Social Impact & Project Management

Professional Development Day 2025

OCTOBER 14, 2025 | Registration coming soon! | Early Bird pricing ends August 15

What is Professional Development Day?

 

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.

Connect on LinkedIn

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.

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Lavagnon 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.

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Lisa 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.

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Matt 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.

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What 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
Register for PDD 2025

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get the member rate?

You must be a PMI Western Michigan Chapter member to register for our discounted rate.  

  • Sign in to your account at PMI.org  
  • Select your Dashboard.
  • Go to Membership Overview, click “Join a Chapter” and search for the Western Michigan Chapter.
  • Join the Western Michigan Chapter, then wait 72 hours for your membership to process.
  • Register for the professional development day at the discounted member rate.
How long does it take to register as a new member?

Please be aware that new chapter membership can take up to 72 business hours to become active in the PMI Western Michigan database. You will receive an email confirmation from the Chapter once in the database. The Chapter Administrator cannot register you at the member rate. Once active in the WMPMI database, you will access the chapter site using your PMI national login.

How am I notified when my registration is approved?

An email confirmation will be sent once you have completed the registration process. If you do not receive this email confirmation, please email vppd@wmpmi.org.

What is the pricing to register a group?

There is group pricing for 5 or more. Groups must register together to qualify for group pricing discount. Please contact our PDD director to get more information about the group pricing at vppd@wmpmi.org.

How do I claim my PDUs for this event?

On the event day, PDU codes will be provided to upload into your PMI Global Membership. If you are not a member of PMI, the chapter can assist with your reporting needs. PDUs are assigned to one of the 3 categories of the Talent Triangle: Ways of Working, Power Skills, and Business Acument. 
To learn more about PDUs visit PMI.com CCR Handbook.

Will there be a photographer on the premises?

Yes, the chapter will have a photographer onsite to document the WMPMI PDD Event and activities. Photographs and video footage are the sole property of PMI® Western Michigan Chapter. By registering for and/or attending this WMPMI PDD Event, attendees understand that PMI Western Michigan may use their likenesses for promotional purposes. 

PMI® Western Michigan Chapter reserves the sole right to use any photographs, recordings, electronic images or publicity material received by or obtained by WMPMI in the course of the WMPMI PDD Event, for whatever use deemed proper by WMPMI.  PMI® Western Michigan Chapter has the exclusive right to include photographic, video and other visual portrayals of attendees, sponsors, exhibitors and their exhibits including its contents, in any pictorial medium of any nature for the purpose of trade, advertising, sales, publicity and otherwise, without further compensation to the attendee, speaker, sponsor or exhibitor, and all rights titled and interest bearing (including all worldwide copyrights therein) will be PMI® Western Michigan Chapter sole property, free of any claims of attendee, speaker, exhibitor or sponsor or any persons deriving any rights or interest from the attendee, speaker, exhibitor or sponsor.

What are the event amendments and disclaimers for PDD 2025?

The WMPMI PDD Event (or PDD 2025) and any other organizer of the WMPMI PDD Event reserve the right to make changes to the agenda, format, speakers, location and any other aspect of the event without notice and without liability to the attendee/participant. WMPMI PDD Event may at any time, with or without giving notice, in its absolute discretion and without giving any reason, change, cancel or postpone the WMPMI PDD Event change its venue or any of the other published particulars, or withdraw any invitation to attend. In any case, none of the Releases shall be liable for any loss, liability, damage or expense suffered or incurred by any person, nor will they return any money paid to them in connection with the WMPMI PDD Event unless they are satisfied not only that the money in question remains under their control, but also that the person who paid it has been unfairly prejudiced, about which the decision shall be in their sole and unfettered discretion and, when announced, final and conclusive.

What is your cancellation policy?

We understand that circumstances can change, and you may need to cancel your registration for the PDD. Please review our cancellation policy below:


Full Refund:
Cancellations made up to two weeks before the event (by September 30, 2025) will receive a full refund.


Partial Refund:
Cancellations made between September 30, 2025 and October 11, 2025, will receive a 50% refund.


No Refund:
Cancellations made less than 72 hours before the event (after October 11, 2025) will not be eligible for a refund.


How to Cancel:
To cancel your registration, please send an email to vppd@wmpmi.org with your registration details and the reason for cancellation.
 
Important Notes:
Refunds will be processed within 10 business days after the cancellation request is received. We encourage early cancellation if you are unable to attend.

Is PDD relevant for nonprofit professionals or volunteer leaders?

Absolutely. PDD offers actionable strategies that benefit professionals in all sectors—including those managing programs in nonprofit organizations, volunteer networks, or community-led initiatives.

Will there be opportunities to connect with other nonprofit or community leaders?

Yes. PDD draws a diverse audience of professionals from across industries, including nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and corporations. Networking sessions and service activities create space for meaningful connection.

Thank you to our sponsors!