Ceyda Uner

Director of Social Impact Outreach

Bio and Motivation

I am a project management professional with a technology background and experience in coordinating projects across various sectors. Over the years, I’ve worked with diverse stakeholders and cross-functional teams, focusing on initiatives that rely on solid organization and clear communication. Outside of my day-to-day professional work, I’ve always been drawn to projects where project management practices can be used to create real value beyond just business results.

I’m especially interested in bringing this expertise to nonprofits, community projects, and educational activities. I believe that applying professional project management can make social impact work much more effective and sustainable, while giving PMI members a chance to grow through meaningful volunteer work.

Motivation for the Role,Director of Social Impact Outreach 

The reason I’m applying for the Director of Social Impact Outreach role is that it sits right at the intersection of my professional skills and personal values. I believe that what we do as project managers can have a huge impact when applied to nonprofits and youth education. This role feels like the perfect way to bridge the gap between our members skills and the initiatives that need them most.

In this role, my focus would be on coordinating volunteer efforts and building stronger ties with local nonprofit organizations. I want to help create outreach activities that are not only visible and engaging but also well-organized and impactful. My goal is to make it easier for PMI members to get involved in community projects where they can use their skills for a good cause.

Cinthia Barrientos

Director of Finance / Treasurer

Bio and Motivaton

I am a PMP®-certified Project Manager and PMO leader with over 13 years of experience leading large-scale transformation, post-merger integration, and enterprise-wide initiatives in global organizations. I specialize in PMO governance, portfolio management, change management, and digital transformation, with strong expertise in cross-functional leadership, stakeholder engagement, risk and compliance, and operational excellence. I began my career in Mexico and have been working in Finland for the past seven years, delivering complex, multi-country programs and enabling organizations to scale, standardize ways of working, and drive measurable business outcomes.

Beyond my professional role, I serve on the Board of PMI Finland, where I focus on social impact and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives. I am also an active contributor to the Agile HR Community, supporting organizations in adopting agile, people-centric practices and building more adaptive, inclusive ways of working.

I am motivated to apply for a board position at PMI Finland as Treasurer and Social Impact Leader, bringing a strong combination of financial acumen, governance experience, and a deep commitment to creating positive societal impact. With over 13 years of experience leading complex, multi-country initiatives, managing large budgets, and strengthening PMO governance, I have developed a solid foundation in financial oversight, risk management, transparency, and strategic decision-making. My professional background has equipped me to responsibly manage budgets, ensure financial sustainability, and support the Board in aligning financial priorities with PMI Finland’s strategic goals.

In parallel, I am deeply passionate about social impact, inclusion, and community engagement. As a current Board Member responsible for Outreach and Social Impact, I have actively led initiatives that connect project management expertise with NGOs, non-profits, and community-driven programs, while advancing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion efforts. I believe PMI has a unique opportunity to amplify its societal contribution by empowering professionals to use their skills for good. Through this role, I aim to further strengthen PMI Finland’s social footprint, foster meaningful partnerships, and ensure that both financial stewardship and social impact go hand in hand to create long-term value for our members and society.

Elnaz Dehghani

Director of Academic Outreach

Bio and Motivaton

I am a business and project management professional with over seven years of experience spanning marketing, project coordination, and organizational transformation initiatives. My background includes hands-on involvement in implementing Business Process Management Systems (BPMS), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and Business Intelligence solutions within corporate environments. Throughout my career, I have consistently sought roles that allow me to organize complex initiatives, guide stakeholders toward shared goals, and create value through structured planning and effective communication.

In parallel with my professional career, I have pursued continuous academic and professional development. I hold master of International Business Management also certifications in PMP, and Agile methodologies, equipping me with a strong foundation in structured project delivery and adaptive management. Currently, I serve as Director of Academic Outreach at the PMI Finland Chapter, where I lead university collaborations, design mentoring programs, and manage outreach initiatives that bridge academia and industry at an international level.

I am motivated to volunteer with PMI because it represents a global community committed to advancing the project management profession through knowledge sharing, ethical leadership, and professional development. As a certified project management professional with hands-on experience across traditional and agile methodologies, I strongly believe in PMI’s mission to elevate standards and create meaningful impact for practitioners, organizations, and society. Volunteering allows me to contribute my expertise while remaining actively engaged with evolving best practices and global professional discourse.

Additionally, PMI volunteering provides a unique platform to bridge academia, industry, and emerging professionals—an area where I have demonstrated sustained commitment. Through my involvement in academic outreach, mentoring, and community-building initiatives, I have seen firsthand how PMI can shape future project managers and strengthen professional ecosystems. I am eager to continue supporting PMI by contributing to volunteer teams, knowledge initiatives, and member engagement activities that foster collaboration, inclusivity, and long-term value for the PMI community.

Joel Cardenas

Director of Special Projects

Bio and Motivaton

I am an R&D Manager with extensive experience leading innovation, product development, and cross-functional collaboration within the elevator and doors industry. Over the years, I have worked in roles linked to product ownership, technology development, and global stakeholder alignment, with a strong focus on delivering value, improving quality, and driving strategic transformation. My background in engineering and product leadership has enabled me to guide teams through complex challenges while fostering an environment of continuous learning, transparency, and customer-centric development.

Throughout my career, I have been involved in initiatives that connect people, technology, and organizational growth. I enjoy developing high-performing teams, refining processes, and contributing to communities that improves professional standards. Working with diverse teams across regions has strengthened my belief in the impact of structured project management, collaborative decision-making, and volunteer-driven communities — values strongly aligned with PMI’s mission.

I would like to continue serving on the PMI Finland Board to further contribute to the growth, visibility, and maturity of the project management profession in Finland. Being part of the Board has been a rewarding experience, and I remain highly motivated to support a community from which I have personally benefited and to which I am committed. PMI plays a critical role in equipping professionals with the tools, mindset, and network needed for successful project execution — especially in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape. As a continuing Board member, my goal is to help strengthen member engagement, expand professional development opportunities, and foster deeper collaboration across industries.

I bring hands-on experience, strategic thinking, and a genuine commitment to volunteer service. Continuing my work on the Board will allow me to build on the progress already made, contribute even more effectively, and keep growing as a leader and practitioner within the PMI community.

Jose Perumalil

Director of Special Projects

Bio and Motivation

I am a project management professional with over 16 years of international experience delivering complex transformation and digital initiatives across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. I have led cross-functional teams and managed large-scale initiatives in diverse multicultural environments, working closely with business and technology stakeholders. I recently relocated to Finland and live in Lappeenranta, where I am eager to contribute actively to the PMI Finland community.

Throughout my career, I have focused on collaboration, practical delivery, and continuous improvement. I bring a global perspective, strong relationship-building skills, and a genuine interest in supporting initiatives that connect PMI members and strengthen the project management profession in Finland. From the available Board

My motivation to work as Director of Special Projects is to help PMI Finland develop practical, people-focused initiatives that increase member engagement and long-term value. I see this role as a way to test new ideas through short, focused projects, gather member feedback, and support initiatives that can be expanded across the Chapter. My approach would start by building stronger connections with existing members and encouraging more active participation in PMI Finland activities.

As engagement grows, members can connect through small focus groups based on industry areas or local regions, supporting closer interaction and knowledge sharing. Active members can then contribute through working groups linked to Board roles and take part in a practical leadership development initiative. This approach helps develop future PMI leaders and builds a sustainable pipeline of engaged volunteers for PMI Finland over the next two to five years.

Omar Uppal

Director of Volunteering & Membership

Bio and Motivation

I am a PMP-certified (since March 2009) project and program management professional with over 20 years of experience delivering complex initiatives in global, technology-driven environments. I spent 12 years at Ericsson in roles such as Customer Project Manager and Solution Architect, leading end-to-end mobile broadband and rollout projects in close collaboration with customers, vendors, and cross-functional teams. This experience built a strong foundation in governance, structured delivery, and stakeholder alignment—core principles of professional project management.

Currently, I work in a senior leadership role at PLC Group focused on quality, reliability, and organizational excellence, where I establish company-wide processes, documentation standards, and ways of working. I have led initiatives to improve operational maturity, including building structured documentation frameworks and driving ISO 27001 and ISO 9001 certification programs. Previously, as Senior Program Manager at Veeve, I led multiple programs in hardware and software development and delivery domains, built and scaled a development organization from 3 to 40 people, managed multiple agile teams in parallel, and delivered live technology deployments in the United States. Across my career, I have focused on enabling people, creating clarity through processes, and supporting sustainable, high-quality delivery.

I am motivated to join the PMI Finland Chapter Board because I strongly believe that an active, welcoming, and well-supported volunteer community is the foundation of a successful chapter. Throughout my career, I have benefited from structured professional communities and shared learning, and I see volunteering as a way to give back in a meaningful and sustainable manner. The Director of Volunteering and Membership role particularly resonates with me, as it focuses on people—helping members feel connected, valued, and encouraged to contribute. I am motivated by the opportunity to strengthen engagement, support collaboration, and ensure that volunteering at PMI Finland is a positive and rewarding experience.

I believe I am well suited for this role due to my extensive experience in building teams, establishing clear processes, and supporting people through change and growth. In my professional roles, I have improved onboarding, clarified roles and responsibilities, and created documentation and frameworks that help individuals succeed in their work. I have led initiatives focused on operational maturity, quality, and continuous improvement, including ISO 27001 and ISO 9001 programs. These experiences enable me to contribute practical improvements to volunteer onboarding, role clarity, and engagement practices. I bring a calm, collaborative leadership style and a strong commitment to listening and working together to strengthen PMI Finland’s volunteer and membership experience.

Tam Abaku

Secretary/Director of Governance

Bio and Motivation

I am a Chartered Secretary certified by the Institute of Corporate Governance, currently pursuing a PhD in Global Governance. My academic foundation includes specialized studies in eGovernance and Innovation from three prestigious European universities, complemented by over a decade of leadership experience spanning diverse sectors—finance, oil & gas, public sector, and NGOs—with deep expertise in digital transformation and governance consulting.

As Secretary and Director of Governance on the PMI-Finland Board (2024-2025), I have led critical initiatives including our Chapter's successful transition to the new PMI Membership model—negotiating extended preparation time and reduced retention fees with PMI Global. I have represented our Chapter internationally, presenting at the PMI Global Summit Series in Barcelona (April 2025), and successfully attracted practitioners from neighboring countries without local PMI Chapters to join our membership base.

I am seeking re-election because my first term has equipped me with deep operational knowledge of our Chapter's unique challenges and PMI's global ecosystem. The membership transition demonstrated how strategic negotiation and project management competencies directly serve member interests—securing better terms required understanding both our Chapter's needs and PMI's constraints. This institutional knowledge, combined with my governance expertise, positions me to deliver immediate value rather than requiring an onboarding period.

If re-elected, I will continue my collaborative, problem-solving approach focused on two strategic priorities: expanding our membership reach by leveraging Finland's position to attract Nordic practitioners without local Chapters, and elevating our Chapter's visibility within the global PMI network through active international representation. Our members deserve Board members who combine governance expertise with proven results—I offer both.