Chapter News

Newsletter Editor’s Note:  Behind PMI Netherlands is a diverse group of professionals who volunteer their time, experience, and energy to support our community. In this new section, we invite you to get to know our board members a little better - who they are, what they do, and what motivates them to contribute beyond their day-to-day roles. In this edition, meet Alka Tripathy Nayak, Director Membership and Volunteer at PMI Netherlands.

What is your role on the board, and what are you most excited to work on?

“Sometimes the best journeys are the ones we never planned”

My journey with PMI has been shaped more by serendipity than by deliberate planning. I earned my PMP on 29 December 2020, shortly after relocating from India to France in September 2019. With this milestone achieved, I joined the PMI France Chapter and remained an active member—learning, connecting, and steadily growing my network. When my family and I moved to the Netherlands in November 2021, I naturally transitioned to the PMI Netherlands Chapter with the same enthusiasm. In March 2024, I received a call from Pawel Stadnik, then Chapter President, inviting me to take on the role of Director for Membership & Volunteers. It felt like one of those moments where the journey simply unfolded as it is meant to! Being a people-centric person, I was genuinely excited by the opportunity to contribute at a Board level. Today, I’m proud to be serving my second term, continuing to support our members and volunteers while growing alongside this vibrant international community.

What motivated you to continue being part of the PMI NL Board?

As the Director for Membership & Volunteers, my team is responsible for shaping the very first experience members and volunteers have when they connect with the PMI Netherlands Chapter. Our focus is on building a community where people feel welcomed, supported, and inspired to contribute. With a dedicated group of 60 volunteers & 1184+ active members this year, we’ve strengthened every part of the Chapter’s ecosystem—from content creation and event delivery to onboarding and member engagement. What truly defines our work, however, is the human element: ensuring volunteers have clarity, mentorship, and meaningful opportunities, and helping members experience the value of being part of a vibrant, diverse, and international community. Whether it’s through our newsletter, the Buddy Program, Chapter Xchange, or our after-work networking sessions, we’re continuously shaping touchpoints that help people feel connected, engaged, and proud to be part of the PMI Netherlands Chapter.

What professional or personal experience do you bring to the board?

I strive to bring the best of both my professional and personal experiences to my role in the Board. As a working mother of two kids, I’ve learned the importance of discipline, prioritization, delegation, and teamwork—skills that translate directly into how I lead and collaborate. Professionally, I bring 12 years of experience in ERP consulting and project management, which has shaped my ability to navigate complexity, work with diverse stakeholders, and deliver outcomes with structure and empathy. Together, these experiences enable me to contribute with both a peoplecentric mindset and a strong operational foundation.

What do you hope PMI NL members gain most from the community?

I see the PMI community as a vast sea of ideas, opportunities, and continuous learning. My hope is that PMI NL members regularly reflect on their own growth, identify & gauge their evolving learning needs, and use the community as a platform to bring out their Best. Equally important is the willingness to reach out—whether for help, advice, or collaboration. Strong communication and thoughtful prioritization are essential skills in our profession, and the community offers a safe space to practice both. Ultimately, I hope every member feels empowered to learn, connect, and contribute in ways that enrich both their personal and professional journey.

A fun or human touch: something about you people might not know.

When I was in school, my father used to drive me every day on his motorcycle. I used to observe his driving skills closely and one fine day I confidently asked him to step aside so I could try riding it myself. He agreed, and I still remember the thrill of driving on my own for the very first time—I felt powerful, fearless, and unstoppable. The fun twist came a few days later when a local newspaper featured my picture and wrote about my little act of dare! It became quite the topic at school, and I enjoyed every bit of the unexpected attention I received!

25 years from now…

How I wish I could envision exactly what the next 25 years would look like in terms of tools, technologies & know-how! What I do know is that a strong future doesn’t appear overnight — it’s built year on year through consistent effort and intentional choices. Every step we take today shapes the bigger picture we hope to create tomorrow. Small actions lead to meaningful impact. Stay relevant, stay motivated, and keep giving your best -that would be my 'mantra'.

Newsletter Editor’s Note:  Each board member brings a unique story and perspective. Stay tuned for the next edition, where we’ll spotlight another leader shaping the future of PMI Netherlands.