2020 Symposium
Communication Lessons Wrapped in Laughter
Todd Hunt looks like a pleasant, buttoned-up corporate type. But when he opens his mouth, audiences reel with laughter. His stories and examples, delivered with the sly wit of a seasoned comedian, stick with you long after his program.
As an executive at Ogilvy & Mather, one of the world’s largest advertising agencies, Todd learned the “inner workings” of communication. Additional jobs with an insurance administrator, direct marketing company and ad department of a major retailer confirmed what he had suspected all along — we all mess up communicating!
Then he started his own successful marketing agency in Chicago. Working with trade associations, retailers, non-profits and financial companies, Todd sold insurance, credit accounts, trade shows, seminars, theater tickets, memberships and other products and services to consumer and business audiences.
One day he discovered that people were hungry to hear his funny stories about sales, customer service, leadership and change, which he gathered during his business career. Now a professional speaker, he inspires hundreds of groups each year to improve communication and success.
Sign up for Todd’s FREE eLetter now!
Tips, tricks and ticklers from Todd.
Emailed to you free every two weeks, with fun communication gems and other day-brighteners.
Closing Keynote:Managing Motivation: Leadership Lessons from an AT Thru Hike
Kendall Lott is the CEO/President of M Powered Strategies, Inc, a change management consulting firm in Washington, DC that supports organizations within the U.S. Government. His professional background includes government service at the Departments of Agriculture and Justice, as well as service as a Peace Corps Volunteer. A certified Project Management Professional, he has served as a volunteer with Washington DC Chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMIWDC) for over a decade, as an active member of the board for 8 years. His volunteer roles include executive management as he has been the COO and CEO of PMIWDC, and the Executive Director of the
Project Management Day of Service. His leadership recognition includes the PMI Region 5 2011 Top Performer Award PMIWDC and PMI International’s Large Chapter Leader of the Year Award in 2014. Mr. Lott holds a Master of Pacific International Affairs from the University of California, San Diego, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from Indiana University, Bloomington.
Check out Kendall’s Podcast, PM Point of View and earn PDU’s for listening!
This podcast series gives you brief and insightful conversations with PM practitioners in a variety of disciplines. Host Kendall Lott draws on his experience as a PM, as CEO of M Powered Strategies and as former CEO of PMIWDC to explore how project managers create value in surprising places.
SPEAKER: Jeff Smith
Topic: Leading Yourself and Others Through a Period of Extraordinary Change
2020 has been a period of rapid change for all of us. This fast-paced talk will focus on three facets of change—what is change, how do we adapt to change and how do we lead others through change? I will provide change leadership tips, tools and case studies so you can go back to work (or zoom calls) and immediately apply the concepts. Please bring your questions, challenges and tips to share during this presentation. The goal will be to equip you more effectively to lead change in today’s chaotic environment.
Jeff graduated cum laude with a BBA from James Madison University in management and history. He also holds an MA from George Washington University in Human Resource Development. Additionally, Jeff graduated from Georgetown University with an Executive Coaching and Leadership Certificate and became a Fellow of the Advisory Board in 2006. He earned his Professional Coach Certification through the International Coaching Federation.
Voltage Leadership has national and international clients: City of Roanoke, Coca Cola, Newport News Shipyard, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, NYU Langone Medical Center, Carilion Clinic, Delta Dental Virginia, Carolinas Healthcare, Interactive Achievement, Novozymes, Torc Robotics and many more.
Jeff is married to Beth and they have 4 children: Olivia, Caroline, Philip and Henry ranging in ages from 11 to 18 years old. Jeff enjoys time with family, all JMU sports, the Atlanta Braves, and runs marathons in his spare time.
Topic: Developing a Proven Influence Mindset to Improve Project Delivery
- At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
- Describe leadership's role in general management.
- Compare and contrast civilian and military project environments.
- Describe a proven Influence-based leadership mindset

SPEAKER: Dr. David Williamson
Topic: Disciplined Agile "State of the Movement" Update
Join Dave Williamson, PhD, our Chapter Founding President and Disciplined Agile Champion, for an overview of the state of the Disciplined Agile movement at PMI. Topics include PMI's vision and strategy for Disciplined Agile (DA), integration of DA into its offerings, updated plans for DA standards and certifications, and the impacts of DA and the larger agile movement on the PMP and PMI-ACP exams and certifications.

In addition to serving as the Chapter DA Champion, Dr. Dave also holds PMP, PMI-ACP, Certified Scrum Master, and ITIL Foundation certifications. He is a Managing Principal consultant at Leverage Point, LLC, and a Project Management instructor at Virginia Tech.
It is no longer possible to register for this event