Message from the President 

Dear Members,

This time of year always helps me to realize how grateful I am for our wonderful volunteers and members like you that make PMI MN the great chapter that it is. It is a great time to reflect on all the things you have done and continue to do for our chapter. With that being said, there are a couple things coming up that I would like to highlight. 

First, the Annual Chapter Membership Meeting is scheduled for November 21st. I would encourage all members to attend the meeting (It is FREE) and share their thoughts and ideas with the leadership. Here is a link to register - Annual Membership Business Meeting (pmi-mn.org).

We also have our Scholarship deadline coming up on November 30th, so if you or someone you know has been thinking of applying, now is the time to do so. Check out the requirements at https://pmi-mn.org/pmi-mn-scholarship.

Lastly, I am excited to represent the PMI Minnesota Chapter at the upcoming PMI Global summit in Las Vegas from December 1 - 3rd. We have been selected to speak on the topic of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

If anyone wants to attend, please check out the link below - PMI Global Summit | Project Management Institute (PMI) - Global Summit 2022 (gcs-web.com).

If you have any questions, feel free to send me an email - president@pmi-mn.org.

Thank you for making this year a great success. I wish you a joyful and abundant Thanksgiving. 

Manish Kalra, MBA, PMP®, CSM, AHPP

PMI MN President, CEO

PMI MN Scholarship

A total of two $2,000 scholarship awards will be given each year to two different individuals as chosen by the PMI-MN Outreach Committee. To read about basic eligibility requirements, scholarship submission requirements, and evaluation criteria, visit https://pmi-mn.org/pmi-mn-scholarship.

Scholarship Application Deadline has been extended to November 30th.

Board Spotlight

Michael O’Connor, PhD, has been a PMI and PMI MN member since 2003. He is a PMP® and PgMP® and hopes to complete the PfMP® soon (Triple “P”). He is a member of the PMI Global Council. Michael is President-Elect and Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the PMI MN Chapter and Board Liaison for the Marketing and Communication (Marcomm) Committee. Previously, Michael served as Co-Chair Community Outreach, Professional Development, Program Development, Academic Outreach, Proposal Reviewer, PMI PDD Guest Speaker and Panelist, PDD volunteer, Paint-A-Thon Team Member, PMI Mentoring Program, PMI to Medtronic Corporate Liaison and PMP Exam Prep Volunteer. He also helped develop the new PMI MN Chapter logo.

Since joining the Board of Directors, Michael has been passionate about working with the PDD team, sponsorship, professional development, and program development. Michael’s previous experience in strategic partnerships has allowed him to lean on his network and make other connections within the PMI MN organization.

Michael is currently the Senior Research Program Director, Program Management with Medtronic, in Enabling Technologies under the Cranial and Spinal Technologies / Neuroscience Portfolio. He has over 36 years of professional work experience, of which 31+ are in the Medical Device Industry.

Michael's Leadership Philosophy:

• Passion: I have passion for the work I perform in the medical device industry. I am motivated to improve on past results and look to create higher efficiency and productivity. I have passion for my team to grow, improve and succeed. Making a difference at an organization and with people creates passion for me.
• Energy: Creating an energetic environment that will foster a positive impact with people around me to create success. I like to bring energy and spirit to other people to pass along this sense of vitality that will move people to work outside of their normal day-to-day activities.
• Innovation: Innovation defines a new idea, improved process or a more effective device. Innovation is a process that takes ideas and creates value for customers. I enjoy pursuing innovative ideas, network building, persisting under diversity and taking responsibility for actions.

He is a Community Faculty Member at Metropolitan State University and an Adjunct Faculty instructor at the College of St. Scholastica and the University of Wisconsin, Platteville, teaching graduate level Project Management, Program Management, Portfolio Management, Project Capstone, Procurement, and Culture / Organizational course(s).

Michael enjoys travelling all over the globe and has been to many different destinations (23 countries and counting) throughout his career. He is an avid soccer player and enjoys most other outdoor sporting activities. In the summer he can be found on the many trails in Minnesota biking, running, rollerblading or walking. He is a true die-hard Minnesota sports fan and supports all other professional and amateur sports around the Twin Cities.