Influential Woman · Entertainment

Nicole Pagano

Sr. Project Manager, Twin Engines Global

Frederick, MD

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Broadcast and Electronic Communications Cert PMI Certified Project Manager Member PMI (Project Management Institute)

Her Story

About Nicole

I currently work as a senior project manager at an independent movie distribution company with two labels - one Christian family-friendly and another General Market. My background is in broadcast and electronic communications, and while I initially looked to go into news journalism, I fell into audio-visual and sports broadcasting instead. I do the highlights for DC sports games, which really branched me out into entertainment. My career path has been about building myself up - starting with audio-visual work, transitioning into coordination, and then working my way up to project management. It took me about 5 years to become a certified project manager with the PMI organization, which required a certain amount of project manager hours, 16 hours of certified education, going through their application process, and taking their test. Now I maintain my certification every 3 years with credit points. When the position opened up at the movie distribution company and they were looking for a certified project manager, I had just become certified, so the timing was perfect and I slid right in.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Nicole

01What do you attribute your success to?

I'd have to say that my mom was just a great role model. She kind of did the same thing, except with 3 kids, and she's in the medical industry. She invested the time in med school, and then slaved away, working her way up in an emergency room, and then to orthopedics. Now she's branching out and she's actually a well-known artist now in our region. To see that you can have a profession, but that might not define who you are - maybe you are an artist and you want that creative outlet, and that may be your new path in the second chapter of your life. Just seeing her and how she did it with 3 kids and managing everything, I feel I'm just doing a little of what she did. Just the fact that she was my mom, I try to be just like her.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would always say go for your dream, but be aware and open-minded for doors that can open for you, because that may lead to where you want to be. I didn't think right away that I would be working in film, but I always wanted to, I just didn't know what would be my way. I feel like every opportunity was meant for me, and I just kind of went with it, and it wasn't the normal route to get in the film industry. Just being open-minded and seeing what doors were there kind of really helped. And my advice to myself and other creatives - don't scatter your eggs, put them in one basket to complete the project and see where it goes. I feel like for the longest time I was just wearing myself thin, and how do you climb to the top of a mountain if you're taking every trail along the way?

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