2024 - Volunteer Recognition Awards

2024 Volunteer Recognition Awards

At the end of each year, we hold a celebration to thank all our volunteers for their service to the LA Chapter. We also give out awards to honor individuals and teams that have made a significant positive impact on the Chapter.  This year the awards were presented at the End-of-the-Year Volunteer Appreciation Event in December and go to:

Individual Volunteer Award: Angelo Salazar

Angelo has been instrumental in many chapter projects this year.

He has volunteered with Global, Social Impact, the PMO team, government outreach, and remains a steadfast presence at in-person events and strategic meetings.

Angelo consistently delivers on time, with detailed contributions that have played a key role in the success of numerous events this year. His dedication spans multiple projects, teams, and activities, demonstrating his commitment to excellence and his value as an asset to the chapter.

Always welcoming and approachable, Angelo has unofficially taken on the role of ambassador at every event he attends. Initially, we thought Angelo was a volunteer for OPS, then PMO, then Technology—but he also shows up at Membership and Programs events! He truly embodies the spirit of a great chapter ambassador, contributing in any way he can to propel the chapter forward.

Congratulations Angelo and thank you for going above and beyond to support the Chapter!

Individual Volunteer Award: Tracy Bader

Tracy has been a dedicated Marketing volunteer for over five years. This year, she stepped up to manage the campaign tracker, ensuring the team, which includes several new members, stays organized and on top of their campaigns.

When a new volunteer initially took over the scrolling presentations but stepped down after just two weeks, Tracy seamlessly resumed the responsibility. Her steadfastness and strong project management skills have been instrumental in keeping the Marketing team on track with weekly tasks and deliverables.

In addition to her organizational contributions, Tracy has played a key role in maintaining alignment with PMI’s branding guidelines and ensuring the chapter’s master PowerPoint template remains up to standard.

Tracy is also an active participant in in-person functions, consistently pitching in wherever her help is needed.

Congratulations Tracy and thank you for going above and beyond to support the Chapter!

Special Recognition Award: Barbara Cooke

Barb has been a long-time Trustee and dedicated member of the Chapter, serving in various leadership positions. In the past couple of years, she has gone “above and beyond” the typical Trustee role, demonstrating exceptional commitment and leadership.

Some of Barb’s notable contributions include:

• Providing outstanding leadership in organizing the Global Summit and Leadership Institute Meeting.
• Leading the PMI HQ team in setting up a comprehensive volunteer database.
• Collaborating with PMI HQ to refine volunteer processes and procedures.
• Drafting and organizing volunteer recruitment emails.
• Actively recruiting a large number of volunteers for the Global Summit and Leadership Institute Meeting events.
• Ensuring all processes were functioning smoothly and that volunteers were available when needed.

Barb’s dedication and hands-on approach have been instrumental in the success of these initiatives, showcasing her ability to lead and inspire others.

Congratulations Barb and thank you for going above and beyond to support the Chapter!

Special Recognition Team Award: 50th Anniversary Task Force

This year, PMI-Los Angeles celebrated its 50th anniversary. A special team came together to organize this event. Thank you to the following PMI-Los Angeles chapter members for your hard work on this celebration:

• Michelle Covey
• Patti Myhre
• Pierre Vernet
• Rose Otowo
• Sean Kennedy
• Simon Twu
• Steve Marlin
• Svetlana Averbukh
• Vick Madenian
• Meeta Autrey
• Amelia Mochny
• Britt Scholnick
• David Doan
• Deby Covey
• Edmund Martinez
• Ida Harding
• James Jackson
• Mariana Michelino

Thank you all for going above and beyond to support the Chapter!

Charlie Lopinsky Volunteer of the Year Award: Faye Wu

Faye Wu has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication and made significant contributions to PMI-LA since joining in August 2022. Her commitment to excellence and willingness to go above and beyond make her an ideal candidate for the award.

Faye’s impact is evident in her multifaceted involvement:

Dual Volunteer Roles: Faye actively contributes to both the Marketing and Operations teams, demonstrating her versatility and commitment to PMI-LA's success.

Exemplary Deliverables: Faye consistently delivers high-quality work, exceeding expectations in terms of detail and timeliness.

Strategic and Analytical Mindset: Faye possesses a strong analytical approach, consistently seeking ways to optimize and sustain programs like the Leadership Development Program.

Leadership and Collaboration: Faye’s "can-do" attitude and collaborative spirit inspire those around her.

Alignment with PMI-LA’s Mission: Faye consistently ensures her work aligns with PMI-LA's mission, goals, and priorities.

Active Engagement: Beyond her core volunteer roles, Faye actively participates in PMI-LA events, including the 50th Anniversary Celebration, and even volunteered for the PMI 2024 Global Summit, demonstrating her commitment to the broader PMI community.

Congratulations Faye and thank you for going above and beyond to support the Chapter!