Social Impact & Project Management
Professional Development Day 2025
OCTOBER 14, 2025 | Registration coming soon! | Early Bird pricing ends August 15
Professional Development Day (PDD) is a full-day annual event by WMPMI designed to equip project professionals with actionable insights, leadership strategies, and cutting-edge practices.
Through keynotes, hands-on workshops, and expert-led sessions, attendees earn 8 PDUs, expand their professional network, and gain tools to thrive in today’s evolving project landscape.
This high-impact day is designed for project professionals across sectors—including those working in nonprofit organizations, government, and private industry—who want to drive meaningful change in their communities.
Whether you're managing corporate teams, volunteer-based initiatives, or nonprofit programs, PDD equips you with tools to deliver lasting impact.
Meet this year's
Keynote Speaker
Peter Monkhouse is a globally recognized speaker, educator, and consultant with over 40 years of experience delivering value through project leadership.
Peter Monkhouse
Peter has taught more than 6,000 students at institutions like Ryerson, the University of Toronto, and the University of Calgary, and co-authored the bestselling book Gen P: New Generation of Product Owners Who Care About Customers. He is the co-founder of NewGenP and has consulted for major organizations including CIBC, the City of Toronto, and MetroLinx. A longtime PMI volunteer, Peter served on the PMI Board of Directors and as Chair of the PMI Education Foundation Board.
Hillary Sawyer
Hillary Sawyer is a seasoned fundraising professional and Donor Relationship Coordinator at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids, with dual master’s degrees and a passion for service-driven, sustainable impact.
Learn MoreLavagnon Ika
Lavagnon Ika is a Professor of Project Management at the University of Ottawa and a globally recognized expert on major infrastructure and global development projects, with extensive academic and advisory contributions to PMI, IPMA, and the World Bank.
Learn MoreLisa Hammer & David Newman
Lisa Hammer and David Newman are co-founders of Leadership Techniques, LLC and veteran PMI instructors who bring decades of experience in project management, leadership development, and organizational training to audiences across industries.
Learn MoreMatt Brauning
Matt Brauning is an international keynote speaker, bestselling author, and leadership trainer known for delivering engaging, actionable, and entertaining talks at major events including TEDx, NASDAQ, and the U.S. Air Force Academy. He lives in Grand Rapids with his wife and son.
Learn MoreWhat is this year's PDD theme?
"PM Powered"
This year’s theme—PM Powered: Driving Change, Delivering Impact—focuses on the power of project professionals to lead real-world transformation. With a focus on social impact over “social good,” this year’s PDD goes beyond the theory to demonstrate how project managers can support community-based projects, volunteer efforts, and nonprofit missions with precision and purpose.
- Doors open at 7:30 AM
- Program starts at 8:30 AM
- Program ends at 5:30 PM
- Happy Hour afterwards
01.
Purpose-Driven Impact
We’re introducing a hands-on social impact activity: assembling and donating 140 STEAM solar car kits to youth at the Boys & Girls Club of Grand Rapids, one of our valued nonprofit partners.
02.
Community in Action
This year’s PDD highlights how volunteers and project professionals can work together to strengthen community outcomes—through purposeful planning, collaboration, and leadership.
03.
Expanded Access
A new virtual livestream option ensures that nonprofit leaders, remote professionals, and PMI members from all regions can participate—regardless of location.
04.
Join Us At Our New Venue
The Gilmore Event Center in Comstock Park offers expanded space for collaboration, networking, and breakout sessions with leaders from business, tech, and the nonprofit sector.
Event Highlights & Venue Preview
The Gilmore Event 5179 W River Dr NE Comstock Park, MI 49321