PMI Sydney Chapter x UTS Panel Discussion: How AI is Shaping Project Management – Industry Perspectives on Career Readiness
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming how projects are planned, delivered, and governed - the project profession is evolving with it. Join the PMI Sydney, Australia Chapter and University of Technology Sydney (UTS) for an insightful panel discussion bringing together leaders from recruitment, project controls, and risk engineering to explore how AI is reshaping project management roles, skills, and career pathways.
Learning Objectives:
- To understand how AI is influencing hiring trends, and the required skill sets to remain competitive in the market
- To understand how best to prepare for the future of project delivery
- 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Registration & Networking
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Panel Discussion
- 7:00 PM - 7:15 PM: Audience Q&A
- 7:15 PM - 7:30 PM: Closing Remarks, Door Prize & Group Photo
- 7:30 PM - 8:00 PM: Networking
Students or any project professionals who are seeking to understand how AI is influencing hiring trends, capability expectations and the future of project delivery.
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Steve Tompkins |
Steve Tompkins – Head of NSW Government, Talent International With over 25 years of recruitment experience across Sydney and the UK, Steve has spent more than a decade in senior leadership roles. He specialises in sourcing and supporting Project Managers, delivery teams, and project resources, and has collaborated closely with PMI Sydney for the past ten years. Steve brings a practical, market‑driven perspective on how AI is influencing hiring needs and project talent pipelines.
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Prajwal Belagal |
Prajwal Belagal – Consultant, Risk Management, TBH; Associate Director, PMI Sydney Chapter
Prajwal works across major infrastructure and energy projects, focusing on project controls, risk management, and schedule risk analysis. As an academic tutor at UNSW, he teaches Construction Project Management and mentors emerging professionals. Holding dual Master’s degrees in Construction Project Management and Property Development, he is passionate about how AI can help graduates build practical skills and thrive in an evolving project landscape.
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Pedram Danesh‑Mand |
Pedram Danesh‑Mand – Executive Director, Head of Project Controls & PMO, KPMG Australia Pedram is an Executive Director at KPMG, leading Project Controls & PMO within the Infrastructure, Assets & Places team. With extensive experience across major infrastructure, energy, transport, mining, and utilities projects, he specialises in integrated project controls, risk management, cost estimation, planning, and PMO delivery. He serves on the Infrastructure NSW Expert Review Panel and the Engineers Australia Infrastructure Advisory Panel, is President of the Risk Engineering Society (RES), and is the lead author of Engineers Australia's Contingency Guideline (2nd Edition). An award-winning industry leader and university lecturer, Pedram has supported the successful delivery of major Australian projects including Snowy 2.0, Sydney Metro, WestConnex, EnergyConnect, HumeLink, Melbourne Airport Rail, and APLNG. |
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Laetitia Callegari |
Laetitia Callegari – Director, PrimeScope Technology Solutions; Adjunct Lecturer, University of Sydney
Laetitia Callegari is an international consultant and thought leader in project management, future skills development, and agile leadership.
Laetitia founded her consulting and advisory firm in 2016. Her work spans multiple continents and industries, supporting organisations at the intersection of technology, human capability, and leadership transformation. Over two decades, she has explored the integration of artificial intelligence, human behaviour, and leadership practice. Her approach blends innovative education strategy with practical project delivery, grounded in a strong commitment to human-centred leadership.
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Thammaiah Kallichanda ( Moderator ) |
Thammaiah Kallichanda recently completed a Master of Project Management and Property Development at the University of Technology Sydney. With a background in architecture and four years of running his own design consultancy in India, he developed experience working with diverse clients and coordinating design projects across branding, interiors, and the built environment. Passionate about project management and emerging technologies, Thammaiah is eager to build a career delivering complex projects while exploring how AI can enhance project delivery and career readiness. |
