Meet our 2026 President & and Director Candidates

Candidate profile and statement of intent

Ariadna Cruz Groberio is a strategic international programme and project leader, best-selling author and global speaker with more than 25 years of experience leading complex transformation across technology, government, academia and international development. Currently a Programme Lead at Microsoft UK, she has worked across Europe, Africa and Latin America, including with the United Nations and on an IMF-sponsored national financial reform programme. Her career brings together technology, strategy, governance, innovation and people leadership, with human value at its centre.

In Mozambique, Ariadna led a large-scale technology transformation supporting the modernisation of national finance and treasury systems. Working with government, international institutions and multicultural teams, the programme strengthened financial management, transparency and accountability while developing local capability. She also lectured in Africa, connecting professional practice, education and future generations.

Ariadna has served PMI for more than 20 years and PMI UK for more than a decade. She is a member of the PMI UK Board and Chair of PMI Northern Ireland. Her service spans community development, mentoring, volunteering, international speaking and knowledge contribution. She is one of the authors of the PMI Global Standard for Artificial Intelligence, published worldwide in ten languages, contributing to the advancement of responsible AI practices for the global project management profession. She is also a best-selling author and has written and contributed to books and articles on leadership, transformation and women’s empowerment.

Ariadna holds an Executive MBA in Project Management, a degree in Computer Science and the PMP® credential, complemented by executive education at Harvard, Columbia and Stanford.

She is standing for President with a clear purpose: to strengthen the relationship between PMI UK and its members and bring the energy of a new era to how the Chapter connects, collaborates and creates value. Her priorities include listening closely to members, modernising the member experience, strengthening professional development and mentoring, recognising and empowering volunteers, connecting regions and generations, and deepening collaboration with industry, academia and PMI Global.

Her leadership is grounded in service, inclusion, empathy, transparency, constructive dialogue and shared accountability. Ariadna looks ahead with optimism and purpose: to turn ideas into tangible improvements and help shape a united, innovative and forward-looking PMI UK where people remain at the heart of progress and every member can belong, grow, contribute and lead.

Candidate profile and statement of intent

I am an engineer and senior transformation leader with well over a decade of international experience across telecommunications, healthcare technology, global operations, energy and industrial engineering, leading complex programmes and transformation across global organisations. I hold an Executive MBA, an MSc from Imperial College London and professional qualifications including PMP®.

Since being elected to the PMI UK Board in 2023, and now serving as Vice President and Director of Chapter Operations, I have gained first-hand experience of the Chapter’s governance, management and operations, working closely with the Board, volunteers and communities across PMI UK. This has given me an in-depth understanding of how the Chapter operates, the challenges we face and what our volunteers need to succeed.

I led the UK Chapter’s implementation of PMI’s New Membership model, coordinating operational readiness, member communications and constitutional and legal changes, including those associated with our Articles of Association. During this major transition, membership grew from approximately 4,900 to more than 8,100 members.

My wider Chapter contribution spans governance and compliance, operations, volunteer development and community building. I sponsor our Sustainability Community of Action and Cambridgeshire Branch, support volunteer teams across a broad portfolio of Chapter activities, and serve as a PMI UK Mentor, supporting members and aspiring project professionals with their career development and pathways towards certification. SuSu25 and SuSu26 each attracted more than 500 registrations.

I am standing for President of PMI UK because I believe leadership is about people, purpose and delivery: listening to our members, empowering our volunteers and turning good ideas into meaningful outcomes.

If elected President, I want to build on this growth by strengthening member value, our branches and professional communities, and creating more opportunities for volunteers to develop, contribute and lead. I want PMI UK to continue evolving with our profession, embracing AI, digital transformation, sustainability and changing ways of working, while maintaining strong governance, transparency, accountability and responsible stewardship of Chapter resources.

My leadership approach is collaborative, evidence-led and delivery-focused. I value different perspectives, respectful challenge and empowering people to turn ideas into action.

Good ideas create possibilities. People, collaboration and disciplined delivery turn them into reality.

Candidate profile and statement of intent

Professional Background & Volunteer Experience

John Grimshaw is an engineering and operational transformation leader whose career is built where design intent meets frontline execution. Holding a BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering & Operations Management, John is a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) preparing for PMP® and PMI-CPMAI credentials. He approaches delivery through Lean systems thinking, eliminating administrative waste, respecting frontline colleagues, and turning strategic vision into measurable value.

Currently serving as Director of Professional Development on the PMI UK Chapter Board, John has actively supported our Chapter doubling from 3,500 to over 8,000 members in two years, rapid growth that demands scalable operations, so volunteers are not overwhelmed. He modernises professional pathways by embedding workflow automation, practical delivery tools, and generative AI capability. Having represented the Chapter internationally at European Leadership Institute Meetings (LIM), he couples global collaboration with a service ethos honed through years in industry and coaching grassroots youth rugby.

Statement of Intent & Vision for the PMI UK Chapter

PMI is not a commercial vendor; it is a volunteer-led professional community built on shared purpose. Doubling our membership brings an operational imperative: without intentional onboarding, members join for an exam and quietly disengage. Living our core value to Make It Easy, John is standing for election to resolve engagement friction, protect volunteers, and establish the Chapter as the UK’s benchmark for project execution excellence:

• Protect Volunteers: Deploy structured enquiry workflows across chapter touchpoints to resolve routine certification, PDU, and event queries instantly eliminating administrative burnout and freeing volunteer capacity for high-touch mentoring and personal connection.
• Drive Commercial ROI & Global Mobility: Elevate our discipline beyond regional compliance frameworks; proactively educate UK employers and recruiters on the measurable business value and borderless career recognition of PMI credentials.
• Build Generational Pipelines: Partner with UK universities and apprenticeships to establish Chapter Student Clubs and campus ambassadors, welcoming early-career talent into our professional family.
• Activate the Chapter Flywheel: Decentralise support across regional branches, deepen European cross-chapter initiatives, and intentionally guide members through the Join ➔ Engage ➔ Grow ➔ Lead ➔ Advocate lifecycle.

Candidate profile and statement of intent

Professional Background, Qualifications and PMI Experience

Abdul Matin is a senior Programme Manager with more than 20 years of experience delivering complex transformation, technology, cloud, telecommunications and business change programmes across public and private sector organisations. He has led strategic, multi-million-pound initiatives and brings strong capabilities in leadership, governance, stakeholder engagement and sustainable delivery.

Alongside his professional career, Abdul has made a sustained contribution to PMI and the PMI UK Chapter. As Volunteer Onboarding Director for the Sustainability Community of Action, he supported the SuSu 2025 and SuSu 2026 summits. At PMI Council level, he participated in a global online panel attended by more than 600 people, sharing his organisation’s experience of achieving PMI Enterprise Accreditation for APL, the internal benefits realised and the value of stronger external recognition with clients. His company was the first organisation to achieve the accreditation.

He is also a founding member, Secretary and Trustee of a local charity, and serves as a mentor and coach to colleagues and University of Warwick students. These roles reflect his commitment to service, inclusion and developing others.

If elected, Abdul will combine programme leadership with practical volunteer experience to deliver tangible value for members. His ambition is to broaden access to learning, mentoring, professional networks, collaboration and recognition, while ensuring that members’ needs shape an inclusive, sustainable and forward-looking Chapter.

His proposed priorities are to:

• Enhance member value through stronger networking, mentoring, collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Support professional growth through accessible learning, career development and leadership opportunities.
• Strengthen cross-sector connections between industry, academia and practitioners to increase the Chapter’s relevance and influence.
• Promote delivery excellence by sharing practical lessons and effective approaches for complex project environments.
• Champion an inclusive and responsible profession grounded in diversity, sustainability and ethical leadership.

Abdul offers extensive programme leadership, active PMI service and a clear member-focused agenda. He is committed to listening, representing members’ interests and helping build a connected, inclusive and future-ready PMI UK Chapter.

Candidate profile and statement of intent

Professional Background, Qualifications and PMI Experience

Bhushan’s career has progressed from engineering and technology delivery to the strategic leadership of complex, high-impact programmes. Across the UK, Africa and India, he has directed technology, regulatory, infrastructure and transformation initiatives in the financial services, telecommunications, utilities, and oil and gas sectors. Through senior delivery mandates with UK-based organisations, he has converted strategic priorities into sustainable outcomes while providing effective governance across diverse stakeholder, cultural and operating environments.

His experience is underpinned by a PMP® since 2013, scrum master, professional banking and coaching credentials, and a master’s degree in big-data technologies. More importantly, these disciplines shaped how he leads: with rigour, commercial awareness, and people at the centre.

Service has been the consistent thread running alongside Bhushan’s career. Since 2014, he has volunteered with the PMI UK Chapter as a project management mentor, social media strategist, events volunteer and vice president of membership for PMI UK Toastmasters. Beyond PMI, he mentors businesses through the Help to Grow programme, has served for three years as an Enactus UK judge, and previously coordinated a community neighbourhood-watch scheme.

Why Bhushan is standing for Board election

Bhushan is standing for election because he wants members to see and feel the difference the PMI UK Chapter makes. During his years as a volunteer, he has seen how one conversation, one mentoring relationship or one well-run event can build confidence and open new opportunities.

If elected, he vows to work openly with others and follow through on commitments and work towards furthering the PMI UK values to contribute for growth of its members and broader Project management community.

Principal priorities if elected

Bringing PMI UK closer to organisations: Bhushan is committed to strengthening PMI UK’s partnerships with organisations of every size, enabling more professionals to translate PMI practice knowledge into better outcomes for their teams and communities.

Helping every member move forward: Timely guidance can change a career. Bhushan believes in championing mentoring, development and networks that build confidence, support progress and strengthen the profession by supporting on the specific plan every PMI UK member wants to build upon.

Candidate profile and statement of intent

Dr Ali Forouzesh is a technology and transformation leader, academic and long-standing PMI member with more than 12 years of experience across fintech, telecommunications and higher education. He is currently Senior Lecturer and Course Leader in Business Computing at the University of Portsmouth London and holds a PhD in Computer Science focused on Explainable AI for Agile project decision-making.

His professional background combines Agile delivery, digital transformation, technology governance, applied artificial intelligence and cross-functional leadership. He has led distributed technology teams in international environments and worked with senior stakeholders to translate complex business and technology priorities into practical delivery outcomes.

Ali has been a PMI member since 2008 and currently serves as Southern England Branch Sponsor for the PMI UK Chapter, supporting volunteer engagement and regional development. He has also contributed to PMI knowledge initiatives, including work as a PMI Infinity SME, and has spoken at PMI global events on AI, Agile delivery and digital transformation. Alongside his professional work, he contributes to the wider academic and professional community through research, editorial leadership and engagement with project management education.

Ali is standing for election to contribute more strategically to the future development of the PMI UK Chapter. His principal priorities are to strengthen the Chapter’s effective and responsible use of technology and AI, enhance digital engagement and member experience, support volunteers with practical tools and capabilities, and build stronger connections between professional practice, academia and research.

If elected, Ali would bring a combination of industry delivery experience, academic leadership, research expertise and long-standing engagement with PMI, working collaboratively with the President, Board, volunteers and members to support the Chapter’s continued development.

Candidate profile and statement of intent

Giovanni Mastroianni is a global programme and transformation leader based near London with more than 26 years of experience delivering global multicultural programmes and portfolios across Life Sciences, Healthcare, Financial Services, Energy, Electronics, IT & Telecommunications. He has led complex initiatives, engaging stakeholders from diverse functions and cultures through to executive and C-suite level. A PMP® since 2004, Giovanni holds an MBA from Henley Business School, an MSc in Computer Science complemented by Lean Six Sigma and advanced executive coaching certifications and experience, strengthening his focus on continuous improvement, guiding people through change, and leadership development.

Throughout his career, technology, change management, transformation and bringing people together across organisational and cultural boundaries have been recurring themes. He has built and led global teams, transformed processes and operating models, supported M&A integration, and helped organisations create sustainable change through collaboration, governance and focus on people.

Giovanni is standing for election because he is passionate about giving back to the PMI community and helping PMI UK deliver even greater value to its members. His vision is for the Chapter to be an inclusive, vibrant, increasingly connected multicultural professional community, where members at every career stage can learn, contribute, network, volunteer and grow.

If elected, his priorities would be to strengthen member and volunteer engagement, promote continuous improvement and knowledge sharing, and help connect PMI UK more closely with the wider global PMI community and the future of the profession, particularly as AI transforms how projects and organisations are led.

A particular passion is preparing the profession for the opportunities and responsibilities created by AI. Giovanni currently leads initiatives spanning global AI strategy, scaling, governance and AI proficiency, alongside broader transformation programmes. He would bring this experience to help PMI UK explore how AI can enhance project leadership and member value, while promoting responsible adoption, sound governance and the human capabilities fundamental to successful change.

His ambition is to help PMI UK continuously improve while remaining what matters most: a trusted professional home where people connect, develop and shape the future of project management together.

Candidate profile and statement of intent

I am an engineer and senior transformation leader with well over a decade of international experience across telecommunications, healthcare technology, global operations, energy and industrial engineering, leading complex programmes and transformation across global organisations. I hold an Executive MBA, an MSc from Imperial College London and professional qualifications including PMP®.

Since being elected to the PMI UK Board in 2023, and now serving as Vice President and Director of Chapter Operations, I have gained first-hand experience of the Chapter’s governance, management and operations, working closely with the Board, volunteers and communities across PMI UK. This has given me an in-depth understanding of how the Chapter operates and how we can turn Board decisions into practical outcomes.

I led the UK Chapter’s implementation of PMI’s New Membership model, coordinating operational readiness, member communications and constitutional and legal changes, including those associated with our Articles of Association. During this major transition, membership grew from approximately 4,900 to more than 8,100 members.

My wider Chapter contribution spans governance and compliance, operations, volunteer development and community building. I sponsor our Sustainability Community of Action and Cambridgeshire Branch, support volunteer teams across a broad portfolio of Chapter activities, and serve as a PMI UK Mentor, supporting members and aspiring project professionals with their career development and pathways towards certification. SuSu25 and SuSu26 each attracted more than 500 registrations.

I am standing for re-election as a Director of PMI UK because I want to continue contributing my experience of governance, operations and transformation to the Chapter’s next stage of development.

If re-elected as a Director, I will continue to bring practical Board and operational experience to Chapter decision-making, helping translate strategic priorities into effective action. My priorities are strengthening member value and communities, developing and empowering volunteers, and helping PMI UK respond to AI, digital transformation, sustainability and changing ways of working, supported by strong governance, transparency, accountability and responsible stewardship.

My leadership approach is collaborative, evidence-led and delivery-focused. I value different perspectives, respectful challenge and empowering people to turn ideas into action.

Good ideas create possibilities. People, collaboration and disciplined delivery turn them into reality.

Candidate profile and statement of intent

Professional Background & Volunteer Experience

John Grimshaw is an engineering and operational transformation leader whose career is built where design intent meets frontline execution. Holding a BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering & Operations Management, John is a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) preparing for PMP® and PMI-CPMAI credentials. He approaches delivery through Lean systems thinking, eliminating administrative waste, respecting frontline colleagues, and turning strategic vision into measurable value.

Currently serving as Director of Professional Development on the PMI UK Chapter Board, John has actively supported our Chapter doubling from 3,500 to over 8,000 members in two years, rapid growth that demands scalable operations, so volunteers are not overwhelmed. He modernises professional pathways by embedding workflow automation, practical delivery tools, and generative AI capability. Having represented the Chapter internationally at European Leadership Institute Meetings (LIM), he couples global collaboration with a service ethos honed through years in industry and coaching grassroots youth rugby.

Statement of Intent & Vision for the PMI UK Chapter

PMI is not a commercial vendor; it is a volunteer-led professional community built on shared purpose. Doubling our membership brings an operational imperative: without intentional onboarding, members join for an exam and quietly disengage. Living our core value to Make It Easy, John is standing for election to resolve engagement friction, protect volunteers, and establish the Chapter as the UK’s benchmark for project execution excellence:

• Protect Volunteers: Deploy structured enquiry workflows across chapter touchpoints to resolve routine certification, PDU, and event queries instantly eliminating administrative burnout and freeing volunteer capacity for high-touch mentoring and personal connection.
• Drive Commercial ROI & Global Mobility: Elevate our discipline beyond regional compliance frameworks; proactively educate UK employers and recruiters on the measurable business value and borderless career recognition of PMI credentials.
• Build Generational Pipelines: Partner with UK universities and apprenticeships to establish Chapter Student Clubs and campus ambassadors, welcoming early-career talent into our professional family.
• Activate the Chapter Flywheel: Decentralise support across regional branches, deepen European cross-chapter initiatives, and intentionally guide members through the Join ➔ Engage ➔ Grow ➔ Lead ➔ Advocate lifecycle.

Candidate profile and statement of intent

A decade of service

I began volunteering with PMI UK in 2016 as part of the Synergy team. I am standing for Director to continue serving a professional community to which I have contributed for more than a decade.

I have served as Board Director, Vice-President and Director of Technology and Digital Events. I now lead the Sustainability Community of Action. My work with Toastmasters also strengthens my skills in communication, facilitation, mentoring, and leadership development.

Delivery that lasts

I have led three Sustainability Summits, three Women in Projects conferences and two PM4TheWorld 24-hour charity conferences. These programmes connected members with experts giving volunteers practical opportunities to lead, plan, engage stakeholders and deliver.

In September 2020, I launched the Project Data Analytics Task Force, creating a forum where practitioners could explore how data improves project delivery.

Evidence and experience

I contributed to PMI Global’s Project Success Insights Team, supporting international volunteer-led research into the conditions that help projects succeed.

My career spans project, program, and benefits management, including major public-sector transformation. As a PMP®, I focus on connecting purpose, results, understanding, and benefits so that users can create better value.

I have spoken at more than ten international project management conferences and regularly coach and mentor project professionals. These activities help me share practical experience while developing the confidence, capability, and leadership of others.

Partnerships extend impact

I have worked with organisations including Association for Project Management (APM), the Major Projects Association (MPA) and the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA). These partnerships combine expertise, extend professional networks, and create opportunities that PMI UK could not achieve alone.

I want PMI UK to build more partnerships where shared purpose produces practical benefits for members and the wider profession.

Mobilising our community

AI, sustainability, data, and changing expectations of leadership are reshaping project work. PMI UK’s 8,300-plus members represent an exceptional professional resource.

I want more members to move from attendance to active contribution through stronger Communities of Action, purposeful partnerships, and practical opportunities to share expertise.

My commitment

I have spent more than a decade connecting people, enabling volunteers, and turning ideas into outcomes. I know PMI UK, I understand volunteer leadership, and I remain committed to its future.

I want to bring that experience, energy, and commitment back to the Board, helping more members learn, lead, contribute and create better value.

Candidate profile and statement of intent

Nurcan Erdogdu is the Founder and CEO of NProject, an IT consultancy and professional training company that helps organisations and individuals strengthen project delivery capabilities and turn complex initiatives into practical, measurable outcomes. With nearly two decades of experience in IT and project delivery, including more than 12 years in leadership roles, she has led complex initiatives across finance, banking, insurance, technology consulting, marketing, construction procurement, and international organisations, including the World Health Organization (WHO).

She holds an MSc in Management Information Systems and professional credentials including PMP®, PSM I & II, PSPO I, and CSPP™. As a PMI Authorised Training Partner (ATP) Instructor, GPM Accredited Trainer, and Global Green Project Management Ambassador, she is passionate about helping professionals develop the skills, confidence, and mindset needed to succeed in an evolving project landscape.

Nurcan has been an active PMI volunteer for several years, serving as Public Relations Director and Assistant Director of Professional Development for the PMI Turkey Chapter, following earlier volunteer roles supporting chapter activities and member engagement. She currently serves as a Global Reviewer for the 2026 PMI Leadership Institute Meetings, contributing to the development of leadership content for PMI volunteers worldwide.

Having experienced first-hand the value of volunteering, mentoring, and professional community, Nurcan is standing for election to give back to the profession in the UK. She believes PMI Chapters are more than professional networks; they are communities where people learn, grow, connect, and support one another.

If elected, her priorities will be:

• Volunteer Mentorship and Career Guidance: Creating structured support for volunteers and members through mentoring, career discussions, leadership development, and guidance on PMI certifications, Agile, AI, and Sustainability pathways.
• Professional Development and Capacity Building: Expanding practical learning opportunities through member driven events, industry speakers, knowledge sharing sessions, and workshops that equip professionals with future-ready skills.

Nurcan is committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and engaged community where members feel valued, empowered, and inspired to contribute. She would be honoured to serve the PMI UK Chapter and help create meaningful opportunities for members and volunteers to thrive together.

Candidate profile and statement of intent

Onalethata “Ona” Tambula, MSc, PMP®, CAPM, DASM, is a PMI UK Board Member providing strategic and operational leadership across the Chapter’s Finance, Digital Events and AI portfolios. She is also Manager, National Productivity and Efficiency Programmes, within NHS England’s Finance and Planning Directorate, bringing more than 15 years of NHS experience, including national programme leadership across system improvement, commissioning, workforce transformation and public value.

Since joining the PMI UK Board in 2023, Ona has translated Board responsibility into visible delivery. She oversees all aspects of the Chapter’s financial management, including banking, budgeting, expenditure monitoring, Board reporting, year-end accounts and AGM delivery. Her end-to-end oversight of Digital Events covers programme planning, speaker preparation, volunteer moderation, delivery and evaluation. She introduced a more structured operating model under which, from January 2025 to 8 September 2026, the programme delivered 54 webinars and recorded more than 5,800 registrations. This has widened access to practical professional development for members throughout the UK. She also leads the Chapter’s AI portfolio, focusing on responsible use that improves efficiency and member value.

Ona also contributes internationally as a Project Manager Volunteer, supporting the International Council of Nurses to strengthen project management capability through PMI’s Project Managers Without Borders initiative.

Ona is standing for re-election because she believes PMI UK should be a Chapter that members can see, access and trust. It should be well governed, financially responsible, nationally relevant and accessible to members regardless of location, career stage or sector.

If elected, her priorities will be to protect and grow the Chapter through disciplined governance and responsible financial management; strengthen the volunteer experience through clearer roles, support and recognition; and expand inclusive, high-quality professional development that responds to members’ needs.

Ona is ready to contribute wherever the Chapter’s needs and her experience best align. She will bring independent judgement, constructive challenge and a strong record of following through. Her commitment is simple: to help PMI UK turn its plans into practical value for its members.