More than twenty years ago, Kirk N. R. Graham joined PMI as both an entrepreneur and a lifelong learner looking to strengthen his project management skills and expand his professional network. After relocating to Calgary in 2005, he quickly became involved with the PMI Southern Alberta Chapter, attending conferences, volunteering on planning committees, and contributing educational content to help advance the profession. Through those early experiences, he discovered not only a professional association, but a community of mentors, collaborators, and lifelong friends. Over the years, Kirk’s career has spanned an impressive range of industries, including healthcare technology, IT security, construction, retail, industrial operations, oil and gas, and mental health innovation. From helping build Medusa Medical Technologies and transforming emergency healthcare data collection, to leading complex commercial initiatives and fostering industry-wide collaboration, he has consistently applied project, program, and portfolio management principles to turn ambitious ideas into measurable results. Today, Kirk serves as President of Graham Decisions Inc., Chief Revenue Officer at Neoptio, a mental health technology startup focused on clinical decision support, and works with Propel Works, a collective of experienced growth and revenue professionals helping organizations scale and improve their go-to-market performance. Throughout his career, he has remained passionate about helping organizations package work effectively, create repeatable success, and deliver lasting business value. Through every stage of his professional journey, PMI has remained a constant source of learning, mentorship, and connection. Whether volunteering, speaking at conferences, earning professional development units, or learning from fellow practitioners, Kirk has embraced the philosophy that professional growth is a lifelong pursuit.
So, what lessons has he learned from more than two decades of PMI involvement? How has resilience, continuous learning, and community shaped his career? And what advice does he have for the next generation of project professionals? Kirk’s story offers valuable insights for anyone looking to build a meaningful and impactful career.
Kirk, you’ve been a PMI member for more than twenty years. Take us back to the beginning. What inspired you to join PMI initially?
After moving to Calgary in 2005, I intentionally joined organizations that would help me build a network in Western Canada, including a rugby club and PMI. Very early on I attended the chapter’s annual conference and was impressed by how well it was organized. More importantly, I saw a group of project professionals who genuinely enjoyed working together, challenged each other positively, and supported one another. I viewed the chapter as a collection of mentors. My philosophy has always been “feed the community before the community feeds you.” I saw PMI as a professional potluck where everyone should bring something valuable. That led me to join the conference planning committee in 2007. During my time with them I organized and supported
networking initiatives, initiated our sustainability efforts, and eventually become a conference speaker with original content. Through those activities I built lifelong friendships, found mentors, and became part of the PMI Southern Alberta Chapter family.
How has your professional journey evolved since becoming a member?
PMI-SAC has supported intentional growth throughout my entire career. It reinforced the importance of continuous learning and staying relevant through professional development and PDUs. The chapter helped me “sharpen the saw” during both prosperous and difficult times. Professionally, I evolved from entrepreneur and startup founder to sales leader, executive sponsor, program builder, and business leader. I began in healthcare technology with Medusa Medical Technologies and later worked across IT security, construction, retail, industrial operations, oil and gas, reservoir engineering, geophysics, and emerging health technologies. PMI principles gave me a framework that worked across industries. I often describe project management as the ability to “put work in a box and deliver the box.” The chapter also introduced me to talented professionals that I learned from, collaborated with, or hired. Volunteering provided visibility into people’s capabilities and created a trusted professional network that helped me build successful programs and teams.
What are some key milestones or achievements you are most proud of?
Three achievements stand out. First, co-founding and helping build Medusa Medical Technologies, which contributed to bringing paramedics and ambulance services into a paperless environment. The resulting healthcare data improved clinical quality programs and emergency response capabilities. The organization also participated in building bio surveillance capabilities that helped identify outbreaks such as SARS earlier than
previously possible. Second, building communities of practice within the oil and gas industry, by bringing
competitors together to work on common challenges by share data, knowledge, and insights. This work supported unconventional resource development driving cost savings and improved well performance while reducing water consumption. Third, my current work with Neoptio, where we use technology to provide Clinical
Decision Support (CDS) to support clinicians in their mental health assessments and diagnoses. Recently, the organization secured an important patent, and I believe that work has the potential to make a meaningful contribution toward addressing the global mental health crisis.
Looking back over two decades, what is the single greatest professional benefit that came directly from being part of this community?
If I had to choose one word, it would be resiliency. Individually we can be excellent, but a professional community helps us navigate change, uncertainty, and challenges. PMI- SAC has provided peers, mentors, advice, opportunities, and alternative perspectives throughout different stages of my career. The chapter supported my growth from project practitioner to executive sponsor and business leader while reinforcing a commitment to
lifelong learning. The combination of community and continuous education has made me
more adaptable and resilient.
What has kept you engaged with PMI-SAC for so many years?
The people. The chapter is constantly evolving and continually introduces me to individuals doing interesting work with unique perspectives. I value hearing viewpoints that challenge my assumptions. When I ask for advice, I am not looking for people to tell me I am right; I want thoughtful perspectives that help me think differently. PMI-SAC consistently provides diversity of experience, backgrounds, and opinions. Those conversations, relationships, and learning opportunities have kept me engaged for more than twenty years.
Can you share a memorable moment or experience from your time with PMI-SAC?
One memorable experience comes from my early years on the conference planning committee. The organizer, Susan, always brought food to meetings. This created a welcoming environment and encouraged participation. If you want people to show up bring food! Sharing meals while working together on chapter initiatives helped build strong friendships and professional relationships that have lasted decades. Those volunteer experiences taught me that community is built through shared effort, shared experiences, and genuine human connection.
What advice would you give to newer members or young professionals in the field?
Show up. A great deal of success comes from being present and participating. Earning a PMP is valuable, but the benefits of PMI extend far beyond certification. Attend events, volunteer, contribute, and engage with people. If networking feels intimidating, remember that simply arriving is already a success. A practical networking lesson I often share is that conversations naturally break into smaller groups. Join the circle, stand beside the people you want to meet, and participate. Be curious. By consistently showing up, opportunities for learning, mentorship, employment, partnerships, and friendship naturally emerge.
What skills do you believe are most important for success today in project management?
Compassion is the most important skill. Project professionals must be genuinely interested in understanding other people, their concerns, motivations, and perspectives. When projects inevitably face challenges, be curious and compassionate. Rather than blaming individuals or conducting “witch hunts” focus on diagnosing problems
thoughtfully and objectively. Compassion helps us recognize both risks and opportunities that might otherwise be overlooked. Combined with curiosity, listening, and empathy, it enables stronger relationships, better decisions, reduced stress, and more successful project outcomes.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the PMI-SAC community?
I remain open to speaking with professionals at any stage of their career journey. I am particularly passionate about helping organizations make projects profitable, transform good ideas into commercially viable solutions, and connect project, program, and portfolio management with business growth and revenue generation. I enjoy
conversations about entrepreneurship, go-to-market strategy, innovation, and how disciplined project management creates repeatable success.
Thank you, Kirk, for your more than twenty years of commitment to PMI and for sharing your experiences, insights, and advice with the PMI Southern Alberta Chapter community.
