Early achievements of the APM WiPM SIG committee 2021/22

The Association for Project Management Women in Project Management SIG (APM WiPM SIG) are celebrating early success!
It’s been an exciting start for the APM WiPM SIG committee who are making a difference for women in the project management profession. Twelve members were elected to the committee, eleven of those for their first time.

Our chair Estelle Detrembleur has returned for a second year and is leading a diverse APM WiPM SIG committee from all sectors including construction, NHS, law, agriculture, transportation and defence.

Here are the achievements since the new committee was formed early September 2021. A number of events have already touched women and men at all level in the organisation.

WiPM SIG is inspiring and choosing to make a difference. Highlights include:

• Estelle started the new term with a very successful presentation as part of the Women in Project Management ‘Think Differently’ conference this year focussing on the growth mindset.
• Committee secretaries Irene and Charlotte have made fantastic progress enthusiastically stepping into these roles and have facilitated arranging committee meetings, establishing lines of communication and organisation between the team, as well as other tasks which they take on for the benefit of the group and members.
• Three subgroups have been set up, wellbeing, education and research.
• Talks have been given on project management and the benefits as skills set for life to the University of Bedfordshire, Anglia Ruskin University, the University of Exeter, and a #networking event at the London South Bank University.
• Following Estelle attending COP26 the SIG will raise awareness about ‘What should the project management community be doing about climate change’
  WiPM mission through APM’s webinar is to raise awareness on mental health and raising the profile of Women in Project Management.
• Through social media successes have been shared on Twitter and LinkedIn with #WiPM engagement.

There’s lots more to come where we are making a difference including……
Wellbeing – The rollout of the wellbeing profiles which are currently being developed, an interactive session based around career coaching for women and more on the work life balance.

Education – Collaborating with universities to inspire students, engaging with organisations to promote Project management degree opportunities and choosing project management as a career pathway.

Research – Looking into the challenges faced by women returning into their career especially women in the minority, developing a toolkit to support career returners and APM support for women starting a career in project management.

The SIG committee will also be supporting other events throughout the year including the APM 50th anniversary, international women’s day on the Tuesday 8 March 2022, the annual WiPM conference in September and with more talks to universities inspiring future project managers.

WiPM details can be found on the APM Women in Project Management SIG microsite within the APM website, on LinkedIn group and Twitter or reach out to us via email for any support you require, ideas or if you would like to participate in the great work the APM Women in Project Management SIG are doing this year and contribute to its success!

The APM WiPM SIG committee members 2021/22:
Estelle Detrembleur, Irene Maposa, Charlotte Craig, Rochelle Sampson-Clarke, Abisola Ekerin, Sarah Outterson, Caroline Ojo, Clare Hornsby, Elizabeth Nolan, Clara Lenzi.