Strategic Thinking & Business Alignment in the Age of AI: Empowering PMs for Real Impact

Tool: Strategy Ways Of Working Jim Damian CEO & Principal Consultant Linean

About The Presentation

In an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, project managers must go beyond execution—they must become strategic business partners. This session explores how to elevate project leadership by aligning initiatives with business goals, leveraging emerging technologies, and using data to drive smarter decisions.

Drawing on real-world examples, Jim will share practical tools and frameworks that help PMs create measurable value across the enterprise. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how to operate with strategic intent and position themselves—and their teams—as catalysts for innovation and impact.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn how to better align project outcomes with business goals.

2. Understand how AI and analytics are reshaping the modern project manager’s toolkit.

3. Gain practical strategies to enhance decision-making, visibility, and agility.

4. Discover methods for leading cross-functional teams through change and complexity.

5. Explore real-world examples of project teams driving business transformation.

About Jim Damian

Jim Damian is the CEO and Principal Consultant at Linean, a Central Valley-based firm helping organizations harness the power of AI, analytics, and automation to drive strategic outcomes. With over two decades of experience in both the public and private sectors, Jim is known for helping organizations align people, processes, and technology.

He previously served as Kern County’s Chief Economic Development Officer and founded Stria, a digital transformation company that was a five-time Inc. 5000 honoree. A former social worker turned tech entrepreneur, Jim brings humor, empathy, execution, and systems thinking to his presentations.

Jim has advised organizations across sectors—including education, government, and energy—on how to make smarter decisions and deliver meaningful results. He is a two-time Ironman finisher, a Businessperson of the Year honoree, and a passionate advocate for creating alignment as the key to organizational success.