Symposium 2026
April 28, 2026
Time: 7:30 - 4:30
Format: Hybrid — Attend in-person or virtually from anywhere
Symposium 2026
Join Us From Challenge to Change
Turn obstacles into opportunities. Be inspired, connect with peers, and leave equipped to lead transformation in your organization and community.
Get ready to turn obstacles into opportunities! The 2026 PMI Palmetto Chapter Symposium is your chance to explore how project leaders transform challenges into real, meaningful change. As complexity rises across industries, project managers like you are uniquely positioned to guide teams, organizations, and communities through uncertainty — and come out stronger on the other side.
This year, your journey is guided by Ari the Owl, a wise project manager who embodies clarity, perspective, and thoughtful leadership. Ari grows alongside you throughout the symposium, helping connect ideas, sessions, and speakers — showing how every challenge is a chance to learn, adapt, and lead with impact.
The Journey: Guided by Ari
Each session represents a key moment in the project lifecycle. As Ari navigates evolving challenges with our speakers, you’ll see how to:
- Reframe problems with fresh perspective
- Adopt innovative tools and frameworks
- Strengthen teams and human connections
- Extend impact beyond your organization
Ari’s journey mirrors yours: gaining wisdom, refining approaches, and deepening leadership insight — all while having a little fun along the way.
Why Attend?
- Connect with project leaders across industries
- Gain actionable takeaways you can implement immediately
- Earn 7 PDUs for attending
- Learn through the journey guided by Ari, growing wiser alongside you
- Participate in-person or virtually with hybrid attendance
- During Thomas Triumphs’ session, we will go into breakout groups. Thomas will use what we discuss to create an e-book, allowing everyone in attendance to become an author
- Catered Lunch will be provided by Chef Stephanie
Purchase your ticket by March 31st to be entered in a gift card giveaway. Prizes will be drawn live during the symposium.
2026 Symposium Speakers
Featured Speakers & Topics
Thomas Triumph - Keynote Speaker
Evolution Isn't Optional: The Five Pillars That Separate Thriving Organizations From Those Left Behind
This keynote is designed for organizations navigating disruption, building innovation capability, and creating long-term competitive advantage.
In a marketplace that rewards speed and punishes hesitation, many organizations struggle to evolve beyond outdated approaches. Tom Triumph argues that the difference between thriving organizations and those falling behind is not talent or resources—it is intentional design.
Drawing on four decades of experience in technology and business transformation, Tom introduces five foundational pillars that drive innovation and sustained success. Inspired by organizations like NASA and Pixar, these pillars go beyond theory—they are operational systems that shape how teams think, collaborate, and execute.
Attendees will leave with the Intentional Evolution Framework and practical strategies they can apply immediately to foster continuous innovation and growth.
Additional Resources:
Website: https://tomtriumph.com/meeting-professionals/
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Mashhood Ahmed
Overcoming AI Fear: The Imposter Syndrome in the Age of AI
In today’s rapidly evolving AI landscape, project managers face a unique challenge: imposter syndrome driven by emerging technologies. This keynote addresses how uncertainty around AI can impact confidence, decision-making, and adoption.
Mashhood explores practical strategies to build confidence, demystify AI, and integrate it effectively into project workflows. Attendees will gain a grounded understanding of how AI enhances—not replaces—human expertise, along with actionable ways to apply it in real-world scenarios.
Learning Outcomes
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Understand the root causes of AI-related anxiety and its impact
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Identify and overcome imposter syndrome in AI adoption
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Build essential skills such as data literacy and AI evaluation
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Balance AI tools with human judgment and experience
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Recognize ethical considerations including bias and transparency
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Apply practical steps to implement AI tools and demonstrate value
Mashhood Ahmed began researching AI and project management in 2017. Since then, he has spoken globally—from New Zealand and Singapore to Africa and North America—at conferences and major industry events. Since 2023 alone, he has delivered over 60 talks, reaching more than 60,000 project managers worldwide.
With over 20 years of experience leading multi-million-dollar projects, Mashhood brings deep expertise in project and program management. He currently runs a boutique consulting firm in Edmonton, Canada, and serves as the founding director of PMassistant.ai, where he leads the development of next-generation AI-powered project management solutions.
He also teaches at Grant MacEwan University and actively volunteers with PMI and ISACA. Mashhood holds a Master’s degree from the University of Waterloo and multiple certifications, including PMP, PMI-RMP, CISA, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and ITIL.
Additional Resources:
Website: www.mashhood.net
AI Prompt Guide: www.PMassistant.ai
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Natalie Micale
Strategic Influence: The Human Skills That Drive Results
In fast-paced project environments, breakdowns often stem from human disconnection rather than technical failure.
This session explores how professionals can lead through influence—regardless of title—by strengthening communication, alignment, and trust. Natalie Micale shares actionable strategies centered on clarity, curiosity, and emotional intelligence. Her approach reframes “soft skills” as essential power skills that drive measurable outcomes and team performance.
Natalie Micale is a leadership consultant, executive coach, and communication strategist who helps leaders say what they mean, and be heard. With a background as a healthcare executive and deep expertise in human behavior, Natalie brings a practical yet powerful approach to developing the power skills that fuel team trust, alignment, and performance.
She is the founder of Natalie Micale Coaching & Consulting and works with mission-driven organizations across industries to strengthen leadership communication, navigate change, and build healthy, high-performing cultures. Whether facilitating workshops, coaching executive teams, or speaking on stage, Natalie is known for her straight-talking, energizing style and her ability to make even the hardest leadership concepts actionable.
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John Horton
Do You Have a Healthy Project (Team?)
This session challenges project professionals to look beyond traditional metrics and evaluate the human factors that influence success.
John Horton introduces a framework for assessing project and team health through both data and human-centered indicators such as trust, engagement, and communication. Participants will learn how team dynamics directly impact delivery outcomes and how to identify early warning signs often missed by standard reporting. The session provides practical tools to diagnose issues, initiate meaningful conversations, and strengthen team performance.
John Horton is an experienced business leader with expertise across marketing, sales, project management, and supply chain operations. He has a strong track record of driving innovation, scaling global programs, and delivering measurable results.
A passionate mentor and thought leader, John focuses on building high-performing teams and fostering collaboration across diverse environments. He holds an MBA from James Madison University and a BBA in Accounting from the University of Georgia. He is PMP-certified, a Scotwork Certified Negotiator, and serves as Vice President of the PMI Palmetto Chapter.
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(MAC) Melissa-Anne Cunningham
The Illusion of Access: Closing the Gap Between Technology and Performance
Having access to technology does not guarantee the skill or confidence to use it effectively. Drawing on doctoral research, this session challenges traditional views of the digital divide and introduces a practical guide for understanding how intrinsic motivation enhances project leadership in the digital world. Learn how to improve performance by assessing and closing gaps in digital resources. Attendees will leave with a new lens for identifying hidden capability gaps—and actionable strategies to leverage technology for stronger teams and better project outcomes.
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Vinod Kumar
Portfolio Thinking: Emerging Perspectives
PMI Talent Triangle – Ways of Working
Emerging Perspective explores how leaders navigate constant change in modern project environments. Adaptability is no longer optional—it is a core leadership capability.
This session highlights how resilient leaders reframe uncertainty as opportunity, foster psychologically safe teams, and enable faster decision-making through clarity and ownership. It also explores the role of emotional intelligence, communication, and stakeholder alignment in shifting environments.
Vinod Kumar is a respected IT leader with experience across healthcare, manufacturing, and service industries. Known for his strategic vision and innovation, he has led digital transformation initiatives and implemented AI-driven solutions to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.
His work includes research and publications on healthcare interoperability, predictive analytics, and ethical AI use. Vinod is an active community contributor, volunteering with organizations such as PMI and Toastmasters.
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