Elevating Leadership Through Community: Reflections from the PMI Global Summit 2025

By: Lissette Ind. Pimentel Sosa, PMP

Participating in the PMI Global Summit has become a meaningful tradition for me. After attending for the last four years, I continue to find tremendous value in the sessions, the global perspectives, and the networking that brings our profession to life.

This year in Phoenix exemplifies why the Summit remains such a powerful gathering, an intersection of ideas, cultures, and experiences that strengthens how we lead and collaborate across projects and industries.

Leadership Rooted in Honesty and Human Connection
The Summit opened with a compelling keynote from Kim Scott, bestselling author of Radical Candor. Her message was direct and refreshing: leadership built on clarity and care is essential in today’s workplace.
She encouraged us to rethink how we communicate, build trust, and create environments where feedback is a growth tool rather than a source of fear. It was a grounding reminder that impactful leadership always begins with human connection.

Strengthening Technical Program Management Skills
A standout session for me was “Mastering the Art of Technical Program Management, Without a Technical Background,” delivered by Alexis Felton.

Despite having a technical background myself, her insights resonated deeply, especially her emphasis on strategic thinking, alignment, empathetic listening, and cross-functional communication as the true drivers of program success. Her session highlighted a truth many of us recognize: technical expertise matters, but human skills amplify impact.

Recovering Troubled Projects with Confidence
One of the most dynamic sessions was “Being the ‘Wolf’: Cleaning Troubled Projects,” led by Kate Anderson and Kim Essendrup. Their charismatic delivery energized the room as they shared practical frameworks for rescuing struggling projects.

The session offered tools for rebuilding trust, regaining control, and navigating uncertainty with calm leadership, skills increasingly essential in rapidly changing environments. I felt like I was in the middle of a live podcast (that was fun!).

The L.O.V.E. Mindset: Leading with Empathy and Intentionality
The session “The L.O.V.E. Mindset: Lead, Operate, Value Feedback, Engage with Empathy,” facilitated by Yasmina Khelifi and Laura Lazzerini provided a powerful reminder that empathy is not optional in modern leadership.

They demonstrated how trust, feedback culture, and genuine interest in people fuel high-performing teams. This session also opened the door for a meaningful connection with Yasmina, which later led to the opportunity to have a written interview with her, about my volunteer journey, and this is another highlight that extended the Summit’s impact beyond the event itself.

Purpose and Service Through the Power of Food
The closing keynote from José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, was among the most memorable moments of the Summit for me. His stories of service, resilience, and community transformation were deeply moving.

As someone committed to volunteer work, his message reaffirmed my belief that social impact is built through consistent, purposeful action. His perspective reminded us that leadership extends beyond our projects, it reaches into our communities and our values.

The Impact of Global Community
As always, some of the richest learning came from conversations in hallways, networking lounges, and informal spaces. Connecting with project professionals from diverse sectors and regions expanded my perspective and reminded me of the strength of our global community.

These interactions, often spontaneous and unplanned, are what make the Summit truly unique.

My Final Thoughts
The PMI Global Summit is more than an event, it is an invitation to reflect, reconnect with purpose, and continue shaping a profession defined by adaptability, humanity, and global collaboration.

For those who couldn’t attend this year, I hope these insights offer a meaningful glimpse into the experience and the value it continues to bring to our community.