Our Volunteers

Thank You All!

As a nonprofit organization that relies entirely on the voluntary efforts of our members, the Project Management Institute - San Diego Chapter is deeply appreciative of the following individuals who have contributed their time, skills, and energy to our cause. They have been instrumental in creating, leading, and driving networking opportunities that connect project management professionals from various sectors in San Diego. We thank them for their hard work and dedication.

Chapter President

	Robin Datko	President	[email protected]
	Robin is a highly motivated individual passionate about connecting with others and fostering their success. She aims to leverage her strong interpersonal skills to create a positive impact within the chapter and among its members. Whether leading a team or engaging with the community, Robin prioritizes building robust relationships where everyone feels valued and respected. Committed to continuous growth, she actively seeks challenges to expand her skills and remain abreast of industry trends. With her enthusiasm and determination, Robin is poised to contribute significantly to achieving the chapter's objectives.
	MayaGrace Weiss	Chief of Staff	[email protected]
	MayaGrace Weiss is Executive Director of Annual Conference Planning and Execution for PMI San Diego. MayaGrace brings over 15 years of experience in strategic event planning, business leadership, and community engagement to PMI. She leads the chapter’s flagship events, fostering professional growth and industry collaboration. Her background includes international business ownership, nonprofit leadership, and project management. MayaGrace is known for her collaborative leadership style, operational excellence, and passion for building event experiences that inspire lasting connections.

Membership

	Robyn Gerdes	VP of Membership	[email protected]
	Robyn Gerdes is VP of Membership for PMI-SD. She has 19 years of experience as a Project Manager and earned her PMP in 2009. Currently she works on privacy regulatory projects created in response to new privacy laws across the globe. Robyn has worked in both the private and public sectors in the areas of compliance, medical research, and auditing. She looks forward to building the PMI-San Diego community and responding to the needs of members.
	Bill Baxter	Military Liaison	[email protected]
	Bill Baxter has a range of industry experience: aerospace engineering in the defense industry, IT systems analysis and then marketing for a distribution company, technical sales support for one telecommunications company (and project management for another), communications cabling system design and data center design for an architecture and engineering company, and data center strategy for a global financial services company. Bill also has a great deal of experience in helping folks prepare for and pass the PMP certification exam. Bill’s broad background enables him to help many folks, as they endeavor to strategize their career advancement.
	Danielle Sasso	Membership Operations Specialist	[email protected]
	Danielle Sasso is transitioning to the Membership Operations Specialist for the marketing and operations team! Danielle is a military spouse with more than nine years of experience in operations and startup nonprofits. She received her PMP in 2024. Danielle is looking forward to connecting with like-minded individuals and project management experts to work together to give back to communities while continuing to learn from the best of the best.
	Pei-Ling Chu	Event Coordinator	[email protected]
	Pei-Ling has a background in Computer Science, and obtained her Project Management certification in 2009. She began her career at IBM as a Software Engineer. She later moved to the south of France to join Amadeus, a leading global travel technology company, as a Project Manager. After acquiring digital design and web design certifications, she now works as a Digital Marketing Specialist for real estate agents, designing web pages and optimizing their SEO. She is also volunteering as communication manager for PMI-France.
	Okechukwu U. Ihenacho	Director, Military Outreach Program	[email protected]
	Okechukwu is an organizational development and transformation leader with deep experience in workforce planning, leadership development, and change execution across military and corporate environments. As a Marine Corps Veteran, he brings a steady, people‑first approach to building high‑performing teams and guiding organizations through change, growth, and complexity. He holds a Master's in Applied Industrial‑Organizational Psychology and certifications in PMP, Organizational Development and Change Leadership, and HR, and remains an active contributor to the North County San Diego professional community.
	Shima Rahimian	New Member Coordinator	[email protected]
	Shima Rahimian began her PMI journey at the PMI Japan Chapter and has been PMP-certified since 2023. She is now a volunteer through the PMI San Diego Chapter, serving as a New Member Coordinator. Shima is passionate about supporting new members, helping them get connected, and ensuring they have a positive and valuable experience with PMI. Shima holds a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and started her career in engineering before transitioning into senior program and product management roles. With a strong technical background, she brings experience in Agile, stakeholder management, and product management to her work.

Outreach

	Jack Ward	VP of Outreach	[email protected]
	Jack is a strategic leader with over 20 years in the User Experience field delivering complex initiatives that align customer needs with business objectives. With a multidisciplinary background spanning architecture, the arts, and human behavior, he brings a systems-thinking approach that connects strategy, operations, and execution. Throughout his career,  Jack has led cross-functional efforts from discovery through delivery, aligning stakeholders, defining scope, managing timelines and resources, and ensuring measurable outcomes. Known for his clarity, empathy, and accountability, Jack helps organizations operate effectively in fast-paced environments while driving sustainable growth and meaningful business impact.
	Jake Torres	Deputy Vice President	[email protected]
	Jake currently serves as a Solutions Manager at Maximus, aiming to establish himself as the company's foremost authority on chatbot technology. In his leisure time, he is deeply engaged in learning about cutting-edge technology, focusing particularly on machine learning and AI.
	Kennedy Garcia	Event Specialist	[email protected]
	Kennedy Garcia graduated from San Diego State University in 2020 with a B.A. in Performing Arts. While writing and acting is her passion, she began working in hospitality in 2018. Starting off, she began work at the Omni downtown San Diego, then moving to Hard Rock Hotel as a VIP Specialist, and eventually moving forward to the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina as a Rooms Controller and New Hire Trainer. In attending and being a part of events throughout schooling for extra curriculars and during her time as a member of Delta Gamma Fraternity, she realized that we can make a difference in our work by creating personal connections with those around us, which is what sparked her interest for Events. This became even more apparent, after attending a few networking events with PMI. Kennedy is happy to enthusiastically step into the role as Event Specialist for the San Diego chapter of PMI, and looks forward to all that volunteering will bring.
	Nick Scarpello	Outreach Community Liaison	[email protected]
	Nick is a Program Manager with more than 10 years of experience managing global marketing creative services, brand operations, and business transformation initiatives. His management approach embraces a focus on helping teams build cross-functional relationships that enhance collaboration, promote transparency, and incorporate human-centered design practices into business process design. Nick has served Fortune 1000 businesses in life sciences, telecommunications and consumer goods for over 10 years and earned his PMP certification in 2023.
	Mary Ann Dávila	Social Impact Outreach Coordinator	[email protected]
	Mary Ann Dávila, M.S., M.B.A., is a creative project management professional with extensive experience in tourism, recreation, and hospitality. Earning her PMP certification in 2024, she specializes in leading sustainable recreation and tourism initiatives, developing impactful sales and marketing strategies, and empowering the next generation through teaching and mentorship. Her diverse background spans government, non-profit, and private sectors, where she excels at managing impactful projects and cultivating successful collaborations.
	Khushi Shah	Social Impact Manager	[email protected]
	Khushi is a fourth-year undergraduate student at San Diego State University majoring in Public Health with a minor in Interdisciplinary Studies through the Weber Honors College. Her goal is to pursue a career in Health Administration. She possesses extensive experience across a range of positions, including Project Manager, Research Assistant, Student Assistant, Executive Board Member of a campus organization, Peer Mentor, and Community Health Worker. Through these roles, she has developed a multifaceted skill set encompassing project coordination, academic research, administrative support, leadership, mentorship, and community outreach.
	Fanni Toth	Outreach Lead - Virtual Community Engagement Events	[email protected]
	Fanni is a seasoned project management professional with extensive experience in driving business improvement, organizational change, and successful transformation projects. Her passion for fostering organizational growth and development defines her career journey. Fanni approaches each project with unwavering enthusiasm and a positive outlook. She finds fulfillment in achieving project goals and ensuring the people she collaborates with feel appreciated. Committed to continuous personal and professional growth, she invests considerable time in expanding her knowledge and perspectives, thereby broadening her horizons and deriving joy from the learning process.
	Omar Saleem	Associate VP of Outreach - Marketing Engagement & Digital Platforms	[email protected]
	Omar Saleem is an experienced marketer having worked with global technology vendors, startups, investment firms, a telecom services provider, a global market intelligence and consulting firm, and various non-profit organizations - engaging customers across the Australia, Asia-Pacific, North America, Middle East & Africa regions. He is a long time volunteer with the PMI as a chapter board member, head of memberships and retention, and more recently, Omar advises PMI on its DEI initiatives.

Marcom

	Kristina Curtiss	Vice President	[email protected]
	Kristina Curtiss knows that project success isn’t just about deadlines—it’s about people, strategy, and, sometimes, the perfectly timed pep talk. She is a seasoned Project Manager with experience across multiple industries, driven by a passion for leading projects to successful outcomes through emotional intelligence. She thrives on understanding people—their motivations, challenges, and communication styles—to foster effective collaboration and meaningful connections. In her volunteer role as the Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Kristina leads a team of 10 brilliant volunteers to support the 2400+ members of the San Diego Chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI).
	Richelle Sampson	DVP of Marcom	[email protected]
	Richelle is a dedicated and diligent Project Manager with over 10 years of experience spanning various industries, including higher education, transportation and logistics, finance, consulting, and utilities. She is PMP and CSM certified, and her specialties are project management, process improvement, change management, and operational efficiency. She holds an MS from the University of Nebraska-Omaha and an MBA from Chadron State College. She is currently the Senior Director of Project Operations and assists with field deployment readiness, as well as finding ways to improve organizational effectiveness.
	Brian Snell	Graphic & Content Designer	[email protected]
	Brian Snell is an experienced Project Manager in the Saskatchewan potash industry, overseeing multi-scope underground and surface projects with a focus on safety, cost control, and clear communication. He excels at coordinating diverse personnel groups, developing competitive proposals, and establishing repeatable systems that improve reporting accuracy, enhance productivity, and strengthen client trust. Brian is known for his steady leadership, commitment to continuous improvement, and ability to keep complex projects moving efficiently from planning through execution.
	Johanna Schnell	Graphic Designer & Engagement Specialist	[email protected]
	Johanna Schnell is a San Diego-based program manager who loves turning complexity into clarity. With 15+ years at the intersection of people and technology, she currently leads a major platform expansion, helping teams and partners adopt new tools smoothly and confidently. CSM-certified with a software engineering background, Johanna combines a calm, people-first approach with a talent for designing seamless processes, building strong connections, and making teams work smarter together.
	Sarah Borders	Website Manager	[email protected]
	Sarah is a senior Project Manager with 15+ years of experience in public libraries, higher education, and IT services. She specializes in technology projects, software implementations, business transformation projects, process improvement, agile and hybrid projects, and strategic initiatives. Sarah holds PMP, DASM, and CSM certifications, and is a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner. She has an MS in Library Science from the University of North Texas and has worked as a public librarian and web developer before starting her project management career.
	Casey Sherrell	Website Coordinator	[email protected]
	Casey is a Senior Business Analyst currently working as an Implementations Specialist in the logistics and enterprise technology space, with extensive experience delivering solutions across the software development lifecycle for complex financial settlement, logistics, eCommerce, and SAP/ERP-based systems. Since earning his PMP® certification in 2014, he has applied structured project and change management practices to large-scale implementations and enhancements, coordinating stakeholders, clarifying requirements, and guiding work from initial analysis through configuration, testing, and stabilization in production environments.
	Amos Ogunola	Data Analyst	[email protected]
	Amos Ogunola is a seasoned data analyst and Project Manager with over a decade of experience spanning the nonprofit, education, and technology sectors. He holds a Master’s degree in Econometrics and Quantitative Economics from the University of Georgia and specializes in translating complex data into clear, actionable insights. Amos has a proven track record of supporting cross-functional teams in streamlining operations, optimizing performance, and enhancing stakeholder engagement. His technical skill set includes SQL, Power BI, Excel, and Google Analytics, which he leverages to identify trends and guide strategic decision-making. Known for his analytical rigor, attention to detail, and collaborative spirit, Amos is deeply committed to using data and project leadership to create meaningful, measurable impact.
	Monali Ppaatil	Marketing Coordinator	[email protected]
	Program Manager with 10+ years of experience in healthcare, biotech, and research. Excited to contribute as a Marketing Coordinator with the San Diego PMI team in collaboration with dynamic professionals, she is skilled in leading projects, optimizing workflows, ensuring compliance, and driving strategic initiatives.
	Dalton Deitchler	Marketing Coordinator	[email protected]
	Dalton brings over 8 years of administrative experience to the Marcom team. When not working or volunteering, he can be found working on short stories, reading, at the beach, or at the best park in the world (Balboa Park) with his two bunny babies, Mario & Wario.

Professional Development

	Athena Lai	Vice President	[email protected]
	Athena Lai is a software program and project leader with extensive experience in the medical device, semiconductor and financial services industries.  She is known for her problem solving skills, adaptability, and helping teams unblock their project execution challenges. Athena's software project and product management journey has included mobile and web applications, an e-commerce site and a real-time U.S. equities trading systems. Athena enjoys helping Project Managers start their project management careers and supporting their career progression which is why in 2025 she serves as the Vice President of Professional Development and continues to lead the chapter's mentorship program since 2016.
	Shital Pathekar	Training Program Manager	[email protected]
	Shital has demonstrated expertise in project design, implementation of technical products, and program management with agile practice. Currently serving as Program Manager at Bharat Adhesives, her leadership extends to Agile initiatives, fostering collaboration, and orchestrating large-scale cross-functional projects. Throughout her career, Shital is known for her leadership, problem-solving skills, and dedication to driving Agile transformations. She is committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and desires to make a positive impact in the community. Alongside her professional career, Shital is a passionate artist, exhibiting her artworks at the Phantom Art Gallery in Milpitas, California.
	Megan Bonifacino	Mentorship Program Director	[email protected]
	Megan Bonifacino is a certified PMP® and senior program manager who builds structure to support growth, for teams, for systems, and for people. With over 15 years of experience leading cross-functional work across consumer products and defense sectors, she brings a grounded, human-centered approach to her work, balancing strategic clarity with the belief that meaningful progress happens through connection, curiosity, and reflection. Her work lives at the intersection of strategy and human connection. At Kenvue, Megan leads global programs that bridge innovation and execution, supporting governance and collaboration within the Neutrogena Skin Care portfolio. She is known for building structures that create space for alignment, for momentum, and for teams to grow with intention. As a former mentor in the PMI San Diego Mentorship Program, she experienced firsthand the power of a thoughtful conversation at the right time. Now, as Mentorship Program Coordinator, she helps others find those moments, building relationships that foster curiosity, confidence, and momentum along the way.
	Maria Rasmussen	Professional Development Program Manager	[email protected]
	Maria Rasmussen is an experienced program and Project Manager with over 20 years of leading IT and business transformation initiatives in healthcare, technology, and solution provider environments. She brings structure, clarity, and calm to fast-moving and complex projects, helping teams stay aligned and deliver meaningful results. With certifications in PMP®, PMI-ACP®, CSM®, CSPO®, ITIL 4, and Prosci® Change Management, Maria blends technical expertise with a collaborative and people-focused approach. In 2025, she joins PMI San Diego as Professional Development Program Manager to help project professionals grow their skills, confidence, and careers.
	Jess Johnson	Mentorship Coordinator	[email protected]
	Jess holds a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® credential and is a Certified Scrum Master®, bringing over 25 years of experience spanning education, business operations, and hospitality management. Her multidisciplinary background supports a practical, people-centered approach to project coordination, program design, and team development. After participating in both PMI San Diego mentorship coaching pod cohorts in 2025, Jess found the experience to be highly valuable and inspiring. She is excited to serve as the Mentorship Coordinator, contributing to an inclusive professional community and helping create meaningful, well-structured connections.
	Mary Ann Shannon	Professional Development Program Manager	[email protected]
	Mary Ann Shannon is an operations professional with more than 15 years in clinical project management, lab operations support, and process optimization in life sciences. She holds a PMP certification and is trained as a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, bringing a strong foundation in continuous improvement and operational excellence. As an adaptive learner with excellent communication and creative problem-solving abilities, Mary Ann leads through influence and uses a servant-leadership style that fosters collaborations and builds high-trust teams. She is committed to professional development and is eager to leverage her skills and experience to support teams across the organization.

Finance

	Brian Roark	Vice President	[email protected]
	Brian's background includes 24 years of IT and leadership experience across several industries including automotive, semiconductor and financial services. He has built and run several teams ranging from IT Service Delivery, Project Management, SaaS Implementation, Infrastructure, Telco, Budgeting, Vendor Management, and Hardware/Software Asset Management. Brian excels at building relationships inside and outside of the enterprise and is naturally inclined to simplify processes, technology, and the interconnections between the two. As the VP of Finance, Brian plans lean into his strengths and lead the PMI-SD Finance team to becoming the best in the country by further simplifying our processes, documenting those processes thoroughly, and automating as much as possible.
	Tanja Pijpart-Van Tooren	Deputy Vice President	[email protected]
	Tanja transitioned from the Programs team to the Finance team in 2025. She is excited to collaborate with the VP to enhance the chapter's financial processes, leveraging her experience as an Operations Manager for a Dutch biotech company in the US. A certified PMP, Tanja brings over 20 years of diverse experience across multiple sectors in the US and Europe. From organizing and managing events for the Aerospace Industry to overseeing a network of technical experts, she thrives on tackling new challenges, continuously learning, and applying her transferable skills to drive impact. Tanja currently resides in San Diego, CA, where she moved with her family in February 2020 after living in South Carolina for seven years. Previously, she lived in the Netherlands and spent her childhood in Indonesia. Tanja enjoys traveling and exploring different cuisines. To unwind, she bakes and loves to get lost in a good book.
	Adena Brandt	Financial Analyst	[email protected]
	Adena is a strategic project and program leader with a reputation for converting “pie-in-the-sky” vision into executable enterprise programs. Her portfolio spans end-to-end commercialization, capital improvement, and vertical integration from manufacturing through distribution, retail and hospitality. She is known for implementing PMO governance and stage-gate discipline in high-growth, ambiguous environments, uniting teams across functions to deliver measurable enterprise outcomes. As a founder, she commercialized a patented, living consumer product that gained attention from Shark Tank and built nationwide presence in zoos, aquariums and tourist destination gift shops. Her experience includes scaling pork product across all Target and Walmart locations nationwide, contributing to newsworthy sustainability initiatives in wastewater and solid waste, and executing some of the largest beer festivals in California. Adena holds an MBA, PMP, and advanced financial systems expertise, grounding strategy in operational and financial reality.
	Vinita Kapur	Finance PM	[email protected]
	Vinita Kapur is a project manager with PMP and advanced project management certifications. Her experience spanning over two decades, work experience in oil and gas, defense, telecommunications industries and spread over 5 continents. Her projects and programs have been critical technological innovations (5G,4G,3G chipsets) and business return drivers (1 billion dollar DoD contracts) that have shaped portfolio strategies. Currently she is working on projects that enhance innovation and efficiency at workplace and in education.

Programs

	Mugdha Khaladkar	Vice President	[email protected]
	Mugdha applies her skills and knowledge in agile/hybrid project management, technical documentation, and process improvement to support delivering innovative and quality healthcare solutions. She has a Master of Science in Engineering/Industrial Management from Marshall University. With over four years of experience in project and process management, Mugdha has worked with diverse teams and clients across various industries, including Thermo Fisher Scientific, Honda of America, and Wipro Limited. She is passionate about enhancing efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction through effective planning, coordination, and communication. Mugdha’s core competencies include problem-solving, stakeholder management, risk management, and data analysis.
	Zsofia Kormendi	Programs Event Coordinator	[email protected]
	Zsofia Kormendi is an operations and project management professional with extensive experience in the startup environment. As a former Director of Operations at a local startup managing over 350 active projects, she specialized in optimizing workflows and building scalable processes. Now, as a freelancer, she helps entrepreneurs and small businesses streamline operations and build systems that support real, sustainable growth.
	Tori Simon	In-Person Events Program Manager	[email protected]
	Tori is a PMP-certified Project Manager with extensive experience leading complex clinical operations and multi-site global trials. She has successfully streamlined workflows, optimized cross-functional teams, and delivered measurable impact across patient recruitment, study efficiency, and operational processes. Currently at ICON, Tori coordinates cross-functional teams to ensure smooth execution of global clinical trials, drawing on prior experience managing study expansion and operational strategy at Orso Health and supporting device and heart failure research at San Diego Cardiac Center. As PMI San Diego’s In-Person Events Manager, she channels her problem-solving mindset and passion for bringing people together to create engaging, high-impact events that strengthen the chapter community and foster meaningful connections.

Operations

	Michelle Gregoire	Vice President	[email protected]
	Michelle Gregoire is a dedicated leader known for her keen attention to detail, tenacity, and commitment to continuous improvement. She thrives in optimizing processes, enhancing collaboration, and ensuring smooth operations. Her ability to listen actively and connect with others allows her to foster strong relationships and drive meaningful change. At her core, Michelle values integrity, respect, and service. Whether leading a team, supporting a project, or championing the arts, she approaches each role with a dedication to uplifting others and driving lasting impact. As VP of Operations, Michelle is excited to support operations with PMI San Diego. Michelle graduated from SDSU in 2008, receiving a B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management, and completed their Project Management Professional Certificate program in 2024. She has also been an owner of a small business since 2018.

Technology

	Elmira Mazloomian	Vice President	[email protected]
	Elmira is an experienced software architect and project engineering manager, with a proven track record in innovative projects spanning Auto Telematics, IoT, wireless 5G, and LTE Broadcast. She is passionate about integrating new technologies, such as AI tools, to enhance project management while focusing on the human aspect and leadership to boost productivity and efficiency.
	Darren Dellaripa	Director of Technology	[email protected]
	Darren is a seasoned Project Management Professional with a foundation in Lean Six Sigma, PMP, and ScrumMaster methodologies who excels in developing and implementing strategies that optimize efficiency, reduce costs, and exceed client expectations. With a diverse range of expertise, including program and project management, property and facility management, capital improvement projects, strategic planning, and organizational change management, Darren's experience spans industries, from technology and real estate to retail and hospitality. He's passionate about driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and ensuring the effective utilization of technology to support the project management community. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise, with well over a dozen years of experience in each: project management, entrepreneurship, and technical and operations consulting.