• Amber Masterson
  • You are your own product - Scrum tools for everyday life
• Anna Chamberlayne
  • Working with Disabilities 
• Carl Canlas
  • Artificial Intelligence and Agile Project Management
• Chelsea Shields
  • Keynote Presentation: AIM HIGHER: Understand Your Employee Journey and How to Gain the Skills To Grow To The Top
• Chris Colosimo and Denee Hayes
  • Breaking Through Resistance: Gamification Strategies for Project Managers
  • Designing for project Sustainment: Avoiding the Post-Delivery Abyss
• Christine Chapman
  • SMARTER NOT HARDER: The Power Skills Reimagined 
• Dan Moseson
  • Networking
• Dave Durocher
  • Introduction to The Other Side Academy
• Eric Theurer
  • How to Win at Business Transformation: Plan - Execute - Adapt
• Erick Cuentas
  • The Fearless Career
• Jeff Lund
  • How to Plan for and Pass your Next Audit
• Jennifer Ksok
  • Training for Resilience
• Jessica Tidwell
  • The Art of Communication
• John Thompson and Loudon Fruth
  • Make It Work - Resume Workshop

• Kimberly Killam and Nickole Canfield
  • Project Management in Healthcare: Utilizing Operational Project Management to Overcome Challenges and Drive Strategies Forward
• Lance Allred
  • Keynote Presentation: LIONS AND LEADERS: The Principles of Perseverance
• Lee Henson
  • Unveiling the Customer Mind: Empathy Beyond Bias in Project Management
• Michelle Schumann
  • Cultivating Connections: Nurturing Customer Relationships for Lasting Satisfaction
• Mike J Berry
  • Reducing Project Risk, a Hands on Simulation
• Nycole Rosen
  • Executive Talk - How to Effectively Present Project Updates to the C-Suite
• Paula Weyen-Gellner
  • Tips and Tools for Managing Project Risk
• Reed Shell
  • Lean Into It - Lean Tools and Approaches for the Project Manager
• Rudy Vidal
  • Active Listening for Project Managers
• Scott Wilson
  • The Secrets of Successful Meetings
• Spencer Horn
  • Keynote Presentation: The Relevant Project Manager Aims Higher
• Staci Warne
  • First Steps in Microsoft Project: Building a Solid Foundation
  • Triple Constraint in Action: Strategic Task Management with Microsoft Project
• Steve Ostermiller
  • Agile Roundtable

Amber Masterson

... is an experienced scrum professional as well as a former QA Engineer with over 15 years of working in the tech industry in a variety of roles. On one of her teams she was known as “the glue that held the team together”, facilitating communication and collaboration among team members scattered across two states and two countries. Currently, she is a scrum master and coach at bioMérieux working with software teams and spreading agile influence throughout the company. Amber is a member of the Utah Agile group and the local Women in Agile chapter. She is passionate about personal growth and actively engaged in continued learning and personal development. She’s known by many of her friends as a renaissance woman because of her wide variety of skills. When not scrumming, you can find her composing music, rappelling down canyons, biking in the mountains, or going for a walk in the sunshine. 

Presentation

You are your own product - Scrum tools for everyday life
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it's easy to get caught up in the daily grind and forget about our bigger life goals and career dreams. Let's dive into how Scrum methodologies can change the game for us in our day-to-day. We'll chat about why it's so important to actively work ON our lives and careers, not just IN them.

From defining our ideal life to refining our journey through retrospectives, we’ll discover how Scrum tools can enhance our approach to personal development. Gain insights into achieving your goals through tailored MVP backlogs, crafting the career you desire, and nurturing meaningful connections.  Join us as we explore practical strategies for personal and professional growth - creating an intentional life and aligning with what we really want. You are your own product.

Anna Chamberlayne

... Associate Project Specialist at Dominion Energy, earned her BS in Business Management at Virginia Tech. While attending Virginia Tech, she founded and led the Disability Support Organization. This organization focused on helping students navigate relationships with peers, family, professors, and employers.

Anna has been managing severe ulcerative colitis along with other medical issues since she was a child. She is passionate about helping people who have disabilities pursue their full potential and sharing knowledge of how to support peers and subordinates with disabilities.

Anna earned her PMP in 2022 and her MBA from Western Governors University in 2023.

Presentation

Working with Disabilities
Come learn about how to incorporate those with various levels of physical ability into your project or team. For those that have disabilities, Anna will share about the importance of self-advocacy. She will share techniques on tasks such as communicating with leaders and requesting accommodations. For those that do not have disabilities she will share specific actions one can take to support friends and coworkers that have disabilities including behavior in the office and means of communication. For leaders, Anna will share insights gained from her experience leading a group of disabled students on how to be a proactive leader of people who have disabilities. Anna aims to foster a more inclusive and supportive work environment for individuals with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of self-advocacy, communication, and effective leadership practices.

Carl Canlas

Dr Canlas' research focus includes agile project management, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity audit. Currently works as Senior Internal Auditor for the Church Auditing Department, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He holds a doctorate in Information Technology and serves as an adjunct professor at the BYU Romney Institute of Public Service and Ethics where he collaborates with academia and practitioners within government and not for profit organizations to further research work on effective leadership development. He is married to Family and Human Development Professor, Jerevie Malig. Together they have three beautiful children. Outside of the office, Carl enjoys basketball, cycling and playing the bass guitar with his local band.

Presentation

Artificial Intelligence and Agile Project Management
In the ever-evolving landscape of project management, the need for agility and adaptability is paramount. Agile methodologies, with their emphasis on iterative development and continuous improvement, offer a powerful framework for navigating complex projects. However, the sheer volume of data and decision-making involved can overwhelm even the most seasoned project manager. This is where artificial intelligence (AI) can prove to be beneficial for agile project management. We hope to (1) understand the benefits and challenges of integrating AI into agile projects. (2) Discover practical examples of how AI is being used in various industries (3) Learn how to leverage AI to enhance your own project management skills.

Chelsea Shields

Dr. Shields has dual-PhD's from Boston University in biological and cultural anthropology where she studied the evolution and elicitation of placebo effects. She uses this background to help brands, speakers, and healthcare workers increase the techniques proven to benefit people. Dr. Shields owns Brandhthropologie Agency, a consumer research-based performance branding company, and is a TED Fellow, 4x TED Speaker, and TED speaking coach, including at our very own TEDxSLC for the last 5 years running.

Keynote Presentation

AIM HIGHER: Understand Your Employee Journey and How to Gain the Skills To Grow To The Top.
About 95% of success in the workforce is attributed to the one thing no one ever teaches you: non-verbal communication. Most people have no clue what their posture, walk, gestures, style, voice, or attitude is communicating to everyone around them OR how to adjust those signals to the benefit of themselves (and everyone around them). Join Dr. Chelsea Shields for an interactive keynote where you will learn the science behind body-language, mirroring, visual signaling, and placebo responses that will benefit your entire employee journey. You'll leave with practical knowledge and useful techniques for communicating competence, confidence, and control in any setting. Shields will use pop culture, live polling, and her decade of experience working with large brands to bridge the gap between human behavioral biology and applicable tips for project management and client engagement success.

AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS:  
1.    Non-Verbal Skills Training on Body Language, Mirroring, Visual Signaling, and Placebo Stacking. 
2.    Visual Recipes to Signal Competence, Confidence, and Control. 
3.    Essential Presentation Tips
4.    Common Speaking Mistakes to Avoid

Chris Colosimo

...is the Founder and Principal of CMJ Prospectives.  With more than 20 years of experience in business and cultural transformations, strategic leadership and organizational change management under her belt, you’ll find Chris and her team at the intersection of strategy and execution. Chris is trusted by brands and businesses worldwide to identify the true root of costly bottlenecks, improve employee experience and activate lasting solutions that accelerate business forward. If there’s one thing she understands, it’s people ─ what makes them tick, what helps them thrive, and how to active teams at scale to unlock performance. She is an expert at finding practical solutions to complex problems while infusing fresh energy into even the most critical business issues. Her ability to lead with consistent, creative, and unquestionable care has made her a highly sought after strategic partner in all business ventures. 

Chris' work has spanned across a variety of industries including: Mining, Aerospace & Defense, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Technology, Construction, Beauty + Wellness, and Outdoor Recreational Products. Chris holds a Bachelors of Science in Education, Masters of Science in Adult Education and a Masters of Science in Organizational Development from Utah State University. She is a member of Association of Change Management Professionals, Utah TribeHouse Executive Leaders, faculty member for the Women’s Leadership Institute and holds several professional certifications and Board Member positions.

Presentations

Breaking Through Resistance: Gamification Strategies for Project Managers
Are you a project manager facing challenges in navigating human resistance to change within your projects? Join us for an engaging breakout session designed specifically for Project Management Professionals like you. In this hands-on workshop, we'll delve into innovative gamification strategies aimed at helping you overcome resistance and drive effective change within your teams. Through participation in an interactive game, attendees will swiftly identify the barriers hindering project progress.

Led by experienced facilitators with a wealth of real-world project and organizational change management expertise, this session offers a unique opportunity to equip yourself with actionable insights and tools to navigate complex change scenarios successfully.

Don't miss out on this chance to rethink your approach to change management and unlock resistance where it matters most. Join us for an immersive experience that promises to transform your project management journey. Possible Key takeaways include:

• Understanding common resistance points in change management.
• Learning gamification techniques to engage and motivate team members.
• Practical strategies for addressing resistance and fostering a culture of adaptability.

Designing for project Sustainment: Avoiding the Post-Delivery Abyss
Explore the critical aspects of project sustainment, focusing on the elements that should be integrated throughout all phases of a project lifecycle. Attendees will gain insights into the importance of moving beyond the process side of project management and delving into the people side. The discussion will cover key strategies for infusing sustainability checkpoints. Attendees will learn about the significance of considering budgeting cycles, sustaining capital, and the broader scope of change management beyond communication.
 
Key Takeaways:

• Understand the importance of integrating sustainment practices throughout all project phases, from initiation to post-implementation.
• Discover strategies for designing sustainability checkpoints and managing change at a tactical level.
• Understand the people component of change management.

By attending this session, project management professionals will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to design projects for long-term sustainment, ensuring that their initiatives continue to deliver value well beyond the initial implementation phase.

Christine Chapman

... is an Oklahoma native and Doctor of Philosophy Candidate in Instructional Leadership at the University of Oklahoma. She currently resides in Draper, Utah with her husband and daughter and works at The University of Utah as the Complete U Program Manager in the Office of Undergraduate Studies. Christine is passionate about using education and instruction to positively affect interpersonal relationships to engage professionals in all fields and industries.

Presentation

SMARTER NOT HARDER: The Power Skills Reimagined
Soft skills have long been considered skills driven by emotions in industries dominated by facts. Companies are now finding that soft skills/interpersonal skills are the hidden stars of effective, successful, and timely project completion. It is the focus on Communication, Problem-solving, Collaborative Leadership, and Strategic Thinking that allows project and program managers to thoughtfully “Aim Higher” and plan the beginning with the end in mind. As 92% of respondents agree that power skills help them to work smarter, it is important for members of PMI to be on-trend and incorporate power skills as tools to work smarter, not harder. Ultimately, re-imagining soft skills as power skills creates more buy-in from facts-based management. This presentation will show why and how to incorporate power skills to ensure project success by facilitating project professionals’ ability to determine their strengths, work collaboratively with others, and succeed in the workplace.

Dan Moseson, PhD

... is the Career Coach for the College of Humanities at the University of Utah and the founder and photographer of MooseMind Photography.

Presentation

Networking
This session will introduce basic professional networking techniques and then provide a chance to try them on the spot. An outline and a list of sample questions for a networking conversation will be provided to facilitate practice.

Presentation

Introduction to The Other Side Academy
At The Other Side Academy, we operate differently from traditional drug rehabilitation centers. Instead of focusing solely on treatment, we prioritize personal responsibility, self-governance, and vocational training. Unlike conventional programs that offer temporary solutions, we provide a long-term transformative process that instills self-discipline and accountability in individuals with criminal backgrounds. Jail is an effective tool at protecting our communities at large but has a negligible impact on the criminal or addictive mindset of the perpetrators. We have a unique opportunity to confront those self defeating behaviors on a daily basis throughout their stay. Individuals address the root causes of their behaviors, develop essential life skills, and integrate into society as productive members. It's a holistic approach that sets us apart, offering a unique pathway for individuals to rebuild their lives and break the cycle of incarceration and addiction. 

Dave Durocher, Executive Director, Other Side Academy

...was arrested for the first time at the age of thirteen. By the time he was 38, he had been to prison four times for a total of fifteen years. Dave was arrested yet again, and this time he was facing a twenty-two year prison sentence. In what the Judge called “the chance of a lifetime” he afforded Dave the opportunity to go to Delancey Street instead of prison but reminded Dave in no uncertain terms that if he didn’t complete his commitment at Delancey Street he would be spending the rest of his life in prison.

Not only did Dave complete his initial two year commitment, he stayed for a total of eight years and became the Executive Director of Delancey’s Los Angeles facility for five of those years, overseeing two hundred and fifty residents and a multitude of vocational training school businesses that funded the operation and provided the training ground for residents to learn how to live a constructive and meaningful life. Dave oversaw a 300% increase in revenue during his tenure over the facility.

Dave is tenacious, interpersonally skilled, a good manager and an inspiring and powerful public speaker. He had helped countless others regain their dignity and their lives before he moved on to enjoy his own success as the person he had become.

Dave helped launch The Other Side Academy in 2015 and is currently the Executive Director in Salt Lake City. The Other Side Academy is a two-year Life Skills Academy similar to Delancey Street, where men and women can come to learn about honesty, accountability, integrity, hard work and self-respect. Under Dave’s management, The Other Side Academy has grown to over $11 million in revenues and donations for 2018 and has overseen the growth of the student population to over 90 students.

Denee Hayes

... is a seasoned expert in the delivery of projects that connect people to the heart of the change for long term project sustainment. She brings over two decades of expertise across various industries. As the Founder and Principal of Bijih Resource Consulting, she drives transformative change and delivers exceptional value to clients through her people first approach to digital optimization, change management, operational effectiveness, and Agile methodologies.

Known for her dynamic leadership and ability to cultivate high-performing teams, Denee is a sought-after speaker and thought leader with her practical wisdom and engaging insights in project management. She has served on several prestigious boards, including the Alumni Board of Governors at the University of Utah and the editorial Advisory Board of Utah Business Magazine. Denee holds a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering, is a safe agilest and is PROSCI certified along with several professional certifications. Her passion for collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement makes her an invaluable asset to any project she consults on.

Presentations

Breaking Through Resistance: Gamification Strategies for Project Managers
Are you a project manager facing challenges in navigating human resistance to change within your projects? Join us for an engaging breakout session designed specifically for Project Management Professionals like you. In this hands-on workshop, we'll delve into innovative gamification strategies aimed at helping you overcome resistance and drive effective change within your teams. Through participation in an interactive game, attendees will swiftly identify the barriers hindering project progress.

Led by experienced facilitators with a wealth of real-world project and organizational change management expertise, this session offers a unique opportunity to equip yourself with actionable insights and tools to navigate complex change scenarios successfully.

Don't miss out on this chance to rethink your approach to change management and unlock resistance where it matters most. Join us for an immersive experience that promises to transform your project management journey. Possible Key takeaways include:

• Understanding common resistance points in change management.
• Learning gamification techniques to engage and motivate team members.
• Practical strategies for addressing resistance and fostering a culture of adaptability.

Designing for project Sustainment: Avoiding the Post-Delivery Abyss
Explore the critical aspects of project sustainment, focusing on the elements that should be integrated throughout all phases of a project lifecycle. Attendees will gain insights into the importance of moving beyond the process side of project management and delving into the people side. The discussion will cover key strategies for infusing sustainability checkpoints. Attendees will learn about the significance of considering budgeting cycles, sustaining capital, and the broader scope of change management beyond communication.
 
Key Takeaways:

• Understand the importance of integrating sustainment practices throughout all project phases, from initiation to post-implementation.
• Discover strategies for designing sustainability checkpoints and managing change at a tactical level.
• Understand the people component of change management.

By attending this session, project management professionals will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to design projects for long-term sustainment, ensuring that their initiatives continue to deliver value well beyond the initial implementation phase.

Eric Theurer

... VP of Operations at Proggio Inc., brings over a decade of extensive experience in various business domains, primarily within the software industry. With a background spanning finance, customer relations, sales, and operations, Eric has honed his skills across diverse roles.

Having collaborated with global corporations, mid-market enterprises, and startups, Eric possesses a profound understanding of the ever-evolving business landscape. His expertise lies in driving operational excellence by strategically implementing efficiencies throughout organizations.

Eric is a staunch advocate for change management, recognizing its inevitability in business operations. His dynamic approach focuses on aligning businesses with optimal solutions, ensuring they flourish amidst ongoing transformations. As a speaker, Eric shares actionable insights into operational excellence and effective change management, providing valuable guidance for individuals and organizations alike.

Presentation

How to Win at Business Transformation: Plan - Execute - Adapt
In many organizations teams or departments tend to operate with their own agenda making it extremely hard to get everyone working together toward the same business goals. Add in the complexity of distributed teams, and it’s easy to see how project managers are stressed and burned out. The phrase “herding cats” is more accurate than most of us would like to admit.

At the same time, companies are under more pressure than ever to deliver results, save money and prioritize profitability. But that’s an increasingly harder task that requires intricate coordination, real-time resource and risk management, and seamless execution.  The problem is conventional project management tools—despite being the industry standard—lack the transparency, adaptability and ease of use to meet the needs of modern teams and support process and performance improvement.

In this presentation, we'll delve into the challenges that companies encounter during digital transformation. We'll explore why implementing systems that prioritize transparency, align with business objectives, foster innovation, and mitigate risks is crucial for facilitating real-time collaboration and cross-functional teamwork.

Erick Cuentas

... is a Technology Solutions Partner & Project Manager for Swire Coca-Cola. Formerly an engineer, people leader, and career coach. His emphasis on mentoring others revolves around psychological safety and eliminating fear from the workplace. Thus enabling others to speak up, perform their best at work, and reduce the stress they take back home. Erick obtained his Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from the University of Utah and is a former Engineering Alumni Association board member.

Presentation

The Fearless Career
What’s the worst thing that can happen if you take risks at work?... The fear of losing your job can keep you from speaking up, asking the hard questions, and challenging the system. It can keep you comfortable but ultimately unfulfilled. But what if you could remove that fear? What if you didn’t have to be at the mercy of your employer to feel safe at work?

The Fearless Career training will help you discover how to remove that fear by taking 4 steps:
1.    Time management - The first excuse to overcome is “I don’t have time.”
2.    Financial wisdom - The second excuse to overcome is “I can’t afford to lose my job.”
3.    Career Clarity - If you ever change jobs, you need to take a step forward, not a step back.
4.    Job Hunting - Nothing gives you more confidence than knowing you are in demand.

Jeff Lund

... has been a member of the PMI Northern Utah Chapter for over 19 years.  Jeff has worked as a technical project manager, Software Development manager and held various leadership roles within multiple companies, industries and nonprofit organizations. He provides professional coaching, corporate consulting and is a returning speaker to PDC.  Jeff loves helping individuals, teams and companies achieve their goals. He holds a BS degree from the University of Utah and an MBA from Westminster University (formally Westminster College).

Presentation

How to Plan for and Pass your next audit
In this fun and engaging course, Jeff will share insights and steps you can follow to help your team, department and/or company navigate through your next audit.  Having participated in both internal and external audits in the Financial, Real Estate and BioTech industries, Jeff will share tips on how to prepare for an audit, what to expect during an audit and things to consider after an audit.

Jennifer Ksok

Highly adaptable, collaborative, strategic, and holistic Project Manager, thought leader, and business partner with the excellent capacity to quickly understand technical problems, forecast outcomes, and communicate project challenges to the team to find effective and sustainable solutions. Comfortable at the intersection of technology and business.

Presentation

Training for Resilience
In the past couple of years, resilience has taken the spotlight for how an individual copes with difficulties and how quickly it takes them to recover. It’s common to hear professionals talking about an individual’s resilience in different terms based on the
environmental factors that are surrounding them. With uncertainties running rampant in both the business and personal worlds, Project Managers are needing to be able to handle any change that occurs within their project(s) while leading their team. Training for Resilience takes us on a journey of how one Project Manager used their training plan for a bucket-list cycling event to build their resilience for their personal life while applying those lessons to navigate the changes in their project.

Jessica Tidwell

... is the Director of Technology Integrations and product owner over D365 F&O at BGSF, a workforce solutions provider based out of Texas.  She works remotely from Utah.  She received her PMP in 2014 and her MBA in 2019. She was on the board of directors of PMI – Northern Utah chapter serving as the Membership Vice President from 2013-2018.  She worked as a project management consultant before joining her current company full time in 2022.

Presentation

The Art of Communication
Mastering the art of communication is critical to the role of a project manager, especially considering the dynamic of leading a team of people who don’t directly report to you.  Whether encouraging others to meet deadlines in a timely manner, reading body language to recognize what others are trying to say or creating written communication to stakeholders, communication may be the most important skill of all.

In this presentation, we will review a variety of communication skills, examine scenarios to determine how to reach the best outcome and come away with more confidence in our ability to hear what others are truly saying and ensure we are conveying messages effectively.

John Thompson

Head of Operations for Smith Johnson Group, John is a pioneer in process improvement, organizational efficiency and effectiveness as well as a seasoned recruiter and account executive. John brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from many years in the Silicon Valley Tech and Engineer Industry. 

Presentation

Make it work - Resume Workshop
Make it work - resume workshop is a session geared towards effective resume building, job hunting strategies, and more. We aim to bring you the recruiters perspective, what are we looking for, how does that applicant tracking system work, why applying on LinkedIn probably isn't enough.

Kimberly Killam

...has dedicated over 17 years to University of Utah Health, evolving in various roles. She found her calling as an Operational Project Manager in 2019.  Admiring her role as a PM, she expanded her skills with a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification in 2023. Kimberly found a passion for equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives when leading multiple EDI focused projects.  In 2022 she was honored with the "Leadership in Inclusive Excellence Award".  Being driven by this achievement and project work, she committed to learning and doing more. In 2023, she completed the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business Leading with Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Certification while starting her three-year term as a voting member of the University of Utah Staff Council, where she also sits on the EDI committee. Kimberly focuses on a people-centered, collaborative project management approach, and aims to make a lasting impact on her teams, the patients, and the community.

Presentation

Project Management in Healthcare: Utilizing Operational Project Management to Overcome Challenges and Drive Strategies Forward
Across industries, projects are becoming an increasingly central means to meet both current and future market pressures. In response, Project Management roles across industries are expected to increase by 33% (22 million new jobs) through 2027, with healthcare leading the way with an anticipated 17% increase. Due to the highly cross-functional nature of healthcare organizations, healthcare project professionals are uniquely poised to enable leaders to execute key initiatives. This presentation explores the dynamic realm of project management within the healthcare sector, focusing on how Operational Project Management serves as a crucial tool in overcoming challenges while advancing strategies. We’ll shed light on how our team is structure within the organization and the diverse range of projects we undertake. Additionally, we’ll walk through a case study to demonstrate how we leverage project management tools and leadership skills to navigate operational complexities and drive project success in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.

Lance Allred

Lance Allred is the first legally deaf player in NBA history and author of five books, including LONGSHOT and The New Alpha Male. A TEDx star of "What is your Polygamy?" (4.6MM views) Lance has presented on Leadership, Perseverance, Body Language and Communication, Disabilities and Adversity to corporations such as Costco, Coldwell Banker, Collier's, Christie's Great Estates and the FBI.

Keynote Presentation

LIONS AND LEADERS: The Principles of Perseverance

Lance's smash hit keynote on leadership, perseverance and grit where Lance will show, with his 5 Principles of Perseverance, how he achieved what many perceived to be an unattainable goal: The First Deaf Player in NBA History. 

Each principle is introduced and applied through powerful stories and anecdotes from Lance's global experience at the professional sports/corporate level. The takeaway and action points are strong and clear for any audience and any level.  

He is now duplicating those same principles on a daily basis to conquer his next "unattainable goal," showing that he continues to walk the walk. 

Lee Henson

... also known as AgileDad is a professional keynote / motivational speaker who is passionate about helping people and organizations recognize their full potential. 

He has been recognized worldwide for his inclusive, pragmatic, humanized, psychology-based approach used to help organizations, teams, and leaders achieve true business agility with a focus on individual excellence. His keynote speaking sessions are engaging, deep, and when he speaks, you embark on a journey of discovery unlike any you could ever dream possible. 

Whether your audience is ten or ten thousand, his musically inspired masterful storytelling is certain to spark your people to learn, love, and grow. He will push them beyond their limits to discover and become the best version of themselves. Be prepared to laugh, dance, and sing along to what is certain to be the most memorable sessions at your conference! 

Presentation

Unveiling the Customer Mind: Empathy Beyond Bias in Project Management
In today's dynamic project management landscape, understanding and empathizing with the customer has never been more crucial. "Unveiling the Customer Mind: Empathy Beyond Bias in Project Management" delves into the transformative power of empathy, offering insights into how project managers can transcend personal and societal biases to connect with customer needs on a deeper level. This presentation will explore practical strategies for embedding empathy into the project lifecycle, from initiation through to delivery. By incorporating real-world examples and actionable techniques, we'll examine how empathy not only enhances customer satisfaction but also drives innovation and project success. Attendees will learn how to leverage empathy as a strategic tool, ensuring that projects are not only delivered efficiently but also resonate deeply with the intended audience, ultimately fostering stronger, more meaningful connections between project teams and their customers.

Loudon Fruth

Manager of Client Services for Smith Johnson Group, Loudon does all things customer related, providing assessment of business employment needs, candidate search and vetting to onboarding. Loudon focuses on bringing the right candidates to clients to achieve the best fit for both employer and employee.

Presentation

Make it work - Resume Workshop
Make it work - resume workshop is a session geared towards effective resume building, job hunting strategies, and more. We aim to bring you the recruiters perspective, what are we looking for, how does that applicant tracking system work, why applying on LinkedIn probably isn't enough.

Presentation

Cultivating Connections: Nurturing Customer Relationships for Lasting Satisfaction
Join us for an insightful session on "Cultivating Connections: Nurturing Customer Relationships for Lasting Satisfaction," where we dive into the art of building meaningful bonds with customers, both inside and outside your organization. From grasping their needs to delivering exceptional service, we'll uncover practical approaches to foster loyalty and contentment. Engaging stories and practical advice will demonstrate the significance of authentic engagement, clear communication, and tailored experiences.

We'll also explore how to embrace technology while preserving that personal touch, ensuring each interaction leaves a positive mark. Whether you're a seasoned expert or just starting out, this presentation equips you with hands-on methods to deepen
connections, improve retention, and pave the way for long-term success. Don't miss out on discovering the transformative power of genuine connections in achieving enduring customer satisfaction.

Michelle Schumann

With over eighteen years of diverse experience spanning project and program management, as well as teaching roles, Michelle Schumann brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Her journey includes obtaining certifications such as PMP in April 2016 and CSM in June 2017, alongside academic achievements like a Master of Science in Management and Leadership, complemented by a Bachelor of Science in Business Management & Administration. Since 2013, she has been actively involved with the Project Management Institute - Northern Utah Chapter, dedicating over a decade to serving on the Board of Directors. Currently, she holds the position of VP of Finance, leveraging her skills to contribute meaningfully to the organization's success.

Beyond her professional endeavors, she is fortunate to have the unwavering support of her loving husband, son, and daughter-in-law, as well as the companionship of two lively dogs, Apollo (Siberian Husky) and Athena (German Shepherd).

In her downtime, she relishes the opportunity to explore the great outdoors, particularly indulging in off-roading adventures in her Jeep. Traveling also holds a special place in her heart, allowing her to immerse herself in new cultures and experiences.

Mike J Berry

... is the CEO and Chief Trainer for Red Rock Research.   He has worked in the software development industry for over 25 years prior to starting a training company 17 years ago.  He is an expert in both Agile and plan-based development methodologies and has developed courseware and teaches in all areas of software development.  What sets Mike apart from other software coaches is that he has a technical programming background and has programmed multiple world-class applications.  Mike wrote bank teller software that was deployed at over 2500 branches in five states.  He led a team that wrote medical EMR software that was deployed in over 600 medical facilities in the United States.  Mike wrote a global product lifecycle tracking system that is deployed in numerous countries on four continents.  In addition to holding numerous certifications, Mike is also a John C. Maxwell Leadership Coach, and is the creator of the Stable Framework, a quality system for the Agile community.

Presentation

Reducing Project Risk, a Hands on Simulation
Risk comes in all shapes and sizes. From Enterprise Risk to Platform Risk to Process Risk, when unwanted things happen, we are forced to deal with the dreaded "Hidden Factory." Join us for a fun workshop simulation showing how aiming higher with a simple quality system like CMMi, ISO9000, or the Stable Framework, can help your project teams achieve Operational Excellence and get deliverables out the door 33% faster than teams who don't.

Nickole Canfield

...is a Sr. Operations Project Manager who has worked in healthcare for over 13 years. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics with a minor in Portuguese from the University of Utah. Following her bachelors, Nickole went on to earn a Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business. She has worked at University of Utah Health since 2011 in various roles, including clinical, training, and administrative. She joined the Operational Project Management Office (OPMO) in 2019 where she enjoys leading projects and collaborating with leaders and team members to help drive organizational strategies forward.  Nickole has a passion for learning and helping others gain tools and skills to be successful in their roles. When she’s not working, you can find Nickole venturing off to a new country, playing pickleball, or spending time with her nieces and nephews.

Presentation

Project Management in Healthcare: Utilizing Operational Project Management to Overcome Challenges and Drive Strategies Forward
Across industries, projects are becoming an increasingly central means to meet both current and future market pressures. In response, Project Management roles across industries are expected to increase by 33% (22 million new jobs) through 2027, with healthcare leading the way with an anticipated 17% increase. Due to the highly cross-functional nature of healthcare organizations, healthcare project professionals are uniquely poised to enable leaders to execute key initiatives. This presentation explores the dynamic realm of project management within the healthcare sector, focusing on how Operational Project Management serves as a crucial tool in overcoming challenges while advancing strategies. We’ll shed light on how our team is structure within the organization and the diverse range of projects we undertake. Additionally, we’ll walk through a case study to demonstrate how we leverage project management tools and leadership skills to navigate operational complexities and drive project success in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.

Presentation

Executive Talk - How to Effectively Present Project Updates to the C-Suite
Join us for an interactive discussion and practice session on reporting project status, risks and issues to members of your c-Suite. Learn how to craft your message to get decisions made and move your project along quicker.

Nycole Rosen

...is Chief Information Officer for BGSF (NYSE: BGSF), headquartered in Plano, TX, and spanning 80+ offices in North America. Leading the information technology strategy for one of Staffing Analysts’ “Largest IT Staffing Firms in the US,” Nycole brings decades of experience driving operational effectiveness and profitability through comprehensive integration of IT systems. 
 
As CIO, Nycole is amplifying her vision to design and implement consolidated systems across the business that will accelerate BGSF’s unique brand and proven organic growth strategy focused on new markets and new capabilities. Having been promoted in Q1 2023 from Vice President of Technology, she is excited to extend the digital transformation strategy she began with BGSF in 2019. At that time, she collaborated on a technology roadmap to create an efficient, central IT strategy supporting the firm’s dozens of locations. 
 
Driving the IT transformation initiated as Vice President, Nycole now is accelerating success of the Project Management Office (PMO) with Lean Six Sigma and Agile SDLC principles. Engaging her Vice President of Technology, Director of Technology, and their front-line teams, she continues to be excited to deliver on crucial change management goals shaping outcomes for operational efficiency, cybersecurity, and profitability. 
 
Prior to her work with BGSF, Nycole initiated her career in the staffing industry with EmployBridge (Duluth, GA), the country’s largest industrial staffing firm, with 400+ locations nationally. Shifting her human resources and IT training experiences to focus on IT strategy, first as IT Manager and later as Director of Operations, she oversaw dozens of Leading Edge Delivery (LED) projects, guiding teams of 10+ to propel the organization’s scalability and efficiency across hundreds of locations and thousands of users. 

A champion of principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Nycole intentionally seeks out diverse individuals to ensure a variety of perspectives are represented, appreciating that growth comes from pushing beyond comfort zones. 

Presentation

Tips and Tools for Managing Project Risk
Managing projects can be risky business. Without proper risk identification and planning, your project could be on the path to derailment before it has even begun. It is important to understand that addressing risks is a normal part of project management and that most risks can be identified at the beginning. Project risk doesn’t have to appear as unpredictable and unmanageable.  By committing to proper risk identification, tracking, and status reporting throughout the life of your project you can take control and avoid risks becoming issues.  Come learn some risk management tips and tools to help your project stay on track towards success.

Paula Weyen-Gellner

... is a certified project manager and senior environmental scientist at Stantec, a global design firm. Paula is the group manager for the project managers within the US Mining, Minerals and Metals business center. With over 25 years of engineering consulting experience, she provides management and technical expertise on numerous large, multi-year Mining, Industrial, and Federal projects.  Paula’s specific focal points include:
•    Being a trusted advisor to both clients and team members by creating connection
•    Practicing open and honest communication to facilitate progress and change
•    Navigating technically and logistically complex projects to recognize management requirements
•    Translating project data into meaningful, customized reporting that provides value
•    Mentoring peers on project management best practices through practical knowledge, including providing instruction through University of Utah Professional Education

Reed Shell

... is a 30-year Information Technology professional who has worked for Fortune 50 companies, non-profits, and small businesses. Reed speaks fluent agile and coach’s companies on using lean approaches. He enjoys teaching and instructs part time for the University of Utah. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Boise State University (go Broncos!) and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from prestigious George Fox University.  When he is not managing people, process, projects, or presenting, you will find him in his garage turning wrenches on engines and transmissions or restoring VW Beetles.

Presentation

Lean Into It – Lean Tools and Approaches for the Project Manager
To have lean tools and approaches in your project management toolbox can be helpful in improving the flow and reducing the waste in a project. In this session, Reed Shell, an experienced Lean and Agile Leader for a major manufacture will provide a history of lean, the lean mindset, explore lean approaches and provide hands-on experimentation with lean tools that will be helpful to the project manager. 

The presentation will provide a history of Lean by looking at some Lean Pioneers, the Toyota Way, and the Shingo Institute with the intent to show how companies use the lean mindset. It will then shift to reviewing lean approaches such as the A3 Process, the KATA Approach and Value Stream Mapping. It will wrap up with allowing the participant to test drive some lean tools including The Flow Chart, Value Analysis, Fishbone Diagram, Simplification and Multitasking.  The attendee will get an overview of:

• History of Lean and the Lean Mindset
• Lean approaches
• Lean Tools 

Rudy Vidal

... is an accomplished speaker, author, and consultant with more than 25 years’ experience in guiding organizations to higher performance.
Rudy’s approach focuses on the customer experience as the driver for organizational management through Leadership Clarity, Policy and Process Alignment, Employee Engagement and Sales Optimization.

Having held a number of executive and C-level positions for Fortune 500 as well as emerging growth companies, Rudy founded Vidal Consulting Group 15 years ago, with a mission to develop holistic models and hands-on tools to ensure internal and external customers’ engagement and satisfaction.

He has served domestically and internationally, such companies as Panasonic, Samsung, WIlliams-Sonoma, Turkcell, Oracle, Vodaphone, Met Life Insurance, SEO.com, American Express, Dubai Islamic Bank, Old Castle Holding Group, Big-D Construction, Sharp Electronics among others. 
Rudy holds a BS in Computer Science from Kean University and an Electrical Engineering degree from Middlesex College.

Presentation

Active Listening for Project Managers
Active listening is a crucial skill for project managers, to be able to unify stakeholders under clear priorities, expectations, roles and responsibilities and a posture of trust and collaboration.  
 
In this presentation, we will discuss how to leverage active listening as an effective tool to:
•    Create stakeholder consensus on vision and priorities.
•    Ensure collaborative relationships of trust.
•    Maintain appropriate expectations.
•    Activate a sense of accountability, individually and as a team.
•    Understand and address evolving individual stakeholder concerns.
 
During the presentation, we encourage the audience participation so we can all benefit from each other’s experiences.

Scott Wilson

...has over 25 years of experience leading people to achieve results while working as a Project Manager, Program Manager, and functional Manager.  He enjoys helping people achieve their organizational objectives and professional aspirations. 

Scott found his passion, studying and sharing leadership theory, when he earned his MBA at DePaul University.  His experiences there changed his life and set him on a never-ending study of leadership, business processes, and motivational psychology. 

Scott is recognized as a project management thought leader who has earned numerous agile certifications.  He is a certified instructor of agile project management practices and loves to share his knowledge with others.  

Scott currently works as a Sr. Program Manager at Verisk.

Presentation

The Secrets of Successful Meetings
Join Scott to learn The Secrets of Successful Meetings!  Understand what it takes to plan and facilitate a truly successful meeting.  Whether you are preparing to facilitate your first meeting or you are a seasoned pro, you’ll walk away with newfound knowledge that will make your meetings more engaging and effective. 

During the session, Scott will share his 3 E’s of meeting success.  We’ll cover the basics of meeting planning and facilitation techniques along with advanced topics like selecting meeting times to maximize analytical skills and creative problem-solving abilities.   

You’ll learn Scott’s tricks for easily creating meeting minutes, conducting successful daily stand-ups, and performing painless project plan reviews.  He’ll share with you a pattern for meetings that will capture your group’s attention and hold it throughout the discussion.  Scott will also share his secrets for using technology to make your meetings come alive!

Keynote Presentation

The Relevant Project Manager Aims Higher
Attendees will learn the crucial skill of adapting their leadership style to achieve the personal and professional growth they desire. Leadership and behavioral expert, Spencer Horn, will delve into various leadership styles. He’ll show us how to overcome our rigid view of authenticity by embracing our own discomfort, to effectively use weaknesses in many circumstances. Attendees will also discover how to navigate new promotions, receive feedback, and self-advocate, all while staying true to their values! This fascinating topic will provide valuable insights. This is a must-attend event for anyone looking to improve their leadership skills.

This program is perfect for:

• Senior leaders who want to improve their impact
• Emerging leaders who want to earn respect 

The audience will leave with:

• Identify your leadership strength and weaknesses 
• Personal plan and strategy to strengthen blind spots and weaknesses
• Confidence to "show up" for your team in ways they need
• Improve your reputation and personal brand Breakthrough barriers to growth
• Breakthrough barriers to rigid thinking Set the stage for team performance and organizational change

Spencer Horn

... is the President of Altium Leadership. He has previously been the CEO of a leadership development company and Vice President of a NASDAQ company, which developed IMAX theaters in tourist destinations. There he worked with major organizations such as IMAX Corp., National Geographic Television, Radio City Productions, Disney Films and more. He has been speaking professionally since 2009. He has been speaking and presenting at PMI chapter development conferences since 2010 and has been a regular speaker at the PMI Leadership Institute Meeting (LIM) North America Conference since 2014 and the closing keynote speaker of LIM AP & NA 2021. He was the opening general session speaker at LIM 2023. He is consistently one of the highest rated speakers for the yearlong, PMI Leadership Institute Master Class (LIMC) since 2015.

He is a co-author of the "Speakers on Life" anthology "The Power of the Platform" along with Jack Canfield, Les Brown, Brian Tracy and more. 

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in political science and a Master of Science degree in economics from the University of Utah. He is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) with the National Speakers Association, a designation which less than 17% of NSA speakers and 6% of speakers worldwide achieve. He is a Certified Team Performance Coach (CTPC) and facilitator through Team Coaching International and a certified Professional Dynametric Programs trainer and administrator through PDP Global. Spencer has been married to his amazing wife, Jana, for more than 37 years. She is his partner and COO of Altium Leadership. Together they have five beautiful children and seven grandchildren.

Staci Warne PMP, MCT

...is a highly skilled Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT), Project management Professional (PMP) and Author of “Working Smarter with Microsoft Outlook” and soon to be released Microsoft Project Book, with over 25 years’ experience in training individuals at all skill levels.  She obtained her PMP certification in 2021 holds an array of other certifications such as Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) and Microsoft Office master Instructor, Ic3 Internet and Core computer instructor and most recently Certified AI Specialist. She has been an instructor at the University of Utah, Professional Development, on topics such as “The Art of Delegation”, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, and soon AI with ChatGPT. She has been a Financial Analyst and a lead technology trainer for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco as well as a lead technology trainer at CompUSA. Staci travels for live training and trains remotely to provide quality training to thousands of business, military, and corporate professionals in all industries. Her biggest joy in the classroom comes from seeing the students have those “Aha” moments when learning a new tool that they never knew was available. 

Staci's style is not to train "out of the book", but offers individual insights, and augments course materials with her own "tips and tricks" to meet your needs. 

Presentations

First Steps in Microsoft Project: Building a Solid Foundation
Step up your project management skills with this concise, 60-minute course, tailored for busy professionals. This class will guide you through the fundamentals of Microsoft Project, ensuring you start your projects on the right foot. Learn to navigate the software with ease, set up projects effectively, and manage resources efficiently. Starting your projects correctly is crucial to saving time and avoiding headaches later, and this course is your key to doing just that. By the time you finish this course, you'll be using Microsoft Project with such ease, skill, and speed, that you may even want to plan your next vacation with it!

Triple Constraint in Action: Strategic Task Management with Microsoft Project
This course demystifies why durations and workloads change unexpectedly in project schedules. Dive into the world of task types, understand the impact of the Project Management Triple Constraint, and master selecting the right task type for your project. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to Microsoft Project, this session, filled with practical demonstrations, is an invaluable opportunity to enhance your scheduling expertise. Don't miss out on this chance to elevate your project management skills!

Presentation

Agile Roundtable
Since before the 2001 Agile Manifesto was signed here in Snowbird, Utah, roundtable discussions have taken place monthly for collaborating on better ways of working in an ever-evolving volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world. Brought to you by Utah Agile, this session opens the space for you to bring forward your toughest questions regarding agile organizations, leadership, structure and practices. You will be surprised at how this lightweight-but-structured session can reveal the otherwise hidden experiences of others that can help you in your situation. As an experienced facilitator, an expert agile coach and trainer, as well as the executive director of Utah Agile, I want you to experience what we’ve been experiencing every month—solving problems “and helping others do it.”

Steve Ostermiller

... is a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) and COO of Platinum Edge where he has worked with executive leadership and scrum teams in finance, healthcare, media, entertainment, defense and energy, public works, local and state government, logistics, e-commerce, IT operations, manufacturing, ERP implementations, PMO development, transportation, startups and nonprofits.

Steve’s expertise comes from nearly 20 years of successes and failures as project manager, product manager, operations executive, scrum master, agile coach, trainer and consultant.  His contributions and credentials include:

• Co-author of both Agile Project Management For Dummies and Scrum For Dummies
• Founder and executive director (CEO) of Utah Agile, with over 2,000 members
• Ensign College agile project management course instructor, curriculum creator and advisor
• Speaker at user group meetups, AgilePrague, PMI region & chapter events
• Certified Agile Leader (CAL II)
• ICAgile Certified Professional - Agile Coaching (ICP-ACC)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)

Steve lives in Utah with his family of five children and two canines. (Scrum at home? Yes.)