Board Members
Ali Gohlke-Schermer - President
Ali Gohlke-Schermer is a PMP-certified financial planner at Commonwealth Financial Group. Ali used to work as a manufacturing engineer, where she found a love for project management before she took on a formal project manager role at NDI. Recently, she has opened her own practice as a financial planner, where she transfers her skills from the PM world into her business. Additionally, Ali volunteers with her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi.
Ali has a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Vermont and an M.S. in engineering management from Clarkson University. Originally from Albany, New York, Ali lives in Vermont with her partner and enjoys skiing, crossfit, and running.
Reponsibilities
The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer for the Chapter and of the Board, and shall perform such duties as are customary for presiding officers, including making all required appointments with the approval of the Board. Responsible the strategic vision, mission, and objectives as detailed by the chapter board, PMI, and chapter business plans. The President directs the activities of other officers toward chapter goals and objectives. Ensure that the chapter board works together as a team.
Nancy Willis, Vice President
Nancy is the Director of Strategy Execution at Data Innovations, a company that optimizes patient care through transformative laboratory software solutions. Nancy collaborates with leaders to achieve organizational alignment focusing on driving consistent, predictable performance. Project management is the key to strategy execution and the key to a successful project management professional is not only their ability to execute but to master the skill of influence and show the value of project management to the organization. I’m very excited to be part of the PMI community, it is a great way to connect with people in our profession and learn from each other.
Responsibilites
Serves as an advocate for the Champlain Valley Chapter, steering the board to understand the Project Management needs of our chapter members and finding ways to satisfy those needs. Provides leadership to the board, supporting each board member’s goals and objectives.
Riddhi Patel, VP of Finance
Riddhi has built a distinguished career spanning over two decades in the financial services industry, with experience in both business and IT roles. She started her career at Fidelity Investments, where she earned several financial advisory designations such as Series 6, 7, 26, 24, 51, and 53, demonstrating her comprehensive knowledge of financial products and regulations.
Riddhi joined National Life Group (NLG) upon moving to Vermont in 2014. At NLG, she worked with Equity Services Inc., the broker-dealer arm, as well as National Life Insurance Company. Her career at NLG was marked by significant achievements, including obtaining the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification, which underscored her expertise in cybersecurity and information security management.
In her last role at NLG, Riddhi spearheaded transformative Fraud Detection & Prevention programs. Her initiatives focused on embedding security measures throughout the life cycle of insurance policies across various channels, enhancing the organization's resilience against fraud, and improving incident response protocols.
In June 2023, Riddhi made the decision to step away from her professional career to prioritize her family. This decision reflects her dedication to personal values and responsibilities outside of work, while also highlighting her successful tenure and contributions to NLG.
Throughout her career, Riddhi has consistently demonstrated leadership, strategic vision, and a strong commitment to excellence in both financial services and cybersecurity domains.
Responsibilities
The VP Finance is responsible for presenting and maintaining all financial records required for Chapter operations in accordance with the purposes of the Chapter and its Constitution and Bylaws and subject to the approval of the majority of the members of the Chapter Board of Directors. The position includes comptroller/controller responsibility (i.e., responsibility for all funds collected and disbursed by the Chapter).
Michael Schmidt, VP of Community Building
Michael Schmidt is a PMP certified project manager at Siemens EDA. Michael has worked in various roles at GlobalFoundries, IBM, and Intel including engineering, project management, and functional management. Additionally, Michael has taught many courses in engineering, business, and project management.
Michael has a B.S. in electrical engineering from San Jose State University, an M.S. in engineering management from Walden University, and an MBA from RPI.
Originally from Buffalo NY, Michael lives in Vermont and spends his free time enjoying the outdoors in Vermont and the Adirondacks with his family.
ROLE DESCRIPTION:
The Community Building VP is responsible for managing the relationships that PMI CV has with community members and other local organizations, schools and businesses.
Elected volunteer responsible for addressing the needs of chapter community relations activities, in this role you may serve as a central point of contact for the chapter and help develop and run outreach programs. Responds to inquiries from community members and other interested parties; when needed, recruits a knowledgeable spokesperson or information source to assist. Plans, coordinates, and executes special events and press conferences.
Bob Earle - VP of Marketing
A project execution leader with 25+ years of financial services experience; change management focus with a strong background in operations and technical delivery. A professional who enjoys the challenges of working with business and technology groups to provide effective solutions. Leads continuous improvement within the PMO at National Life Insurance Group to grow talent and further enhance project execution capabilities. Bob has had similar roles at Voya Financial, ING and at Bank of America.
ROLE DESCRIPTION:
Responsible for creating and implementing a Chapter marketing plan. The key objective of the Public Relations team is to communicate our message of project, program, and portfolio management value to the Champlain Valley community and beyond.
Elected volunteer responsible for marketing and public relations. The VP of marketing shall be responsible for developing marketing, corporate relations and communication programs in accordance with chapter bylaws and policies. And is responsible for the administration and ongoing maintenance and updates to the Chapter website. Assists other board members with content publishing and oversees community member activities.
Vijay Desai, VP - Outreach
Vijay Desai is a founder and principal consultant at Desai Management Consulting, a Vermont-based global professional services company that delivers value across the business lifecycle in various industries. He has over 25 years of experience in engineering, project management, and consulting, and holds multiple credentials, including PMP, P.Eng., and SSM. Vijay helps emerging and fast-growing companies in North America define and reach their next level of performance, by providing value-based advisory and consulting services that deliver flexible business solutions within an overall framework connecting strategy to execution. He is also a co-founder and executive director of Technology for Tomorrow, a non-profit organization that provides affordable technology education and counseling to those in need. He is passionate about empowering people and organizations to achieve their full potential.
ROLE DESCRIPTION:
The Outreach VP strengthens the relationship between the PMI Chapter and the community. The Outreach VP responsible for an organization's public relations campaign for the purpose of identifying, establishing and cultivating cooperative relationships with community based programs, organizations, and community leaders, with a special focus on supporting project management professionals in our region.
Brent Raymond, VP of Education
Brent Raymond is General Manager of Green Mountains Regional Center (GMRC), a Rossi Group company. Mr. Raymond has over ten years of regional center management experience, and over twenty years in finance and banking.
Mr. Raymond's responsibilities include leading and overseeing operations, project management, compliance, investor relations, and marketing. Brent was previously Vice President, Special Projects at Mount Snow resort and a former Executive Director of two regional centers where he utilized his leadership and management skills, and bond finance background to implement policy and procedure improvements. Brent has also formerly held FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities licenses. Mr. Raymond worked for over ten years in the New England region's financial services sector as a Vice President of TD Bank's Wealth Management Group, and later as a Vermont-based Merrill Lynch financial advisor.
Mr. Raymond serves as a member of the IIUSA Best Practices committee and is a past Chair of the Eastern Trade Council.
Brent served in the U.S. Air Force, earning several medals and commendations, and was named Cape Cod Air Force Station Airman of the Year. He later served in both the Vermont Air National Guard and the Vermont Army National Guard. A summa cum laude graduate of CUNY Hunter College, he graduated with a double major in history and an interdisciplinary honors studies program.
Responsibilities
The VP Education is responsible for developing Chapter educational programs, including PMP certification preparation and other project management training, developing relationships with local colleges and universities, serving as liaison to the PMI Educational Foundation, and identifying other educational opportunities in accordance with the purposes of the Chapter and its Constitution and Bylaws and subject to the approval of the majority of the Chapter Board of Directors.
Rebecca Connell, VP of Membership
For 14 years I served as a CIA case officer, traveling extensively and embracing a life filled with unique and transformative experiences. This journey allowed me to develop a deep understanding of international cultures and complex security landscapes. I recently completed a Master's degree in Cybersecurity from Boston College, which has further solidified my expertise in this field.
In my current role at Dell Technologies, I have been leading transformational cybersecurity programs, infusing security into the product development life cycle and enhancing incident response capabilities. My work at Dell has not only improved the company's security posture but also fostered a culture where every team member feels empowered to be the first line of defense against cyber threats.
Throughout my career, I have consistently focused on building strong, agile teams dedicated to maintaining robust cybersecurity and seamless operations. Whether it's developing comprehensive security programs, optimizing incident response, or creating effective governance frameworks, my goal has always been to ensure the highest standards of security and risk management.
Beyond the technical aspects, my leadership style is centered on empowerment and collaboration, ensuring that everyone I work with has the tools and confidence to excel in their roles. My diverse experiences, from global intelligence to corporate cybersecurity, have shaped me into a dynamic and forward-thinking leader committed to making a significant impact in whatever field I pursue.
Responsibilities
The VP of Membership is responsible for addressing the needs of chapter membership, including service delivery, recruiting and retaining members. Develops and maintains a chapter membership plan that assures continued growth through proactive recruiting and partnering with area employers, promotes the value of PMI and chapter membership and is the liaison with potential PMI members.
Rick Daniel, Director at Large
Rick brings years of experience in project management, data analytics, and technology to PMI-CV. As an innovative thinker and complex problem solver, Rick enjoys working with clients to find effective solutions to keep them moving forward. During his diverse career, Rick has served in a consulting role with many businesses, large and small, and from many industries. He has designed and implemented systems to improve efficiency, and to help businesses be more profitable. As a Northeast Kingdom native, he is very familiar with the region and the specific challenges businesses face in the NEK communities. In his off hours, Rick enjoys several hobbies which include home automation, electronics and astrophotography.
Responsibilities
A board member at large serves a critical role in a governing board of directors. Because they do not have one permanent set of duties, they are available to take on tasks as the board’s strategy evolves or urgent matters become apparent.
The importance of a board member at large lies in their ability to offer a broad perspective and diverse insights to the board. They bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and skills from various backgrounds, which can enrich discussions, enhance decision-making processes, and ensure the board considers a wide range of viewpoints.
