In this column, we shine the spotlight on our star volunteers from PMI India chapters who have made immense contributions through their dedication and passion. This is your opportunity to know a little bit about these remarkable men and women from our practitioner community.

ABHILASH HARIDAS THEKKEKKARA

SCM Business Transformation Leader-CBO, Tata Consultancy Services
Member, PMI West Bengal Chapter

Been a PMI member since: 2013

What attracted me to PMI: The opportunity to learn from a diverse peer group, while contributing to the profession and to society at large.

My dream project as a project manager: A road safety and parking solution using predictive analytics

My proudest PMI volunteer moment: Contributing to PMI’s training content for Sparsh, a social organization.

A life lesson I learned as a volunteer: Managing time for office, personal work, and volunteering

I am looking forward to:  More challenges and responsibilities – professionally as well as in the field of volunteering.

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DILEEP VISWANATHAN

Vice President – Membership, PMI Kerala Chapter

Been a PMI member since: 2016

What attracted me to PMI: The opportunity to provide training, networking with great leaders from my state, and volunteering to advocate project and program management

My dream project as a project manager: Work with a social organization as a project manager for a ‘food for all’ project.

My proudest PMI volunteer moment: I love the excitement when a conference we conduct comes to a successful conclusion.

A life lesson I learned as a volunteer: Everyone in the world needs knowledge of project management knowledge as a life skill.

I am looking forward to:  Our chapter membership touching the magic four-digit figure and more associations with PMI including global volunteering opportunities.

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RAPHAEL DAVID

Senior Project Manager, NTT Global Networks

Vice President - Marketing, PMI Mumbai Chapter

Been a PMI member since: December 2001

What attracted me to PMI: I was introduced to PMI while I was working at SBC DataComm as an employee of HCL Technologies America Inc. I was encouraged to join a batch of SBC employees who were training for their Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification. The entire batch of 195 project managers acquired their PMP credentials.

My dream project as a project manager: To be part of the Project Management Office (PMO) at the Prime Minister’s Office.

My proudest PMI volunteer moment: To be the convenor of the PMO of the just concluded PMConclave 2020 in Mumbai.

A life lesson I learned as a volunteer: The more we give, the more we receive. Deliver with integrity any task that is assigned to you.

I am looking forward to: Continue to evangelise project management and play an active role as a PMI volunteer even after my retirement.

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SANDEEP KHARBANDA

Business Development Manager, L3Harris (Automation) Technologies
 
Senior Manager – Programs, PMI Pune-Deccan India Chapter
 

Been a PMI member since: July 2012

What attracted me to PMI: Globally recognized standards and framework developed by an experienced team of project professionals

My dream project as a project manager: Executed and delivered India’s first and only metro baggage handling system at Terminal 3, Delhi International Airport

My proudest PMI volunteer moment: Coordinating and managing the expectation of speakers for a seminar at the chapter.

A life lesson I learned as a volunteer: We can only grow in life by helping and supporting others.

I am looking forward to:  Learn and grow professionally by constantly supporting society.

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BHUVANA SUNDAR SOORAPPAIAH

Senior Project Manager, Bosch

Assistant Vice President - Outreach, PMI Chennai Chapter

Been a PMI member since: 2013

What attracted me to PMI: To stay connected with the project management community and give something back.

My dream project as a project manager: To enable people to realize and be their best versions.

My proudest PMI volunteer moment: Bringing PMI Chapter trainings and Project Puthri successfully to Coimbatore.

A life lesson I learned as a volunteer: Keep doing your stuff even if nobody is watching.

I am looking forward to: Make PMI’s benefits accessible to all sections of society.

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PRAVEEN URANKAR

Vice President – Membership, PMI North India Chapter

Head - Corporate Business Excellence, GMR

Been a PMI member since: 2017

What attracted me to PMI: The PMI structure, its scale of operations, chapters, the PMBOK Guide®, subject matter experts, and networking opportunities have attracted me to PMI.

My dream project as a project manager: In 2015, I got an opportunity to be part of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor Corp, a Rs. 5,088 crore railway project, and lead the PMO. It was my first railway project, for which we worked from scratch. The three years that I spent in this project was a great learning experience.

My proudest PMI volunteer moment: The meet and greet initiative at PMI North India Chapter has given me an opportunity to interact with new chapter members.

A life lesson I learned as a volunteer: The volunteering attitude and skill sets do not come overnight, but need to be developed. It needs what I call PhD - passion, hunger, and discipline.

Looking forward to: Playing a lead role in promoting PMI and the PMBOK Guide® in the unorganized construction sector.

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GOKUL KOLIPAKA

Senior Consultant, Strta Consultancy Services

Volunteer, PMI Pearl City Chapter

Been a PMI member since: 2012

What attracted me to PMI: A huge pool of like-minded people from whom I can learn, and with whom I can network and develop cross-functional bridges. I also get an opportunity to give back to society through volunteering.

My dream project as a project manager: Developing a nuclear-medicine research lab for a clinical facility in Hammersmith Hospital in Imperial College of London.

My proudest PMI volunteer moment: Observing the sparks in the eyes of children while training them on leadership qualities.

A life lesson I learned as a volunteer: The more you give the more you get.

I am looking forward to: Learn, progress, and contribute to personal, chapter, and society development.

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N. BRAHMANANDAM

Agile Coach, JP Morgan Chase

Volunteer, PMI Pearl City Chapter

Been a PMI member since: 2015

What attracted me to PMI: Content on project management and reputation.

My dream project as a project manager: A critical insurance project for which the PMP® certification has helped me to well manage and succeed in timely delivery.

My proudest PMI volunteer moment: Leadership workshop for around 1,200 children across eight government schools.

A life lesson I learned as a volunteer: When you give back to society, you get eternal satisfaction and happiness.

I am looking forward to: Continue and create more impact by getting ready for the next level of volunteering.