Michael O’Connor, PhD, has been a PMI and PMI MN member since 2003. He is a PMP® and PgMP® and hopes to complete the PfMP® soon (Triple “P”). He is a member of the PMI Global Council. Michael is the PMI-MN President Chapter and Board Liaison for the PDD Committee. Michael’s prior PMI MN roles are President-Elect COO, Co-Chair Community Outreach, Professional Development, Program Development, Academic Outreach, Proposal Reviewer, PMI PDD Guest Speaker, and Panelist, PDD volunteer, Paint-A-Thon Team Member, PMI Mentoring Program, PMI to Medtronic Corporate Liaison and PMP Exam Prep Volunteer. He also helped develop the new PMI MN Chapter logo.

Since joining the Board of Directors, Michael has been passionate about working with the PDD team, sponsorship, professional development, and program development. Michael’s previous experience in strategic partnerships has allowed him to lean on his network and make other connections within the PMI MN organization.

Michael is currently Senior Research Program Director, Program Management with Medtronic, in Enabling Technologies under the Cranial and Spinal Technologies / Neuroscience Portfolio. He has over 37 years of professional work experience and 32+ years of professional experience in the Medical Device Industry.

Michael's Leadership Philosophy:

• Passion: I have passion for the work I perform in the medical device industry. I am motivated to improve on past results and look to create higher efficiency and productivity. I have passion for my team to grow, improve and succeed. Making a difference at an organization and with people creates passion for me.
• Energy: Creating an energetic environment that will foster a positive impact with people around me to create success. I like to bring energy and spirit to other people to pass along this sense of vitality that will move people to work outside their normal day-to-day activities.
• Innovation: Innovation defines a new idea, improved process, or a more effective device. Innovation is a process that takes ideas and creates value for customers. I enjoy pursuing innovative ideas, network building, persisting under diversity and taking responsibility for actions.

He is a Community Faculty Member at Metropolitan State University and an Adjunct Faculty instructor at the College of St. Scholastica, the University of Wisconsin, Platteville, The University of Wisconsin-Extended Campus and The University of Maryland, College Park, A. James School of Engineering teaching graduate level Project Management, Program Management, Portfolio Management, Project Capstone, Procurement, Product Development and Culture / Organizational course(s).

Michael enjoys traveling all over the globe and has been to many different destinations (23 countries and counting) throughout his career. He is an avid soccer player and enjoys most other outdoor sporting activities. In the summer he can be found on the many trails in Minnesota biking, running, rollerblading or walking. He is a true die-hard Minnesota sports fan and supports all other professional and amateur sports around the Twin Cities.