PMI Atlanta is pleased to announce June's Volunteer of the Month – congratulations, Donya Sabaghi!!!
For the past several years Donya has served on the Industry Forums Committee for the PMI Atlanta Chapter. She has served as the Operations Manager for the Agile Forum where she zealously and seamlessly organized two years of successful events. She has been a steadfast and invaluable volunteer who helped with the forum during several job transitions, and as a result, one of her roles were 
actually found through the forum. Her previous success has led to her taking on the new challenge of Program Manager for the Agile forum. Undoubtedly, with such a laser like focus on engagement, she'll continue leading the Agile Forum to be successful and efficacious for the PMI Atlanta Chapter.
Moving forward, Donya looks to help as many project managers as possible learn more about and better understand Agile methodologies. She's a current Scrum Master with a passion for learning and "CANI", Constant And Never-Ending Improvement. So much so that she's currently studying and pursuing the PMI-ACP certification. A true consummate professional striving to grow and gain more knowledge so she can then provide valuable knowledge transfer to the members of our PMI Atlanta Chapter, how outstanding and altruistic is that.
Although Donya loves leading all things project management in the corporate world, in her leisure time she enjoys leading an active and healthy lifestyle. She achieves this by hiking, working out and her new hobby of choice, bike riding. In addition to being active she's also a bit of a "foodie", she loves food and enjoys cooking and trying out new cultural dishes. Donya's vast knowledge, passion for learning, knowledge transfer and éclat of volunteering with PMI Atlanta are all the qualities and then some that comprise this month’s “Exemplary" VOM".
Read and learn more about Donya below and what she enjoys about volunteering for PMI Atlanta.
1. What has been your favorite or most rewarding volunteer experience with PMI Atlanta?
It’s difficult to narrow this down to just one rewarding experience as volunteering with PMI Atlanta has overall been an amazing experience for me, not only on a professional level but also on a personal level. As the program manager of the Agile forum, everything surrounding the events from planning to finding speakers to logistics and most importantly seeing it all come together the day of the event is such a thrill and a rewarding experience for all parties involved. Through my tenure at PMI, I would have to say that I have met some of the most incredible people, this includes the members, speakers, sponsors and all the volunteers who work tirelessly to make the monthly events a success. The volunteers work hard to ensure the most value is gained out of each and every event. I would like to thank Karen Powell, Lakisia Jones, Marie Shanks, Lily, Maggie Zhang, Douglas McCroskey for their all their efforts in helping with the Agile Forum and always looking for new ways to improve. There is a sense of community/culture within PMI Atlanta. To know, grow and be a part of the project management profession and as it shifts to Agile has been a wonderful experience and I am thankful to have been given the opportunity to be a part of it all.
2. What would you like to accomplish during your volunteer tenure?
The PMI Agile community is growing in Atlanta. More and more organizations are adapting to this new mindset and framework in their day to day. My goal has been to help project managers who are interested in learning more about Agile to not only have a better understanding of what Agile is but also to take a leap and make it an enjoyable journey. I also enjoy connecting people where I can as networking is crucial to growing.
3. How did you become interested in the project management profession?
I’ve always had an interest in project management, particularly how it pertains to Agile Methodologies. Through volunteering with PMI, l have learned more about the different areas of studies and where I can stand to grow. I am currently in the process of studying for the PMI-ACP and am really looking forward to further expand my knowledge and practices.
4. What leisurely activities do you enjoy? Any little known fact that you’d like to share?
I like to stay active any chance I get by going on hikes, working out and most recently riding my bike. I also love food! I enjoy cooking and like to trying out new cultural dishes. In my spare time, I try to stay current on Agile related topics online so I can continue learning and growing where I can. As a Scrum Master, I find importance in looking for ways to improve ourselves and the methods in which we use to interact.
5. Is there anything else you would like to share about volunteering, PMI Atlanta, or your professional experience.
My background is about 9 years of software development ranging from small to large organizations. I’ve played many roles such as QA, BA and PO and now a Scrum Master at Manheim. I find joy building strong teams and building high quality software that exceeds business expectations.