Meeting/Event Information

• Gain timely knowledge and strategies from expert speakers
• Earn PDUs to maintain your PMI certification
• Expand your professional network across New England
• Enjoy raffles, prizes, and fun throughout the day!

• Deadline to submit your resume: October 6th
• Send resumes to: [email protected]

Note: Resume reviews are available only for registered attendees of the Professional Development Day Event. 

Keynote Speaker: James Haven
Topic: Project Management Strategies to Combat Human Trafficking
About James: James Haven was raised in the heart of the entertainment industry, where he developed a deep understanding of the power of film, television, and media to shape society. Yet, amid the complexity of our world, he holds one truth above all: what happens to us as children shapes the rest of our lives.

A passionate advocate for youth, trauma recovery, and human rights, James is certified in Trauma Competent Core Training by David and Jayne Schooler in Washington State. His work spans clinical, academic, governmental, and nonprofit sectors, all with a focus on healing and prevention.

He serves as Senior Advisor on Global Issues at Harvard University and is actively engaged with the Blue Campaign and the Department of Homeland Security to combat human trafficking. His commitment to mental health and recovery is evident through his leadership with The Haven at College, which provides outpatient treatment for young adults on a college track facing mental health and substance use challenges.

James played a pivotal role in saving Palomar Forensic Health Services, which uses DNA evidence to achieve a 96% conviction rate in cases of child sexual abuse—empowering survivors to heal and thrive. He also helped establish Pearl Haven in Hawaii, a leading program for survivors of human trafficking, whose protocols are now being licensed globally.

A graduate of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, James was honored with the George Lucas Award for his work in film and video production. He has used his platform to create inclusive, groundbreaking initiatives, including the first AIDS Youth Summit with Rick and Kay Warren, which welcomed all participants regardless of race, gender, or religion.

James has worked with the White House to bring together the legacies of civil rights icons—from Frederick Douglass to Rosa Parks—recognized in a historic event led by Vice President Kamala Harris. He also partnered with the Obama Administration to launch the first Native American Youth Summit, addressing critical issues such as teen pregnancy, substance abuse, and suicide among tribal youth.

Mentored by Dr. Astrid Heger of the Violence Intervention Program (VIP), James has gained deep expertise in child abuse, domestic violence, fetal alcohol syndrome, and LGBTQ+ health and mental health services. He continues to collaborate with businesses, governments, religious institutions, and law enforcement to implement human trafficking prevention protocols across the U.S. and internationally.

At the core of James Haven’s mission is a belief in early intervention. He champions universal mental health screenings and diagnoses as a foundational step toward a healthier, more resilient society. 

Speaker: Kevin Hancock
Topic: The Business of Shared Leadership
About Kevin: Kevin Hancock is the managing owner and Chairman of one of America’s oldest family businesses as well as an award-winning author and nationally recognized public speaker.

Established in 1848, Hancock Lumber Company is led by its 720 employees operating 11 lumberyards, 4 sawmills, a truss manufacturing facility, and timberlands in Maine and New Hampshire.  Hancock Lumber is a ten-time recipient of the ‘Best Places to Work in Maine’ award. The company is also a recipient of the Maine Family Business of the Year Award, the Governor’s Award for Business Excellence, the ProSales National Dealer of the Year Award, and the Maine Retailer of the Year Award.

Kevin is a past chairman of the Northeastern Retail Lumber Association, the National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association, and the Bridgton Academy Board of Trustees.  Kevin has also served of the Board of Directors for the Hussey Seating Corporation in Maine, the Seneca Sawmill Corporation in Oregon, and the Maine Indian Tribal State Commission.

Kevin is a recipient of the Ed Muskie ‘Access to Justice’ Award, the Habitat for Humanity ‘Spirit of Humanity’ Award, the Maine Development Foundation ‘Ken Curtis Leadership Award’, and the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame ‘Directors Award’.

Kevin is the author of three books:

Not For Sale: Finding Center in the Land of Crazy Horse

The Seventh Power: One CEO’s Journey into the Business of Shared Leadership

48 Whispers from Pine Ridge and the Northern Plains

Kevin also partners with the executive coaching firm DoorTwo to provide senior management training programs around the concepts of shared leadership, dispersed power, and deep employee engagement.

Kevin is a frequent visitor to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota and an advocate of strengthening the voices of all individuals—within a company or a community —through listening, empowering, and shared leadership.  He is a graduate of Bowdoin College and lives in Maine with his wife Alison.

Speaker: Ben Tasker
Topic: Interacting with AI: Precision and Productivity for Project Managers
About Ben: Ben Tasker is the Associate Dean of AI at one of the largest universities in the U.S., where he leads the development of AI-driven, skills-based learning programs that help today’s workforce prepare for tomorrow. With a background as a data scientist and AI product strategist, Ben has built solutions that identified 20% more at-risk cancer patients, automated clinical workflows, and improved decision-making in healthcare and government.

Ben’s focus is on the human side of AI—how it can reduce wait times, close service gaps, and empower people, not replace them. He believes we’re living through “the between times”—a pivotal phase in the AI revolution where people must evolve, upskill, and lead with purpose.

A frequent speaker and podcast guest, Ben has appeared on The Futurist Society, This Week in AI, and the Medical AI Podcast, where he shares practical insights on AI’s role in workforce transformation and responsible innovation.

Speaker: Annmarie Curley
Topic: Wired to Resist, Designed to Adapt: The Biological Paradox of Change Management
About Annmarie: Annmarie Curley is a transformational leadership strategist, international speaker, and founder of Newgrange IT Consulting. With over 25 years of executive leadership experience, including a transformative role at a Fortune 500 investment bank, she is recognized for her ability to align strategy with execution, optimize global teams, and revive mission-critical initiatives under pressure.

In 2010, she launched her boutique consulting firm to help organizations close the gap between vision and delivery. Annmarie blends strategic execution with neuroscience-based leadership and resilience training to unlock the potential of teams and organizations under pressure. Her consulting approach fuses project leadership, organizational change management, and human-centered design - enabling clients to reduce risk, align strategy and execution, and drive performance. Her firm has led transformational programs across finance, healthcare networks, global retail, higher education institutions, and nonprofit organizations.

She is known for energizing audiences with practical insights on how to lead through complexity, transform team dynamics, and sustain performance under pressure. Her work inspires leaders to think differently, lead more consciously, and create the conditions for innovation, resilience, and lasting change. When she’s not guiding transformation, Annmarie finds renewal in the mountains and trails of Vermont with her husband and sons.