Some of the strongest communities are built when we look beyond the boundaries of our own organization.

Throughout this year, one of our priorities at PMI Central Alabama has been strengthening the connections between our chapter and the broader professional community we serve. That means building relationships not only with individual project professionals, but also with employers, academic institutions, community organizations, and partners who recognize the value strong project leadership brings to their organizations.

For me, partnership has never simply meant sponsorship.

The most meaningful partnerships create value in both directions. They introduce our members to new organizations and perspectives. They help employers connect with skilled professionals. They create opportunities for students and emerging professionals. And they allow organizations with different missions to discover where their interests intersect.

That is where community becomes something more than a network.

It becomes an ecosystem.

As our profession continues to evolve, I believe these connections will become increasingly important. Project professionals don’t work in isolation. We work across industries, functions, organizations, and communities—often serving as the people responsible for bringing all of those pieces together.

Our professional community should reflect that same reality.

As we move through the final months of 2026, I’m excited about the relationships we’ve strengthened, the new ones we’ve begun, and the opportunities still ahead to expand the reach and impact of PMI Central Alabama.

Community in Action means looking beyond who is already in the room—and continuing to build the relationships that make the room bigger.