From creating tools to help distribute COVID-19 vaccines to helping address food insecurity, this year's notable changemakers are rising to the occasion in a year unlike any other
Today, Project Management Institute (PMI) announced its second annual Future 50 list, which features 50 rising leaders using bold and innovative thinking to transform the world through notable projects. The 50 standout project leaders, highlighted in a new digital experience on PMI.org and a special issue of PM Network® magazine, represent a new generation of fearless, young innovators who drive transformation and create positive social impact across the globe. Honorees include groundbreaking achievements from people across many industries and countries, including young technology pioneer Gitanjali Rao of the United States, Pixie Dust Technologies’ Yoichi Ochiai, PhD of Japan and world-class footballer Marcus Rashford of Manchester United.
PMI® research shows that only 40 percent of organizations say they prioritize attracting and hiring the next generation of project professionals. But what the Future 50 list highlights is that this new generation is capable of driving value for businesses and society now and in the future.
"In an exceptionally challenging year, this new generation of leaders have stepped to drive innovation around the globe," said Michael DePrisco, Chief Operating Officer of Project Management Institute. "With a deep sense of social responsibility, this next generation of leaders are deeply committed to protecting the natural environment, driving diversity and fostering environments of inclusion, and making the world a better place. The 50 individuals featured on this list are each changemakers whose wide range of projects exemplify the power and potential of transformation."
To identify this year's Future 50 honorees, PMI reached out to hundreds of experts and stakeholders across the globe for nominations. A special committee vetted the rising leaders and narrowed the list of nominees. Finalists were then individually researched or interviewed to create a list representing a full spectrum of regions, industries, and achievements in The Project Economy – one in which people have the skills and capabilities they need to turn ideas into reality. While some honorees are Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification holders, others would not even describe themselves as project managers. What unites the Future 50 is a commitment to project work as the foundation for positive impact today and tomorrow.
To see the complete list of honorees and what drives this next generation of talent, visit PMI.org/Future50.
The 50 Future Leaders to Watch:*
• A. Toby Espinosa, DoorDash, North America
• Abigail Sandala, PMP, Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority, Sub-Saharan Africa
• Ackeem Ngwenya, Reframd, Europe
• Angelina Howard, Amazon, North America
• Ashish Thakkar, Mara Phones, Sub-Saharan Africa
• Ayanda More, Apara Global, Sub-Saharan Africa
• Bridget Mason, PMP, Tiree, North America
• Cassie Richardson, PMP, Electronic Arts, North America
• Cat Huang, BIG — Bjarke Ingels Group, Europe
• Celeste Holz-Schietinger, Impossible Foods, North America
• Christelle Kwizera, Water Access Rwanda, Sub-Saharan Africa
• Chong Luen Lim, PMP, Boston Scientific, Asia Pacific
• Cristhian Ortiz Elizarbe, PMP, Learn and Share English, Latin America
• Devin Finzer, OpenSea.io, North America
• Eddy Alvarado, Agro360, Latin America
• Fatima Ibrahim, Green New Deal UK, Europe
• Gitanjali Rao, Kindly,North America
• Hanan Al-Maziad, PMP, PgMP, PfMP, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Middle East/North Africa
• Haneen AK Tuama, PMI-RMP, PMP, Basrah Gas Co., Middle East/North Africa
• Hannah Hunt, Army Software Factory, U.S. Army, North America
• Huge Ma, Airbnb, North America
• Innocentia Mahlangu, PMP, Hatch, Sub-Saharan Africa
• Jaime Lama Collado, PMI-PBA, PMP, Dominican Republic Stock Exchange, Latin America
• Janani Raju, Robert Bosch Engineering & Business Solutions, South Asia
• Jenna Hackett, Hilton Hotels and Resorts, North America
• Jenna McNaney, TikTok, North America
• Jie Li, Shanghai Nuclear Engineering Research & Design Institute, China
• Joseph Daniels, Project Etopia Group, Europe
• Kevin Love, Coa, North America
• Khaleel Baba, PMP, Emaar Properties PJSC, Middle East/North Africa
• Li Xiang, X+Living, China
• Marcus Rashford, Child Food Poverty Task Force, Europe
• Mariana Costa Checa, Laboratoria, Latin America
• Megumi Avigail Yoshitomi, Japan Association for Cellular Agriculture, Center for Rule-making Strategies, Tama University, Asia Pacific
• Mohamed Baly, Orange Business Services, Middle East/North Africa
• Nadaraj Devantharan, PMP, Malaysia E-Government Services, Asia Pacific
• Nashin Mahtani, Yayasan Peta Bencana, Asia Pacific
• Nathaniel Diong, Future Minds Network, Asia Pacific
• Nishita and Nikita Baliarsingh, Nexus Power, South Asia
• Omran Sharaf, Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, Middle East/North Africa
• Rainier Mallol, Artificial Intelligence in Medical Epidemiology, Latin America
• Regine Chan, Generation Z, Asia Pacific
• Simon Njuguna, CAPM, Synergetic Energy Partners, Sub-Saharan Africa
• Syed Ahsan Mustaqeem, PMP, Pakistan Petroleum Ltd., Asia Pacific
• Tanya Elizabeth Ken, LakshyaShala Edutech, South Asia
• Tshegofatso Sehlodimela, PMP, Unisa Press, Sub-Saharan Africa
• William Meller, Dell Technologies, Latin America
• Yoichi Ochiai, PhD, Pixie Dust Technologies, Asia Pacific
• Zhengkai Jiang, PMP, CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co. Ltd., China
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