Manage This - The Project Management Podcast Episode 235 – Project Managers Without Borders: Turning Projects Into Purpose
Oct 20, 2025
Deanna Landers, founder of Project Managers Without Borders and a seasoned PMI leader, reveals how project management can inspire hope through humanitarian initiatives. She shares her journey of starting PMWB, the organization's integration with PMI, and the importance of applying corporate skills to nonprofit contexts. Deanna highlights the transformative impact of volunteers on NGOs, focusing on projects like clean water access. The conversation emphasizes cultural sensitivity, redefining success in humanitarian projects, and finding balance between personal and volunteer commitments.
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Living A Project On A Sailboat
- Deanna lived aboard a catamaran and cruised the California coast, Baja and the Sea of Cortez for two years.
- She treated the voyage like a complex project with risk logs, consultants and extensive logistics preparation.
Project Management Scales Humanitarian Impact
- Deanna realized project management skills can scale volunteer impact beyond individual efforts.
- She believed PM practices could make humanitarian work more efficient and sustainable.
Early Focus On Water And Sanitation
- PMWB initially focused on clean water and sanitation aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Projects ranged from Andean irrigation to Puerto Rico hurricane water restoration.