeholders, build high-performing teams, and adapt to emerging technologies long before they receive formal leadership training. This session explores the critical shift from managing projects to leading people. Through practical frameworks, real-world lessons, and actionable strategies, attendees will learn how to build trust, develop others, lead through influence, and strengthen their leadership effectiveness in an increasingly AI-enabled workplace.
AI promises faster execution, but unchecked it erodes the judgment project leaders are paid for. This interactive virtual session gives PMs a practical framework for deciding what to delegate to AI and what to keep human. Through a live decision scenario and group discussion, attendees learn to use AI for speed while protecting decision quality, stakeholder trust, and accountability. Leave with a reusable delegate-or-decide model you can apply to your next planning cycle.
Organizations rarely fail because of bad strategy or untalented people. They fail because of the gap between them. In this session, participants will learn how to identify the hidden signs of leadership misalignment, understand why capable teams struggle to execute, and discover a practical framework for turning strategy into consistent results. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to improve alignment, increase accountability, and accelerate execution without changing their people or rebuilding their plans.
AI will take anything that can be written down. Updating the risk register, building decks, optimizing the schedule: AI takes it all. What it cannot take are the parts that make you valuable, like knowing which rules to break, which recommendations to ignore, and which calls to own when things go wrong. That is how you stay harder to replace, not obsolete. Learn exactly where the machine stops and you begin.
Artificial Intelligence is transforming the Project Management Office from a reporting-focused function into a predictive, insight-driven strategic enabler. This session explores practical enterprise use cases for applying AI across governance, portfolio management, reporting, risk analysis, and project delivery. Attendees will learn how PMOs can leverage AI to reduce administrative overhead, improve decision-making, enhance delivery visibility, and build future-ready governance models while maintaining responsible AI and human oversight.
Agile and Waterfall are different approaches to delivering value to the business, from how they are staffed, to how they are funded, to fundamental differences in how they are managed. But can they effectively work together? This session examines where the two approaches diverge, where they complement each other, and how teams can blend them to deliver value.
What does it take to move from managing projects to leading organizations? Elevate brings together accomplished leaders who have transformed their careers through bold decisions, continuous learning, and a commitment to growth. Hear firsthand stories of overcoming challenges, building influence, embracing innovation, and navigating career-defining moments. Whether you are an emerging professional or an experienced leader, this inspiring panel will provide practical insights, actionable advice, and fresh perspectives to help you elevate your leadership journey and redefine what career success looks like in today's rapidly evolving world.
Sara Adams, Avadh Nagaralawala, Jeffrey Lim with Moderator - Danielle B. Steele
Friday September 25, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm MST Zoom
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the way projects are planned, executed, and delivered. This forward-looking panel explores how project professionals can leverage AI to automate routine tasks, improve decision-making, enhance collaboration, and focus on higher-value strategic work. Industry experts will share practical AI tools, real-world use cases, and insights on the skills project managers need to thrive in an AI-driven future. Whether you are just beginning your AI journey or looking to advance your organization's capabilities, this session will equip you with actionable strategies to work smarter and lead with confidence.
James Riley, Steve Harlow, Mehrdad Rasoli, Laura Farrell-Wortman with Moderator Dr. Pitch Balasubramanian
Friday September 25, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm MST Zoom
Great ideas create value only when they can be scaled. This session explores how organizations can turn innovative concepts into enterprise-wide impact through effective strategy, collaboration, and execution. Learn from industry leaders as they share practical approaches to scaling innovation, driving transformation, and maximizing value across teams, organizations, and communities.
Nigel Pinto, Sejal Chaturvedi, Nick Landry, Heidi Angell, Angella Nantambi with Moderator Dr. Brent Scholar
Friday September 25, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm MST Zoom
