Fall 2026 Coaching Pod Mentors
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Rowena Agustin currently serves as a Project Manager at Kiewit, a leading construction and engineering company, where she leads interdisciplinary teams in overcoming challenges, strengthening collaboration, and delivering complex infrastructure projects efficiently. She is passionate about using her experience to give back to the community, continue growing as a leader, and make a meaningful impact through the work I do. |
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Kyle Babka leads complex defense logistics and operational energy programs that support U.S. and allied military readiness worldwide. A former U.S. Marine Corps officer, he specializes in program management, business development, and the delivery of expeditionary fuel infrastructure, energy resilience, and contested logistics capabilities for government customers. Kyle has extensive experience managing cross-functional teams, stakeholder engagement, acquisition efforts, and strategic initiatives across the Indo-Pacific, Europe, Africa, and other globally distributed operating environments. |
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Chakri Bokka is a Technical Program Manager specializing in Agile delivery, cross-functional team leadership, and process optimization. He currently manages enterprise-wide digital transformation initiatives, bridging the gap between business strategy and technical execution. Driven by a commitment to continuous learning, Chakri mentors to help emerging professionals confidently navigate industry transitions and grow their leadership skills. |
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Vanessa Bourgeois is a senior cybersecurity and technology leader with experience spanning cybersecurity operations, technical program management, AI initiatives, and product ownership across global enterprises, including Newmont Corporation, Hewlett Packard, Dell Technologies, and Verizon. She holds a Doctorate in Global Leadership and maintains certifications including PMP, CSM, and CSPO. Known for her "think like a manager" approach, Vanessa emphasizes risk-based decision-making and governance. An active contributor to the professional community, Vanessa serves on the ISACA San Diego Board, mentors through PMI San Diego and Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS), and is Adjunct Staff at San Diego State University. |
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Chris Collins is a seasoned Program Management leader with a strong technical foundation and a process-driven approach to delivering complex initiatives. In his most recent role, Chris developed and evolved the Global IT Program Management Office at Playstation. He is a firm advocate of Servant Leadership and offers thoughtful solutions to organizational challenges. As a mentor, he focuses on quickly building an open culture, developing the proper skills to be a rock star PM, and lifelong learning. Outside of work, Chris volunteers for various organizations, and enjoys camping and spending time with his family. |
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Melanie Cooper, LSSBB, PMP, is a Senior Operational Excellence leader with over 15 years of experience establishing enterprise PMOs and continuous improvement programs at global biopharma organizations like Novartis and Genentech. She applies Lean Six Sigma as a universal problem-solving mindset, using a collaborative coaching style that encourages mentees' own insights to tackle roadblocks in any industry or program. Project and program managers looking to overcome project challenges, refine their leadership capabilities, and sharpen their problem-solving toolkit will find a welcoming, dedicated partner in Melanie. |
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Arun Gupta is a visionary healthcare leader consistently delivering business objectives in challenging environments. Chair and supervise large and complex strategic and tactical Medicare Advantage initiatives, create and manage governance structures. Member-Centric Innovative Ideas to solve operational / IT issues by drawing actionable insights from data. Innovative hands-on problem solver empowering and embracing change to provide value-added services and build high-performing collaborative teams. Proven ability to create a comprehensive financial and business outlook, translating a company’s vision into actionable insights that propels business transformations. |
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Jaspreet Kaur, PMP, is an outcome-oriented scientist and project management professional with over 15 years of expertise leading complex, multi-stakeholder research initiatives, including multimillion-dollar NIH-funded global research projects. She trained at the University of California campuses of Riverside, San Diego, and Merced, as well as the University of Warwick, a member of the Russell Group of Universities (UK), managing cross-functional teams across academic and clinical research settings in both the USA and the UK. Jaspreet takes pride in delivering results in a timely and cost-effective manner, while navigating complex project scope and competing stakeholder priorities in complicated business environments. She is passionate about mentoring, and is deeply committed to equip professionals transitioning into project management with the skills, confidence, and competence to channel their existing expertise into new careers! |
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Ray Li is a dynamic product and technology leader with 20 years of experience across healthcare, medical technology, digital health, diagnostics, and consumer products. Holding an MBA and engineering bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and serving as a subject matter expert in PMP and PMI-ACP practices, Ray has led cross-functional teams and transformation initiatives at Life Line Screening, ICU Medical, Pfizer, and Unilever. His expertise spans product strategy, AI, digital platforms, medical technology, and program leadership. Ray is passionate about mentoring future leaders and helping others turn strategy into successful execution. |
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With over 20 years in the investment management industry, Melissa Lumban has led programs and projects that transform enterprise systems, drive operational efficiency, and deliver strategic impact. Holding PMP and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certifications, Melissa is passionate about empowering the next generation of project leaders, sharing insights, and helping mentees unlock their full potential. |
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Nishan Pillay, PMP, has over 17 years of project management experience across the RNG and Mining sectors, where he has held numerous senior leadership roles. He currently leads the project execution team at Anaergia Inc. Nishan is a committed mentor who values sharing his knowledge and experience to support the growth and development of others. Beyond his professional role, he spends time with his family and follows Formula 1 as a devoted McLaren fan. |
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Philipp Pitchford, PMP, SAFe Agilist, is a product leader with over 10 years across financial services, education, and healthcare. He most recently built the data product function at Bank OZK from the ground up and was accountable for a portfolio of 16 regulated data products. He mentors because every step up in scope changes the job in ways nobody warns you about, and people move through those changes better with the help and company of others. |
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Clea Shannon is a Program Manager for Sector Initiatives at the San Diego Workforce Partnership, where she leads a portfolio spanning energy, construction, utilities, and public administration, including the HRCC, ERiCA, and EMS-Fire initiatives, and currently hold expanded interim leadership scope across the team. Clea came to workforce development from human-centered design consulting, bringing a Stanford B.S. in Engineering (product design) and 0-to-1 product work with IDEO and Ziba Design for clients including Nike, Nissan Design America, and Cardinal Health. Her project management expertise centers on grant-funded program design and launch, capital stacking and sustainability planning, subcontractor and partner management, and organizational change, backed by PMP and CCMP certifications. Outside her day job Clea stays active with Athena, the Society of Women Engineers, and Stanford alumni admissions interviewing. Clea mentors because so much of career mobility comes down to social capital and access: the right introduction, the right vocabulary, the right person telling you that you are ready. Clea's own mentors did that for her, and she is glad to pay it forward. |
