By Harper (Lisa) Bronson
Professor, Georgia State University, and IT Executive
October 8, 2026
If you joined IPM Day 2025, you know the experience can change how you think about your work. Repeat attendee Harper (Lisa) Bronson shares what she took away from last year’s event and what she is looking forward to at IPM Day 2026.
Last year’s IPM Day delivered an engaging and forward-looking experience for project professionals around the world. Centered on the theme, The Power Trio: Project, Leadership, and Agile, the event successfully highlighted the growing need for project managers to combine technical expertise, agile thinking, and people-centered leadership to drive meaningful outcomes.
For me, one of the most impressive aspects of last year’s event was the sheer diversity of perspectives from the speakers. The sessions addressed both strategic and practical challenges facing project managers.
Two sessions that stood out for me were Roy Schilling’s keynote, From Project to Product: Rethinking How We Deliver Value, which taught me to mentally shift (at times) from being project-focused to product-oriented, with a focus on value creation. I learned through Nicole Petite’s presentation on Agile methodology, the importance of adaptability and collaboration in today’s world.
As a teacher and mentor, leadership development is always a big focus area for me. Tim Andrews’ session on coaching for performance and growth emphasized the role of mentoring and coaching in developing high-performing teams. Shannon Leppky’s presentation on Unbridled Presence: The Transformative Power of Cultivating Presence and Emotional Awareness for Project Success was a great reminder that Emotional Intelligence (EI) is so critical in work and in life.
What I Am Looking Forward To at IPM Day 2026
I am excited about this year’s theme, Purpose, Progress, and Power. The focus will be on enabling us to lead with purpose, as we navigate the impact of AI in striving for progress, while growing our most powerful human qualities, through three learning tracks:
- Projects in Motion, which focus on evolving project management practices and emerging trends.
- AI Impacts, which examines how artificial intelligence is changing the way projects are delivered and managed.
- The Human of It All, which emphasizes leadership, collaboration, empathy, and the unique human skills that technology cannot replace.
I know we will each find sessions that speak to our own interests and challenges. I am especially eager to watch Mick Ebeling’s keynote, The Fallacy of Impossible, and his perspectives on innovative thinking and breakthrough problem-solving. I am also interested in sessions from Dr. Elissa Farrow on leadership and co-design, as well as Dr. Ed Hoffman and Joti Balani’s discussion on how AI is transforming project leadership and organizational change.
I am also looking forward to gaining practical strategies for balancing technological innovation with effective leadership. As AI continues to reshape our work, learning to use new AI tools is as important as building trust and collaboration with colleagues.
Last year showed me the power of bringing project management, leadership, and agile thinking together. This year, IPM Day 2026 takes us one step further: finding purpose, driving progress, and unlocking the power we need to effectively lead projects.
I am excited to be part of IPM Day and look forward to the innovative ideas I can bring back to my work. Hope to see you there!
View speakers, details, and register: https://www.iil.com/international-project-management-day/
Harper (Lisa) Bronson
Harper (Lisa) Bronson is a results-oriented Project Management Office (PMO) and technology leader with more than 15 years of experience defining and delivering high-performing solutions across multiple industries. She has led programs with budgets of up to $300 million and has experience developing and implementing multi-year strategic plans in portfolio and project governance, security compliance, PMO development, client services, technology delivery, budget and revenue planning, and internal and external communications. Lisa holds ISACA and PMI certifications. She enjoys mentoring and coaching project managers and IT students.
