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PMI Atlanta is pleased to announce November’s Volunteer of the Month – congratulations, Dana Murphy!

For the past 3.5 years she has served as Board Secretary for our PMI Atlanta Chapter. Dana is a "consummate volunteer" in various aspects. In addition to her outstanding work with our PMI Atlanta organization, she and her Bernese Mountain Dog Ben, a certified Happy Tails Therapy Dog, volunteers their time by visiting and bringing cheer to a nursing home two Saturdays a month. What a commendable inspiration they are, even her dog Ben's a "project manager" of sorts for goodness sake….outstanding. Dana is being recognized for being an invaluable and tireless volunteer who continues to help our leadership team move our chapter forward on multiple initiatives. As a result of her diligent efforts with our PMI Atlanta Chapter, she has been selected and appointed to a 3 year term on PMI Global’s Ethics Review Committee. In her leisure time she enjoys gardening, traveling to sunny and warm destinations to relax and spending time with friends and family. As an IT Project Lead at Colonial Pipeline Company, she was recently chosen as their "Safe Person of the Quarter", an honor for exceptional work in their firm. We love Dana's passion for the project management profession, she's even re-branded "The Golden Rule" to be called "The Platinum Rule"….how cool is that – read and learn more about her below and what she enjoys about volunteering for PMI Atlanta.

Secretary Dana Murphy headshot1. What has been your favorite or most rewarding volunteer experience with PMI Atlanta?
While I feel I’ve done a number of things to help Atlanta’s Leadership Team (e.g., created transition plan templates, led the Audit Committee, created two new policies on Harassment and Whistle-blowing, and updated the contracts policy besides my normal duties as Board Secretary), I am so proud to have been part of establishing a Military Mentoring Program for PMI Atlanta. While it’s just in its infancy stage, the opportunity to spend time brainstorming with former service members, hearing some of their history with my head spinning from their military jargon, was such an honor and an incredible experience. I’ve always been so proud of my brother (West Point grad) and have a deep love for our country so this project was near and very dear to my heart!

2. How did you become interested in the project management profession?
My transformation to project manager occurred 20 years ago while employed by a software company starting as a trainer → software consultant (implementer) → business analyst → project manager. Now that I’m an IT Project Lead at Colonial Pipeline Company, that transformation helps me see things from different perspectives which enables using the Platinum Rule (“Treat others as they want to be treated”).

3. Are there any project management resources you find particularly helpful?
Yes! People…other project managers, both before and after I got my PMP certification. They helped set my strategy to study and pass the exam. I’ve met some wonderful folks who will remain friends long after my term on the Board ends. Additionally Atlanta is the 3rd largest chapter globally and is a great knowledge base, offering many opportunities to learn and obtain PDUs.

4. What leisurely activities do you enjoy? Any little known fact that you’d like to share?
I just adore my Bernese Mountain Dogs and currently have two, 90 lbs. Ben who is a Happy Tails Pets Therapy dog (we visit a nursing home two Saturdays/month) and almost 1 year old Belle, who is my 7th Berner. Hobbies include gardening (yes…I mow!), wine and food, flying, relaxing somewhere warm and sunny and spending time with good friends and family.

5. Is there anything else you would like to share about volunteering , PMI Atlanta or your professional experience?
By the end of 2015, I’ll have proudly served PMI Atlanta’s Board for 3.5 years. I was recently appointed to and am really looking forward to starting a 3 years term on PMI Global’s Ethics Review Committee. If you can’t tell by now, I have a passion for volunteering and project management and look forward to serving and volunteering with PMI leaders from all over the world.

"Thank you PMI Atlanta for the opportunity to serve on the Board and allowing me to grow both personally and professionally. I thank and congratulate 2015 Chair Laura Davidson for her dedication and leadership and look forward to an exciting new year for the Chapter under 2016 Chair Lydia James!"