PMI Austria Forum Day 2026

Kathleen Walch is Director of AI Engagement and Community at the Project Management Institute (PMI), where she drives the practical and responsible adoption of AI across the profession. Her work sits at the intersection of technology, learning, and real-world application—making her highly relevant for the theme “AI and Lifelong Learning.”

As co-developer of the globally adopted CPMAI methodology for AI project management, she brings deep expertise in how organizations build capabilities, not just deploy technology. This directly connects to PMI’s concept of Power Skills: enabling professionals to lead change, navigate complexity, and foster continuous learning in AI-driven environments.

She was ranked #1 on Thinkers360’s Top Global Thought Leaders & Influencers on Agentic AI in 2026.

A sought-after keynote speaker, host of the “AI Today” podcast, and contributor to CIO and Fortune, Kathleen Walch translates AI into actionable leadership and learning strategies. 

Keynote:  
AI and Lifelong Learning: Thriving in the Era of Intelligent Transformation  

Andreas Schachl is a seasoned tech leader with decades of experience steering international software teams through every stage of product and project development. He believes that people are the true engine of any successful organization, so he pairs hands on mentorship with rigorously crafted processes to turn ambitious ideas into proven results. Together with his business partner, Andreas co founded Responsible Annotation Services, an AI focused venture that streamlines the entire data pipeline—from initial screening to precise annotation—helping clients unlock high quality training data at scale.  Their key to success is a neuro diverse team of annotation experts who consistently deliver top tier results at high speed, even over prolonged periods.

Talk:  
Combining technological precision with social responsibility to make the world SAFER.

Maximilian Hantsch graduated from Vienna University of Technology and has worked in numerous small and large-scale organizations from start-ups to international multi-cultural corporations. With a long-standing experience in software development and broad understanding of communication networks and technologies, Maximilian has been leading classic and agile teams in both highly structured and dynamically flexible set-ups. Maximilian is keen on growing teams and organizations, implementing the appropriate processes & communication, and allowing the magic of team spirit to unfold. 

Talk:  
Combining technological precision with social responsibility to make the world SAFER.

Former researcher in AI for medical devices, then AI & PM Consultant in Pharma at Arcondis AG, now Enterprise Architect for the Swiss Government, Volunteer at PMI Switzerland, Independent consultant Management & leadership. He teaches PM at the University of Bern, Negotiation at the ZHAW Management School. Best speaker at PMI Leadership Institute Meeting 2025, and regular speaker in Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Sweden. 

Talk 1:  
Unlocking Team Performance through Movement  

Talk 2:  
Politics, suffer or master your destiny 

Lorenzo Vetrano is an international speaker, consultant, and Agile Coach who has led and supported software development teams across Europe and beyond.

As a consultant, he has supported organizations in navigating complex delivery environments, aligning diverse stakeholders, and adapting agile practices to real‑world constraints.
Lorenzo’s leadership perspective is deeply influenced by his background as a former competitive basketball player, where teamwork, trust, and performance under pressure are essential. This combination of consulting and team sport shapes his approach to leadership, emphasizing clarity, shared responsibility, and situational awareness. He focuses on leadership beyond hierarchy, helping project professionals develop the power skills required to lead effectively in complex, technology‑driven environments. 

Talk 1:  
Unlocking Team Performance through Movement

Talk 2:  
Host Leadership: Creating the Conditions for Teams to Thrive

Stuart Easton is CEO and co-founder of TransparentChoice, a leading platform for strategic portfolio management. A recognized thought leader in project prioritization, benefits realization, and strategy execution, Stuart has spoken at global events including PMO Global Alliance Summits, PMI Virtual Experience Series, and Future PMO. He helps organizations move beyond “on time, on budget” to delivering measurable business value through evidence-based prioritization and governance frameworks that align portfolios with strategy. 

Talk:  
The Missing Link in PMO Success: Why Power Skills Beat Process Every Time

Masterclass 1:  
Beyond Delivery: How PMOs Drive Benefits and Strategic Value

Daniel Hendling is an independent project manager, consultant, and guide based in Austria. He is PMP-, IPMA-, PRINCE2-, Green Project Management-, and Change Management-certified and has extensive international experience in project leadership, organizational development, communication, and stakeholder engagement. As the founder of People Centered Project Management, he focuses on the human side of projects, combining structured project management with leadership, motivation, conflict resolution, and needs-focused collaboration. Daniel teaches project management as an external lecturer and is actively involved in international project management standardization work, including ISO/TC 258. His Master’s thesis led to the development of the MOVE Model, a needs-focused leadership framework integrating motivation, mediation, movement, and trust. Daniel is also engaged with PMI as a volunteer and speaker, contributing to the advancement of people-centered, sustainable, and psychologically informed project leadership. 

Talk:  
All Buttons Pushed: Needs-Focused Leadership with the MOVE Model 

Wolfgang H. Güttel is Full Professor of Leadership & Strategy at the TU Wien and Dean of the Academy for Continuing Education. His work bridges rigorous academic research with practical leadership challenges in complex transformation environments.

Prior to his current role, he served as Dean and Managing Director of LIMAK Management School and held professorships at several universities in Austria and Germany. He has also been a research fellow in Liverpool and Padua, and a visiting professor in London, Geneva, and Bochum. Before entering academia, he worked as a management consultant at Daimler-Benz and Diebold, and later founded his own consulting firm.

Talk:  
The Triple Loop of Change-Model 

After earning his degree in Mechanical Engineering in Carinthia, Alexander Kagl began his career at a mid-sized company and later contributed to business growth in North America during a one-year stay in the U.S. with a consulting firm. He then managed the logistics supply chain for life-saving medicines at a leading pharmaceutical company. In 2006, he co-founded DYNACT Management Consulting GmbH in Vienna. Initially focused on classic project management, the firm has since expanded into change management, innovation, and team performance. Today, Alex supports international projects across 40+ countries.  

His expertise includes change management, startup support, project and crisis management, strategic PMOs, innovation and design thinking, executive coaching, and team development.  

Masterclass 2:  
From Delivery to Value: The Project Manager as Strategic Partner for Project Success. Leading Value, Change and AI-Enabled Teams 

Lee R. Lambert, PMI Fellow, is one of the founders of the PMP Certification and has logged nearly 60 years in the field.   He is currently a private consultant who has spoken about the value of project management in 54 countries the past three years. During a corporate career he held senior level positions for General Electric, IBM, and Roche.  He has led the efforts to implement Enterprise PM Methodologies and was credited with creating the first PMO in 1977. Lambert loves to train and has shared knowledge with over 50,000 students.  

Talk:  
Fireside Talk

Mark began his career in sales and marketing before moving into operations to develop his leadership skills. He soon took on special assignments for top management, leading to a long-term focus on project management. 

With over 30 years of experience, Mark has led quality, change, start-up, and reorganization projects across diverse industries and in around 30 countries. He built PMOs and competence centers, stabilized troubled projects, coached teams, and was co-founder and longtime president of PMI Chapter Austria. He also organized major PM events, advises organizations, teaches at universities, and remains an active and passionate project, program, and portfolio manager. 

Talk:  
Fireside Talk

Wolfgang Rabl is the Managing Director and owner of next level consulting and has been a leading figure in the fields of project management, process management, change management and organizational development for 30 years. His focus lies on strategic client support and providing long-term consultancy to key clients – always with the aim of effectively developing structures and cultures within organizations.

As an experienced consultant and sparring partner for top management, he combines in-depth specialist knowledge with broad industry expertise. His areas of specialization include the establishment of PM standards and PMOs, project portfolio management, hybrid project management approaches, specialist career models and change architectures for transformation processes. Furthermore, he is regarded as a proven expert in the design and facilitation of large-scale events with up to 500 participants.

Talk:  
Fireside Talk

Project Management Institute executive and transformation leader, Lenka Pincot serves as Chief of Staff to the CEO at PMI, where she oversees the Transformation Management Office, Enterprise Program Management Office, CEO & Board Communications, and Thought Leadership teams. Lenka holds multiple PMI certifications, including PMP, PMI-ACP, PfMP, PMI-PBA, and CAPM. 

With extensive international experience across financial services, technology, and large-scale transformation initiatives, Lenka has led digital and agile transformations, innovation programs, and strategic business change in complex organizations. Most recently, she served as Head of Agile Transformation at a leading European bank, where she defined the transformation vision and strategy, built and led a high-performing transformation team, and executed the enterprise roadmap while aligning business and IT stakeholders across the organization. Her focus is on driving enterprise agility at scale. 

Keynote:  
Power-Up with M.O.R.E 

Oliver Wana is Head of Strategic Advisory at SQUER, leading the firm's advisory portfolio for AI-native transformation, strategic portfolio management, and enterprise change. He advises C-level stakeholders on adaptive business and portfolio architecture, change enablement, and the cultural shifts that turn Technology & AI strategy into business impact.

Before joining SQUER, Oliver held senior leadership positions across technology, product and consulting for more than a decade — including CTPO at Haufe Advisory, Head of Technology at Klaiton, and earlier years as a Consultant at Deloitte. He combines deep organizational understanding with a clear conviction: sustainable AI impact requires roughly 70% investment in people, processes, and culture — and only 30% in technology.
As a speaker and lecturer, Oliver teaches at UAS Technikum Wien, Ferdinand Porsche FernFH, and in the MBA program of FH BFI Wien — focusing on leadership and organisational psychology. He holds Master's degrees in Organisational Psychology from the University of Vienna and in Computer Science from UAS Technikum Wien, as well as an Executive MBA from WU Executive Academy.

Talk:  
The Human Side of AI-Native IT: How Roles and Capabilities Must Evolve — Insights from ORF's Transformation

Astrid Zöchling is the first female CIO of the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF), leading the organization's Software Development, IT Infrastructure and Network divisions. Since 2023, she has been driving ORF's cloud transformation, the implementation of a company-wide data platform, and the development of ORF's digital and AI strategy.
 
Before joining ORF, Astrid held senior leadership roles in IT, UX and Data within the Austrian financial sector for more than a decade, successfully leading agile transformations and building cross-functional product teams at BAWAG Group and ÖVAG. She combines deep technical understanding with a passion for digital innovation and the human side of technology.
 
Recognized as Austria's Confare CIO of the Year 2025, she is focusing on digital transformation and modern leadership. Astrid holds degrees in political science, economics and law from the University of Vienna and the Vienna University of Economics and Business.

Talk:  
The Human Side of AI-Native IT: How Roles and Capabilities Must Evolve — Insights from ORF's Transformation