Event Calendar

In today's fast-paced entrepreneurial world, stepping up from a Project Manager (PM) to becoming the CEO of your own business represents a significant and exhilarating leap. This session is crafted to serve as an essential guide for PMs eager to venture into founding and leading their own companies, providing actionable insights and tactics for this momentous transformation.

We will explore the critical differences between managing projects and steering a company, underscoring the evolution of skills, perspective, and duties. Key focuses will include mastering strategic thinking, making high-stakes decisions, understanding financial underpinnings, and leading expansive and varied teams effectively.

Additionally, we will examine the crucial impact of personal branding and networking during this transition, as well as the value of mentorship and perpetual learning in an entrepreneurial journey. Attendees will benefit from real-world case studies of successful PM to CEO transitions, highlighting the hurdles encountered and strategies implemented.

This session is more than a story of change; it's an empowering resource for PMs ready to expand their vision. It's crafted to motivate, direct, and prime future business founders, empowering them with the acumen and confidence to traverse the journey from project management to the pinnacle of business ownership.

Objectives:

Entrepreneurial Strategy and Vision Development: Teach PMs to cultivate a CEO's visionary perspective, including how to develop and implement a long-term strategic vision for a company and how to effectively communicate this vision to stakeholders and teams to drive business growth.

Transitioning Skill Sets: Equip PMs with the knowledge to transition their project management skills to the broader and more strategic skill set required of a CEO, including strategic thinking, decision-making, and financial management.

Leadership and Team Management: Guide PMs in the art of leading and managing large and diverse teams, emphasizing how to inspire and direct teams toward shared business goals as a CEO.

Personal Branding and Networking: Highlight the importance of personal branding and networking in the transition from PM to CEO, offering strategies for building and maintaining a strong professional network.

Continuous Learning and Mentorship: Stress the significance of continual personal and professional development through mentorship, learning, and adaptation to remain relevant and effective in the CEO role.

Practical Insights through Case Studies: Provide attendees with actionable insights and lessons learned from real-world case studies of successful PM to CEO transitions, outlining the challenges faced and strategies employed to overcome them.

Speaker Profile:

Takesha McClane-Tsamis, MBA, CAPM, PMP, CPPL, is a distinguished CEO with a robust background in project management and business consulting. Transitioning from a project manager to a visionary business leader, she offers a rich repository of knowledge and lived experiences. Recognized for her project management acumen, leadership prowess, and IT project consultancy, Takesha is a venerated personality committed to guiding and energizing the forthcoming wave of business trailblazers.

Speaker Biography:

Background: Takesha McClane-Tsamis MBA CAPM PMP CPPL, with roots in Plymouth, Indiana, combines the essence of American business prowess with a strong local heritage and an expansive global perspective. Her connection to Indiana remains an integral part of her identity, reflecting a profound journey in business and leadership which also includes a key role, as a Project Manager, at the Illinois Tollway.

Career Path: Takesha's career is marked by a series of leadership positions that have placed her at the vanguard of business innovation and strategic management. Serving as the CEO of GS1 Consulting, she has earned a reputation for impeccable service and growth-oriented strategies. Her academic pursuits, earning a Bachelor's degree from IUSB and an MBA from Columbia Southern University, along with her certifications from the Project Management Institute, reveal a commitment to lifelong learning and excellence. Her professional repertoire has further expanded with her current position at the Illinois Tollway, where she continues to apply her expertise in project management and strategic leadership.

Current Role at GS1 Consulting: As CEO, Takesha directs GS1 Consulting with an eye toward strategic growth and operational excellence, ensuring that the company's trajectory aligns with her vision of success. Her leadership is integral in fostering a culture of inclusivity and community involvement, propelling GS1 Consulting to prominence in the business consulting industry.

Role at the Illinois Tollway: In her current role as a Project Manager for the Illinois Tollway, Takesha brings her extensive experience in leadership and strategic planning. She plays a significant role in the organization, contributing to its mission of providing a safe and efficient system of highways while maintaining a commitment to sustainability and innovation.

Personal Life: Making her home in South Bend, Indiana, Takesha enjoys a rich personal life as a spouse and mother of two. Her ability to balance the rigors of leadership with family life is a testament to her adeptness at managing complex roles and responsibilities, both at GS1 Consulting and the Illinois Tollway.

Contribution to GS1 Consulting and the Illinois Tollway: Takesha McClane-Tsamis is a pillar in both the consulting industry and at the Illinois Tollway, known for her dynamic leadership and progressive thinking. Her Indiana roots and experiences from travel and education have significantly influenced GS1 Consulting’s growth. Simultaneously, her contributions to the Illinois Tollway demonstrate her versatility and impact across different facets of the infrastructure and transportation sector.