Matthew C. Hedberg is a seasoned State Government Affairs and Health Policy Executive with 27 years of experience shaping legislative and regulatory landscapes across consumer brands, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and technology. A trusted strategist and corporate advocate, he has successfully led high-stakes negotiations, influenced critical policy decisions, and built lasting relationships with policymakers, executives, and industry leaders. His expertise spans state and federal healthcare policies, market access, economic development, and corporate governance, making him a vital asset for organizations navigating complex regulatory environments. Known for his integrity, strategic foresight, and ability to drive consensus, Matthew leverages his deep knowledge and communication skills to align business objectives with policy initiatives, ensuring sustainable growth and industry leadership.

David McDonough is a transformative executive leader in the medical device and healthcare technology industries, recognized for his ability to drive business growth, operational efficiency, and product innovation. As president of Northgate Technologies, Inc., he spearheaded a remarkable turnaround, increasing revenue from $7 million to $21 million and improving EBITDA from a $500,000 deficit to $5 million within five years—achieved without additional capital investment. With over 33 years of experience, McDonough has successfully led market expansions, secured multimillion-dollar contracts, and brought award-winning medical technologies to market. His expertise spans strategic planning, sales and marketing, product development, and stakeholder engagement, making him a sought-after leader in the industry. A dynamic communicator and thought leader, he has shared his insights at international conferences such as MedTech World in Malta and Houston. Now seeking board roles, McDonough is eager to leverage his vast experience to help organizations scale, optimize operations, and achieve industry leadership.

Kris Stark is a seasoned Senior Program Manager with a proven track record of driving strategic initiatives, optimizing operations, and leading high-performing teams across both government and private sectors. With expertise in program management, risk mitigation, and organizational leadership, he has successfully managed multi-million and billion-dollar contracts, accelerated technological advancements, and improved operational efficiency for defense and cloud-based enterprises. His ability to navigate complex challenges, streamline processes, and mentor teams has consistently delivered measurable success. Holding multiple professional certifications and a Top Secret security clearance, Kris remains a forward-thinking executive dedicated to shaping the future of program management and business transformation.

Liv Isham is a transformational leader with over a decade of experience in corporate strategy, market analysis, and organizational development. As Senior Director of Corporate Strategy at Point B, she drives enterprise-wide strategic planning, breaking down silos and aligning teams around key business initiatives. With a background spanning consulting, sustainability, and military leadership, she combines analytical expertise with human-centered design to mobilize teams for impact. Holding advanced degrees from Texas McCombs, Johns Hopkins, and West Point, Liv is also a published thought leader in sustainable business strategy. Passionate about empowering mission-driven organizations, she excels in bridging strategy and execution to create lasting change.

Anita Campbell is a dynamic executive leader with extensive experience in IT sales, marketing, operations, and business development across industries such as government, healthcare, telecom, and AI-driven platforms. With a strong background in digital transformation, enterprise system integration, and strategic consulting, she has successfully led large-scale projects, optimized business processes, and driven operational excellence. Throughout her career, she has been instrumental in bridging the gap between technology and business needs, guiding mergers and acquisitions, and fostering innovation through product development and process optimization. Her expertise in stakeholder engagement, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance, combined with her leadership in cross-functional team collaboration, has positioned her as a trusted industry expert. With an MBA in Global Technology Management and multiple professional certifications, Anita continues to shape business and IT strategies that drive growth and efficiency.

Maryam Nourbakhsh is a seasoned project management leader with over 18 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, specializing in strategic operations, clinical quality, and global regulatory compliance. She has a proven track record of driving complex initiatives, optimizing resource allocation, and implementing data-driven decision-making frameworks to enhance portfolio planning and operational efficiency. Currently serving as Director of Project Management at Bristol Myers Squibb, she spearheads innovative methodologies, fosters cross-functional collaboration, and ensures alignment with corporate objectives. With expertise spanning oncology, immunology, and hematology, Maryam has successfully led high-impact projects at leading pharmaceutical organizations, leveraging her knowledge in clinical trials, governance structures, and process improvement. Holding an MBA in Pharmaceutical Marketing and certifications in Lean Six Sigma and Change Management, she is a strategic thinker committed to innovation, operational excellence, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

I’m passionate about empowering organizations to integrate sustainability and governance into their core strategies. From ESG reporting and regulatory compliance to risk mitigation and corporate leadership, I’ve dedicated my career to ensuring that businesses thrive while fostering environmental and social responsibility. Here is my biography.

Matt Tarzwell is a seasoned project manager and technology leader specializing in government IT modernization, with a proven track record of implementing large-scale digital transformation initiatives across multiple state agencies. With expertise in regulatory compliance, cloud computing, and data integration, he has successfully led high-impact projects that streamline operations, enhance digital services, and improve efficiency for millions of constituents. His leadership in initiatives such as Maryland’s Customer Connect project and Idaho’s statewide licensing system consolidation has set new benchmarks for innovation and effectiveness in public-sector technology. A strategic thinker with strong technical acumen, Matt excels in driving complex projects from concept to completion, ensuring seamless collaboration between stakeholders, executive leadership, and development teams.

Jeff Barela is a seasoned entrepreneurial leader with over 25 years of experience in database marketing, CRM, and SaaS, known for his ability to build, scale, and successfully exit a profitable marketing technology company. With deep expertise in strategic planning, finance, operations, legal, and sales, he takes a pragmatic, results-oriented approach to business growth and innovation. His leadership in AI-driven marketing technology, agile software development, and stakeholder engagement has positioned him as a trusted advisor in the industry. Currently, Jeff is seeking strategic advisory or part-time consulting opportunities where he can leverage his extensive experience to drive impactful results in the marketing technology sector.

I am excited to share my executive biography, highlighting my journey in corporate governance, strategic leadership, and operational excellence. Over the past three decades, I have been fortunate to lead organizations through growth, regulatory transformations, and financial success. I remain committed to mentorship, ethical leadership, and driving business strategy with integrity and vision.

Sheena Shones is a seasoned financial executive with over 15 years of expertise in financial strategy, risk mitigation, and operational excellence. As a Controller, she has successfully led organizations through financial transformations, post-acquisition integrations, and strategic growth initiatives. Her deep knowledge of GAAP compliance, budgeting, forecasting, and process improvement enables her to optimize financial health and drive business success. With experience spanning manufacturing, service, crypto, AI, and clean energy industries, Sheena is passionate about leveraging technology and data-driven insights to enhance decision-making. She is actively seeking board opportunities where she can apply her expertise in financial leadership, strategic planning, and business transformation to help companies scale and thrive.

Sharon Crowder is a dynamic executive leader with a proven track record in project and portfolio management, business transformation, and strategic execution across global enterprises. Known for her ability to drive operational excellence, streamline project delivery, and lead high-impact initiatives, she has successfully built and restructured PMOs, rescued at-risk projects, and optimized vendor management processes to achieve significant cost savings and efficiency gains. With extensive experience engaging executive stakeholders and guiding organizations through complex change, Sharon has led large-scale transformations at PwC, King County, Visa, and Silicon Valley Bank, delivering measurable results that enhance business performance. Her expertise in developing innovative strategies, fostering collaboration, and implementing structured methodologies makes her a trusted leader in driving enterprise-wide success.

Anne Racine is a dynamic and results-oriented supply chain executive with a proven track record of driving transformational change across healthcare, consumer products, food, and non-profit sectors. With expertise in strategic sourcing, procurement, and enterprise-level system implementations like Oracle Fusion, she excels at optimizing operations, reducing costs, and enhancing supplier relationships. Her leadership has been instrumental in developing and executing large-scale initiatives that align supply chain strategies with business objectives, delivering measurable financial impact and operational efficiencies. Known for her ability to build and scale high-performing teams, Anne consistently drives innovation, mitigates risk, and fosters cross-functional collaboration to achieve sustainable success.

I’m excited to share my professional biography, highlighting my 25+ years of experience in construction, energy efficiency, and strategic project management. I am passionate about driving operational efficiency, leading high-performing teams, and implementing sustainable business strategies. Whether in construction, manufacturing, or energy conservation, my goal is to enhance project execution, optimize costs, and support organizations in achieving long-term success.

Diqwuan Thompson is a visionary business development and strategic partnerships leader with over 12 years of experience in technology, finance, and operational management. He has a proven track record of launching revenue-generating initiatives, optimizing partnerships, and driving organizational growth through data-driven decision-making. Throughout his career at Instacart, Amazon, and Citigroup, Diqwuan has successfully led cross-functional teams, spearheaded transformative programs, and enhanced operational efficiency at scale. Passionate about innovation and strategic problem-solving, he is committed to fostering impactful collaborations and shaping frameworks that drive sustainable success.

n today’s dynamic and interconnected world, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are essential components of effective project management. Beyond fulfilling ethical obligations, DEI serves as a strategic advantage that drives innovation, improves decision-making, and strengthens team cohesion. This article explores how project managers can integrate DEI into their practices by building diverse teams, fostering inclusive environments, and ensuring equitable opportunities for all contributors. With practical strategies, case studies, and solutions to common challenges, it highlights the critical role DEI plays in delivering successful project outcomes and shaping the future of project management in a globalized workforce.