Today we’d like to introduce you to Asya Watkins.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve worked in the project management industry in various positions for the last 20 years as an in-demand expert in the project management industry working with top-tier brands like Walgreens, CVS/Caremark, Optum, & United Healthcare. I also served as the Director of Mentorship for the Project Management Institute (PMI) and was one of the creators of the 1st Women’s Network for Walgreens Corporation.
Throughout my experience, the one common theme throughout my 20 years of experience was not meeting enough women in the industry. It was hard to find women and it was even harder to find women who looked like me.
After no luck searching for a community created intentionally to support Women & Women of Color In Project Management, I finally decided to create what I wish I would have had earlier in my career. I created a community not just for someone entering the industry and looking for support, but for women in all stages of their career to find the support that they need to thrive.
In 2015, I created Women Of Project Management –The Only Global Network Created For Women & Women Of Color In Every Specialty Of Project Management. Today we have women on every continent of the world and we are always evolving to ensure we are meeting the needs of this community.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to create this community has not always been smooth. Many times, as women & women of color we don’t “show up” as our authentic selves in Corporate America. So when it was time to start this platform, I had to work through mental blocks to ensure I was showing up authentically and I that I was clear with my messaging to ensure all women knew that this was a platform where they would be supported. It was not enough for me to simply say this platform was for women, it was imperative that I extended this invitation to women of color.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Women Of Project Management – what should we know?
What sets Women Of Project Management apart from other project management communities is that we are the only global network created to intentionally support Women & Women Of Color In Every Specialty Of Project Management.
Women of Project Management provides an online community to network with women in every industry globally, mentorship, we provide PMP Coaching for career progression, we provide an industry-focused growth lab where we have templates, toolkits, podcasts, and masterclasses (think Jada Pinkett’s Red Table Talk, but for women sharing their experiences and lessons learned in the industry.)
The thing that I’m most proud of as a company is how our community supports one another. We cheer each other on and we build one another up, and we all become better as a result of our support for one another.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The characteristics that have been most important to my success have been, First, showing up authentically as myself –being honest about the ups and downs of my career journey with the hopes that it will help others.
The second characteristic would be reciprocity. I’ve always believed in being generous with my knowledge. If there’s something I’ve learned, I’m always happy to share that with the next person to help them avoid any pitfalls and I expect to do the same. This is a founding element that allows the Women Of Project Management platform to work so well. If everyone practices reciprocity, we all share our knowledge –and we all win.
Pricing:
- 12 Month Membership for Women Of Project Management is $129/Year
- Empowerment Boxes Start at $45.00 (that includes a $30 discount for the membership)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.WomenOfPM.com
- Email: Asya@WomenOfPM.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenofpm/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/womenofpm/
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asyawatkins/
Image Credit:
Shekeidra Booker (https://www.instagram.com/smarchephoto/)
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