Professional Development Conference
PDC 2025
Thanks to the attendees, speakers and volunteers who joined us this year!!!
PDC Key Takeaway
Bridging Strategy and Execution:
Key Insights from Our Professional Development Conference Our recent professional development conference brought together forward-thinking leaders to tackle one of business’s most persistent challenges: translating strategy into results.
The Execution Challenge
A recurring theme emerged across sessions—organizations struggle when strategy inspires but then disconnects from execution. The “Winning the Execution Game” sessions introduced a powerful fourpart framework: See the Win (strategy as deliberate choices), Set the Goals (OKRs for measurable outcomes), Plan with Purpose (coordinated, adaptive plans), and Check Results (integrated feedback loops at weekly, quarterly, and annual cadences).
Predictability Through Flow
The Agile Portfolio session revealed that predictability doesn’t come from rigid deadlines but from managing flow health. By measuring feature velocity and protecting system stability, organizations can forecast more accurately while maintaining adaptability.
Leadership and Communication
Attendees explored how different leadership styles serve different situations and learned that selfawareness is key to growth. The Big Dig case study demonstrated how clear communication frameworks—defining strategy, setting OKRs, and ensuring alignment—prevent costly misunderstandings.
Practical Tools for Daily Success
From “Wagile” hybrid approaches to personal brand building, sessions provided actionable techniques. The Project Coach workshop introduced the GROW model for developing others, while prioritization strategies helped leaders move from reactive to intentional work management.
The Bottom Line
Success isn’t about perfect plans—it’s about building systems that learn, adapt, and maintain alignment from strategy through execution. Attendees left equipped with frameworks to create this organizational agility while developing their leadership capabilities and personal effectiveness.
Agenda
Presenter
Session Title
Time
PDUs
Cathi Hight
What Type of Leader are You?
8:30am - 10:00am
Keynote/Power Skills (1.5 PDU)
Cathi Hight
Prioritizing the Urgent, Squeaky Wheel and Someday
10:30am - 12:00am
Power Skills (1.5 PDU)
Anthony Reed
Managing Difficult People and Projects
10:30am - 12:00pm
Business Acumen (1.5 PDU)
Melanie St. James
Rob Frohman
Mission Possible: Forecasting the Future with Agile Portfolios
10:30pm - 12:00pm
Ways of Working (1.5 PDU)
Diane Coles
What's Your Superpower: Building Your Personal Brand
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Power Skills (1.5 PDU)
Melanie St. James
Rob Frohman
Winning the Execution Game: Connecting Strategy to Plan- Part 1
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Business Acumen (1.5 PDU)
Barbara Jones
David Rog
Wagile: The Best of Both Worlds, A Hybrid Approach to Project Management
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Ways of Working (1.5 PDU)
Donna Gregorio
Lost in Translation: Communications Pitfalls and Innovative Solutions from the Big Dig
3:00pm - 4:30pm
Power Skills (1.5 PDU)
Melanie St. James
Rob Frohman
Winning the Execution Game: Connecting Strategy to Plan - Part 2
3:00pm - 4:30pm
Business Acumen (1.5 PDU)
Lisa DiTullio
Stretching and Developing Others for Your Project's Success
3:00pm - 4:30pm
Ways of Working (1.5 PDU)
The program is subject to change.
Meet The Speakers
Click on each image to read more about their background and speaking session.
