Marie Spark

About Marie Spark

WE ARE ALL PROJECT MANAGERS!I believe that everyone is a project manager as we navigate life. To be a successful project manager, you just need to tap into that part of yourself. I\'m an \"accidental project manager\" myself, who started out as an aspiring journalist and ended up with several major career changes, first as an IT/banking project manager, and now as an educator, mentor, coach and public speaker.WHOEVER YOU ARE… I CAN HELP!I have worked with people from all walks of life, from all phases of their careers- From students to retirees- From many backgrounds - veterans, engineers, designers and more- Within many industries - bio pharma, legal, banking, non-profits, tech and more.There is room for EVERYONE within project management. You just have to find your way.PUBLIC SPEAKINGFrequent speaker to PMI and other professional organizations- PM Career Trends & Branding. How are PM career paths changing with AI, Agile and more. How to market yourself- Project Management 101. Can tailor to specific groups (legal, veterans, etc)- How to supercharge your meetings. Learn great facilitation techniques for all types of meetings (in-person, virtual & hybrid)TRAINING/EDUCATION- All modalities (in-person, virtual, hybrid)- Graduate/college level project management courses- Certification boot camps- Webinars- Instructional designVIRTUAL FACILITATION- Highly expert at creating engaging virtual sessions- Say goodbye to “death by PowerPoint.” - Utilize interactive exercises and tools to make learning fun- Meeting facilitation - Through PMI SF chapter, have built a 300+ person member community with monthly discussion-based virtual meetings. Everyone loves them, because everyone has a say! The secret? Techniques and a whole lot of practice!COACHING- Founder of the PMI SF Job Search Group Have leveraged my experience as a career changer, professional PM and educator of adult learners to help others. HIGHER EDUCATION - PROGRAM DIRECTOR & ACADEMICSI am not just a teacher. So much more- Recruiting, hiring, and managing adjunct instructors- Building and redesigning curriculum/academic programs- Program marketing/outreach- Instructional design and LMS (learning management platform experience)- Program reporting/accreditation: Familiar with accreditation review process. Completed 5-year program review- Systems experience: Ellucian Colleague (Records), curriculum management software, Moodle (LMS)

Experience

1. Pmi - San Francisco Bay Area Chapter

   Aug 2024 — Present

   Provide guidance to PMI SF Operations on strategies, programs and partnerships to attract and retain students and younger professionals. Coach/mentor to chapter volunteers.

Education

• University of California, Berkeley

  BA

• University of Arizona, Eller College of Management

  MBA

Skills

• Business Process Improvement
• Recruiting
• Business Coaching
• Sdlc
• Niku Clarity
• Change Management
• Banking
• Jmp
• Events Coordination
• Microsoft Excel
• Powerpoint
• Six Sigma
• Process Improvement
• Public Speaking
• Toastmasters
• Minitab
• Business Process
• Management
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Start-Ups
• Training Delivery
• Software Project Management
• Pmo
• Pmp
• Leadership
• Team Leadership
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Coaching
• Training
• Sharepoint
• Project Management
• Project Planning