Manage This - The Project Management Podcast Episode 235 – Project Managers Without Borders: Turning Projects Into Purpose
Oct 20, 2025
Deanna Landers, founder of Project Managers Without Borders and a seasoned PMI leader, reveals how project management can inspire hope through humanitarian initiatives. She shares her journey of starting PMWB, the organization's integration with PMI, and the importance of applying corporate skills to nonprofit contexts. Deanna highlights the transformative impact of volunteers on NGOs, focusing on projects like clean water access. The conversation emphasizes cultural sensitivity, redefining success in humanitarian projects, and finding balance between personal and volunteer commitments.
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When Engineers Ignored The Community
- An EWB team tried to install underground irrigation against community preference and were physically blocked.
- The lesson: failing to listen to locals can derail technically sound solutions.
Bring Humility First
- Prioritize humility and active listening when volunteering with NGOs.
- Put ego aside and engage local stakeholders to co-design acceptable solutions.
Redefining Project Success For NGOs
- Success for humanitarian projects must include sustainability after volunteers leave.
- Durable impact, maintainability and local ownership define true success, not just delivery.