LOS ANGELES CLIMATE WEEK | Hybrid Event: Sustainable Growth, Greener Projects, Stronger Profits for the Future

Leadership = Power Skills

Description

As part of Los Angeles Climate Week™, this hybrid panel discussion brings together thought leaders and changemakers to explore the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and project management. Hosted by PMI Los Angeles Chapter (PMI-LA) in partnership with Sound of Earth and University of Southern California (USC) Viterbi School of Engineering Grand Challenges Scholars Program (GCSP), the event will delve into actionable strategies for driving sustainable growth while balancing environmental responsibility and profitability.

Join us to hear from experts in project management, renewable energy, and sustainable business practices as they share insights on how to integrate greener approaches into projects across industries. This discussion will highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, innovative thinking, and community engagement in addressing the climate crisis. Whether you're a student, professional, or sustainability advocate, this event will inspire you to take meaningful steps toward a greener, more equitable future.

Together, we’ll explore how sustainable practices can lead to stronger profits, greener projects, and a more resilient world.

Learning Objectives

By attending this panel discussion, participants will:

Understand the Role of Sustainability in Project Management
Learn how project managers across industries are incorporating sustainable practices into their workflows, from renewable energy projects to sustainable fashion and technology initiatives.
Explore the Intersection of Profitability and Sustainability
Discover how businesses can achieve financial success while prioritizing environmental and social responsibility, with real-world examples from diverse industries.
Gain Insights into Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Understand the value of interdisciplinary approaches, such as combining engineering, business, and creative problem-solving, to address complex global challenges like climate change.
Learn Practical Strategies for Greener Projects
Gain actionable tips and best practices for implementing sustainable solutions in projects, including renewable energy systems, sustainable supply chains, and eco-conscious design.
Be Inspired to Drive Change
Hear personal stories and experiences from panelists who are leading the way in sustainability, and leave with a renewed sense of purpose to contribute to a greener future.

This panel discussion is an opportunity to connect with professionals and students who are passionate about creating a sustainable future. Join us to collaborate, exchange ideas, and take action during Los Angeles Climate Week™!

Agenda

6:30 PM - 7:00 PM - Networking
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Panel Discussion
8:00 PM - 8:30 PM - Q&A
8:30 - 9:00 - Additional Networking

Students & Military: Please contact pastpresident@pmi-la.org for the discount code to attend this event in person for free. There is a maximum of 75 people in-person. Please cancel if you cannot attend.

Food

Light snacks and water will be provided.

PDUs

A total of 1.5 PDUs will be awarded to the attendees, with the following breakdown:

1.0 PDU - Power Skills
0.5 PDU - Business Acumen

Getting to the Venue & Parking

The flat fee for parking at USC is $20 for all attendees. All participants will require a photo ID in order to access campus (USC Security).

To lower the environmental impact of the event, we strongly encourage participants to ride the Los Angeles Metro, specifically the Expo ("E") Line Metro trains to get to campus.

The E-Line service runs both ways until midnight
Free parking is available at many stations including Culver City and La Cienega/Jefferson.
We recommend getting off at the Expo/Vermont station, which is a 7-10 minute walk from the venue (see map below).
For questions on arriving to campus via public transportation, please contact our organizing partner, Sound of Earth at hey@soundof.earth

Additional parking options nearby USC Viterbi include parking along Hoover, Vermont, and at the USC Village (20 minute walk)

Speakers

Katherine Nnanwubar, MBA, PMP

With over 17 years of professional experience, Katherine has in-depth knowledge of Project Management in the Technology space. Her experiences and skillsets span multiple industries from IT, consumer products, insurance, oil & gas, electronics, automotive, entertainment and financial services, where she has helped deliver successful engagements and maintain project management offices (PMOs). A strong life-long proponent of maintaining the harmony and balance between humans and the earth, she further developed her passion in sustainable business and personal practices during her coursework for business school. Katherine’s communication and coordination skills, coupled with a straight-forward and customer-centric approach to business, have accumulated vendor and client relationships based on trust and value that is helpful in influencing execution of sustainable projects or executing projects more sustainably. Outside of IT, Katherine is committed to excellence in the project management community as an active member of the PMI-LA chapter, she has served as a co-director of the PMI-LA Flagship Team, volunteered in social impact and other activities and can sometimes be found belting out a tune at a karaoke bar or trying to stay active with tennis.

Melissa Benson, MBA, PMP

Melissa Benson is an independent senior project manager with 16 years of project management experience in the energy industry. Driven by her strong commitment to sustainability and to mitigating climate change, her work has focused on renewable energy, particularly solar energy, battery energy storage systems, and microgrids. She earned her executive MBA in Energy from the Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma with a specialization in renewable energy. Because of her deep respect for all living things, she became a vegetarian, though she still really, really misses eating bacon.

Faye Wu, MBA, PMP

Sales & Marketing Manager, ALiGCUS Inc. | 2024 Charlie Lopinsky Volunteer of the Year Award, PMI – Los Angeles Chapter | Former Visual Manager, Fashion Designer, Buyer and Stylist

With 15 years in fashion and business, Faye Wu blends creativity with strategy to drive innovation and real results. Her experience spans design, marketing, operations, and business development, giving her a deep understanding of the fashion industry. Passionate about sustainability, she’s on a mission to help transform fashion and remove it from the list of the world’s most polluting industries.

Guadalupe Morales, PMP

Project Manager, West Region Business Development

Guadalupe Morales, PMP, recently joined the large, out of home, global advertising company, JCDecaux, as a Project Manager, West Region Business Development. She works under the direction of the Executive Vice President to oversee contracts with municipalities in Greater Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver . She assists them with their climate change initiatives through JCDecaux's sustainable transit amenities and bus shelters. Prior to that, Guadalupe worked in the nonprofit space for a decade in environmental and social impact. She worked with Community Nature Connection on a pilot technical assistance program to help Los Angeles County-based nonprofits develop park programs and projects under the L.A. County Regional Park and Open Space District. She is an experienced project manager with her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification with a renewed focus on sustainability-focused projects. She enjoys sharing her experiences in pivoting into sustainability and her previous work in consulting and nonprofit work to create social impact that is human centered.

Information

Type of category: Public Events

Type of activity: Leadership = Power Skills , Strategy = Business Acumen

Date: April 8th, 2025

Hour: 6:30PM to 9:00PM

PDUs: 1.5

Price

Students and Military: Free

Members: $10.00

Non members: $15.00

Location

USC Viterbi School of Engineering

PMI-LA Events