??? 2024: A Year of Global Adventures, Unforgettable Connections, and Project Management/PMO Milestones ????

As you know, normal postings on LinkedIn are limited in the amount of words to write, so I decided to share this as an article. I wanted to take a moment to reflect on 2024 and share a glimpse of my accomplishments with you.

I am deeply thankful to God and to all of you who supported me during this busy and rewarding year. You are my inspiration to do what I do.

If someone had told me at the start of 2024 that I’d spend the year speaking to thousands of professionals, delivering sold-out workshops, writing books, and mentoring future leaders across the globe, I wouldn’t have believed it. But here we are, and I’m beyond grateful for the opportunities, connections, and lessons that shaped this incredible year.

? Here’s how 2024 unfolded:

?Dubai: At the 14th IEOM Society International Conference, I delivered a keynote on PMO for Operational Excellence and facilitated an Emotional Intelligence workshop for engineers. Seeing professionals connect with such a powerful topic was unforgettable. Co-facilitating a Toyota Kata workshop with my partner Dave Harris was the cherry on top! ????

?? Colombia: At the PMI Bogota Conference, over 800 attendees (on-site and virtual) joined my session on Setting Up a Project Management Office. The energy was electric, and the engagement was inspiring! ???

??? Dominican Republic - Punta Cana: Two sold-out workshops—Dominando la Gerencia de Proyectos con el Juego PM-Zone and Mastering Digital Project Management—left me in awe of the hunger for practical tools in today’s fast-paced world. ?????

?? April: I set sail as a speaker at Project Management At Sea, a unique learning experience organized by PMI Clear Lake Galveston, Texas, stopping in Cozumel Mexico. Sharing insights aboard a high-seas seminar was a one-of-a-kind adventure! ?????

???? Germany/July 2024: At the 7th IEOM European Conference, I had the privilege of teaching sessions on Emotional Intelligence and Toyota Kata techniques, emphasizing the universal importance of human connection and effective leadership in today’s workplace. The experience was further enriched by an inspiring visit to the Mercedes-Benz Plant, where I witnessed innovation and precision at its finest—an unforgettable highlight of my trip! ????

??? Lisbon, Portugal: On November 7th, I celebrated International Project Management Day in the heart of the old world. Reflecting on the evolution of project management in such a historic city was unforgettable. ????

??? PMI Slovenia/Virtual: Honored to be designated the Master Negotiator in an initiative on Negotiation conducted by PMI Slovenia and supported by over 10 PMI chapters from multiple countries. Being recognized for my contributions to negotiation practices was a career-defining moment. ????

??? Podcasts and Webinars: I had the privilege of joining multiple podcasts and webinars this year as a speaker. Through insightful interviews and discussions, I had the chance to connect with global audiences and share knowledge on project management and leadership. Thank you to all the organizations that trusted me to be part of their programs! ????

?? Virtual Impact: In October, I shared lessons on the Growth Mindset for Project Managers with PMI Lima Peru and explored Managing Digital Projects at the PMI Guayas Ecuador Conference in November, connecting with hundreds of attendees worldwide. ????

?? Istanbul, Turkey: In December, I traveled to Istanbul for the PMO UnCon 2024. This premier event for PMO leaders was an incredible opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, exchange innovative ideas, and gain insights into the future of PMO strategies. To cap off this inspiring experience, I was inducted into the PMO Leader Community Hall of Fame, a recognition I deeply cherish. ????

?? Favikon Recognition: I am honored to be listed among the TOP 25 Project Management Content Creators in the USA by Favikon. This acknowledgment of my content’s impact inspires me to continue sharing knowledge and empowering project management professionals worldwide. ????

? Highlights from My Year:

Regional Director for the Americas for the PMO Leader 2024 Conference: I curated speakers, moderated engaging panels, and shaped conversations on PMO excellence. ?????

Judge for the 2024 PMO Global Awards (PMOGA and PMI): Honored to evaluate the world’s best PMOs and their groundbreaking practices. ????

Writing Milestones: Co-authored two books and finished writing my book, Digital Project Management (coming soon!): My 40-Year Journey of Mastery, launching Q1 2025. ???

Contributed to the PMO Practice Guide, the first-ever PMI Practice Guide on PMO, helping shape the future of PMO best practices. ?????

?? Professional Development:

• Earned over 20 certifications in areas like change management, agile, project management, and AI.
• Wrote over 60 articles for my newsletters, PMO Insider and PM Canvas, reaching thousands of readers worldwide.
• Dedicated countless hours to LinkedIn Learning, sharpening my skills in leadership and emerging trends. ????

?? Teaching and Mentorship: Taught over 12 courses (Software Engineering and Project Management) at MIU City of Miami University in Spanish and English, mentored students, judged capstone projects, and facilitated PMP review courses and Scrum training, impacting over 300 professionals. ????

? The biggest lesson of 2024:

It’s not just about sharing knowledge—it’s about building connections, sparking ideas, and inspiring action. Every handshake, every question, and every “aha” moment reminded me of the power of community and collaboration. ????

Looking ahead to 2025, I hope to carry this momentum forward, empowering even more professionals to embrace growth and excellence.

?? What about you? What’s the highlight of your 2024 journey? Let’s inspire each other as we gear up for a new year of opportunities! ???

Some memories of these events!