The Digital Project Manager

The entry-level project management job isn’t what it used to be. With AI automating many of the classic coordinator tasks, the ground floor seems to have disappeared—leaving aspiring PMs wondering how to even get started. In this episode, Galen Low sits down with Benjamin Chan, Founder of CLYMB Consulting, to unpack what this shift really means for junior PMs, hiring managers, and the next generation of project leaders.Together, they explore how AI is reshaping the role of the project coordinator, what skills and traits are most valuable in today’s job market, and how organizations can reimagine career paths to make sure talent isn’t left behind. Whether you’re breaking in, hiring, or mentoring, this conversation is full of real-world perspective and actionable ideas for navigating the new career landscape.Resources from this episode:Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Ben on LinkedInCheck out CLYMB Consulting

Experimenting with AI is exciting—but how do you make the leap from tinkering to transforming agency operations at scale? In this conversation, Galen Low brings together Melissa Morris (Agency Authority), Kelly Vega (VML), and Harv Nagra (Scoro) to talk about how agencies can carve out space for experimentation, align AI use to business goals, and actually implement the good ideas that emerge.The panel shares stories of saving hours on PM tasks, setting up accountability frameworks, and creating safe spaces for knowledge-sharing. They also surface the tough stuff—fear of job replacement, cultural resistance, governance challenges—and how to navigate it with clarity and empathy.Resources from this episode:Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Melissa, Kelly, Harv on LinkedInCheck out Agency Authority, VML, Scoro and The Handbook: Agency Ops podcast

When is the right time to hire an AI leader, and what do they actually do once they’re in the door? In this episode, Galen Low sits down with Tim Fisher, VP of AI at Black & White Zebra, to unpack the real-world impact of AI leadership roles. Together they explore the tension between hype and practicality, the mix of skills needed to bridge tech, business, and people, and why AI leadership is less about flashy experiments and more about building trust, change readiness, and operational maturity.Tim shares candid insights from his own path into the role, offering a grounded look at how organizations can approach AI without losing sight of their business goals—or their people. If you’ve ever wondered whether a VP of AI is a made-up job, or how AI leadership can actually smooth project delivery, this conversation is for you.

AI is not eating all the jobs—but the story is more nuanced than the headlines suggest. In this episode, Galen Low sits down with Jim Iyoob (President of ETS Labs, CCO at Etech Global Services) and Manu Dwievedi (AVP at ETS Labs) to cut through the noise around large-scale AI transformation in customer experience. Together, they unpack what’s really happening in call centers worldwide, why AI is more about augmentation than replacement, and how organizations can implement AI without breaking the customer or employee experience.From pragmatic strategies to leadership-level insights, this conversation tackles the real challenges of AI change management: how to start small, get quick wins, and bring people along for the journey. Whether you’re leading a CX transformation or navigating an AI project in any industry, you’ll leave with concrete strategies to make AI work for your team instead of against them.Resources from this episode:Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Jim and Manu on LinkedInCheck out ETS Labs and Etech Global Services

In this insightful discussion, Lior Gerson, Co-founder and CEO of TargetBoard.ai, dives into how AI is transforming KPI management. He emphasizes the importance of aligning metrics with business strategy to drive real impact. They explore moving beyond outdated metrics like velocity and utilization to focus on meaningful data. Gerson tackles the challenges of cultural mismatches and the need for real-time forecasting. The conversation highlights how AI can enhance decision-making and streamline performance reporting.

In this episode, Galen Low sits down with Brian Kessman of Lodestar Agency Consulting to tackle a big question: is AI finally the deathblow to billable hours? Brian argues yes—and not because AI “broke” the model, but because it’s exposed just how misaligned hourly billing has always been with the real value agencies deliver. Instead of rewarding efficiency and innovation, time-based pricing incentivizes dragging things out and commoditizes expertise. The real shift, Brian says, isn’t just about swapping billing methods—it’s about fundamentally rethinking what you sell, how you position it, and how you prove its impact.They dig into the Agency Value Model—a framework for moving from selling time to selling outcomes. Brian explains how to define your best-fit clients, identify their high-value problems, and design structured solutions that command higher prices while delivering measurable impact. Along the way, they unpack how to navigate the “race to the bottom” fueled by AI, nearshoring, and automation; why confidence in your positioning can help you turn away misaligned clients; and how to operationalize repeatable, scalable value delivery without falling back into chaos.Resources from this episode:Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Brian on LinkedInCheck out Lodestar Agency ConsultingValue Model AssessmentAgencies building business models around AI offerings:Go Supergood — an AI-native creative agencySilverside.ai — an AI innovation labSkeptic™ by Known — uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to deploy rapid scientific experimentation and persistent optimizationJellyfish — social media AI agentsMagnolia by Newfangled — is an AI-powered strategic plannerContent Symphony

AI is transforming the creative workflow—but not in the ways we first expected. In this conversation with Galen Low, creative and PM leaders Sara Fisher, Sara Doubleday, and Greg Storey talk through the practical and philosophical implications of AI’s growing role in creative work. This isn’t about flashy tools or end-to-end automation. It’s about realigning how teams work, communicate value, and preserve the human essence in their process.From misinformed client expectations to the strategic reframing of creative outputs, the panel explores how project leaders and creatives can use AI to amplify their strengths rather than replace them. Spoiler: there’s still no shortcut for trust, authenticity, or thoughtful strategy.Resources from this episode:Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Sara Fisher, Sara Doubleday, and Greg Storey on LinkedInCheck out Vye and Seer InteractiveCheck out Greg’s book – “Creative Intelligence: Don’t Ask AI, Think With AI”

Join project management experts Ben Chan, a leadership coach and podcast host, Mackenzie Dysart, a seasoned delivery principal, and Elizabeth Harrin, an award-winning author, as they dive into designing a fulfilling and lucrative PM career. They discuss the impact of certifications and the gender pay gap on salaries while exploring how AI is reshaping the field. The trio offers practical tools for gaining career clarity, embracing personal values, and adapting to industry changes, all while emphasizing the importance of soft skills and continuous learning.

When it comes to getting paid what you’re worth, project managers in 2025 are facing a unique challenge: job switching no longer guarantees a big raise, and most PMs are staying put—even if they feel underpaid. So what now? In this episode, Kelsey Alpaio sits down with Mukhtar Kadiri, Pam Butkowski, and Elaina Martinez to talk real strategies for negotiating a raise where you are—with confidence, clarity, and without burning bridges.You’ll hear honest takes on why PMs feel undercompensated, how the market has shifted, and what leaders actually want to hear in raise conversations. From mapping your invisible impact to understanding company timing cycles and navigating tough “no’s,” this panel brings practical, actionable insights for anyone ready to make the ask—and get results.Resources from this episode:Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Mukhtar, Pam, and Elaina on LinkedInCheck out WorkTipsPro and Horizontal Digital

Navigating job interviews as a project manager can feel like walking through a minefield of unpredictable questions. In this episode of The Retro, Kelsey sits down with Kayla Quijas—a senior PM and certified career coach—to unpack how to tackle curveball questions with poise and purpose. From candy bar hypotheticals to high-stakes stakeholder slip-ups, Kayla shares actionable frameworks that help PMs answer tough questions with clarity, honesty, and a whole lot of confidence.They dive deep into how interviews aren’t just about your resume—they’re about how you think, lead, and adapt under pressure. Whether you’re pivoting into PM from another field, trying to land your first role, or just looking to sharpen your interview game, this conversation offers the tools to prep smarter, answer authentically, and leave a lasting impression.Resources from this episode:Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Kayla on LinkedInCheck out Kayla’s website