Critical Junctures: Project Management at the Center of Growth

Great project leaders aren’t defined by flawless execution, but by how they respond when plans break, assumptions fail, and complexity accelerates. In this conversation, leaders from industry and business reflect on pivotal moments in their careers, missteps, near-misses, and unexpected outcomes that became turning points for stronger leadership and better execution.

Grounded in core principles of project management, risk awareness, decision-making under uncertainty, stakeholder alignment, and adaptive leadership, the discussion explores how experienced practitioners diagnose problems in real time, course-correct with confidence, and transform disruption into momentum. Rather than treating mistakes as endpoints, the panel examines how they become inflection points for sharper judgment, more resilient teams, and systems that perform under pressure. For anyone leading work at scale, this is a practical and candid conversation about learning fast, leading with agility, and using setbacks to drive sustainable growth.

For questions about this event, please contact projectmanagement [[at]] sps [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu.

In spring 2026, Frame Your Future, a public series from Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies, spotlights the forces redefining organizations and leadership. Featuring practitioner faculty and alumni across sectors, from sustainability to technology, the conversations examine how shifting demands, markets, and new tools are reshaping professional advantage. The message is clear: In a volatile economy, lifelong learning is a strategic investment. Join us to stay sharp and stay ahead.

To obtain additional information about program offerings at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies, please contact an Admissions Counselor at inquire [[at]] sps [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu.

If you require closed captioning, sign-language interpretation or any other disability accommodations, please contact Disability Services, disability [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu, at least 10 days in advance.

Please visit Columbia University’s Hub for Emergency Preparedness to stay up to date on the latest campus health and safety policies.

This event is open to individuals irrespective of identity and sex.