Meeting/Event Information

No Blueprint, No Problem: Navigating Ambiguity and Driving Results

Change is often disruptive, yet it is essential for organizations to move forward. Delivering results without a clear blueprint is a challenge that both novice and experienced project managers frequently face. In this session, we will explore strategies to succeed in such environments, drawing lessons from two transformational initiatives in the Energy and Technology sectors.

We will focus on two dimensions of the PMI Talent Triangle—Business Acumen and Power Skills—which were instrumental in driving project success. At one of the world’s largest oil companies, leading a project in a male-dominated manufacturing environment required building trust, coaching operators through technological change, and strengthening engagement under pressure. At a leading U.S. tech marketplace, launching a new business vertical involved translating complex regulatory and operational concepts into a compelling strategy that secured C-suite sponsorship and alignment across cross-functional teams.

Speaker Biography:
Natalia Ariza is a strategy and program management leader with over a decade of experience driving cross-functional initiatives at organizations such as Walmart, Uber, ExxonMobil, and the University of Miami. She specializes in building new businesses from the ground up, designing scalable processes, and guiding teams through complex operational challenges. At Walmart Marketplace, she led the strategy for a new business vertical aimed at bringing small retailers onto the platform, collaborating closely with finance, legal, engineering, and compliance teams.

Passionate about leadership development, Natalia has delivered training and spoken at organizations including Kayak and the Aspire Institute. She holds an MBA from Yale University and a degree in Industrial Engineering from Florida State University, and has earned multiple honors, including Walmart’s Making a Difference Award and ExxonMobil’s Global Process Planning Award.

Originally from Colombia and raised in Miami, Natalia enjoys soccer and traveling throughout Latin America.

Attendees will earn 1 PDU. Don’t miss this opportunity—register now and join us for an engaging and insightful session. We’re excited to see you there!