Special Lecture
Special Lecture 1
Emerging Opportunities for Project Managers in Climate Tech and Sustainability
Ms. Geetha Gopal
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, G Infinity Consulting, Singapore
Abstract:
Abstract: In the face of escalating climate challenges and the urgent need for sustainable development, the role of project managers is evolving rapidly. This session will delve into the burgeoning opportunities within the climate tech and sustainability sectors, highlighting how project managers can lead transformative initiatives that align with global environmental goals. We will discuss the growing demand for project managers skilled in sustainability practices, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement, and perform a case study on strategic sustainability project management.
Biography:
Geetha Gopal is an accomplished senior management professional based in Singapore. She is a PMI Future 50 awardee, a Masters from Oxford and a sought-after public speaker with extensive international speaking engagements for some of the most prestigious tech and management conferences around the world. She is a hands- on leader with experience delivering high-value, strategic investments including AI, IT infrastructure, Data Centers, Digital transformation, Product ownership, Cross functional programmers and blank sheet assignments for two multinational organizations. She is currently the Chief Operating Officer at Verdana, where she leads their overall Operations, IT, Projects, Sales, Partnerships, and Customer Relations. Her last role was with Panasonic where she headed the Regional Infrastructure Projects Delivery and Digital Transformation team and their strategic projects and huge infrastructure project portfolio. Prior to that she worked in Daimler for almost a decade, on various areas of IT Infrastructure and AI products. She also holds a Bachelor of Computer Science Engineering, Executive MBA and PMP.
Special Lecture 2
The principles of stakeholder engagement
Mr. Paul Hodgkins
Former Executive Director of Paul Hodgkins Project Consultancy
Abstract:
Stakeholders can make, or break, our projects but how can we be certain we have identified all our stakeholders before we even begin to think about engaging with them? And when we have begun to engage with stakeholders, how can we address conflict that undoubtedly will arise if we have not considered the sources of conflict and how we might address them.
In this interactive, fun and engaging mini-workshop, we will consider what we think we mean when we talk about stakeholders and stakeholder engagement. We will discuss who we believe are our most important stakeholders, why we think that and from whose perspective we are thinking from. We will explore the principles of good stakeholder engagement as well as understanding when - as it sometimes does - stakeholder (and other) conflict occurs, potential sources of that conflict, and techniques we can use to counter it.
Biography:
Paul Hodgkins joined Siemens in 1984 as a graduate trainee and within two years entered the world of Project Management. From February 2006 until June 2013, he was responsible for leading Siemens global programme addressing project business known as PM@Siemens across the UK and North West Europe. During that period he was nominated as a key project and programme management influencer in the UK and was appointed as a Fellow of the Association for Project Management (FAPM). From July 2013 until April 2023 he managed his own business where he helped organisations to “unleash the power of projects and programmes.” More recently, Paul has been working on innovative and transformative UK transport business change programmes.