Board of Directors

At PMI-DHC, our Board of Directors is more than a leadership team; we are a community built on trust, authenticity, and a shared passion for our members and the work we do. We govern with integrity, keeping the chapter’s long-term success and member experience at the heart of our decisions.

Collaboration, along with being there for one another, fuels our work, and so does fun! We support each other, foster growth, embrace diverse perspectives, and create a space where everyone belongs. Together, with our dedicated volunteers, we cultivate an inclusive, dynamic, and thriving chapter, one that empowers project professionals to grow, connect, and make an impact.

 
Lori MacEachern
Lori MacEachern, PMP®, MBA

As President, Lori is responsible for leading the development and execution of the overall vision and strategy of the PMI-Durham Highlands Chapter and is jointly accountable with the Board for its oversight.

Lori has nearly 30 years’ experience in the financial industry and was an accidental PM who made it official when she earned her PMP® in 2019. One of the benefits of being a PMP® is the access to community. Lori joined the PMI-DHC Chapter as a volunteer, quickly moving into the Mentorship Chair, then Director, Professional Development, and most recently, VP, Finance.

Outside of PMI-DHC, Lori and her husband are preparing to become empty nesters as their 17-year-old son enters his final year of high school, leaving their two cats with no choice but to finally acknowledge them as worthy companions. Until then, Lori will continue to curl up with a good mystery.

[email protected]a
Connect with me on LinkedIn!



Shannon Bell
Shannon Bell, PMP®, RMP®

As Vice President of Administration and Governance, Shannon is the keeper, maintainer and provider of all things that support our Board’s ongoing activities. In this role she is a link between all portfolios as they work to deliver services to our members and provides direction on the chapter’s governance process and strategic initiatives by developing or improving operational best practices.

Following a squiggly career path Shannon has 25 years experience in various roles in technology and project management across different sectors including Construction and IT. She is currently living out a dream building a strategic EPMO for 360Insights in Durham Region. 

Initially serving the Chapter as Membership Operations Chair, and then Director of Membership, Shannon shares her passion for how we can make participation at DHC a fun and enriching experience for all our members and continue to learn and grow together, meeting the needs of our local and global communities. 

Shannon spends her days evangelizing project management to anyone who will listen and encouraging others to learn how they can employ PM skills in the work they do everyday. She is passionate about developing meaningful relationships with clients and colleagues and has a genuine desire to foster excellence in others and lead by example while learning through challenges.

[email protected]
Connect with me on LinkedIn



Delroy Trowers
Delroy Trowers, MBA, PMP®

As Vice President of Finance, Delroy provides leadership and oversight for the financial activities that support PMI Durham Highlands Chapter operations. He is committed to strengthening financial governance, promoting best practices, and ensuring the chapter's long-term sustainability.

A seasoned Project Manager and Marketer, Delroy has led a variety of strategic and operational initiatives across multinational organizations. His experience includes designing and implementing an alternative distribution system as part of a Route-to-Market Trade Route Optimization project, as well as leading infrastructure, logistics, distribution, and product launch initiatives in senior leadership roles.

Beyond his professional career, Delroy is passionate about community service. He has supported numerous charitable initiatives through the Kiwanis Club and is actively involved in church outreach programs that serve those in need.

A PMI member since 2011 and PMP® certified since 2014, Delroy has contributed more than seven years of volunteer leadership to PMI-DHC, serving in roles including Vice President of Finance, Director of Membership, and Director of Outreach.

[email protected]
Connect with me on LinkedIn!


Heather Ricciuto
Heather Ricciuto, PMP®

As Director, Marketing and Communication, Heather is responsible for the various methods of communication that the chapter uses to inform the membership, whether through regular e- mails, the monthly newsletter, or social media.

Heather is a retired technology professional with over 35 years of experience. Throughout her career, she demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, successfully managing complex projects and teams at IBM. Her expertise in cybersecurity and her dedication to her community earned her recognition as a respected expert in her field.

A certified Project Management Professional (PMP®), Heather has been an active member of the PMI Durham Highlands Chapter for over 20 years. Her commitment to the profession extends beyond the workplace; she passionately teaches part-time in the Project Management Program at Durham College, where she empowers others with her knowledge and experience.

Heather's dedication to community service is evident in her volunteering efforts, and she actively contributes to various causes. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys gardening, supporting her daughter’s retail business, and cherishing time with her husband.

[email protected]
Connect with me on LinkedIn



Prachi Verma
Prachi Verma, PMP®

As Director, Outreach, Prachi is responsible for development, oversight and management of PMI-DHC’s sponsorships, partnerships and external outreach.

Prachi is an IT Portfolio Director with over 18 years of global experience leading large-scale technology transformation, governance, and portfolio management across financial services, utilities, and public sector organizations. She has successfully managed complex portfolios ranging from $30M to $4B, ensuring disciplined execution, regulatory compliance, and alignment of technology investments with business strategy and value realization.

Beyond her professional work, she is deeply committed to community and academic betterment, with over two decades of engagement in mentoring, leadership development, and professional knowledge-sharing initiatives. She currently serves in Board leadership role at the Durham College Alumni Association, as Vice President I, where she contributes to governance, nominations, and strategic planning to enhance alumni engagement and organizational impact. She is passionate about building inclusive, value-driven leadership ecosystems that connect governance, people, and purpose.

[email protected]
Connect with me on LinkedIn!

 


Mara Abolins
Mara Abolins, PMP®

As Director of Volunteers for PMI-DHC, Mara is responsible for all PMI-DHC volunteers; recruiting based on roles required by the PMI-DHC Board, and addressing the overall needs of PMI-DHC volunteers which includes but is not limited to onboarding, engagement, and retention. PMI-DHC is powered by its volunteers!

With over 20 years of experience, Mara brings a unique perspective on people and project management from her work across Retail, Government, and Education. As a certified PMP with advanced degrees from Carleton University, Centennial College, and York University, she’s a lifelong learner and proud self-proclaimed nerd.

Since 2019, Mara has been a dedicated volunteer with PMI-DHC, serving as Director of Volunteers since 2021. Her introverted yet enthusiastic approach helps bring diverse groups together, making the volunteer experience both impactful and enjoyable.

Outside work, Mara is navigating life’s changes while splitting her time between the GTA and her family farm in Prince Edward County, where she enjoys time with her German Shepherds. A former Black Belt in Goju-Ryu Karate and a Carnegie Hall performer, she lives by the motto “work smart, play always.”

[email protected]
Connect with me on LinkedIn

 


Nico Federico
Nico Federico, PMP®

As Director, Membership Care, Nico is responsible for addressing the needs of Chapter membership, including membership recruitment, retention, and associated value delivery in accordance with Chapter policies and bylaws.

Nico brings a unique blend of project management expertise and community-focused leadership to this role. With 20+ years of experience spanning Finance, IT, and business transformation, he currently specializes in helping organizations navigate complex change while building engaged, high-performing teams.

As an active PMI-DHC volunteer since September 2024, Nico has contributed through coaching of DHC team volunteers. These experiences have enriched his understanding of the chapter's operations and deepened his commitment to its mission. His approach combines analytical rigor with genuine care for people, making him well-suited to enhance the member experience.

Nico is passionate about leveraging automation and innovation to reduce administrative burden while maintaining the personal touch that makes PMI-DHC special. He specializes in data-driven insights, process improvement, member engagement strategies, and creating scalable solutions, skills that will create meaningful value for PMI-DHC members.

Outside of his professional work, Nico is actively building thought leadership in business transformation and remains committed to sustainability initiatives and growth-oriented communities. He believes in fostering authentic connections that inspire trust, inclusivity, and positive community impact.

[email protected]
Connect with me on LinkedIn!



Abu Sayem
Abu Sayem, PMP®

As Director, Member Events, Abu is responsible for the overall strategic planning, promotion, and logistics of monthly Chapter member meetings that aim ultimately to foster chapter membership growth and retention, nurture the volunteer experience through engagement and deliver value to the project management community.

Abu Sayem is a Project Leader and digital transformation professional based in Ontario, with over 15 years of experience leading complex, enterprise-scale initiatives across telecom, retail, consumer packaged goods, and the public sector. He currently serves at Toronto Police Service, where he contributes to modernizing public-facing digital services and advancing citizen-centric solutions.

He is recognized for his ability to bridge strategy and execution, bringing a strong governance mindset, stakeholder alignment, and disciplined delivery approach across complex environments. His leadership style emphasizes collaboration, clarity, and value-driven decision-making. He is passionate about advancing the project management profession, mentoring emerging leaders, and creating meaningful impact through technology and community leadership.

Beyond his professional work, Abu is the founder and host of Story Behind a Résumé, a platform focused on uncovering authentic career journeys and promoting leadership through storytelling. He is also an active contributor to the PMI Durham Highlands Chapter as a volunteer and speaker, supporting professional development and community engagement.

[email protected]
Connect with me on LinkedIn!



Mark Lewis
Mark Lewis, PMP®

As Director, Professional Development and Student Initiatives, Mark provides oversight and manages the PD, education and mentorship programs to support and promote project management skill and certifications.

Graduating from Queen’s University, Mark Lewis began his career in retail management as one of the first employees of Indigo Books and Music, moving to a head office role as a buyer for the chain before moving to Staples Canada as a buyer. Switching over to a sales manager role, he worked for a high-end home décor company as their GTA sales manager, before becoming the Canadian Sales Manager for US nutrition supplement company. He continued his career in the nutrition and pharmaceutical industries, consulting with global companies from Asia and Europe looking to expand into the Canadian market.

Mark is currently a professor at Durham College, Oshawa ON. He teaches in the Faculty of Business, primarily in the Project Management, Supply Chain Management and Finance Programs. After joining Durham College in 2020, he found his calling, teaching the next generation of Project Managers. Continuing his education with an MBA from Heriot Watt University, he has been active in teaching, developing courses and programs and mentoring at the College.

[email protected]
Connect with me on LinkedIn!