Share out in the comments below:
-Your name and your current role
-What did you want to be when you were growing up?
-What are your favorite project management tools and technologies? Or ones that you’d like to learn more about?
-What drew you to the project management industry? What's kept you in it?
-What's your proudest accomplishment (personal or professional)?
Looking forward to connecting with you all and hearing your stories! Saving Changes...
Community Specialist| Project Management InstituteNewtown Square, PA, United States
Oct 28, 2025 8:56 AM
Replying to Tulio Marenda Garotti
...
Greetings everyone,
I’m Túlio, originally from Brazil, but have been living in Europe for the past decade. Currently I am living in Malta and working in Deloitte, under their IT branch (T&T – Technology and Transformation) as a project manager.
I didn’t aim for this profession up until it happened! When I was a kid, I was looking for to being a veterinarian, as I always loved pets – particularly dogs. At pre-college time, I was choosing between Math, Philosophy, and Anthropology, and in the end, I major in Psychology. But by the time that I moved from Brazil to Europe, I started looking for a new professional path, which after some trial and thoughts, led me to work in IBM Bulgaria, where I started my PM journey.
All these changes had their own challenges, and making it work out is what I’m most proud of. I had to find my way in different countries and cultures, develop myself outside of my original educational path, and eventually found a sweet spot that I am quite happy with.
The PM profession drew me due to its endless possibilities. I learned that my sweet spot on this profession is to work in transformation, as changes are exciting for me. Thinking and working on process improvements, structural changes, strategy direction, is my fuel, and whenever I have the chance, I jump onboard on projects that allow me to exercise this bone.
For tools, I must share my love for Jira. On my early years as a PM, I struggled to find a tool that made sense for me, one that could centralize the key elements of my project management practice. With Jira I can properly organize myself and have a transparent organization with my project team. There is still plenty that I need to learn about it, as it is quite a complex one the more that you dig, and I’m happy to discuss about it with other Jira enthusiasts!
Cheers,
Tulio
Hello Túlio, welcome to PMI's online community! Thanks for taking the time to introduce yourself; it's great to learn more about you.
Akin Fadare is a Geotechnical Engineer-in-Training, Sustainable Project Management Professional, and Ontario-licensed Educator passionate about connecting engineering excellence with social impact.
Over the past several years, Akin Fadare has gained hands-on experience in the oil & gas and mining sectors, managing water and wastewater projects, serving as a QA/QC field engineer in the Alberta Oil Sands, Industrial Safety at various plants in Northern Alberta/BC and working on construction projects for First Nation communities across Northwestern Ontario. During this time, Akin Fadare has worked closely with consulting firms, contractors, and Indigenous Services Canada, thereby strengthening his ability to bridge technical execution with community-driven outcomes.
Akin Fadare's current focus lies in sustainable mine design and environmental performance. My graduate research explored Natural Fiber-Reinforced Cemented Paste Backfill (NFR-CPB), examining its fracture behaviour, strength, and potential for sustainability in underground mining.
Akin Fadare is deeply passionate about building safer mines, protecting the environment through responsible tailings & wastewater management, and improving access to clean water in remote Indigenous communities.
Professional Interests:
• Geotechnical & Tailings Engineering
• Water & Wastewater Treatment Systems
• Data-Informed, Value-Focused Project Delivery
• Social Impact & Sustainable Development
...
1 reply by Laura Schofield
Oct 29, 2025 9:43 AM
Laura Schofield
...
Hi Akin, thanks for taking the time to introduce yourself to the community! We appreciate all of your support as an Online Community Champion. It's so great to have you here!
Saving Changes...
Pushpaj ChouguleManager, Underwriting Operations| Crum & Forster Services India Pvt. LtdPune, India
Greetings from India!
My name is Pushpaj Chougule, and I serve as a Manager in Underwriting Operations at Crum & Forster Services India Pvt. Ltd. With over 12 years of experience in the corporate world, I recently earned my PMP certification, and I’m genuinely excited to be part of this journey.
Growing up, life wasn’t always smooth or shiny. There was a time I believed I could be a good singer, but I never pursued it seriously, it remains a cherished hobby. My father, who held a government job, hoped I would follow in his footsteps. However, I struggled to keep up with studies and found my own path in the corporate world, starting in 2013. For the past 4-5 years, I’ve been in management, and I haven’t looked back since.
Project Management fascinates me because it’s all about possibilities. There’s always more than one way to approach a challenge. For me, it’s less about rigidly following best practices and more about experimenting, learning, and discovering what works best. Leadership was always my aspiration, though I often wondered if I’d be a good fit, given my introverted nature. Over time, I realized that applying emotional intelligence allowed me to stay true to myself while fulfilling my role, without compromising my authenticity.
Some of my proudest accomplishments include earning multiple promotions over the past decade through sheer hard work, buying my own flat, giving back to society in meaningful ways, and seeing my family happy and content.
Outside of work, you’ll find me reading, singing, listening to music, traveling, or collecting interesting currencies from around the world.
Community Specialist| Project Management InstituteNewtown Square, PA, United States
Oct 28, 2025 5:58 PM
Replying to Akin Fadare
...
Akin Fadare is a Geotechnical Engineer-in-Training, Sustainable Project Management Professional, and Ontario-licensed Educator passionate about connecting engineering excellence with social impact.
Over the past several years, Akin Fadare has gained hands-on experience in the oil & gas and mining sectors, managing water and wastewater projects, serving as a QA/QC field engineer in the Alberta Oil Sands, Industrial Safety at various plants in Northern Alberta/BC and working on construction projects for First Nation communities across Northwestern Ontario. During this time, Akin Fadare has worked closely with consulting firms, contractors, and Indigenous Services Canada, thereby strengthening his ability to bridge technical execution with community-driven outcomes.
Akin Fadare's current focus lies in sustainable mine design and environmental performance. My graduate research explored Natural Fiber-Reinforced Cemented Paste Backfill (NFR-CPB), examining its fracture behaviour, strength, and potential for sustainability in underground mining.
Akin Fadare is deeply passionate about building safer mines, protecting the environment through responsible tailings & wastewater management, and improving access to clean water in remote Indigenous communities.
Professional Interests:
• Geotechnical & Tailings Engineering
• Water & Wastewater Treatment Systems
• Data-Informed, Value-Focused Project Delivery
• Social Impact & Sustainable Development
Hi Akin, thanks for taking the time to introduce yourself to the community! We appreciate all of your support as an Online Community Champion. It's so great to have you here! Saving Changes...
Community Specialist| Project Management InstituteNewtown Square, PA, United States
Oct 29, 2025 3:56 AM
Replying to Pushpaj Chougule
...
Greetings from India!
My name is Pushpaj Chougule, and I serve as a Manager in Underwriting Operations at Crum & Forster Services India Pvt. Ltd. With over 12 years of experience in the corporate world, I recently earned my PMP certification, and I’m genuinely excited to be part of this journey.
Growing up, life wasn’t always smooth or shiny. There was a time I believed I could be a good singer, but I never pursued it seriously, it remains a cherished hobby. My father, who held a government job, hoped I would follow in his footsteps. However, I struggled to keep up with studies and found my own path in the corporate world, starting in 2013. For the past 4-5 years, I’ve been in management, and I haven’t looked back since.
Project Management fascinates me because it’s all about possibilities. There’s always more than one way to approach a challenge. For me, it’s less about rigidly following best practices and more about experimenting, learning, and discovering what works best. Leadership was always my aspiration, though I often wondered if I’d be a good fit, given my introverted nature. Over time, I realized that applying emotional intelligence allowed me to stay true to myself while fulfilling my role, without compromising my authenticity.
Some of my proudest accomplishments include earning multiple promotions over the past decade through sheer hard work, buying my own flat, giving back to society in meaningful ways, and seeing my family happy and content.
Outside of work, you’ll find me reading, singing, listening to music, traveling, or collecting interesting currencies from around the world.
Congratulations on earning your PMP - I look forward to seeing you around the community! Saving Changes...
Muthurakkappan ShanmugamSenior Project Management| Denholm Yam Contracting CompanyAL DHANNA, AZ, United Arab Emirates
Hello everyone, My name is Muthurakkappan, a civil engineer from India, currently working as a Site Manager at Denholm YAM in the UAE. When I was growing up, I wanted to become a teacher, following my father’s wish. He was a farmer who deeply respected the teachers in our village. Unfortunately, I chose to become an engineer instead, but I’m happy to have achieved more than he expected and made him proud. In my projects, I mostly use the predictive approach, as civil works are well-defined and progress according to a clear plan. However, I truly appreciate the agile mindset and aim to apply more of its flexibility and collaborative spirit in my future work. I was drawn to project management because of its servant leadership philosophy. I believe in guiding my team, supporting their growth, and continuously improving myself. My proudest moment was when my father recognized my discipline, sincerity, and hard work—values he instilled in me—and proudly shared them with our community. I’m also proud to be the first generation in my family to pursue education and to have earned my PMP certification on the first attempt. I look forward to connecting with fellow PMI members, exchanging ideas, and learning from your experiences. Thanks
...
1 reply by Laura Schofield
Nov 03, 2025 9:37 AM
Laura Schofield
...
Hi Muthurakkappan, thanks for joining us in PMI's online community!
We look forward to learning from you as well - see you around the community!
I am a Civil Engineer and Project Management Professional with a Master’s degree in Structural Engineering and over a decade of experience in managing complex construction projects across diverse sectors. As a university lecturer and PMI member since 2015, I combine academic insight with practical expertise to deliver sustainable, high-quality results. My professional focus lies in project management, claims and contracts, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning. I’m passionate about helping organizations achieve excellence through effective project delivery, risk mitigation, and transparent communication. I believe that every project—successful or challenging—offers lessons that shape stronger leaders and smarter teams. Guided by the values of Quality Work and Best Results, I continuously seek to enhance performance, mentor others, and contribute to advancing the project management community.
...
1 reply by Laura Schofield
Nov 03, 2025 9:38 AM
Laura Schofield
...
Hello Alaa Alnafori, welcome to PMI's online community!
Community Specialist| Project Management InstituteNewtown Square, PA, United States
Nov 01, 2025 6:59 AM
Replying to Muthurakkappan Shanmugam
...
Hello everyone, My name is Muthurakkappan, a civil engineer from India, currently working as a Site Manager at Denholm YAM in the UAE. When I was growing up, I wanted to become a teacher, following my father’s wish. He was a farmer who deeply respected the teachers in our village. Unfortunately, I chose to become an engineer instead, but I’m happy to have achieved more than he expected and made him proud. In my projects, I mostly use the predictive approach, as civil works are well-defined and progress according to a clear plan. However, I truly appreciate the agile mindset and aim to apply more of its flexibility and collaborative spirit in my future work. I was drawn to project management because of its servant leadership philosophy. I believe in guiding my team, supporting their growth, and continuously improving myself. My proudest moment was when my father recognized my discipline, sincerity, and hard work—values he instilled in me—and proudly shared them with our community. I’m also proud to be the first generation in my family to pursue education and to have earned my PMP certification on the first attempt. I look forward to connecting with fellow PMI members, exchanging ideas, and learning from your experiences. Thanks
Hi Muthurakkappan, thanks for joining us in PMI's online community!
We look forward to learning from you as well - see you around the community! Saving Changes...
Community Specialist| Project Management InstituteNewtown Square, PA, United States
Nov 02, 2025 4:51 AM
Replying to Alaa Alnafori
...
I am a Civil Engineer and Project Management Professional with a Master’s degree in Structural Engineering and over a decade of experience in managing complex construction projects across diverse sectors. As a university lecturer and PMI member since 2015, I combine academic insight with practical expertise to deliver sustainable, high-quality results. My professional focus lies in project management, claims and contracts, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning. I’m passionate about helping organizations achieve excellence through effective project delivery, risk mitigation, and transparent communication. I believe that every project—successful or challenging—offers lessons that shape stronger leaders and smarter teams. Guided by the values of Quality Work and Best Results, I continuously seek to enhance performance, mentor others, and contribute to advancing the project management community.
Hello Alaa Alnafori, welcome to PMI's online community! Saving Changes...
MEGAN OMalleyPM III| Oatey CompanyNorth Ridgeville, Oh, United States
Share out in the comments below: -Your name and your current role: Megan O'Malley, Project Manager -What did you want to be when you were growing up? a nurse or FBI detective -What are your favorite project management tools and technologies? Or ones that you’d like to learn more about? I would like to learn more about the use of AI while developing a new product. I'm fascinated with the use of AI. My favorite part of Project Management is the different types of projects that are managed and the tools to help manage them. -What drew you to the project management industry? There was a need identified in the organization I work at and I demonstrated key Project Manager skills. What's kept you in it? I love being able to be assigned a project with it's deliverables and see it through the end. -What's your proudest accomplishment (personal or professional)? Personally - obtaining my PMP.