Calendar of Events

Presentation Title: Design Thinking: An Innovation Tool for Turbulent Times

Presentation Date:  Wednesday June 23,2021 & Friday June 25,2021
                       Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00AM PDT    

PMI Category:  Leadership: 2 hours 
                             Technical: 1 hour
                              Strategic: 1 hour

PDU (Professional Development Units): 4.0

Event Description: Do you need a customer-focused way of reimagining internal and external services? Design thinking provides an approach for deep understanding of service recipients’ needs. Organizations can use design thinking as a human-centered approach to transforming programs and services.

Design thinking arose out of product design with its deep focus on user needs and empathy. Today, it also provides a powerful method for transforming service delivery. As organizations grapple with pandemic and post-pandemic needs, they face massive challenges in delivering essential services. Design thinking offers a structure for purposeful redesigning for the user. We can use it to help our stakeholders reimagine services from the perspective of the person who experiences the services.

In this hands-on course, we’ll give you foundational knowledge and skills to facilitate basic design thinking processes.

Zoom Registration link: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/githensassociates/515117/r/pmi-sac

Cost: PMI Member: $105 with PMI discount Coupon code: PMI-SAC 
   Non-PMI member: $110

Presenter Biography:
Rod Githens, PhD - Rod has led innovation processes for the last 15 years as an internal and external facilitator.  He began using design thinking in 2015 and successfully led the creation of a new set of academic programs using design thinking as a core methodology.  Eventually, he became Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Innovation, facilitating these processes throughout his school at University of the Pacific.  Currently, he teaches innovation and organization change as the Alexandra Greene Ottesen Endowed Chair.  Rod has also owned a consulting business since 2011, Githens and Associates. With a team of colleagues, he helps organizations serve their customers at levels they did not realize were possible through innovation, design, and strategy.

Shelby Pierce - Shelby helps groups and organizations that traditionally met in-person to create meaningful and productive online experiences. Prior to becoming a full-time facilitator, she had 10 years of experience in the financial services and healthcare sectors. Shelby has a rich background in community organizing and serves on the executive committee for several nonprofit boards. Since the start of the pandemic, she has worked with over 40 different groups around the world, ranging from local community initiatives and nonprofits to nationwide groups including healthcare, government, education, and international development.