Project Management 2.0: The Evolving Role of Project Managers

Power Skills
Ways of Working
Business Acumen

 

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Join Asana, PMI San Francisco Bay Area Chapter, CoBiz Richmond & National Black MBA Association San Francisco Bay Area Chapter for Project Management 2.0: The Evolving Role of Project Managers, an evening focused on how the project manager role is shifting in today’s dynamic work environment.

 

We’ll kick off with a happy hour, then dive into a panel discussion with experts from Asana, PMI, and top project management organizations.

Topics will include:

  1. Using work management tools like Asana to drive impact

  2. Leveraging AI to streamline workflows

  3. The future of collaboration in project management

The event will wrap with guided table discussions to connect and learn from peers.

If you’re a project manager looking to stay ahead of the curve, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

Our Panelists

Anup Deshpande

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With over 25 years of experience, Anup Deshpande is a trailblazing keynote speaker and transformative leader in program management and business operations. As Chief of Staff and Sr. Director of Technical Program Management for the AI Portfolio at Skalable Technologies, he drives enterprise-wide innovation and Agile transformation. Anup’s career includes impactful leadership roles at Yahoo, Visa, Broadcom, and Stryker, where he successfully delivered cross-organizational initiatives that redefined industry standards. Beyond his corporate achievements, he has served as President and Board Member for PMI’s San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley Chapters, influencing the global project management community, and as Adjunct Faculty at UC Berkeley Extension, inspiring the next generation of leaders. Recognized for his strategic vision, deep industry knowledge, and commitment to transformation, Anup continues to inspire professionals to challenge convention, pursue bold goals, and shape the future of the software industry.

 

Alexandra Lee

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Alexandra Lee is a Technical Program Manager at Asana with a strong background in Security and IT project management and change management. As a TPM at Asana, she’s managed the launch of company-wide AI products, led complex software migrations and conducted RFPs. At the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, she managed large-scale data center migrations and technical software releases of core payment software in her role within the Federal Reserve Financial Services office. Prior to her career as a program manager, she was a Teach For America corps member and taught middle school math.

 

 

Chris Thompson

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With 25 years of experience in construction, real estate, and development, Chris Thompson is a seasoned owner’s representative and a dynamic leader in project management. As Regional Project Management Leader for Cumming Group’s Northwest region, Chris also spearheads the firm’s innovation and product initiatives, leading its digital transformation to enhance service delivery and internal operations. Chris’s unique blend of expertise in electrical engineering and computer science positions him at the forefront of integrating technology into the built environment. Over his nearly decade-long tenure at Cumming, he has overseen diverse, high-impact projects. His earlier career includes leading teams across higher education, public facilities, and high technology, with a particular focus on global retail brand expansions throughout North America, South America, and EMEA.
 
About Asana

Asana is a leading work management platform for human + AI coordination. Over 170,000 customers like Accenture, Amazon, Anthropic, Morningstar, and Suzuki rely on Asana to align teams and accelerate organizational impact. Whether it’s managing strategic initiatives, cross-functional programs, or company-wide goals, Asana helps organizations bring clarity to complexity—turning plans into action with AI working alongside teams every step of the way. To learn more, visit www.asana.com.

 
About PMI San Francisco Bay Area Chapter

The Project Management Institute San Francisco Bay Area Chapter (PMI-SFBAC) is one of the largest PMI chapters in the world. The chapter is a fun, supportive community dedicated to advancing the project management profession since 1974. PMI-SFBAC hosts meetings, conferences, networking events, workshops, and other innovative programs designed to meet the Chapter’s Strategic Goal – To be acknowledged as THE Project Management Resource in the San Francisco Metro Area. Today, PMI-SFBAC has over 3,000 members of whom 64% have achieved certification as Project Management Professionals (PMP®️). PMI-SFBAC is the 15th largest chapter in an international organization of over 300 chapters and 650,000 members across 200 countries. Learn more at pmisfbac.org.

 
About CoBiz Richmond

CoBiz Richmond is an inter-generational co-working, meeting space, event venue, business incubator, and resource hub for people and business of all socio-economics and sophistication to thrive entrepreneurially, professionally, and personally. Learn more by visiting www.cobizrichmond.com.

 
About National Black MBA Association San Francisco Bay Area Chapter 

Established in 1979 and incorporated in 1989 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity, the SF Black MBA Chapter has been dedicated to impacting the lives of Black professionals and entrepreneurs in the San Francisco Bay Area. At SF Black MBA, we recognize the importance of entrepreneurship in creating economic opportunities and generational wealth. We are passionate about fostering an environment that nurtures and empowers aspiring Black entrepreneurs. Our initiatives provide educational, wealth-building, and growth opportunities for historically underrepresented groups in business and entrepreneurship. Learn more at nbmbaa-sanfrancisco.org.

 

 

 

Register for this event
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Information

Type of category: Community event

Type of activity: Power Skills, Ways of Working, Business Acumen

Date: August 28th, 2025

Hour: 6:00PM to 8:30PM

Registration close date: August 28th, 2025 at 3:00PM

# of PDUs: 2.5

Price

Members: $40.00

Non members and Guests: $50.00

Location

CoBiz Richmond

1503 Macdonald Ave Suite A
Richmond, CA, 94801