Paula Haedel, PMP, is currently employed by CGI, a leading IT and business process services provider with 26,000 professionals working in more than 100 offices worldwide. Paula works in the business unit focusing on federal government customers. 

She directs the Small Business Program for CGI Federal and manages the relationships with its small business partners.She became interested in PMI in 2002 while managing a large systems integration project for delivery to a State government and when her customer and other government customers were asking for their contractors to be PMP certified. 

Paula became a PMP in June 2003, and joined PMIWDC shortly after her subsequent relocation to Northern Virginia. Her association with the chapter provided her with opportunities to improve her project management skills and to network with other project management professionals. This aspect of PMI was especially welcome to someone who had just relocated. 

After attending monthly dinner meetings and several PMIWDC workshops, volunteering seemed to be the next logical step. It facilitated her interaction with other professionals at various levels and allowed her to increase her knowledge. 

Paula is also proud to acknowledge that “I was attending the monthly meetings already, and by dedicating just a few more hours per month to PMIWDC, I was able to complete all PDUs needed for my first cycle as a PMP.” 

Paula is currently the lead on the New Member Sub-committee of the Membership Committee. Her committee stands ready to greet new members at each monthly dinner meeting. This year, the committee updated the Chapter brochure, instituted a hosted table at the dinner meetings for first time attendees, and is now updating the Chapter processes related to new members. The committee also reviews the website to make recommendations that will benefit new members. Paula enjoys reading and spending time with her family, especially her four grandchildren, and watching the Game Show Network.