PMI MN Recognizes Volunteers for their Service
The PMI MN Volunteer of the Month Award recognizes PMI MN members who exhibit leadership, dedication, initiative, and whose multiple accomplishments in their area(s) of volunteerism, on behalf of PMI MN, contribute a high level of impact to the Minnesota Chapter of the Project Management Institute.
To nominate an outstanding PMI MN Volunteer, submit a Volunteer of the Month nomination!
2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019
If you currently volunteer with PMI MN, chances are you've had the opportunity to work with Maggie. She has been on the Volunteer Services Committee for almost two years, serving as Chair for most of that time! She’s worked to create an easier and more streamlined volunteer interest and onboarding process and has spent 10-15 hours a week working with interested volunteers from the very start of their interest all the way through placing them on a committee. She attends many of the chapter events to give potential volunteers a point of contact for any questions or concerns they have and help them through the application process.
The PMI MN Chapter is honored to present Maggie Pittelko as our January 2025 Volunteer of the Month.
Maggie is a true leader, making herself available not only to her committee, but to other committees and all volunteers as well. She always gives 100% to everything she takes on, she makes everyone around her feel important and included, and her positive, can-do attitude has been an inspiration to her whole team. She is an outstanding volunteer for the chapter and we've been lucky to have her on our team.
Thank you, Maggie , for all that you have done for PMI MN !!!
The PMI MN Chapter is honored to present Leah Baack-Lohman​ as our February 2025 Volunteer of the Month.
I am nominating Leah Baack-Lohman for her exceptional contributions to the Nominations Committee. She has gone above and beyond by organizing and streamlining content on SharePoint, bringing fresh ideas to move the committee forward, and maintaining a schedule that kept tasks on track. Leah’s positive attitude and collaborative approach have been invaluable, ensuring the committee achieves its goals.
Thank you, Leah , for all that you have done for PMI MN !!!
The PMI MN Chapter is honored to present Hailey Lewis as our March 2025 Volunteer of the Month.
I'm nominating Hailey because she has done so much great work getting the marketing side for PMI MN organized the past few months and contributes many new ideas. She is a hard worker and makes sure she is supporting all the committees where she can.
Thank you, Hailey , for all that you have done for PMI MN !!!
The PMI MN Chapter is honored to present Brad Prins as our April 2025 Volunteer of the Month.
"The Volunteer Services Committee would like to nominate Brad Prins as April's Volunteer of the Month!"
I am nominating Brad Prins for his willingness to take on new challenges and to adapt. Brad has been a member of the IT Team for ~2yrs and has always approached things with a positive attitude and willingness to dig in. Most recently, Brad has accepted the Co-Chair position for the IT Team and again has rose to the challenge and dug in.
Thank you, Brad, for all you do for PMI Minnesota!
The PMI MN Chapter is honored to present Kerstin DePauw as our June 2025 Volunteer of the Month.
I want to nominate Kerstin as the volunteer of the month. Kerstin, since taking on a volunteer role and joining the chapter has championed several initiatives and processes to streamline how we work with our existing and prospective sponsors. Kerstin is very committed to the project management community and chapter as a whole. She is constantly looking at opportunities to bridge any gaps around communication of benefits to our sponsor. She has successfully worked with sponsors to execute several contracts and initiate new ones. She is very great to work with and have an attitude to follow through on major tasks. Thank you Kerstin for all you do for the chapter. The sponsorship committee is glad to have you as a member of their team.
We as the Volunteer Committee believe Kerstin DePauw is truly deserving of our recognition!
Thank you, Kerstin, for all you do for PMI Minnesota!
The PMI MN Chapter is honored to present Nancy Mwaura as our July 2025 Volunteer of the Month.
Nancy Mwaura, is a servant leader and experienced Project Management Professional known for bringing clarity, structure, and heart to complex work. With a background in project and operational management, she empowers purposeful progress across people, systems, and communities through a collaborative and equity-centered approach.
As Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee for PMI Minnesota, Nancy is leading high-impact initiatives that foster belonging, encourage cross-committee collaboration, and embed inclusive practices into chapter operations. Her leadership reflects a strong commitment to building spaces where professionals of all backgrounds feel seen, valued, and equipped to lead.
Grounded in both strategic vision and a people-first mindset, Nancy is dedicated to serving initiatives that strengthen organizations, cultivate inclusive cultures, and drive meaningful community engagement. She believes teamwork is everything and credits the DEI Committee’s success to the commitment, creativity, and collaboration of every member involved.
We as the Volunteer Committee believe Nancy Mwaura is truly deserving of our recognition!
Thank you, Nancy, for all you do for PMI Minnesota!
The PMI MN Chapter is honored to present Amy Jones as our August 2025 Volunteer of the Month.
Amy has done an amazing job in planning, organizing, and helping the marketing committee and other committee leaders be successful. From planning and initiating the 2025 Summer Family Picnic along with activities in developing risk assessment within her marketing responsibilities. Amy along with others within the MN chapter provided insights to help make this event a success. A success that brings unique talents to our cross-functional team while planning and executing the event to a seamless process. This event was a great time for members, other potential new members and family to interact in a casual setting while enjoying food & beverages provided by the PMI-MN chapter. She has inspired others to help make this an annual event into the future.
We as the Volunteer Committee believe Amy Jones is truly deserving of our recognition!
Thank you, Amy, for all you do for PMI Minnesota!
The PMI MN Chapter is honored to present Hannah DeFranco as our September 2025 Volunteer of the Month.
Hannah has demonstrated an amazing job in organizing, communication, and leadership within our PMI-MN Chapter. Initiating and sustaining relationships is a valuable commitment within the profession and the Professional Development Days. Hannah has shown joy in this work! As well as creating synergy with the amount of planning it takes with other committees and leaders within the State of Minnesota. Her dedication and understanding of life in and out of work with friends and other colleagues has brought a unique value in participation. Along with creating a desire in being a part of the Professional Development Days into the future.
We as the Volunteer Committee believe Hannah DeFranco is truly deserving of our recognition!
Thank you, Hannah, for all you do for PMI Minnesota!
The PMI MN Chapter is honored to present Melissa Sprenger as our October 2025 Volunteer of the Month.
Melissa's leadership, enthusiasm, and commitment to the programming committee has been serving our PMI Mn chapter with clarity and kindness. She has been incredibly helpful in sharing knowledge while providing guidance and producing multiple event successes. This success has been consistently demonstrated through Melissas organization and willingness to collaborate with other committees. The committees within the PMI Mn chapter and surrounding communities have enjoyed her willingness to share strategic ideas. These ideas have connected to the broader needs of our members along with the overall goals of the PMI Mn chapter.
We as the Volunteer Committee believe Melissa Sprenger is truly deserving of our recognition!
Thank you, Melissa, for all you do for PMI Minnesota!
The PMI MN Chapter is honored to present Anaya Twum as our November 2025 Volunteer of the Month.
Anaya's leadership with our PMI Mn chapter has been led by a unique kind personality that has helped lead a successful Study Hall for volunteers in September for the Professional Management (PMP) Certification. She has been organizing, planning and providing guidance along with many other professionals for the continuing education of the management profession. Her willingness within our PMI Mn chapter to make volunteers feel welcomed and encouraged while having the right information in hand within their journey towards learning has been enjoyable to see.
We as the Volunteer Committee believe Anaya Twum is truly deserving of our recognition!
Thank you, Anaya, for all you do for PMI Minnesota!
The PMI MN Chapter is honored to present Nathan Ogren as our December 2025 Volunteer of the Month.
Nathans leadership with our PMI Mn chapter in 2025 has demonstrated a consistent dedication to helping other leaders succeed within the sponsorship committee in 2025. He brings a unique ability to enjoy working closely as a team in completing tasks, seeing new volunteers engage, and a willingness to see the overall growth of the management profession with stakeholders.
We as the Volunteer Committee believe Nate Ogren is truly deserving of our recognition!
Thank you, Nate, for all you do for PMI Minnesota!