Karla Eidem, PMP, PMI-PMOCP
Regional Managing Director, North America, Project Management Institute
Session Details
From Projects to Purpose: Leading with Value in a Complex World
Over a 20-year journey spanning 10,000 miles—from the Philippines to Mexico to the United States—Karla Eidem discovered that project management was far more than a career. It was a superpower: a way of thinking, leading, and connecting that transformed not just her work, but her life. In a profession often measured by deliverables and deadlines, Karla found something deeper—a calling to lead with purpose, create value, and build a community that amplifies impact.
In today's high-stakes environments—from government agencies to healthcare, IT, and financial services—the definition of project success is evolving. Based on groundbreaking research from PMI and her global leadership experience, Karla challenges project professionals to rethink success: not simply as on-time, on-budget delivery, but as outcomes that create meaningful, lasting value. Because in mission-critical settings, even perfect execution can fall short if it doesn't align with the bigger picture.
Through personal stories, hard-earned lessons, and insights from PMI’s Project Success Report, Karla will explore how project managers can shift from task execution to strategic value leadership—navigating complexity, inspiring teams, and making a measurable difference in their organizations and communities. You'll leave with a renewed sense of purpose, actionable strategies for leading with value, and the inspiration to see your work—and yourself—as a force for lasting impact.
Learning Objectives
By attending this session, participants will:
• Expand their definition of project success beyond delivery metrics to include lasting value and strategic impact.
• Gain actionable strategies for shifting from task-focused execution to strategic value creation—even in complex or constrained environments.
• Leave with renewed inspiration to view their project management skills as a superpower for leading change, delivering impact, and realizing purpose.
About the Speaker
Karla Eidem, PMP®, PMI-PMOCP, is the Managing Director for PMI’s North America region. With a strategic mindset, leadership prowess, and dedication to the community, she leads the regional strategy design and execution, expanding PMI's impact on organizations, individuals, and communities to maximize project success and create a better world.
Prior to her role as Regional Managing Director, Karla served as PMI’s North America Regional Operations Manager. In this role, she was integral in developing and executing strategic initiatives to grow PMI’s reach and deepen its impact on the practitioner and chapter community across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. She also participated in countless speaking engagements, media interactions, and mentoring opportunities, sharing insights that resonated with individuals and organizations across the region, fostering a deeper sense of community and furthering a culture of continuous improvement.
Karla's professional experience spans multiple disciplines, regions, and industries, including project management leadership roles in financial services and healthcare with organizations like HSBC and Sanford Health. She has successfully led regional teams and enterprise-wide projects and has a proven ability to translate organizational strategies into action plans that improve operational efficiency. She is also passionate about giving back through volunteering and served as a chapter leader for the PMI Sioux Empire, South Dakota Chapter.
She is originally from Manila, Philippines, and speaks English, Filipino, Spanish, and Ilonggo (one of over 170 dialects in the Philippines). Karla now resides in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with her husband, two stepsons, and American Eskimo dog. She loves spending time with her family and friends and enjoys traveling, brush lettering, dance, and ice fishing.