Rhea Iyer

I think it's about surrounding yourself with people who inspire you. As you grow older, it's important not to be afraid to connect with new people and have conversations to get inspiration and change your perspective. Books and learnings and certifications might not give you what people do, especially those in different industries who give a different perspective on how to do your work. We get really fixated on what we believe, but it's always important to step back and see that there's another reason why other people are doing so well in their fields.

One of the best career lessons I've received came from my dad. He always tells me that rejection isn't something to fear or take personally; it's feedback and fuel. Every "no" is an opportunity to learn, improve, and come back stronger. Instead of dwelling on setbacks, he encourages me to use them as motivation to sharpen my skills, build resilience, and keep moving forward. That mindset has helped me see rejection not as failure, but as a stepping stone toward the right opportunity.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to stop waiting until you feel "ready." Some of the biggest opportunities in my career came from taking chances before I had every answer. Advocate for yourself, ask for the stretch assignment, and don't let rejection make you question your worth, it should challenge you to grow. Surround yourself with mentors, keep learning, and remember that your perspective has value. Confidence isn't something you're born with; it's something you build every time you choose to show up.

One of the biggest opportunities in project and program management right now is the rapid adoption of AI and automation. AI is transforming how teams plan projects, analyze data, manage risks, and make decisions, allowing project managers to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time on strategy and leadership. At the same time, one of the biggest challenges is keeping pace with this change. The most successful professionals will be those who embrace new technologies while continuing to develop the human skills: communication, adaptability, collaboration, and critical thinking..that AI can't replace.

The values that matter most to me, both professionally and personally, are integrity, continuous learning, and kindness. I believe in doing the right thing even when no one is watching, staying curious and always looking for ways to grow, and treating people with respect and empathy. I also value resilience..the ability to learn from setbacks instead of being discouraged by them. Whether I'm leading a project or spending time with family and friends, I want to be someone others can trust, rely on, and feel supported by.