President's Message & Press release

Dear PMI Buffalo Members,

I hope this message finds you well as we step into February and continue our exciting journey through 2025. It has been truly inspiring to see the enthusiasm and ideas shared by so many of you over the past month. Your engagement and passion for project management remind me why I am so honored to serve as the President of PMI Buffalo.

In January, we introduced our four key strategies for 2025:

1. Increasing membership and engagement
2. Promoting PMI offerings beyond the PMP certification
3. Recruiting and retaining volunteers
4. Strengthening cohesion within our board

As we begin putting these initiatives into action, I am excited to share some of the progress we’ve made and highlight opportunities for you to get involved.

Our VP of Certifications, Pauline McKeown (vp_certifications@pmiBuffalo.org) recently hosted our first Lunch and Learn event, titled “Unlocking the Power of PMI Certifications.” It was a fantastic session with 32 chapter members in attendance. She’s already planning another Lunch and Learn in February on deeper dives into specific certifications, so keep an eye on our calendar for details. Additionally, Melissa Wallace led another engaging Breakfast Table discussion, focusing on automation and project management. Although I couldn’t attend, I’ve heard great feedback about the event and look forward to joining a future session! We also participated in Future Cities, which has been a staple for PMI Buffalo over the years. Our VP of Outreach, Matt Mangas (vp_outreach@pmiBuffalo.org), is looking for volunteers to start coaching students for next year.

We’re also thrilled to announce our first evening event of the year, scheduled by our VP of Professional Development, Katie Dieter (vp_professional_development@pmiBuffalo.org). This virtual session, “5 Strategies for Relationship-Centered Leadership,” will explore how to build strong, meaningful connections in your professional life. In February, we’re also hosting a lunchtime event, “Embracing an AI-First Approach for Accelerated Growth in Project Management.” AI is quickly becoming an essential tool for navigating today’s evolving landscape, and this session will help you harness its potential. Whether you’re new to project management or a seasoned professional, these events will provide valuable insights to advance your career and maximize PMI certifications and connections. Visit our website at pmiBuffalo.org for registration details and we’d love to see you there!

For those passionate about giving back, we’re excited to launch our PM for Nonprofits initiative. This program pairs our members with local organizations in need of project management expertise, offering an opportunity to make a meaningful impact while showcasing the power of project management in action. If you’re interested in volunteering, please reach out to our VP of Outreach, Matt Mangas, at vp_outreach@pmiBuffalo.org.

Volunteerism remains at the heart of our chapter, and we’re always looking for members to help shape PMI Buffalo’s future. Whether you’d like to contribute as an event organizer, marketing specialist, or in another capacity, we welcome your talents and enthusiasm. Joining one of our committees is not only a way to give back but also an opportunity to grow your skills and network with like-minded professionals. If you’re interested, please contact our VP of Membership, Jay VanMarter, at vp_membership@pmiBuffalo.org.

Did you know this year our Chapter turns 30? We are forming a committee to start the planning process and are looking for volunteers to help with this effort. Please reach out to me (president@pmiBuffalo.org) if you would like to help. There are a lot of opportunities to assist!

Since the start of the year, we have welcomed 13 new members and celebrated 41 membership renewals, bringing our chapter to 559 members. Thank you to everyone who has shared feedback with us so far. Your insights and suggestions help shape our chapter’s direction, and we want to keep that momentum going. If there’s something you’d like to see from PMI Buffalo this year—whether it’s a specific type of event, training opportunity, or community initiative—please let us know.

Together, we are building a stronger, more dynamic PMI Buffalo. Let’s continue to collaborate, innovate, and grow as a community.

I’ll leave you with this quote from Helen Keller that perfectly captures the spirit of teamwork we’re embracing this year:

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

Here’s to achieving great things together in 2025!

Warm regards,

Vince McKeown
President, PMI Buffalo Chapter