Description:

As automation and AI reshape industries, project managers must adapt to remain effective leaders. This session explores how automation enhances project efficiency, reduces human error, and minimizes risks, leading to more predictable and successful outcomes. Attendees will learn how to shift from traditional oversight to strategic leadership by leveraging automation for better decision-making, more transparent communication, and improved stakeholder engagement. By embracing automation, project managers can drive greater value while reducing costs, timelines, and inefficiencies.

Learning Objectives: 

• Understand how automation minimizes project risks, reduces delays, and improves overall efficiency.
• Learn how to transition from tactical project management to strategic leadership in an AI-driven environment.
• Discover how automation can cut costs by up to 30%, accelerate delivery timelines (on time / on budget), and enhance quality.
• Explore strategies for securing stakeholder buy-in by using data-driven insights and performance metrics.

Date: November 5th, 2025

Time: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Location: Virtual

Speaker: 

Jacob Kashiwagi, PhD
Co-Owner | Performance Based Studies Research Group
Managing Director | Kashiwagi Solution Model Inc.
Founder & Chairman of the Board | Leadership Society ofArizona 501(c)(3)
Founder & Owner | LeadAZ Private School

Dr. Jacob is a thought leader in the areas of education, leadership development, procurement, and supply chain management. He received his PhD from Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in the area of Supply Chain Management. His research led him to co-develop the Best Value Approach, a revolutionary and internationally renowned approach to business. Theirgroundbreaking model is the most licensed technology out of Arizona State University in thepast 20 years (62 licenses) and has been tested on over 2,000 projects valued over $6 billion in services, with a 98% success rating (on time, within budget, and client highly satisfied), and savings of 10-30% on all project costs. 

Dr. Jacob also managed the expansion of the best value approach program throughout the world. He has tested the BVA on over 1000 projects. He is responsible for research done with the State of Oklahoma, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, and the US Army Medical Command, where he produced significant results of cost savings, increased efficiency, and improved quality of the services provided. His groundbreaking research on the Best Value Approach was integrated into a graduate program and put into practice at Arizona State University for outsourcing food services. The results at ASU led to an investment of $100 million, which was the first of its kind, and the vendor is still
surpassing their milestone goals for the University. 

The global success of the Best Value Approach inspired Dr.Jacob to author the No-Influence Leadership Model, a radical approach to teaching leadership skills to students and professionals. This unique methodology emphasizes that effective leadership is about understanding and aligning expertise without attempting to change or influence others. This leadership model led Dr. Kashiwagi to create the Leadership Society of Arizona (LSA), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization focused on helping high school students to be successful. Using his professional and educational experience, he has taught this approach to over 8,000 management professionals,1,500 college students, and 1,200 high school students. He has personally mentored over 150 students, helping them use the NoInfluence Leadership Model to develop lucrative careers and overcome personal instability (substance abuse, family trauma, depression, severe anxiety, etc.).

Today, Dr. Kashiwagi continues to champion programs to advance the fields of project management, procurement, and leadership development by presenting to large groups, inspiring young people, giving back to the community, and publishing books. He is a two-time Amazon best-selling author of In Search of Truth and No-Influence Mentoring.