[Editorial]

Welcome to 2026: A Quarter-Century of Project Management Community

Dear Members,

[Article]

Will You Be Part of This Unforgettable Evening? Early Bird Ends Soon…

Dear PMI Switzerland Chapter Community,

This year, we celebrate 25 years of PMI Switzerland, a journey shaped by learning, collaboration, and the pioneers who believed in this community from the very beginning. We would love to celebrate this milestone with you.

What awaits you

• Rediscover our chapter’s story and meet some of the pioneers who shaped PMI Switzerland
• Explore memorable moments from the past 25 years, presented for the first time
• Enjoy a delicious dinner at the iconic Biel Congress House
• Experience magical moments created by magician Arthur Roscha
• Connect with fellow project managers and feel free to bring your partner
• Learn about our Social Impact initiatives and support them with an optional donation
• Extend the celebration with a lively after-hour gathering
• Stay overnight in Biel with a special hotel deal prepared for our guests

[Article]

A New Framework for the PMI Switzerland Mentoring Program 2026

2025 was an incredible journey, with more than 50 mentoring pairs. We saw mentees grow, mentors inspire and connections that lasted well beyond the program. Building on that success, we’re taking a more structured and impactful approach in 2026.

What’s changing?
Due to growing interest in the program, applications will now be open for a limited period only. This is a deliberate shift designed to improve quality, clarity and outcomes for everyone involved.

Why this matters

• Shared learning beyond the 1:1 relationship
  Being part of the same cohort creates opportunities for broader exchange, insights, and community connections.
• Consistent and focused engagement
  A defined program rhythm helps mentors and mentees stay aligned, committed, and engaged throughout the mentoring journey.
• A smoother, richer experience
  Participants benefit from timely information, well-coordinated activities, and a clear overview throughout the program.

 Key dates

📅 New applications for the 2026 Mentoring Program: 

15 January - 1 March 2026

[Article]

PMI Switzerland Election Results: Congratulations to Our Newly Elected Leaders

We are excited to share the results of the recent PMI Switzerland elections. It is with great enthusiasm that we congratulate two current Board members on their re-election and welcome two new members to the Board of Directors:

• Mafalda Amaro
• Konstantinos Matziounis
• Joanna Keller
• Valerie Pierre

We are also pleased to announce that Paul Selwold and Laurent Marmeys have been elected to the Elections and Financial Auditing Committees, respectively.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all elected members and thank them for their dedication to advancing PMI Switzerland’s mission. Their leadership and expertise will  undoubtedly help shape the future of our organization.

Velan Thangavelu & Marina Satapathy
On behalf of the Elections Committee

[Article]

Farewell, and...See you soon!

Dear Members,

One of the great characteristics of our chapter community is that we support, and encourage, regular rotation of the roles of the board members.  

It is in this spirit-slash-tradition that, after a year as chapter President, I will be stepping down. Rather than run for re-election to the board, I have decided to allow new candidates the opportunity to join and to develop their skills as chapter leaders, and/or develop the chapter under their leadership.

Although I said from Day One that I would step down after one year, it is nevertheless something I will miss:  the chance to continue to work with a great team of volunteers whom I have had the pleasure of getting to know.  

The Board did a great job this year, launching several initiatives into operation that I hope will continue for several years to come.  One of the things I enjoy most about volunteering at the Switzerland Chapter is the opportunity to work with a team of talented professionals to create something new, whether it is a series of events, a new role, or a new way to get information from our membership. Certainly, I will miss my regular interactions with them. 

That said, I also look forward to seeing what our chapter can achieve under their leadership in 2026. We know already, in March, 2026, we will celebrate our 25th anniversary.  This is a really big deal and a really big party, and I hope to see as many of you there as possible. Together, we can celebrate our chapter’s ongoing journey and shake the hands of the 2026 Board of Directors and wish them luck for the upcoming year! 

Sincerely,

Paul

[Article]

Empowering Transitions through Social Impact 

Project Management as a Bridge:
PMI Switzerland & Bevel ON Partnership

‍Restarting a career in a new country takes more than ambition. It takes resilience, clarity and the right community. Many expatriates and displaced professionals in Switzerland face the daunting challenge of rebuilding their careers: navigating a new job market, proving their experience in unfamiliar systems and building a network from scratch.

Since 2022, as part of our social responsibility program, PMI Switzerland has proudly partnered with Bevel ON, a Switzerland-based non-profit dedicated to empowering professionals in career transition. Through this collaboration, we leverage project management fundamentals not just as a discipline, but as a bridge to international career advancement, social integration and community contribution.

Together, we support the Bevel ON Capacity Building Programme, a unique initiative that combines career strategy development, entrepreneurship training and mentorship. Its participants gain the confidence, clarity and tools to re-enter the workforce, launch new ventures or take the next step in their careers.

Many graduates also choose to continue to give back, including by becoming active volunteers in PMI Switzerland, further enriching our community with their global experience and diverse perspectives.

[Retrospective]

Volunteers Day 2025: A Journey from Sweet Beginnings to Insightful Growth

‍On 15 November 2025, volunteers from across Switzerland came together for PMI Switzerland’s annual Volunteers Day. It was a day designed to reconnect, to learn, and to celebrate the people who make our chapter vibrant and active. What unfolded was more than an event. It was a shared journey that evolved from playful discovery to thoughtful reflection, leaving many of us inspired long after it ended.

A Sweet Start: Chocolate-Making at La Maison Cailler

For many participants, including myself, this was our first Volunteers Day. Having joined PMI-CH only a few months earlier, I had met some local volunteers, but this was the first time I had met volunteers from other regions in person.

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‍The PMI Switzerland Chapter is a non-profit professional business organization, and is a chartered chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI), Newtown Square, PA, USA.

Views and opinions expressed in the newsletter are those of the authors and, unless otherwise stated, do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the chapter or PMI or imply partnership.

© Copyright 2022 Project Management Institute Switzerland Chapter. All rights reserved.

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