Certified: Meet Nina Yaa Frema Aning, CAPM

This ongoing series celebrates PMI certification holders — exploring their career journeys, sharing their insights and celebrating their achievements.

Somewhere between the tight deadlines of project management and the creative energy of broadcast media, there’s Nina Yaa Frema Aning, CAPM. Nina has worked combining the best of both industries. Currently as a Production Manager at CTV News in Toronto, Canada, she coordinates logistics for the newsroom playing a central role in planning and executing broadcasts. Nina thrives in the intersection of structure and creativity, where every project is an opportunity to bring a vision to life. She is the driving force that ensures the show goes on.

Nina recently shared with us how earning her Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)^® empowers her to transform complex projects into compelling stories that resonate with viewers.

When did you realize project management skills can be applied to an industry like film and television?

It started early in my career. At first, I was focused on editorial pursuits, but over time I realized the importance of what structured planning and coordination means towards the high demands of television and production. There was a realization that I could handle production more smoothly to create a better outcome. That led me to develop a love for project management.

So, you enjoyed project management, what motivated you to pursue your CAPM and how did you know it was time to get certified?

Over the years, I gained experience with new media companies that specialized in content production, distribution and sales. At Blue Ant Media, one of the leading companies I've worked for, I was handling complex work around production workflows as well as final content deliverables to major partners. It became an exciting juggle of two interests that created a desire to formalize my knowledge. I wanted a theoretical backing to the practical experience I was gaining on the job.

When I was looking into certifications, I wasn't exactly sure the Project Management Professional (PMP)^® was right for me. To be honest, I was a little intimidated by stepping into another realm given my extensive experience in media, and I wanted to stay rooted in the media industry. That's when I discovered the CAPM. It felt like it was a great compliment, and it gave me confidence and the knowledge to apply best practices.

What project management skills are you using in the broadcast industry?

Risk management and stakeholder communication. I’m often in situations with high stakes and tight deadlines, and those kinds of things can easily fall to the wayside. But I really value how the CAPM training shows the importance of communicating with your stakeholders. In my case, that can be anyone from an executive to the audience. In the end, I’m accountable as a journalist to maintain the integrity of the news I’m reporting. And from a very fast-paced, deadline-driven standpoint I have to make things come together in the blink of an eye. So, with the certification I fall back on those skills in my planning, and it always helps maintain the overall quality and coherence that we're trying to show in our execution.

What ways have your project management skills helped you manage the mix of that editorial and creative vision and technical know-how required to have live broadcasts?

It’s really allowed me to find a balance. In broadcast media, there's always something of an editorial versus technical frame of mind, and I have always felt myself very much in the center of that. So, what project management has allowed me to do is truly balance it.

The roles I gravitate to blend creativity and the precision of creating a successful product— and there's always a way with project management. It's important that I am that person that streamlines while allowing creativity to blossom. So, I love that I've been able to find a balance, but also still understand that my job is to set realistic timelines and establish clear so that everybody can have a successful outcome. I feel pride in being the person that glues things together for everyone.

How has becoming certified created career growth and opportunities for you?

Attaining the CAPM improved my leadership abilities and better informed how I manage diverse teams. But it's also really helped me organize my outlook from an operational and managerial standpoint. It’s been instrumental for me in delivering successful projects, just having the PMBOK^® Guide for guidance.

I’m an optimist. And one of my favorite artists is Quincy Jones and it's because of his outlook on life and work. And he has this adage about always tapping into the power of being underestimated, and that has taken me so far. Especially because I believe that you can always make something work.

Cultivating project management skills has given me the confidence to act as a leader, even while I am still learning and growing from a career standpoint.

What advice would you give to creatives who are building their careers?

I would advise investing in project management. It's invaluable in managing the complexities of media projects. There's a lot that happens in media production that’s hard to articulate. So, I find that if you develop your project management skills, you will find ways to better communicate and deliver projects more effectively.

I would also say pursue certifications like the CAPM, even if project management is just something that you wanted to dip your toe in. In the end, you're going to walk away with a solid foundation and that will open more career opportunities for you. There are so many challenges to creating content and media, especially now, and being the person that can step into a fast paced, challenging environment and manage the complexities of it, that’ll help you in the long run.

Last question, Nina. Why are you passionate about the work you do?

I love bringing creative visions to life especially through well executed plans. And then seeing the impact of the work — how it touched audiences, how it touched my network of individuals who know the work I do. Overall, I love the dynamic nature of broadcast media. It keeps me engaged, it keeps me young and keeps me constantly learning. It's what gets me up every day and keeps me there late at night.

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