Project leaders today are being asked to deliver more with fewer resources, tighter timelines, shifting priorities, and rising expectations. Many teams are dealing with stress, change fatigue, unclear direction, and pressure to produce results fast. In this high-energy keynote, Saby Waraich shares a practical leadership approach to help project professionals move from SCARE (Stress, Chaos, Anxiety, Resistance to Change, and Ego) to CARES leadership. Through real-world stories from complex digital transformation efforts, cybersecurity incidents, public sector projects, and leadership moments under pressure, Saby will show how project leaders can create clarity, build trust, stay calm, and deliver impact even when the path keeps changing.
Saturday September 26, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am MST Arizona Ballroom
Change-makers generate powerful ideas for improving products, processes, and organizations, yet many stall when asked for a project plan. This session introduces a battle-tested framework for building a credible, leadership-ready plan in four hours, with no software required. Using a real cost-reduction program as a live example, you will integrate scope, milestones, risks, costs, and assumptions into one compelling document that is rigorous enough for executives and fast enough to actually complete. Walk in skeptical. Walk out with a repeatable framework.
What do you do when priorities shift mid-project, a key stakeholder changes course, and your AI tools are confidently wrong? As the delivery landscape changes, project leaders are expected to blend Agile, Hybrid, and AI-enabled practices to keep delivering impact. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore realistic project scenarios where priorities shift, stakeholders evolve, and technology influences decision-making. Through simulations, collaborative exercises, and practical discussions, attendees will learn how to select and adapt delivery approaches, leverage AI responsibly, and strengthen stakeholder engagement to achieve successful outcomes in rapidly changing environments.
Race against the clock in this immersive team-building session! A simulated ransomware attack has compromised state project files, and only your core project management instincts can save them. Teams must collaborate to analyze a corrupted WBS, RACI matrix, Kanban board, and Gantt chart to find the system override code. Put your PMBOK knowledge to the test, master workflow constraints, and discover how strong governance prevents real-world chaos.
This session explores the successful implementation of an Enterprise LLM, such as ChatGPT Enterprise, within a fast-paced organization. Using a real-world collaboration between PassionIT Group and a multi-million dollar entertainment organization, the presenters will highlight how effective training, project management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning supported enterprise AI adoption. Attendees will learn how organizations can prepare employees to use AI responsibly, align business and IT objectives, manage implementation risks, and drive user adoption across diverse teams. The session concludes with key lessons learned, practical recommendations for implementing enterprise AI, and insights into the critical role project managers play in leading successful technology adoption initiatives.
