PMI Certified: “It’s easy for me to feel good about the work I do.” – Michael Mylonas, on the PMP, GPM-b, and Sustainable Impact
Michael Mylonas, PMP, GPM-b, explores how project management became a path to purpose. From career pivots to leading infrastructure projects for the Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government, Michael shares how the PMP brought structure and leadership, while sustainability learning through the GPM-b helped align projects with community values.
Michael Mylonas, PMP, GPM-b, didn’t originally plan to work in project management. But after several career pivots and a major move across Canada, he found himself stepping into a role that demanded structure, process, and a responsibility to protect the planet.
Today, Michael is the Director of Project Management at Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government in Tsilhqot’in Title Land, Nemaiah Valley, British Columbia, Canada, where he leads strategic infrastructure initiatives while developing project management standards. His journey to earning the Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification, and later deepening his sustainability expertise through the Green Project Manager – Basic™ (GPM-b™) certification, is deeply tied to the community’s priorities and values.
We spoke with Michael about how certification, sustainability, and community impact shape his work.
An unexpected path to project management
How did you get into project management?
Project management was never on my radar. I'm a teacher by degree, and I often joke that it's a very expensive way to find out that I didn't particularly enjoy being a teacher.
Out of university I became interested in health and fitness, and I was in that field for almost 10 years. I ended up owning my own business and during that time I received some informal experience in project management, mostly working with my in-laws who have a small contracting company.
Because of COVID-related restrictions my business suffered, and at the same time my wife was presented with an opportunity to travel to Xeni Gwet’in, which is on the opposite side of Canada. It was quite a choice, but we decided to move.
I had the opportunity to join Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government as the health director iwas quickly thrown into project and program management responsibilities, managing the health team and the health programs and services that were delivered to the community. During that time, there were educational courses being presented to the community, and project management was one of them. I was lucky enough to be afforded a seat.
I was going through the education and seeing in real time how what I was learning could benefit what was happening in Xeni Gwet’in. I found PMI and realized I had, overtime, pieced together the prerequisites to take the exam.
Why did you decide to get PMI certified and how has it shaped your work?
I love structure. I love systems and processes. Project management brought a lot of that structure that I personally need to thrive. When I started the project management course, , I immediately felt it would help me perform better and show up in the best way in my work and for the community.
Earning the PMP positioned me to become a leader.
I moved into a general project management role. Now, as the director of project management, I carry two main responsibilities. One is managing projects that are part of the strategic plan—which have tended to be mostly infrastructure. My other role is to develop and implement project management standards and processes, because formal project management is a new idea to the community I work in.
It’s enabled me to have a more well thought out approach, and to really become conscious about making the best possible plan and helping others to do the same.
The PMP positioned me to become a leader.
Sustainability and the decision to pursue the GPM-b
What motivated you to earn the GPM-b?
Of course there's a maintenance component to the PMP. When I sat down to look at educational opportunities to fulfill maintenance requirements there were a few questions I asked myself: “What am I passionate about learning and improving?” and “What can I learn or improve to better align myself with the community's priorities and values?”
Sustainability, from an environmental perspective, is part of the community's identity. Sustainability has been a core foundational element for everything they do and their way of being long before I ever got there. So, it was something I became passionate about.
In thinking about all of this, sustainability became an obvious area to learn more about and improve my knowledge and ability to deliver. And I found the GPM-b.
Why is the GPM-b a good next step for project managers?
For me, sustainability is just part of good project management, and so the knowledge you gain from the GPM-b is easily incorporated and embedded into the process of project management as it's presented and described through the PMP. They complement each other well. You can take what you learn from the GPM-b and make it part of the project management process.
Sustainability is just part of good project management.
Advice for PMP holders considering the GPM-b
What advice would you give to someone who holds the PMP and is considering the GPM-b?
I would say go for it. I think sustainability is a core part of a good project management process. There ’s a wide application for sustainability, and it's a versatile and useful tool for delivering and enhancing value in any field. There are a lot of benefits that are delivered through projects, and I think sustainability is one of them. The GPM-b also gives you practical tools to incorporate into your project process.
Want to hear more from Michael?
Michael joins PMI’s Projectified® podcast to explore sustainable project management in action.
Applying the PMP and GPM-b to day-to-day work
How are you applying both these certifications?
Going back a couple of years, we didn't have a project charter process. There were no business case processes or templates or anything like that. At the project level, things a project manager would consider essential didn’t exist. I’ve been able to bring those to our projects—risk identification, planning, and looking at potential impacts. And we’re standardizing the process.
And it’s the same for the GPM-b. We start with sustainability, so that’s something we’re looking at in the business case stage. If you start with sustainability, it's a lot easier to weave it into the fabric of the project and it's authentic.
It’s part of the way the project unfolds instead of “now you’ve got this project and you're wondering ‘how do I get some sustainability in here?’”
Let’s talk about the community. What does engagement look like in your work?
Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government is a government body serving its people. Everything we do is for the people. Its infrastructure is for the people, programs are for the people, services are for them. And nothing happens without engagement. The community almost becomes a team member. And we review sustainability and other elements of the projects with them.
In this remote Indigenous community, Michael is overseeing the building of a community center that blends sustainability, resilience, and cultural preservation. Designed to operate on a local microgrid, the building will be nearly 100% self-sustaining through on-site solar power and battery storage—an essential feature given its six-hour round trip to the nearest town and lack of centralized power access.
The center draws inspiration from traditional pit houses and lean-to structures, using log and timber-frame construction with low embodied carbon. Cultural elements are woven throughout the design, from interior storytelling features to bilingual signage in both the community’s language and English.
Local involvement is central to the project, including community input on sustainability decisions and the use of locally sourced, sustainably harvested timber supplied in part by a newly re-established community forestry crew.
How can organizations better support project managers who want to integrate sustainability into their work?
I always go back to understanding why. Really exploring that and being able to communicate it is a huge deal. The community often talks of future generations, the youth, leaving things in a better place for them. If we start from there, you end up understanding that sustainability is essential.
The community often talks of the future generations, the youth, leaving things in a better place for them. If we start from there, you end up understanding that sustainability is essential.
Being able to understand and communicate the why and to take time to understand the value of long-term sustainability is important, because ultimately people must value something to want to do it right.
Doing work that aligns with values
What lights you up about the work you do?
Everybody wants to feel like what they do has some sort of impact. It's apparent in my case that there is impact, and there's benefit to the community. It makes it easy to go to work every day. Feeling like we are setting up the future of the community to be in a good place is an exciting thing, and anybody in the community would say they’re proud of that. It's easy for me to feel good about the work I do, especially being in a space where project progress is visible. It’s a consistent reminder that I feel like I’m aligned with community goals and values.
Tags: PMP | Sustainability | Leadership
Outside of Work
Michael was born and raised in Toronto, but in 2020 found a second home in Xeni Gwet’in (Nemaiah Valley, BC). Today, he splits his time between Toronto and Xeni with his wife, young son, and their husky, Nova. Much of his free time is spent outdoors—hiking, camping, exploring the land, or snowboarding—balanced with a lifelong love of sports, especially hockey, soccer, and baseball.
A self-described sci-fi and fantasy fan, Michael enjoys watching, reading, and even writing in the genre, with Fringe holding a special place as a favorite series he’s shared with his wife since their early days together. He also unwinds with the occasional video game, favoring classics like Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda.
Travel plays a big role in his life, with standout experiences including a six-week honeymoon adventure in Bali and multiple trips to Costa Rica—now a place so meaningful to his family that they plan to build a home there in the coming years.
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About the Author
Autumn Granza
Digital Content Strategist
Autumn is a digital content strategist who blends creativity with strategic thinking. With expertise in crafting and optimizing content to inspire diverse audiences, she enjoys creating media that drives engagement and makes a lasting brand impact. Autumn leads PMI's award-winning podcast, Projectified®, where applies her storytelling skills. Holding a B.A. in journalism from Marywood University and a master's in global studies and international relations from Northeastern University, she brings a unique perspective to her work. Based near Scranton, PA, Autumn extends her creativity beyond her professional endeavors as a photographer and enjoys exploring nature, visiting coffee shops, traveling, and being a self-proclaimed professional day tripper.
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