Reflections from the APM Women in Project Management Conference 2024

Attending the APM Women in Project Management Conference this year was an incredibly enriching experience filled with inspiring talks, thought-provoking discussions and invaluable networking. From the very start, the energy in the room was electric. It wasn’t just the sessions or the speakers that made the day special — it was the sense of community, a shared commitment to pushing boundaries, supporting one another and continuously growing both personally and professionally. I left with so many thoughts and insights that will shape my journey as a project professional. Here are some of my key reflections:

1. Starting with pace, passion and purpose

The day kicked off with a powerful keynote from Natalie Campbell MBE, who spoke passionately about the importance of pace, passion and purpose in project management. Listening to her share her leadership journey — starting from the moment she realised at just 15 years old that she wanted to be a CEO — was truly motivational. Her passion and purpose was contagious. By the end of the session, she stirred the passion in many women who walked out of the room saying, “I’m going to be a CEO!”. Natalie’s words on imposter syndrome also struck a chord: “You are exactly where you are meant to be.” It was the perfect start to a day that left us all feeling empowered to aim higher in our careers.

2. The pathway to leadership

I had the honour of hosting an insightful panel discussion on The Pathway to Leadership, alongside Carly Walters, Donna Sinnick, and Sarah Wilkes. Together, we shared our personal experiences, showing that no two leadership journeys are the same. This session had the room nodding along as we highlighted the crucial role of sponsors to unlock doors for stepping into leadership roles as well as the importance of allies, mentors, resilience, authenticity and investing in ourselves as non-negotiables when navigating pathways to leadership. We empowered the audience to take risks and trust that confidence grows not just from success, but from navigating failures, setbacks and doubts. I walked away from this session feeling inspired by the fellow "disrupters" that shared the platform with me.

3. Lessons in perseverance and leadership

One of the most memorable moments of the day was hearing from Maggie Alphonsi MBE, whose story of perseverance and leadership — both on and off the rugby field — was nothing short of inspirational. Her presence on stage was electric, and her insights into leveraging strengths left a lasting impression. She reminded us that weaknesses aren’t necessarily shortcomings, but they are simply underdeveloped strengths. Maggie’s journey of overcoming barriers to achieve greatness served as a powerful reminder that true leadership is about resilience and embracing every challenge as an opportunity to grow.

4. Difficult conversations and inclusivity in the workplace

Another standout moment was an incredibly engaging session led by Sheilina Somani, which focused on navigating difficult conversations and fostering inclusivity in the workplace. I have never seen a room so packed! Sheilina’s insights on how to approach challenging discussions with empathy and understanding were not only practical but deeply impactful. It became clear that difficult conversations are a regular part of leadership, and how you handle them can define your effectiveness as a leader. A key piece of advice was to label the behaviour, not the person. By focusing on specific actions or behaviours rather than making personal attacks, you create a more productive and less defensive conversation. This approach keeps the focus on the issue and opens the door to resolution. Sheilina reminded us that showing up and dealing with it, despite discomfort, is what strong leaders do. It was a session that left a lasting impression on me and many others.

5. The power of neurodiversity

One of the most eye-opening sessions was the discussion on neurodiversity. It emphasised the importance of embracing diverse perspectives in the workplace, ensuring that all voices are valued and heard. Creating inclusive workspaces where everyone can thrive is not just a nice-to-have but a necessity. It was a timely reminder that fostering diversity of thoughts and leveraging the unique strengths of individuals in the team, leads to more innovation and ultimately, more successful project outcomes.

6. My key takeaways and inspirational quotes

The conference was full of wisdom, but there were a few standout quotes that will stay with me:

Natalie Campbell on imposter syndrome: “You are exactly where you are meant to be.”

Maggie Alphonsi on leveraging strengths: “Weaknesses are simply underdeveloped strengths.”

Sarah Wilkes on pathway to leadership: “If mentoring is breaking the door, sponsorship is holding your hand and walking you through it.”

Sheilina Somani on dealing with difficult conversations: “Show up and deal with it anyway.”

These reflections serve as a reminder of the importance of personal development, skill alignment, resilience and believing in our abilities as we navigate the challenges of project management.

My final thoughts

As I reflect on the conference, I’m left feeling energised and inspired. This conference was a clear reminder that every woman’s journey to leadership is unique, and it’s important to create your own pathway to leadership. This means embracing who you are, leveraging your strengths, and not being afraid to carve your own path.

The APM Women in Project Management Conference 2024 reminded me that no matter where we are on our leadership journey, we all have the potential to lead with purpose, embrace our strengths and be the change we want to see in the world. I’m already looking forward to next year, feeling inspired by the strength and resilience of the incredible women in our field.