The ‘Aha’ Moment: PM Influencer Series

In our series, The Aha Moment, we chat with influencers in the PM & PPM space and get to know them better. We ask a bunch of questions, some biz related and some not so biz related, in order to understand what makes them tick and find their aha moment.

This month’s feature is Ann Campea, an inspirational project manager. So, keep reading to learn about hes impressive journey and experience in the industry.

Q. What is your job title and in which industry are you working in?

A. I serve as the Vice President of Project Management Operations at TrueSense Marketing, where I lead strategic initiatives that empower nonprofit organizations and charitable causes to achieve their missions. My role focuses on orchestrating integrated marketing services, specializing in direct response marketing and comprehensive fundraising solutions. Through data-driven project management and operational excellence, I help organizations maximize their impact and drive meaningful results for the communities they serve.

Q. What is something unique that most people do not know about you?

A. As a doctoral candidate in USC’s Organizational Change and Leadership program, I’m conducting pioneering research on the sense of belonging among women in the construction industry – a traditionally male-dominated field. My dissertation explores the unique challenges and opportunities faced by women in construction, examining how organizational culture and leadership practices influence their workplace experiences and professional identity.

Professional Stuff….

Q. What led you to this career?

A. My path to becoming VP of Project Management Operations at TrueSense Marketing evolved from my passion for combining operational excellence with meaningful impact. While I started in corporate project management, I discovered my true calling when leading a major nonprofit fundraising campaign. I saw firsthand how effective project management could amplify an organization’s ability to serve their mission. TrueSense offered the perfect intersection of my project management expertise and purpose-driven work. Now, I help nonprofits and charitable organizations maximize their impact through streamlined operations and strategic marketing solutions. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that our operational excellence directly translates into helping organizations make a real difference in the world.

Q. What is your biggest challenge in your profession? How do you overcome it?

A. My biggest professional challenge was finding my authentic voice as a project management leader. Early in my career, I felt pressure to conform to traditional management styles that didn’t align with my natural collaborative approach. I overcame this by embracing my strengths in relationship-building and emotional intelligence, while letting successful project outcomes validate my leadership style. Now, as Vice President of Project Management Operations at TrueSense, I encourage my teams to develop their own authentic leadership approaches while maintaining our high standards of project delivery. This has proven invaluable in strengthening both our client relationships and team engagement.

Q. If you had a magic wand, what’s the one thing you would change about Gantt?

A. If I had a magic wand, I’d transform Gantt charts to reflect the true nature of modern project management. While Gantt charts excel at showing linear progression, today’s projects—especially in integrated marketing and nonprofit campaigns—are inherently iterative. I’d redesign them to visualize concurrent feedback loops, sprint cycles, and adaptive pathways that better represent how our teams actually work. The reality is that project execution is no longer linear, and our planning tools should embrace this evolution.

Q. Have you read any books, articles or other resources that changed your perspective on project management?

A. The Zen Approach to Project Management’ by George Pitagorsky fundamentally transformed my leadership style. While most PM resources focus on methodologies and tools, this book taught me the power of mindfulness in project management. It showed me that successful project leadership isn’t just about processes – it’s about maintaining clarity and emotional intelligence, especially crucial in our nonprofit marketing work. The book’s emphasis on embracing uncertainty and balancing technical skills with human elements has been invaluable in managing our complex marketing campaigns. It’s helped me develop a more holistic approach that serves both our operational goals and our clients’ missions more effectively.

Q. What is your biggest “grrrrrrr” in project management?

A. My biggest “grrrrrrr” in project management is the persistent misuse of the Project Manager role as a catch-all position. Project Managers are strategic professionals with expertise in planning, stakeholder management, and driving measurable outcomes – not the organization’s “miscellaneous tasks department.” It’s frustrating to see PMs being treated as: The default owner for undefined work Administrative catch-alls The solution for poor organizational structure Everyone’s backup plan Project Managers should be empowered to focus on their core expertise: delivering successful projects through proper methodologies. When organizations treat the PM role as a dumping ground for “nobody wants to do it” tasks, it diminishes both the profession and project outcomes. Let’s respect project management as the distinct and valuable discipline it is.

Fun Stuff

Q. What fictional place would you most like to live in?

A. I would choose Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! While I love orchestrating marketing campaigns for nonprofits, imagine running project meetings in the Great Hall under that enchanted ceiling. The Room of Requirement would be perfect for transforming into whatever workspace we need, and after a long day of strategic planning, I’d love to unwind in the Gryffindor common room by the fireplace. Plus, those moving staircases would certainly keep me on my toes – much like managing our dynamic project timelines!

Q. What is your go-to Karaoke song?

A. Jonas Brothers’ song “I Believe”

Q. Do you love or hate rollercoasters?

A. LOVE!!! Although, my neck doesn’t really.

Q. If you could teleport anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why?

A. If I could teleport anywhere right now, I’d choose Japan in a heartbeat. As the VP of PM Operations at TrueSense, my days are filled with managing complex projects and teams. The thought of spending a peaceful day lying in Japan’s beautiful parks under cherry blossom trees, followed by exploring the incredible food scene – from street food to high-end sushi – would be the perfect escape from my busy schedule!

Q. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, and did you follow it?

A. The best advice I ever received was from a crosswalk guard who told me to ‘Just keep smiling.’ As a kid, I didn’t really understand how powerful those words were, but I tried it anyway. Whether facing tough homework or giving class presentations, that simple smile helped me feel braver. It’s amazing how such a small piece of advice from my childhood still helps me face challenges today.

If you want to connect with Ann and gain key insights from her expert career content, look her up on Linkedin. Thank you Ann for hanging out with us and answering our questions!