What PMI’s Chief Community Officer taught me about reinvention, relevance, and what makes project professionals show up
🎙️ This week’s episode is personal.
Not just because Brantlee Underhill and I go way back.But because her story mirrors what’s made this profession thrive, and what’s going to keep it alive in the years ahead.
Brantlee didn’t plan a career in project management.She didn’t set out to become a Chief Community Officer.And she definitely didn’t expect to work at the same organization for over two decades.
But here’s what happened:
* She found a purpose.
* She found a community.
* She kept showing up.
From a Job Ad to a Calling
Brantlee joined PMI in 1998 after answering a newspaper ad. The office was cramped, the team was scrappy, and the PMBOK was a lot thinner. But what she stepped into wasn’t just a role, it was a reinvention machine.
As the world changed, so did PMI. She stayed at the center of it, working across continents, bridging generations, and helping 17,000+ volunteers find their own way to lead.
What She’s Seen and What It Means
In the episode, Brantlee shares some sharp truths and subtle lessons:
* Remote work didn’t start with the pandemic. It reshaped who PMI could hire, and how they build teams across time zones.
* Volunteers are more than helpers. They’re product contributors, thought leaders, and the soul of the profession.
* Community isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s a strategy that drives engagement, trust, and sustained relevance.
My Favorite Moment
Toward the end, I asked Brantlee what one word she hopes people associate with PMI five years from now.
Her answer?
“Transformative.”
Not just because the world is changing. But because PMI helps people transform themselves.
Reflection:Have you ever taken a role, or volunteered for something, that ended up changing your career?
Drop your story in the comments. Let’s compare notes.
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