Speaker Bios
Learn more about each speaker and the session they would be facilitating.
Click on each image to read more about their background and speaking session.
Cathi Hight
Kaizen strategies to develop strategic leadership, productive teams, and healthy organizations.
Presenter Bio
Cathi Hight is a dynamic speaker, certified Wiley Workplace Solutions Partner, and seasoned consultant who helps organizations build high-performing teams, develop impactful leaders, and foster thriving work environments. With over 20 years of experience in performance improvement, Cathi brings clarity and action to complex workplace challenges—delivering results through real problem-solving, not just buzzwords.
Drawing on Kaizen principles of continuous improvement, she empowers teams to make small, strategic changes that create meaningful progress and lasting impact for both internal and external customers.
Cathi’s diverse career spans leadership roles in operations, sales, and training across multiple industries—including serving as VP of Operations for the Associations of Hawaii, Regional Marketing Manager for Dole Foods and Dean Foods, and national manager for the Kauffman Foundation’s FastTrac program. As a former Motorola University Instructor, she taught principles of cycle time reduction and benchmarking to corporate audiences nationwide.
Beyond her professional achievements, Cathi is a committed volunteer and believes that “a call to leadership is a call to serve.” She brings this philosophy to every engagement—helping people and organizations evolve with purpose, empathy, and excellence.
Session Abstract
What Type of Leader Are You? Evolve Your Style, Expand Your Impact
1.5 PDUs – Power Skills
To lead effectively, you must know your strengths—but that’s only part of the leadership journey. True evolution as a leader comes from understanding your full behavioral range and how others perceive you. Are you driving results… or unknowingly driving your team away?
In this dynamic, interactive session, you’ll explore eight distinct leadership types, along with their strengths, potential limitations, and hidden blind spots. You’ll identify your primary leadership style, uncover key motivators, and learn how to adapt to meet the needs of different situations and teams.
Before attending, participants are encouraged to take a free online leadership assessment that will help guide their personal exploration during the session.
In this session, you will:
✅ Discover the traits of the most effective leaders—and the patterns behind leadership derailment.
✅ Explore the 8 Dimensions of Leadership that today’s leaders must embrace.
✅ Learn how to leverage your strengths and evolve beyond your limitations.
Whether you’re an emerging leader or a seasoned executive, this session will help you lead with clarity, flexibility, and purpose.
#PMIMassBay#PDC2025
Prioritize the Urgent, the Squeaky Wheel, and the Someday: How to Engage with What Matters Most and Evolve Your Productivity
1.5 PDUs – Power Skills
When everything feels important and your calendar is bursting at the seams, how do you prioritize without burning out? In today’s fast-paced work world, it’s easy to get stuck responding to the loudest voices, the most urgent fires, and the never-ending to-do lists—leaving your personal goals and long-term growth on the backburner.
This engaging and practical session will help you evolve your productivity approach so you can stay focused, feel in control, and make meaningful progress. You’ll explore prioritization techniques, real-world strategies for managing competing demands, and how to tailor to-do list systems that work for your brain, your role, and your goals.
Whether you’re a project manager, team leader, or someone just trying to survive the workweek—this session offers the tools you need to engage with your time intentionally and evolve your day-to-day habits for long-term success.
In this session, you’ll explore:
✅ How to work on the right tasks at the right time
✅ Prioritizing methods and real-world productivity strategies
✅ The strengths and pitfalls of different to-do list systems
✅ How to balance urgency with long-term value—without sacrificing your sanity
#PMIMassBay#PDC2025
Anthony Reed
Recipient of the President's Council on Sport, Fitness & Nutrition Hero Award | Professional Speaker | Author | 35X Award-Winning Documentary Director | 2X National Distance Running Hall of Fame Honoree | 132X Marathoner
Presenter Bio
Anthony Reed, CPA, PMP is a global project management executive, world-record-holding athlete, and award-winning documentary filmmaker. A two-time national distance running hall of fame inductee and 132-time marathon finisher, Anthony blends endurance sports with project leadership to drive results. He’s authored six books, received the 2024 President’s Council Hero Award, and has his story archived in the U.S. Library of Congress and the Smithsonian.
Session Abstract
Managing Difficult People and Projects
1.5 PDUs – Business Acumen
With more than 30 years of first-hand experience managing high-stakes IT projects and directing award-winning documentaries, this session offers a behind-the-scenes look at what really happens when projects hit rough waters — and how leaders can still guide them to shore.
From navigating multimillion-dollar initiatives for Fortune 500s and government agencies to creating films that have earned over 30 international awards, Anthony Reed brings a unique perspective on resilience, adaptability, and leadership under pressure. Whether your “ship” capsizes, survives the storm, or sails smoothly to success, you’ll learn how to engage your team in the moment, evolve your approach in real time, and transform uncertainty into forward momentum.
In this engaging session, you’ll explore:
✅ Real-world case studies of project turbulence and triumph
✅ Lessons on navigating unexpected disruptions
✅ How to build teams that evolve through engagement
✅ A mindset for leading when conditions change — fast.
Let your next project storm become a story of transformation.
#PMIMassBay #PDC2025
Lisa DiTullio
Project Management Consultant | Trainer | Coach | Author | Speaker
Presenter Bio
With over 30 years of experience in project management, Lisa DiTullio specializes in building PMOs and instilling a project management culture within organizations. She is an author, regular industry blogger, PMI® PMTraining™ instructor, and an internationally recognized speaker known for her impactful storytelling and practical insights.
Session Abstract
Managing Difficult People and Projects
1.5 PDUs – Ways of Working
In today’s fast-paced business climate, where change is constant and disruptive, project managers must do more than simply manage tasks—they need to engage and evolve as dynamic coaches. This session explores how coaching isn’t just an added task, but an essential leadership skill that drives team growth and successful project delivery.
Join Lisa as she reveals proven coaching strategies that seamlessly blend with your daily interactions. You’ll learn how to motivate and develop your team—empowering them to reach new heights—while ensuring critical work gets done.
Discover the key competencies you need to:
✅ Engage team members with actionable feedback and authentic support.
✅ Evolve your leadership style to cultivate a continuous learning culture.
✅ Balance stretching your team’s potential without compromising project results.
This session is designed to help project managers transform their approach into one that not only gets work done but also creates a thriving, future-ready workforce.
#PMIMassBay#PDC2025
Diane Coles
Director of Project Management, Finance Technology | Slalom
Presenter Bio
With 8+ years of experience leading IT and enterprise-wide initiatives, Diane Coles is a project management pro known for driving results and continuous improvement. She currently leads Finance Technology projects at Slalom and holds a BA in Communications from UMass Amherst.
Session Abstract
What’s Your Superpower: Building Your Personal Brand
1.5 PDUs – Business Acumen
To evolve in your project management career, you need more than technical know-how—you need a powerful personal brand. In this energizing and interactive session, we’ll help you uncover your professional “superpower” and show you how to turn it into a compelling personal brand that evolves with your goals, your growth, and your industry.
Through real-world stories, group discussion, and hands-on exercises, you’ll learn how to:
✅ Identify your unique strengths.
✅ Craft a brand story that reflects your evolution.
✅ Communicate your value with clarity and confidence.
✅ Use your personal brand as a launchpad for new opportunities.
Whether you’re stepping into leadership or pivoting your path, this session will equip you with the tools to build a brand that grows with you—and sets you apart.
Ready to evolve your career? Let’s build the brand that gets you there.
#PMIMassBay#PDC2025
Mélanie St-James
Enabling leadership teams to accelerate results
Presenter Bio
Mélanie St-James is a Harvard-trained strategy consultant who partners with top organizations to align vision, culture, and execution. Known for her high energy and practical insight, she helps leadership teams innovate, engage, and accelerate results.
Rob Frohman
Visionary Executive in Technology & Operations | Scaling SaaS & Enterprise Growth | Driving Agile, OKR & Digital Transformation
Presenter Bio
Rob Frohman is a transformation leader who helps companies scale, innovate, and execute. With experience at Cisco, RSA, and startups alike, he’s known for aligning strategy, tech, and operations to unlock growth and drive results.
Session Abstract
Winning the Execution Game: Connecting Strategy to Plan
1.5 PDUs – Business Acumen
In today’s fast-paced business world, organizations often struggle to turn bold strategies into real outcomes. How can you ensure that vision doesn’t stay just a vision? This interactive two-part series will give you the tools to innovate and engage your team in turning strategy into execution and results.
In Part 1, we’ll answer the critical question: What is the win? Learn to define a clear, compelling strategy that lays the foundation for success at any level. We’ll introduce the Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) framework, a powerful tool to ensure strategic alignment, track progress, and keep your focus on what matters most.
This series is ideal for leaders who want to evolve their approach to strategy execution and ensure their team’s success. Whether you’re refining a strategy or starting from scratch, you’ll leave with a practical, actionable framework to innovate, engage, and execute for results.
#PMIMassBay#PDC2025
Winning the Execution Game: Connecting Strategy to Plan
1.5 PDUs – Business Acumen
In today’s fast-paced business world, organizations often struggle to turn bold strategies into real outcomes. How can you ensure that vision doesn’t stay just a vision? This interactive two-part series will give you the tools to innovate and engage your team in turning strategy into execution and results.
In Part 2, we’ll shift to action. You’ll explore how to build integrated plans that engage cross-functional teams, use data to drive decisions, and stay agile in the face of change. The session will culminate in answering: Are we winning? —examining how to measure success, adjust strategies as needed, and build a culture of accountability.
This series is ideal for leaders who want to evolve their approach to strategy execution and ensure their team’s success. Whether you’re refining a strategy or starting from scratch, you’ll leave with a practical, actionable framework to innovate, engage, and execute for results.
#PMIMassBay#PDC2025
Barbara Jones
Program Manager @ Insight | Speaker Agile2024 |Consulting
Presenter Bio
Barbara Jones is a Program Manager and consultant with over 15 years of experience delivering results for Fortune 500 clients. With an MBA from Purdue and certifications in PMP, CSM, and AI, she specializes in hybrid project management and AI ethics. Barbara is also a speaker, mentor, and passionate advocate for Women in Tech.
David Rog
Program | Project | People Leader
Presenter Bio
David Rog is a program management consultant with over 20 years of experience in agile and strategic program leadership. He teaches at Northeastern University and holds certifications including PMP, CSM, and SAFe RTE. David helps organizations improve project delivery and spoke at the 2024 PMI Global Summit on hybrid project management.
Session Abstract
Wagile: The Best of Both Worlds, A Hybrid Approach to Project Management
1.5 PDUs – Ways of Working
In a world where agility is essential and structure is still critical, project managers are increasingly turning to Wagile—a hybrid approach that blends the innovation of Agile with the predictability of Waterfall. While the name may sound playful, the results are serious business.
This dynamic and interactive session explores the evolving landscape of hybrid project management. You’ll gain a clear understanding of the benefits and challenges of Wagile, and walk away with actionable insights from real-world Wagile implementations across industries.
Through a hands-on exercise using Agile Suitability Filters, you’ll learn how to evaluate which methodology—or combination of methodologies—best fits your organization’s unique environment. These practical tools will empower you to lead smarter, more adaptive projects that are aligned with business needs.
Whether you’re an Agile advocate, a Waterfall purist, or somewhere in between, this session will help you innovate your approach and evolve your strategy. Join us and learn how to strike the right balance to drive successful outcomes.
✅ Understand the core principles, benefits, and challenges of Wagile.
✅ Explore how to tailor project methodologies to your team and business context.
✅ Apply the Agile Suitability Filter to real project scenarios.
✅ Leverage key tools and frameworks from PMI’s PMBOK® and PMI Infinity™.
#PMIMassBay #PDC2025
Donna Gregorio
Project Leadership Expert | Author | Educator | Innovation Advocate
Presenter Bio
Donna Gregorio, Author of The Successful Project Manager, retired PMO leader at MITRE, and current adjunct professor at Northeastern University, Donna brings 40+ years of expertise, real-world insights, and a passion for innovation in project leadership. She currently serves as VP of Professional Development at PMI Mass Bay.
Session Abstract
Lost in Translation: Communications Pitfalls and Innovative Solutions from the Big Dig
1.5 PDUs – Power Skills
What if one of the most infamous infrastructure projects in U.S. history could inspire better, smarter ways to lead?
Boston’s Big Dig was groundbreaking in scale—and infamous for delays, cost overruns, and unmet goals. At the heart of its struggles? Communication failures that stifled collaboration and progress. In this compelling session, veteran project leader Donna Gregorio explores how modern, innovative project management strategies could have transformed the outcome—and how you can apply those same tools to your work today.
Through real-world insights and practical frameworks, you’ll learn to:
✅ Align teams using clear, measurable OBJECTIVES AND KEY RESULTS
✅ Reframe problems to unlock fresh, innovative solutions
✅ Build adaptive roadmaps that fuel momentum, not confusion
Whether you’re leading large-scale initiatives or managing smaller teams, you’ll walk away with forward-thinking approaches to avoid common pitfalls—and innovate your way to project success.
#PMIMassBay#PDC2025
Dave Todaro
Obsessed with Software Delivery | Bestselling Author of The Epic Guide to Agile | Master Instructor at Caltech
Presenter Bio
Dave Todaro is an Agile expert, software visionary, and author of the bestselling book The Epic Guide to Agile. A tech entrepreneur since his teens, Dave has designed award-winning products and taught Agile techniques to thousands worldwide. As a Master Instructor at Caltech and a trusted advisor to global organizations, he brings real-world insight into Agile transformation, product strategy, and high-performing team culture.
Session Abstract
The Art of Thin Slicing: Build 100% of Something Instead of 100% of Nothing
1.5 PDUs – Ways of Working
Scrum encourages us to deliver a usable product increment every sprint—but what happens when your team spends weeks building… and nothing is truly done?
In this practical and engaging session, software development expert and agile author Dave Todaro explores how innovative teams evolve their delivery mindset through the art of thin slicing. Using real-world examples, Dave demonstrates how to break down features into small, vertical slices that are fully functional and add real value—avoiding the trap of building “100% of nothing.”
You’ll learn how to:
✅ Identify when epics and stories are too large to deliver value.
✅ Apply two proven models for slicing stories the right way.
✅ Engage the right people at the right time to make splitting effective.
✅ Use the INVEST model to ensure your stories are valuable and deliverable.
This session is ideal for Scrum teams, product owners, and project leaders looking to evolve their Agile practices, innovate how they deliver value, and engage more deeply with cross-functional work. #PMIMassBay#PDC2025