Blog

Board Chair Letter – Together, We Are Building PMI Arizona

Dear PMI Phoenix Chapter Members,

As project leaders, we believe in turning bold visions into reality. What began as a bold, visionary idea has grown into a movement that now spans our entire state. I am incredibly proud and excited to share that the member voting has concluded, and members in both the PMI Phoenix and PMI Tucson chapters have overwhelmingly supported the creation of a single, unified statewide chapter: PMI Arizona.

This is a historic moment for all of us. We are not merely merging chapters — we are uniting our talents, resources, and passion to create a stronger, more vibrant community for project management professionals across Arizona.

This achievement was possible because of many dedicated partners, and I want to extend my deepest thanks. To Paul Lovelis, President of PMI Tucson Chapter, for his invaluable partnership and collaboration throughout this journey. To PMI Global, regional mentors and Chapter engagement partners, especially Shane Cretacci and Kristen Gleason, for their unwavering support, guidance, and belief in our vision. To the boards of both the PMI Phoenix and PMI Tucson chapters, who courageously embraced this bold idea and gave it their full backing. And to all members of Steering Committee, who have worked tirelessly to craft and draft the necessary processes, documents, and plans that brought this vision to life. Above all, I am profoundly grateful to all our volunteers and members, whose commitment, passion, and belief in this vision have transformed it from a bold idea into a driving force for the project management profession, mentorship, learning, and networking opportunities across our entire state.

To mark this historic milestone, Paul and I recorded a special video announcement at the Arizona State Capitol — the very place where Arizona territories once united to become a single state. It felt fitting to stand there as we announced the results and spoke about the next steps for uniting our chapters into one PMI Arizona Chapter. We even took a picture in front of the original proclamation and official seal, at the very spot where the founding fathers of this state “sealed the deal” over a century ago. We are grateful today for the state they created, and inspired to follow in their footsteps as we unite our chapters to shape the future of project management across Arizona.

Looking ahead, our journey continues with some critical milestones:

  • We will soon form the Nominations Committee for elections to the inaugural PMI Arizona Chapter Board.
  • We will then open nominations to all members statewide for the 2026 Board and for Branch Liaisons who will help lead and represent our diverse regions.

This is your chapter, and your voice and participation will shape its future. I encourage every one of you to stay engaged, ask questions, and consider stepping into leadership roles as we build PMI Arizona together.

Thank you for your trust, your support, and for sharing in this transformative journey. Together, we are not just imagining the future — we are creating it.

Warm regards,

Milan Dordevic
Board Chair, PMI Phoenix Chapter

Volunteer Spotlight-Brent Scholar

Brent Scholar Headshot

Dr. Brent Scholar, Ed.D., PMP, PMI-ACP, GPM-b, has been an invaluable member of the PMI community since February 2024. His dedication to volunteerism began in September 2024, driven by a call for volun-teers and his inherent desire to give back. As the DEI Guidelines Project Manager, PMI-ACP Study Group Project Manager, and PMP Study Group Facilitator, Brent has significantly contributed to the creation of DEI guidelines and the facilitation of study groups. His efforts have been instrumental in supporting the success of others and the organizations that have supported him. Brent finds immense reward in seeing others succeed and encourages new members to volunteer, emphasizing the opportunity to interact with great people and continue learning.

 

BS With J  BSAchilles Group  BS Big Buddha  BS Plzen

Beyond his professional achievements, Brent is a passionate traveler with a hidden talent for cooking. His favorite destination is Bali, though he has many other favorites. He enjoys Chompies’ Rainbow Layer Cook-ies as a guilty pleasure and is currently reading the CAPM All-In-One Textbook and a book from Piers An-thony's Xanth Fantasy Series. Brent’s proudest career moment was leaving a job due to ethical concerns, and his proudest personal moment was earning his Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership. Inspired by his wife, Jillian, and their cats, he is driven by a personal motto to enjoy the little moments. Colleagues describe him as loyal, empathetic, strategic, and dependable, and he aspires to visit all seven continents. Brent is also passionate about causes such as Achilles International, the Foundation Fighting Blindness, and blood/platelet donations. He encourages everyone to donate blood/platelets and to donate for cancer research and treatment.

Volunteer Spotlight - Carmen Blackmore

Carmen Blackmore has been a dedicated member of PMI since 2023 and began her volunteer journey in 2024. Motivated by a strong desire to serve her community and build meaningful connections within PMI, Carmen has actively participated in outreach efforts, coordinated events, and supported member engagement activities across the Chapter. Her role as Director of the Community Outreach and Remote Engagement Team has allowed her to see firsthand the impact of her work, especially in connecting and supporting project managers in remote areas. Carmen finds the relationships built through her volunteer service to be incredibly rewarding, as each connection strengthens the chapter's inclusivity and sense of community.

Beyond her professional contributions, Carmen is passionate about empowering her community through mentorship and leadership development. She enjoys geocaching and outdoor navigation, with New Zealand being her favorite destination due to its breathtaking landscapes and welcoming spirit. Carmen's guilty pleasure is boba tea, and she finds joy in its simple delight. Her business philosophy centers on building authentic connections through genuine listening, which she believes is the foundation of lasting success. Inspired by figures like Michelle Obama and her sister, Carmen strives to be a connector, helping others flourish and reach their potential. Her proudest career moment was launching a spouse mentorship program for military families. In fact, she was featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show for her work supporting military families. She dreams of living abroad with her family and writing a book. Her personal motto is "Anticipate the best, prepare for the unexpected, and welcome the delightful surprises.

 

Episode 2 of PMI Phoenix Podcast

 

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉 We're back with the 2nd episode of our Board Member Spotlight Series! 🌟 Join us as Brandon Hill chats with Rebecca Hutchison, the dynamic Marketing Director of our PMI Phoenix Chapter.

In this episode, you'll dive into Rebecca's captivating career journey, discover her inspiring path to PMI, and learn about the groundbreaking initiatives she's leading. 🚀 Plus, get ready for some fun with another round of our popular game, "Are You Smarter Than a 2nd Grader?" 🧠

Don't miss out! Tune in, enjoy, and share your thoughts! Your feedback means the world to us. 🌍

👉 Listen now and be part of the conversation! 👈

Episode Podcast Team:

Video Editing & Audio Mixing: Andor Sperling This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Music: Ryan Little youtube.com/@iamryanlittle>

PMI Phoenix Chapter Website: pmiphx.org

PMI Phoenix Chapter Volunteer Opportunities: pmiphx.org/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities

Podcast Host: Brandon Hill, Director of Podcasts; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; linkedin.com/in/brandonhillcox/

Podcast Guest: Rebecca Hutchison, Board Marketing Director; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hutchison

Letter from the Chair- May 2025

Statewide Vision. Local Impact. Welcome to the Future of PMI Arizona

Dear Valued Chapter Members, 

As project managers, we understand that change is not just inevitable—it’s an opportunity. It’s through transformation that we grow, innovate, and create greater impact. Today, I am excited to share an important development that represents a bold step forward for the project management community in Arizona. 

We are initiating the formation of a unified PMI Arizona Chapter—a strategic collaboration between the PMI Phoenix and PMI Tucson Chapters to create one strong, statewide organization. This is more than a structural change; it is a vision to amplify our collective voice, better serve our members, and deliver even greater value to professionals across Arizona. 

Why Are We Doing This? 

This initiative follows careful evaluation and collaborative discussions between both chapter boards. While it requires the dissolution of PMI Phoenix and PMI Tucson as separate legal entities, it allows us to unite as a singular, more impactful chapter that reflects the full strength of our project management community. 

Our newly defined Multi-Year Business Plan (2026–2029) outlines this transformation and the key benefits it will bring: 

  • Enhanced Community Development: Greater connectivity and engagement across Northern, Central, and Southern Arizona—enabling us to learn from one another and grow together, regardless of location. 

  • Expanded Value Proposition: Access to a broader range of events, programs, and professional development opportunities, including larger-scale conferences and region-specific offerings. 

    • Stronger Volunteer Engagement: More diverse, meaningful volunteer roles across branches—empowering members to lead, grow, and make a difference statewide. 

    • Increased Organizational Outreach: A stronger, unified chapter improves our ability to engage companies, government agencies, and academic institutions across Arizona. 

    • Amplified Membership Value: With combined resources, we can deliver more impactful services, deeper knowledge-sharing, and a more influential PMI presence in our region. 

Stay Informed and Get Involved 

To provide more information and answer your questions, we invite you to a member-wide Town Hall: 

Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2025 
Time: 6:00 PM 
Location: Virtual event-Register Here

We encourage every member—whether new or long-standing—to attend, ask questions, and learn how this change affects you. 

In the meantime, you can explore all transition materials, FAQs, timelines, and supporting documents at our new landing page: http://www.pmiaz.org/ 

Your Voice Matters 

While the boards are aligned and committed, the final decision belongs to you—our members. A formal vote will determine whether we move forward with the unification. Your engagement matters. We invite you to review the information, attend the Town Hall, and help shape the next chapter of PMI in Arizona. 

If you have any immediate questions, please reach out to the chapter board. We’re here to listen and support you through this exciting journey. 

Let’s build the future of project management in Arizona—together. 

Sincerely, 

Milan Dordevic 

Board Chair 

PMI Phoenix Chapter 

Volunteer Spotlight- Alyssa Crowe

Alyssa Crowe joined the PMI Phoenix Chapter and began volunteering in September 2024, driven by networking opportunities and a desire to foster a sense of community around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). As a DEI Committee member, she contributes to monthly culture and calendar updates and Women in Project Management events, enjoying the chance to create a more inclusive environment. Alyssa encourages new members to volunteer, highlighting the benefits of building connections, professional growth, and making a meaningful impact.

Professionally, Alyssa is a Marketing Operations Manager in higher education. Her business philosophy includes focusing on students, using data for decisions, building cross-functional partnerships, staying flexible, striving for continuous improvement, leading with integrity, and maintaining ethical standards. Her proudest career achievement is earning her PMP certification.

Outside of work, Alyssa has a talent for movie, music, and pop culture trivia. She loves Oʻahu, Hawaii, for its relaxing beaches and vibrant plant life. Passionate about reptile wildlife conservation, mindfulness, and human rights advocacy, she finds "Self-Talk for a Calmer You" by Beverly D. Flaxington grounding and empowering. Inspired by her mother's strength, Alyssa is driven by positive progression, problem-solving, and the inspiring stories of others.