PMI LC Newsletter Q4

1. PMI Lebanon Chapter
Newsletter
Quarter 4, 2018
Contact Us | Our Website

2. Word from PMI Lebanon Chapter
PMI Lebanon Chapter National Conference
Monthly Talks
October / November / December
Thank You to Our Sponsors, Speakers and Volunteers in 2018
Lebanon Chapter Events
 Chapter Guest Pass Achievement - 500 Club for
2018 Membership
 Chapter Membership Recognition Initiative Results Q3 2018
 PMI Lebanon Chapter at Berlin PMI Event
 PMI Lebanon Chapter Participation in LIM North America
- Los Angeles
 Business Analyst Eyeball to Eyeball
 PMI Lebanon Chapter Board Members Dinner with some of
our Conference Speakers
 Multiple Celebrations in November Board Meeting
Welcoming New Members
Getting to Know Our Members
Articles by PMILC Community
PMI International Events
Contents
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04
07
08
09
09
09
10
10
11
11
12
13
18
19

3.  Back to Contents PMI Lebanon Chapter Newsletter3
Word from PMI Lebanon Chapter
My personal journey with PMILC
I have joined PMI Lebanon Chapter (PMI LC) in 2011 and started attending
lectures as preparation for my PMP certification. I used to wait for the monthly
lectures to meet new acquaintances in our community, who later became
friends, to benefit from their experiences and to always grasp
new insights.
In July 2012, I acquired my PMP certification and then moved into a different horizon of learning since
the PMP certification enriched my knowledge in the broad field of project management and also the
application of new techniques and methods in my career.
In 2016, I started volunteering with PMI LC to update the website content and by the end of 2017, I became
a board member. My contribution to PMI LC gave me added value and joy on a personal and professional
level; not only did I further enhance my knowledge in the Project Management field but I was happy to give
back to this community and see it grow and prosper.
As a recap of our successful activities and events organized in 2018 and achievements awarded to PMILC
from PMI; I am proud to be a member of this board and its success goes back to the efforts of all our
community members in addition to our board members.
Throughout my years of experience in project management, I have learned that we should always thrive
to gain knowledge in this emerging field and to be consistent in developing and improving our skills and
expertise.
I sincerely encourage all PMI LC community members to become more involved so we can all enhance
our journey of knowledge transfer and constant learning; this contribution by itself will be a member’s own
reward. As PMI refers to its community members; you are all change makers and champions of change!
Nelly Khnaiser Sakr
VP of Administration
secretarygeneral@pmilebanonchapter.org

4. PMILC National Conference
PMI Lebanon Chapter Newsletter
Project Management Institute Lebanon Chapter
(PMI LC) organized its third conference on November
10, 2018 titled “Effective Project Management for
Economic Growth” at Le Royal Hotel Dbayeh Lebanon
under the Patronage of Ogero Mr. Imad Kreidieh
(Ogero Chairman).
The conference tackled the use of PMI global
standards in stimulating the growth of the
Lebanese economy by providing a framework for
the Lebanese public and private sectors.
International Speakers and Lebanese government
officials shared with the PMI Lebanon Chapter
community their wide knowledge and hands on
experience. The panels had interesting discussions
among professionals coming from different
background; the panels’ topics were about Program
Management Improvement and Accountability
Act (PMIAA) and Entrepreneurship and they were
followed by three parallel innovative workshop
tracks.Around 200 professionals coming from
various sectors (including engineering and
construction, information technology, banking,
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airlines, pharmaceutical, education, management
consulting and also food and beverage) attended
the conference. Holders of PMI credentials acquired
8 Professional Development Units (PDUs) upon
attending the full day conference.
The conference was sponsored by esteemed
companies such as Khatib and Alami, Ogero as
platinum sponsors, by Dar Al Handassah as chapter
and conference gold sponsor, by IDM, GDS and
SNH as gold sponsors also by NewTek solutions,
Zeinoun Engineering and Contracting, BCL and
MIC as silver sponsors. In addition, the following
educational institutions took part in sponsoring the
conference: Advisors, Amideast, Formatech and
LAU CEP (Continuing Education Program).
The conference opening session was initiated
by H.E. Nicolas Tueni minister of State for Anti-
Corruption Affairs followed by Eng. Mark Dickson
(former PMI Board of Directors Chair), Dr. Claude
Khalil (Mentor – PMI Region 12) and Mrs. Gretta
Kelzi (president of PMI Lebanon Chapter). Ms.
Youmna Nawfal was our master ceremony and
Continue Reading 

5. PMILC National Conference
PMI Lebanon Chapter Newsletter5 Back to Contents
the patron of the conference Mr. Imad Kreidieh
(Ogero Chairman) also gave a speech as part of the
opening session.
The first Panel discussing Program Management
Improvement and Accountability Act (PMIAA) had
four main anchors: Formal jobs and career path,
standards based program management government
policy recognizing essential role of executive
sponsorship and interagency council on program
management. These points where discussed with the
panelists to check how it can be adapted in Lebanon.
This panel was moderated by Dr. Saadi Adra and its
panelists were Judge Mohammad Fawaz (Lebanese
Ministry of Justice), Eng. Mark Dickson (former
PMI Board of Directors Chair), Dr. Ibrahim Chahrour
(Council for Development and Reconstruction), Col.
Elie El Asmar (Internal security forces-Lebanon), Dr.
Hayyan Haidar (Arab Anti Corruption Organization).
The second Panel was about Entrepreneurship
and why project management is a critical skill for
entrepreneurs and how it is being applied based on
the broad know-how and experience of the panelists.
It was moderated by Mr. Andre Abi Awad and its
panelists were Mr. Thiago Ayres from Brazil, Mr.
Dirk Doppelfeld from France, Dr. Nazih El Jor and
Dr. Imad Abou Rached from Lebanon.
The panels were followed by lunch at Le Royal
and then 3 parallel workshops took place.
The hands on workshops that were presented in
parallel are:
• Corporate Agility and Innovation by Mr. Thiago
Ayres where he emphasized the agility use in
non-agile environments.
• Benefits Realization Management by Mr. Farhad
Abdollahyan who discussed the meaning of
benefit, benefit realization, logical framework and
benefit design.
• Design thinking by Mr. Mohamed Khalifa where
he allowed participants to practice the most
modern and effective technique used in solving
complex problems, to innovate collaboratively
and to create holistic sustainable solution with a
human-centered focus.
Continue Reading 

6. PMILC National Conference
PMI Lebanon Chapter Newsletter6 Back to Contents
As a closing session, Mr. Dirk Doppelfeld discussed
virtual teams, Mrs. Gretta Kelzi thanked all those
who contributed to the success of this event and
mainly speakers, sponsors and volunteers for their
dedication and kind involvement. In addition;
PMI LC bylaws updates were approved by the
members in the presence of the PMI LC board
member VP of Governance. Tombola took place for
early bird registration and valuable vouchers were
presented from our educational sponsors for PMI
related courses.
“Good things happen when you
get involved with PMI.”
For more information about PMI Lebanon Chapter
and the conference presentations and pictures,
please check www.pmilebanonchapter.org
Panel A Recommendations
by Dr. Saadi Adra:
• Establish public
investment fund and/
or ministry of planning
to set a 5 years plan
long term vision
for Lebanon and to
prepare integrated
plans between various
ministries stakeholders.
• Adjust, improve, modify and add project
management related roles both for execution and
directly oversight roles into government agencies
and ministries.
• Define and set standards and policies for project
management to be implemented across various
ministries providing unified reporting and
governance with visibility at the macro level.
• Enhance accountability at ministries and
directorate via providing proper training,
knowledge, supervision, support and hands on
applications.

7. Monthly Talks
PMI Lebanon Chapter Newsletter
Embedding Project Management Environment in a Traditional
Organization Structure by Brigadier Simon Yammine
Project Hit the Wall: Handling the Construction Industry Challenges
through the Financial Crisis by Mr. Hisham Zeinoun and Year End Celebration
with Our Speakers, Volunteers and Members.
NOV
DEC
Brigadier Simon Yammine was the speaker for the month of
November 2018 and he talked about “Embedding Project Management
Environment in a Traditional Organization Structure” and shed light
through the eyes of an “insider” on lessons learned from the many
previous attempts to reform the public service and the various reasons
behind their ultimate failure. The session was held on Thursday,
November 29, 2018 at 6:30 PM at The Key ApartHotel, Palais de
Justice District, Corniche du Fleuve, Beirut, Lebanon.
Mr. Hisham Zeinoun was the speaker for the month of December
2018 and he talked about “Another Project Hit the Wall: Handling the
Construction industry Challenges through the Financial Crisis” and
shared his hands on experience as a project manager the challenges
faced in the construction field through the cases he has gone through
especially with the recent housing financial crisis in the Lebanese
real estate. The session was held on Thursday, December 27, 2018 at
6:30 PM at The Key ApartHotel, Palais de Justice District, Corniche du
Fleuve, Beirut, Lebanon.
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More Info
More Info
Impact of Organizational Culture on Project Success
by Mr. Emile KanaanOCT
Mr. Emile Kanaan was the speaker for the month of October 2018 and
he talked about the “Impact of Organizational Culture on Project
Success” and also shared his hands on vast experience and insight
of working in multi-cultural environments and projects.
The session was held on Thursday, October 25th, 2018 at 6:30 PM in
The Key ApartHotel Palais de Justice District, Corniche du Fleuve,
Beirut, Lebanon.More Info

8. Thank You
PMI Lebanon Chapter Newsletter8 Back to Contents
Thank You to Our Sponsors, Speakers
and Volunteers in 2018
Thank you all for your valuable contribution in 2018
Watch Video
Please check the below video for a recap of
monthly talks, activities and events in 2018
Sponsors
Khatib & Alami
Formatech
Zeinoun Engineering
BCL
Lebanese American University
Amideast
Globalcom Data Services
Ogero
Sketching New Horizons
NewTek
DAR Al Handassah
Advisors
New Horizons
ORKIN
ICC GROUP
Notre Dame University
Bubleik
Speakers
Andre Mahfouz
Haitham Fansa
Rida Elias
Rana Jammoul
Jean Abi Saab
Ibrahim Mneimneh
Ziad Daccache
Sami Gheriafi
Emile Kanaan
Simon Yammine
Giancarlo Duranti
Hicham Zeinoun
volunteers
Jana Fattouh
Remie Hadchiti
Elias Ghosn
Elise Najem
Vicken Djamboulian
Eliane Choueiry
Fady Sayegh
Pascale Saleh
Cynthia Chahine
Elie Hanna
Mouhamad Joumaa
Saad Massaad
AbdulRahman Sobh
Lola Karam
Ibrahim Zada
Milia Abu Zahr
Ahmad Yehia
Cyrine Farhat
Noura El Mursi
Hilary Abou Zeid
Manal Zeidan
Nagham Hassan

9. PMI Lebanon Chapter Newsletter9 Back to Contents
Lebanon Chapter Events
PMI Lebanon Chapter has a new record of success. PMI Lebanon
Chapter achieved a benchmark of excellence by attaining the
maximum reimbursement level with the Chapter Guest Pass Program.
With this achievement, PMI Lebanon Chapter have been automatically
enrolled as a member of PMI 500 Club for 2018. PMI LC have
expanded networking opportunities and knowledge contribution with
the chapter and created additional resources for chapter programs.
For more details on PMI Chapter Guest Pass Program; please click on
www.pmi.org/chapter-guest-pass-program.
Each Quarter, PMI performs an assessment on
the chapters in each region to check the ones that have achieved the
highest increase in % for their growth rate.
PMI LC received the award as the Winner of Chapter Membership
Retention Q3 2018 in MENA Region12 Category 2 based on its
performance and growth in its number of members.
PMI Lebanon chapter board members attended the LIM Berlin from
4 – 6 May 2018. This annual Leadership Institute Meeting provided
professional and peer-to-peer training and leadership development
designed to enhance the capabilities of PMI’s volunteer chapter
leaders. One of our Chapter leaders, Dr. Mona Zoughaib – VP of
Marketing, was among the 3 enlightening speakers who have been
asked by PMI to give an enlightening speech about their experience with
PMI in their corresponding chapters. Mona highlighted how each team
leader can passionately market their chapters in various way during
their daily busy lives, no matter what their jobs are, through the use of
social media and face to face awareness sessions. She ended by her
famous PMI moto: Always Think PMI, Act PMI, and Live PMI.
Chapter Guest Pass Achievement - 500 Club for 2018 Membership
Chapter Membership Recognition Initiative Results Q3 2018
PMI Lebanon Chapter at Berlin PMI Event
Watch Video
More Events 

10. 10
Lebanon Chapter Events
PMI Lebanon Chapter Newsletter Back to Contents
More Events 
Chapter Leaders from around the world attended
this year’s PMI Leadership Institute Meeting
2018 - North America in Los Angeles last
October, where they collaborated and inspired
each other to further promote their local project
management community.
Lebanon Chapter participated to a panel of successful project
managers who discussed how their involvement with PMI propelled
their career. Whether it was earning certification, gaining project
or leadership skills that are difficult to obtain on the job, panel
participants shared their helpful hints on how their individual
volunteering efforts with PMI helped advance their career to the
next level.
LAU CEP (continuing education program) and PMI Lebanon Chapter
jointly organized you a session about the PMI-PBA(Business Analyst
Practitioner). The session speaker was Mr. Giancarlo Duranti, a
project manager and Business Analyst Practitioner, Agile Coach and
Professional Trainer, and the session took place on December 6 at
6:30 pm at LAU Beirut.
PMI Lebanon Chapter Participation in LIM North America - Los Angeles
Business Analyst Eyeball to Eyeball
More Info

11. Lebanon Chapter Events
PMI Lebanon Chapter Newsletter11 Back to Contents
In the board meeting of November; PMI LC board members celebrated
together multiple events: the success of the conference and the
contribution of all its members, farewell of our dear board member
Tanya who will soon be in her maternity leave and the birthday
celebration of 2 of our board members, Mona and Khaled.
Multiple Celebrations in November Board Meeting
PMI Lebanon Chapter Board Members Dinner with some
of our Conference Speakers
PMI LC board members invited some of the conference speakers
to a dinner on the conference day. It was a nice gathering and an
opportunity to get to know and thank the speakers who came from
abroad to share their experience and knowledge.

12. Welcoming New Members (Q42018)
PMI Lebanon Chapter Newsletter12
1. Ms. Christine Madi
2. Mr. Georges El-Khoury Moussa
3. Dr. Maher Tamim
4. Mr. Bassel Mashaka
5. Mr. Nader Dirany
6. Ms. Darine Lichaa
7. Mr. Jawad Daher
8. Mr. Joseph Abboud
9. Mr. Ali Anka
10. Mr. Rabih Kanaan
11. Prof. Farhad Abdollahyan
12. Ms. Fatima Chahrour
13. Mr. Ziad Baaklini
Welcoming members who have joined the chapter in Q4 2018
14. Mr. Hassan Mohammad
15. Mr. Suleiman Barada
16. Ms. Sandra Salameh
17. Ms. Grace Ajjoub
18. Ms. Joanna El Hajjar
19. Ms Iman Al-Tannir
20. Mr. Samer Ladki
21. Mr. Rashed Al Sulaiti
22. Mr. Nader Gemayel
23. Mr. Jad Tutunji
24. Ms. Micheline Kallassy
25. Mr. Hatem Saafan
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13. PMI Lebanon Chapter Newsletter13 Back to Contents
Getting to Know Our Members
• Current Jon/Role: Management Consultant at Freelancium s.a.r.l.
• Academic and Professional Credentials: Electrical Engineering
– ESIB, Post Graduate in Telecommunication Network – UAF,
Executive MBA – ESA/ESCP, PMP, Enterprise Architecture
Certification, ITIL Foundation
• PMI LC member since: October 2005 – Former Chapter President
July 2009 – July 2011
• Domain / Industry Knowledge / Sector Expertise:
Projects Management, Operations Management, Quality
Management; Information Security Management and Information
Technology for the Banking Sector.
• Testimonial: Since I joined the chapter I started participating in its
activities, I became a volunteer, board member and then President(
2009). I encourage members to become volunteers and help with
the chapter activities whenever they can. Besides Networking, the
chapter activities gave me the opportunity to improve my skills
either by helping in events preparation or by participating in the
events. Taking part of the monthly event and discussing Project
Management subject with other peers was, is and will remain an
enriching experience.
As a past president (2009), I have represented PMI LC twice in
International events ( Orlando Florida on the 40th anniversary of
PMI and once in Milano Italy).
Participating in international events is a unique experience and I
encourage every chapter member to take part of those events as
much as they can. Do some tourism and learn more. As we say in
French “Joindre l’utile à l’agréable”.
Mr. Fadi Abi Aad
More Members 

14. Getting to Know Our Members
PMI Lebanon Chapter Newsletter14
• Current Jon/Role: Retired brigadier-general of the Internal Security
Forces (ISF) of Lebanon, served mostly as an IT specialist in the ISF
IT department.
• Academic and Professional Credentials: Lebanese Military
academy graduate, holding a BS in computer science and an
MBA, PMP.
• PMI LC member since: February 2016
• Domain / Industry Knowledge / Sector Expertise: Information
security management systems, Digital Transformation, IT and
Management consultancy, IT governance, cybercrime and
cybersecurity.
• Testimonial: I attended most of the PMI Lebanon chapter monthly
talks this year, as well as the professional development day and the
PMI Lebanon chapter conference 2018. The speakers were form a
wide range of sectors, knowledge areas and industries.
• In those events I was introduced to the very rich acquired
knowledge and experience of the project management
practitioners in Lebanon and worldwide, for example:
• How project management framework was applied to enhance
productivity and deliver project scope on time and within the
budget.
• How to use different kind of skills, knowledge and lessons learned
to enhance project management practice.
• How the project management framework adapts to different
industries and sectors and provides value.
Also those events were an opportunity to meet project managers
and project management practitioners in various sectors and
industries in Lebanon, therefore the PMI Lebanon chapter in an
important platform of communication and networking among
project management professionals in Lebanon.
Mr. Jacques Bakaev
More Members 
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15. PMI Lebanon Chapter Newsletter15
More Members 
 Back to Contents
Getting to Know Our Members
• Current Jon/Role: IT Projects Delivery Manager at Desjardins Group,
Montreal, QC, Canada –relocated in October 2018
• Academic and Professional Credentials: Bachelor in Electrical and
Electronics Engineering, MBA, PMP, SAFe Agilist certification
• PMI LC member since: February 2014
• Domain / Industry Knowledge / Sector Expertise: Corporate & Retail
Banking, Cards and Financial Payments, IT and Operations banking,
leading digital transformation and process automation projects.
• Testimonial: In 2017, I took the decision to move with my family to
Montreal, I could identify a large market for project managers in the
IT sector.
My latest job experience in Corporate Banking had taken me fairly
away from project management and the IT environment in general,
so I was in need for a comeback plan and PMI Lebanon Chapter
was a strategic enabler for my return to the project management
community.
I started to participate in the monthly talks where I met a vibrant
society of practitioners from different industries and backgrounds,
with diversified skills and experience levels. I got involved in
productive discussions on various interesting topics, covering
leadership, technical and strategic project management aspects,
and thanks to the friendly and welcoming ambiance, I was able to
network with the chapter’s members, build good relationships and
finally revive the project manager inside me!
Mr. Joseph Haskour

16. PMI Lebanon Chapter Newsletter16
More Members 
 Back to Contents
Getting to Know Our Members
• Current Jon/Role: Projects Manager
• Academic and Professional Credentials: Electrical Engineer
• PMI LC member since: February 2017
• Domain / Industry Knowledge / Sector Expertise:
Construction Field
• Testimonial: I attend the majority of the monthly talks and the
Professional Development Days, i am very satisfied to be a member
of PMI’s Lebanon Chapter. I am looking forward to be more active
with the chapter through the volunteering work.
• Current Jon/Role: Operations and Events Manager at
Treats Catering
• Academic and Professional Credentials: Bachelor of Business
in International Hotel & Tourism Management, From Le Cordon
Bleu Institute, Paris, France / Bachelor of Business Administration
(USEK), Lebanon, PMP and currently working on my PMI-PBA
Certification
• PMI LC member since: October 2017
• Domain / Industry Knowledge / Sector Expertise:
Events Management, Food & Beverage Management
• Testimonial: Volunteering with PMILC is an opportunity and
an experience at the same time. Having a good experience in
the Events Management field, I felt that I must support in the
organization of the National Conference Day. It is our duty to serve
the community and to get involved in the progress and development
of the chapter. I really enjoyed the team spirit between the chapter
members.
Mr. Ziad Ibrahim
Mr. Elie Hanna

17. PMI Lebanon Chapter Newsletter17 Back to Contents
Getting to Know Our Members
• Current Jon/Role: Sites Manager in a Construction company and a
Freelance Civil Engineer
• Academic and Professional Credentials: Masters in Civil
Engineering / Engineering and PMP
• PMI LC member since: January 2018
• Domain / Industry Knowledge / Sector Expertise:
Construction/Structural Engineering/Project Management
• Testimonial: On a personal scale, joining the PMI Lebanon chapter
upgraded my skills and knowledge in management. Continuous
learning is a great way for refreshing your memory and keeping
you updated with what is happening around you. Each meeting
or “monthly talk” I have participated in had an added value to my
skills. The sharing of experiences between members is a knowledge
that cannot be found in books. In my opinion, volunteering and
helping this community that continuously shares useful knowledge
in Lebanon would be a great service for my country where most
people that needs that knowledge the most do not necessarily
have it.
• Current Jon/Role: IT Banking Solutions Consultant
• Academic and Professional Credentials: Mathematics Degree,
Computer Science Degree and PMP Certification
• PMI LC member since: 2016
• Domain / Industry Knowledge / Sector Expertise:
Information Technology – Banking Sector
• Testimonial: In any events that I have attended I learned something
new. It is very essential to lessen actively to those experts (coming
from abroad) who have rich background and benefit from their
experiences. November event were extremely well organized.
Mr. Elias Ghosn
Ms. Liliane El Hajj

18. Articles by PMILC Community
PMI Lebanon Chapter Newsletter18
Is Digital Transformation a threat or
an opportunity for Project Managers?
by Hani Hmedeh
Read Article
 Back to Contents

19. PMI International Events
PMI Lebanon Chapter Newsletter19
SeminarsWorld®
in Scottsdale
25–28 February 2019 Scottsdale, Arizona - United States
Join PMI expert SeminarsWorld® instructors in Scottsdale to network and learn with your peers in
small-group, topic-intensive seminars aligned with the PMI Talent Triangle® while you earn up to 29 PDUs
and 2.9 Continuing Education Units: Event to take place between 25 - 28 February 2019 in Scottsdale,
Arizona - United States
More Info View Schedule
 Back to Contents