Archana has over 20 years of experience in IT project management and is a recognized expert in strategy execution, PMO leadership, and project portfolio management. She has led complex initiatives including bank acquisitions and mergers, as well as large-scale Agile transformations that unified siloed teams and stabilized fluctuating priorities under robust PMO structures. A frequent speaker, author, and PMP mentor, Archana has contributed to PMI global standards and spoken at PMI chapters and conferences worldwide, including Dallas, Carolina, North East Florida, Miami Conference, Global Summit, Agile Asia Pacific Symposium, and Silicon Valley. She is an award-winning project management professional, recognized as a Global Technology Leader by Women in Tech, and honored by PMI Phoenix and the Jacksonville Business Journal for leadership excellence and advancing women in project management
1. Are you excited to speak at the Women in Tech Global Conference and what motivated you to join our community of 200,000 women in tech and allies?
I am genuinely excited and honored to speak at the Women in Tech Global Conference. What motivated me most is the scale, reach, and impact of this community 200,000 women in tech and allies actively shaping the future of the industry through learning, advocacy, and support. Throughout my career, I have seen how representation, mentorship, and shared experiences can break barriers and build confidence, particularly for women navigating leadership, transformation, and emerging technology roles. Being part of this community strongly aligns with my passion for empowering professionals to lead with clarity, courage, and impact while fostering inclusive, resilient, and innovative workplaces.
2. Share with us about your background, your journey in tech, and what inspired you to develop your career in this direction.
My background is rooted in technology delivery, project management, and organizational transformation. I began my career in structured, traditional delivery environments and gradually moved into complex, global technology programs where scale, change, and uncertainty were constant. Over time, I stepped into PMO leadership and Agile transformation roles, leading large teams through shifts from waterfall to Agile across infrastructure, storage, and operations.
What inspired me to continue in this direction was the realization that technology success rarely depends on tools alone, it depends on how people make decisions, collaborate, and adapt to change. I was drawn to roles where I could bridge strategy and execution, align technology with business outcomes, and build systems that empower teams rather than overwhelm them. This passion naturally evolved into thought leadership, mentoring, and community involvement, particularly focused on helping professionals navigate change with confidence and clarity.
3. Why is the topic “Thinking Clearly About AI: What Project Managers Must Understand to Lead in an AI-Driven World” important to you?
This topic is important to me because AI is rapidly becoming embedded in everyday project delivery, yet many project managers feel intimidated by it or unsure how to engage with it meaningfully. I have seen organizations rush into AI adoption without sufficient governance, ethical consideration, or clarity around decision-making, risk, and accountability.
“Thinking clearly about AI” means moving beyond hype and fear. Project managers don’t need to be data scientists, but they do need to understand how AI influences planning, forecasting, bias, transparency, and human judgment. As leaders, we must ask the right questions, establish guardrails, and ensure AI enhances critical thinking and collaboration rather than replacing them. This topic sits at the intersection of technology, leadership, and responsibility, empowering project managers to lead confidently while keeping people and outcomes at the center.
4. Who would you advise to attend the Women in Tech Global Conference and why?
I advise anyone building, supporting, or influencing the future of technology to attend the Women in Tech Global Conference regardless of title, background, or career stage. This includes women in tech roles, emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, project and product managers, technologists, and allies committed to creating inclusive and innovative workplaces.
What makes this conference exceptional is that it goes beyond technical skills. It creates space for learning, visibility, mentorship, and meaningful conversations about leadership, equity, and the future of work. Attendees gain practical insights, inspiration, and access to a powerful global community that supports growth, confidence, and collaboration.
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