Lee Lambert, Founder of the PMP
PMI Fellow & Former Past President, PMI Central Ohio Chapter
Session Details
My Professional Life: A 60 Year Road Trip
Join PMI Fellow and project management pioneer Lee Lambert as he takes you on an engaging, fast-paced journey through his remarkable 60-year career. Hear firsthand his professional road trip spanning five relocations, countless milestones, and groundbreaking contributions to the project management profession. From founding one of the first documented PMOs to co-founding the PMI PMP® certification, Lee shares lessons learned, pivotal career decisions, and the foresight that shaped his path long before project management had a name.
Lee’s journey also includes a critical chapter in the history of PMI Central Ohio. As President in 1981, he led the chapter through a period of probation that threatened its dissolution, a pivotal effort that helped ensure its survival and growth. His leadership, dedication, and selfless volunteerism became foundational to what paved the way for the vibrant community celebrating its 50th anniversary today.
Drawing from personal stories, industry-shaping experiences, and leadership insights, Lee will highlight the “signs” that guided him along the way and show how similar signals can shape your own professional journey. As he looks ahead, Lee will also offer his insights on emerging trends and how to position yourself to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape. This inspiring keynote will leave you energized, reflective, and ready to spot and act on the signs that point toward your future success.
Learning Objectives
1. Recognize how personal and professional “signs” can inform career decisions and long-term success.
2. Understand the value of proactive foresight and early adoption in navigating emerging trends and opportunities.
3. Reflect on how historical milestones in the project management profession and the resilience of PMI chapters can inspire and guide modern career paths.
4. Identify practical strategies for anticipating future developments and positioning themselves for sustained relevance and impact in the field.
About the Speaker
Lee R. Lambert is considered throughout the world as one of the project management profession’s thought leaders. He has been spreading the PM word for over 50 years and was one of the Founders of the PMP. Lee has been recognized by the Project Management Institute as one of only 85 PMI Fellows and in 2024 he received the Distinguished Leader in Project Management Award from the IEOM Society. He brings a “real world” message to those hoping to excel in their role of managing projects. His unique and humorous style creates an enjoyable and productive learning environment.
Lambert has implemented four enterprise-wide project management information systems and his work in developing High Performance Teams has been judged a miracle. He has prepared and delivered user training to thousands of employees at AT&T, IBM, General Electric, Microsoft, Roche and countless others. His value-add consulting and training has been instrumental in creating successful PMOs to drive rapid implementation. He has provided “public” training programs for more than 50,000 professionals in 51 countries. Lee loves sharing his experience and knowledge on a variety of project management methodologies.