PDD 2026 Event Program

Welcome to PMI Carolina Professional Development Day 2026!

It is a pleasure to have you with us for a day dedicated to learning, connection, and professional growth.

Professional Development Day embodies what makes our PMI Carolina community special: professionals coming together to share knowledge, learn from one another, build meaningful connections, and continue to grow as leaders.

Whether you have been part of PMI for many years, recently joined our community, or are attending a PMI Carolina event for the first time, you belong here, and we are glad you are with us.

I invite you to explore the sessions, connect with our speakers and fellow participants, ask questions, share experiences, and make the most of the opportunities throughout the day. I hope you leave not only with new knowledge and ideas, but also with new connections and renewed inspiration for your professional journey.

Events like this are only possible because of the dedication of many people. On behalf of PMI Carolina, I extend my sincere appreciation to our volunteers, speakers, sponsors, partners, and Board of Directors for contributing their time, expertise, and support to make Professional Development Day possible.

And most importantly, thank you for being here and being part of our community.

Together, we continue to build a chapter where project professionals can connect, learn, grow, and lead.

I hope you have an inspiring and memorable Professional Development Day!

Warmly,

Mariana Morini, PMP
President, PMI Carolina

Built on Care. Driven by Purpose.

Time	Session	PMI Talent Triangle	Host	Presenter
8:15 - 8:45 a.m.	Registration, Breakfast and Networking	N/A	PDD Planning Team	N/A
8:45 - 8:50 a.m.	Opening and Event Logistics	N/A	Pauline Robinson, MHA, PMP Moderator	N/A
8:50 - 9 a.m.	PDD 2026 Welcome and Theme	N/A	N/A	Jessica Turner, MHA, PMP Mariana Morini, PMI, PMI-ACP PMI Carolinas President
9 - 10 a.m.	Opening Keynote Auditorium	Power Skills	Speaker Liaison	Tara LaFon-Gooch, MBA
10 - 11 a.m.	Breakout Session Classroom 3300	Business Acumen	Speaker Liaison	Desmond Wiggins, Jr.
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.	Breakout Session Auditorium	Ways of Working	Speaker Liaison	Christine Edwards Pitkin, MPA
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.	Breakout Session Classroom 3300	Business Acumen	Speaker Liaison	Padma "Priya" Jayaram, PMP, CSM
12 - 1 p.m.	Group Photo, Lunch and Networking Forum	N/A	PDD Planning Team	N/A
1 - 3:30 p.m.	Closing Interactive Workshop  Auditorium	Power Skills	Speaker Liaison	Cara Truitt
3:30 - 4 p.m.	Closing Ceremony and Raffle Auditorium	N/A	Pauline Robinson, MHA, PMP Moderator	Jessica Turner, MHA, PMP PDD Director Rochelle Blackney, MPH, PMP, CSM VP of Professional Development