April 02 2026 at 12:00PM
Women Leading in Projects, Strategy, and Technology: An International Women's Day 2026 Chapter Mixer
PMI Manitoba celebrated International Women’s Day on March 11th 2026 with a high-impact panel event at the historic Saddlery on Market. The evening brought together the local project management community to discuss the strategic influence of women in tech-driven industries and the evolving nature of leadership in Manitoba.
The event featured an esteemed panel of Winnipeg’s professional leaders:
- Sandra Rydz, Director, Consulting Services at Paradigm Consulting Group
- Karin Eunson-Ross, Manager, Service & Infrastructure Innovation at City of Winnipeg
- Tharim Sanchez, Practice Lead, Project & Business Transformation at Informanix Technology Group
- Rizzie Enriquez, Senior Project Manager at Informanix Technology Group
- Natalya Petrekin, Board Member and Director of Memberships at PMI Manitoba
(Moderator & Speaker)
The Evolution from Mentorship to Sponsorship
A primary focus of the evening was the critical distinction between being a mentor and being a sponsor. While mentorship provides a safe space for advice and coaching, the panel challenged the audience to move toward Sponsorship. This involves an active use of political capital to advocate for a colleague when they are not in the room. For women to bridge the gap into executive strategy and technology roles, the community must prioritize "saying someone’s name" in high-level discussions to champion their performance and potential.
Navigating Stakeholder Resistance as Data
The discussion reframed stakeholder pushback not as a hurdle or a sign of disrespect, but as a vital form of Data. The panelists shared strategies on using curiosity to uncover the root causes of friction. By listening for "what isn't being said," project leaders can address underlying concerns and provide clear success criteria. This approach allows the Project Manager to remain the "calm video" for the project, maintaining composure even when the environment is high-pressure.
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Overcoming Internal Barriers and Negotiating Value
In a raw discussion on Imposter Syndrome, the consensus was that action is the only cure for doubt. The panel highlighted that leadership often requires stepping into uncomfortable spaces despite internal uncertainty.
Own Your Visibility: Don't assume hard work will speak for itself; making your results visible is a professional responsibility.
Negotiate the Whole Package: Move beyond just "salary" to negotiate for training budgets, vacation time, and the flexibility needed for sustainable leadership.
Lead with Authenticity: Avoid self-diminishing language like "I'm just a scheduler." Embracing a unique leadership style is far more effective than trying to mimic others.
Community and Atmosphere: A "Village of Influence"
The atmosphere at Saddlery on Market was one of profound collaboration and high energy. The networking mixer allowed for a rare intersection of seasoned executives, public sector innovators, and emerging students. There was a visible sense of community as attendees shared local industry challenges and celebrated the progress of women in Winnipeg’s tech landscape. The Q&A session reflected a community eager to move beyond traditional roles, seeking authentic ways to lead without compromising their unique personalities.
Strategic Advice for the Next Generation
To close the evening, the panelists provided rapid-fire advice for emerging professionals looking to make their mark in Manitoba:
Stop Self-Doubt: You have the credentials and the training; now take the space you have earned.
Make Visibility Your Responsibility: No one will notice your hard work if you stay hidden in the "weeds" of the project. Proactively share your impact.
Negotiate the Package: Don't just look at the salary. Consider the value of vacation, training budgets, and flexibility.
Be Unapologetically You: Trying to be someone else is exhausting. Authenticity is your most sustainable leadership strategy.
The Most Powerful Learning of the Day
The most resonant takeaway from the event was that visibility is a professional responsibility. Hard work does not always speak for itself; project leaders must take ownership of their own narrative and results. By stepping out of the background and proactively sharing successes, professionals can dismantle the cycle of imposter syndrome and inspire the next cohort of leaders to do the same.
PMI Manitoba is proud to co-host conversations that elevate the profession and strengthen our project community. We look forward to continuing these thought-provoking discussions in future events.
For more snapshots, click this LINK.
Article written by Melissa Cho, Content and Acquisition Editor, News Desk, PMI Manitoba
Photos by Seun Adeleye - PMI Manitoba
Videos by Mok Arda of Arda Films
Interested in contributing your insights, stories, or project management news from across Manitoba? We welcome voices from our professional community. Reach out to vpoperations@pmimanitoba.org OR newsdesk@pmimanitoba.org to be part of the conversation.
