PMI Sites
Blog
CEO Corner
Register
Project Management Institute
Search

    Straight Talk with Sunil

    In the “Straight Talk with Sunil” video series, we explore topics that are timely and relevant to PMI and our various stakeholders – in a very simple 1:1 or 1:2 format.

    Episode 12

    PMI President and CEO Sunil Prashara recently sat down with VP of Global Experience and Solutions Mike DePrisco to discuss PMI’s overall product strategy and roadmap, how we’ve responded and thrived amidst the crises of 2020, and what’s next for our global community.

    Part 1 – Strategy Overview and Moving Forward

    Sunil shares his reflections on how PMI has responded to the pandemic and Mike outlines how product strategy supports PMI’s broader priorities. (5:37)

    Part 2 – Overcoming the Challenges of 2020

    Mike discusses PMI’s fast reaction in response to the economic disruption created by COVID 19 – and how it has empowered change makers to respond to new challenges. (5:23)

    Part 3 – The Process: Leading in the Marketplace

    Sunil and Mike deep dive into the process of how PMI senses and responds to market signals to meet needs for the change maker community. (5:27)

    Part 4 – Emerging Products: The Roadmap

    Mike gives a high-level overview of the exciting new solutions on the horizon for the PMI family. Highlights include Organizational Transformation micro-certs and upcoming Wicked Problem Solving courses. (6:06)

    Part 5 – Resilience in 2021 and Beyond

    2020 was a year for resilience. As we look ahead to 2021, Sunil engages with Mike to explore the roadmap for the immediate future and beyond, ranging from our existing advanced certification portfolio to new verticals like construction. (4:47)

    Episode 11

    Episode 11 of Straight Talk is a bit different — Sunil passed the baton to VP of Global Experience & Solutions Mike DePrisco, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer Dave Garrett, and Chief Operating Officer Joe Cahill!

    As we start to wrap up the year, I encourage you to take some time to watch these brief conversations as they reflect on several of our important initiatives from 2020.

    Straight Talk with Sunil – Episode 11, Part 1: Online Proctored Testing with Pearson Vue

    VP of Global Experience & Solutions Mike DePrisco met with our friends from our exam testing partner to discuss online proctored testing. They covered tips to ensure the best test experience, steps we’re taking to keep the exam secure, and what lies ahead for PMI and the high-stakes testing industry.

    Straight Talk with Sunil – Episode 11, Part 2: PMI and Social Responsibility

    Chief Strategy & Growth Officer Dave Garrett led a discussion with Board Members on PMI’s commitment to societal impact. We often describe project professionals as “changemakers” who are uniquely equipped to tackle the world’s biggest challenges. The group shared their views on how they see PMI further enabling changemakers to make an impact and what a measure of PMI succeeding in this space would look like.

    Straight Talk with Sunil – Episode 11, Part 3: COVID-19 Response

    Chief Operating Officer Joe Cahill spoke with Board Members about their thoughts and feelings during the critical moments when PMI made the decision to go virtual in response to the global pandemic. They shared how the decision would affect delivering on the 2020 roadmap, the biggest challenges we faced, and lessons we will take forward.

    Episode 10

    In Episode 10, Sunil speaks with several members of the PMI Board of Directors for brief, wide-ranging conversations on their contributions and perspectives on the PMI community.

    Straight Talk with Sunil – Episode 10, Part 1: Departing PMI Board Directors

    I sat down with the members rolling off of the Board at the end of the year - but not, I would add, leaving our community! enjoyed hearing their reflections about the course of their service and their perspective on the future: Cathy LaTona, Jennifer Tharp, and Davidson Frame

    Straight Talk with Sunil – Episode 10, Part 2: Previous Board Chairs

    Serving as the Chair of the PMI Board is a big commitment, but enormously rewarding – that’s what I learned from chatting with three members who have been there: Beth Partleton (Board Chair 2011), Randy Black (Board Chair 2018), and Tony Appleby (Board Chair 2019).

    Straight Talk with Sunil – Episode 10, Part 3: Committee Chair Leads

    I caught up with the respective chairs of our Board committees: Cathy LaTona (Compensation Committee Chair), Tejas Sura (Strategy Oversight Committee Chair), and Galen Townson (Audit Committee Chair).

    Episode 9

    In this episode, Sunil speaks with Mary Pat Kessler to discuss the role of the Government Relations team, ad sales and the Knowledge Initiative. They also share their thoughts on ‘growth’ at PMI.

    Straight Talk with Sunil – Episode 9, Part 1: The role of Government Relations team

    The importance of synchronicity between project management and the federal and state governments.

    Straight Talk with Sunil– Episode 9, Part 2: What are ad sales?

    Dialing for dollars, ad sales is the revenue engine supporting our events.

    Straight Talk with Sunil – Episode 9, Part 3: What is the Knowledge Initiative?

    Delivering value to stakeholders in areas related to the new work ecosystem.

    Straight Talk with Sunil – Episode 9, Part 4: Your experience and background

    More about Mary Pat Kessler and her role with PMI.

    Episode 8

    In the latest episode of “Straight Talk With Sunil” (recorded before the coronavirus outbreak), Sunil chats with Christine Toto, Director of Marketing and Customer Development for PMI. They discuss how the Marketing function at PMI engages with our customers, and how they are delivering value for PMI stakeholders around the world.

    Listen to audio

    Straight Talk with Sunil - Episode 8

    Episode 7

    In this episode of “Straight Talk With Sunil” (recorded before the coronavirus outbreak), Sunil sat down with Mark Emery, Director of Customer Care for PMI. They talk about how PMI handles customer inquiries and requests, how the organization benchmarks its success, and new ways for communicating with PMI stakeholders across the globe.

    Listen to audio 

    Straight Talk with Sunil - Episode 7

    Episode 6

    In this episode of “Straight Talk With Sunil” (recorded before the coronavirus outbreak), Sunil interviews Devyn Colson, Director of IT Operations for PMI. They discuss how IT Operations is delivering results and support for PMI employees, as well as the stakeholders they serve around the world.

    Listen to audio 

    Straight Talk with Sunil - Episode 6

    Episode 5

    In the latest episode of “Straight Talk with Sunil,” Sunil sat down with Sierra Hampton-Simmons, Portfolio Leader/Head of Certification, to talk about upcoming changes to the PMP exam that become effective 1 July 2020. Sierra outlines why and how the exam is changing, and what aspiring test takers can expect.

    Listen to audio | View transcript

    Straight Talk with Sunil: Episode 5 – Certification (Part 1)

    Straight Talk with Sunil: Episode 5 – Certification (Part 2)

    Episode 3

    Sunil sat down with Brantlee Underhill, Director of Chapters and Volunteers, for the next instalment of "Straight Talk with Sunil." Brantlee provides a good overview of the support we provide to chapters around the world, and I ask some tough questions about membership fees, chapter organization and requirements, the relationship of chapters to R.E.P.s, and lots more!

    Listen to audio | View transcript

    Part 1

    Straight Talk with Sunil: Episode 3 - Chapter Development - Part 1

    Part 2

    Straight Talk with Sunil: Episode 3 - Chapter Development - Part 2

    Episode 2

    Sunil sat down with Joe Cahill, PMI's Chief Operating Officer, for the next instalment of "Straight Talk with Sunil." This is a high-level introduction of the transformation, and we will double-click on program details in future communications. 

    Listen to audio | View transcript

    Part 1

    Straight Talk with Sunil: Episode 2 - In Conversation with Joe - Part 1

    Part 2

    Straight Talk with Sunil: Episode 2 - In Conversation with Joe - Part 2

    Episode 1

    In this first instalment, Sunil sat down with Murat Bicak, EVP of Strategy, and Mike DePrisco, VP of Global Solutions.

    Listen to audio | View transcript

    Part 1

    Straight Talk with Sunil: Episode 1 - Focus on PMI's Strategy - Part 1

    Part 2

    Straight Talk with Sunil: Episode 1 - PMI's Product Portfolio - Part 2

    Part 3

    Straight Talk with Sunil: Episode 1 - In Conversation with Murat and Mike - Part 3