[Virtual] Using Human-Centered Design to Enable Team Engagement

Learn how to unlock stronger collaboration, psychological safety, and real inclusion using human-centered design principles. This engaging session will equip you with actionable tools to elevate your leadership and foster environments where every team member thrives.

Overview: The Power of Human-Centered Design in Project Management

In today’s fast-paced, high-stakes project environments, leaders are called to do more than just manage scope, timelines, and deliverables. We must also steward the human potential on our teams—guiding not just what gets done, but how people feel doing it.

This session will introduce you to Human-Centered Design (HCD)—also known as design thinking—as a dynamic approach to team engagement and inclusive project leadership. Through real-world examples and interactive discussion, you’ll explore how incorporating HCD into your leadership toolkit can help dismantle barriers to inclusion, foster stronger collaboration, and drive higher performance across your teams.

Whether you’re leading technical teams, cross-functional projects, or stakeholder-heavy initiatives, this session offers a practical and inspiring roadmap for creating spaces where all contributors feel heard, valued, and empowered.

Key Takeaways

By attending this session, you’ll be able to:

• ✅ Identify and overcome barriers to inclusion using practical human-centered design activities that promote empathy and shared understanding.
• ✅ Integrate design thinking practices into your project workflows to better align team members, solve complex problems, and boost engagement.
• ✅ Apply servant leadership principles through a human-centered lens to strengthen trust, collaboration, and team morale.

Who Should Attend?

This session is designed for:

• Project Managers looking to elevate their leadership style and drive better team outcomes.
• Scrum Masters and Agile Practitioners seeking fresh techniques to support team health and inclusivity.
• People Leaders and Functional Managers invested in fostering a culture of innovation and psychological safety.
• PMI Members and Certification Holders who want to stay at the forefront of modern leadership practices.

If you’re ready to lead with empathy, inclusion, and impact—this session is for you.

About the Speaker: Erik K. Rueter, PMP, PMI-ACP

Erik Rueter is a seasoned project management professional with more than 20 years of experience across tech startups, academia, healthcare, and entertainment. Currently a Senior Project Manager at the American Marketing Association, Erik brings a unique blend of analytical rigor, design thinking, and human-focused leadership to every challenge he tackles.

His educational background includes a BA in Neuroscience from Wesleyan University, along with specialized training in digital design, Irish studies, and MicroMasters credentials in Design Thinking and Project Management from RIT. Erik is also certified in Diversity and Inclusion by Cornell University.

A recognized thought leader, Erik has:

• Co-authored research on health inequity
• Lectured at Boston College and Emerson College
• Consulted with major organizations including Medtronic, VSP, and the San Antonio Spurs
• Spoken at international PMI events including PMI Greece, PMI Michiana, and the PMI Global Summit
• Appeared on top podcasts like “Project Management Happy Hour” and “I Wanna Work There!”
• Contributed to two leading books: “Mastering Solutions Delivery” and “The Evolution of the PMO”

He is the founder of Human-Centered Success LLC, an organization focused on promoting inclusive leadership and team empowerment.

Outside of work, Erik lives near Pittsburgh with his husband and two dachshunds. He’s an avid marathoner, gamer, and advocate for human-first leadership.

Why You Shouldn’t Miss This

If you’ve ever struggled with team alignment, engagement, or retention—this session will offer you new strategies and fresh perspectives to transform those challenges into opportunities. Walk away with practical tools, renewed inspiration, and a human-centered approach that puts people at the heart of project success.