February 21 2025 at 12:00AM
Celebrating the Transformative Legacy of Mary-Ann Michaels
As Mary-Ann Michaels steps down from her role as Director-at-Large, we celebrate her extraordinary contributions and the lasting impact she has made during her tenure. In addition to serving as a Director-at-Large, Mary-Ann was also a former Treasurer of the board, bringing both strategic oversight and financial expertise to her leadership.Her innovative mindset, collaborative spirit and commitment to excellence helped shape board interactions.
Mary-Ann’s tenure was marked by initiatives that not only improved operational efficiency but also saved significant resources. Early in her role, she spearheaded the cleanup of a storage locker, saving the organization thousands a year. Her ability to identify and act on opportunities for improvement extended to financial processes, where she partnered with the CFO to streamline operations. She developed a comprehensive roadmap of financial tasks and ensured compliance with critical filings.
As Treasurer, Mary-Ann took on the responsibility of simplifying the annual budget process, ensuring it aligned with the organization’s strategies and goals. Her clear, actionable updates provided clarity to board members and strengthened financial oversight. She also facilitated seamless leadership transitions by mentoring successors.
Mary-Ann’s strategic leadership also shone during the CEO search, where her collaboration with the marketing team led to the selection of a talented and committed leader. She simplified the board’s strategic planning process, integrating input from both the Board and Operations team to create a focused, prioritized strategy aligned with PMI Global objectives.
Beyond her operational achievements, Mary-Ann made a profound impact on the culture of the organization. She developed a New Board Member Orientation Process, including an onboarding buddy system, to ease transitions and foster engagement. Her outreach efforts created meaningful connections among board members and staff, resolving conflicts and building a culture of mutual respect and appreciation.
She organized financial reviews with CPA firms, ensuring transparency and accountability, and maintained an unwavering focus on the organization’s long-term health.
Mary-Ann’s legacy is defined not only by her remarkable achievements but also by her personal approach to leadership. She built lasting friendships, fostered collaboration, and consistently recognized the contributions of others. Her dedication to mentorship, governance, and strategic innovation has left an indelible mark on our organization.
While we bid her farewell from the board, Mary-Ann’s influence will continue to guide us. We thank her for her service and wish her continued success in all her future endeavors.
