Insights and inspiration for project professionals

As Director of Volunteering, I was truly delighted to see so many of our volunteers during the New Year’s reception. Reconnecting with familiar faces and welcoming new ones reminded me once again how essential our volunteers are to the success and vibrancy of PMI Belgium. Each of you plays a critical role in strengthening our community.

This month, we are delighted to have Lambert Swillens as our Volunteer in the Spotlight. With more than four decades of international experience in consulting and ICT services, Lambert brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and human insight to our PMI Belgium community. His long-standing career leading global delivery organizations, combined with his passion for developing people, makes him an inspiring example of the impact experienced professionals can have when they choose to give back.

Lambert’s commitment to mentoring and coaching, having supported over 100 delivery professionals throughout his career, reflects the same spirit of growth and collaboration that we value so deeply within our chapter. Even in retirement, he continues to dedicate himself to training, assessing senior delivery leaders, coaching complex engagements, and recently becoming a certified mediator. His drive to keep contributing and helping others succeed truly embodies the essence of volunteer leadership.

Outside of his professional life, Lambert lives with his wife in a small rural village between Huldenberg and Wavre. With his two adult children having recently left home, he enjoys spending time cycling, exploring wines, and cooking Italian food. Three years ago, he started learning Italian and expects to complete B1 level this May. As an avid traveller, he also enjoys combining business trips with holidays whenever possible.

PMI Belgium is deeply thankful for its volunteers, and today we proudly celebrate Lambert, his experience, his generosity, and the valuable perspective he brings to our chapter.

What is your role in PMI Belgium?

I’ve recently taken on two new volunteer roles that I’m really excited about. The first is mentoring a younger PMI colleague, which gives me the chance to share my experience and hopefully help them grow in their career. The second is acting as the coordinator for the training initiative that PMI Belgium runs together with VDAB. It’s a fantastic program, and I’m really proud to be part of it.

Why did you consider becoming a volunteer?

I chose to volunteer because I’ve always believed in giving back to professional communities that help people grow. Throughout my career, I’ve benefited from mentors, peers, and teams who shaped me, and stepping into a volunteer role felt like a natural way to pay that forward.

I also wanted to expand my network in Belgium, as I spent the past 14 years working mostly internationally, and to engage with people who share a passion for driving positive change through structured delivery and leadership.

What have you gained from volunteering?

What I value most so far is the sense of connection: meeting new people, exchanging ideas, and discovering how diverse experiences lead to richer perspectives. I also enjoy the opportunity to apply my coaching and leadership background in a new context.

The biggest reward for me is when a conversation, a piece of advice, or simply sharing experience helps someone move forward with more clarity or confidence. That’s the kind of impact that motivates me.

Why would you recommend volunteering with PMI Belgium?

Volunteering with PMI Belgium is a great way to broaden your horizon. You meet people from different industries, gain exposure to new ways of working, and contribute to a community that values professionalism and continuous learning.

It’s also a low-threshold environment. People are approachable, supportive, and genuinely interested in helping each other grow.

Based on my own experience, I would certainly recommend other PMI members to take part in the Mentorship initiative, either as a mentee or as a mentor. And for the trainings we deliver together with VDAB, we are still looking for Dutch-speaking trainers.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Even with many years of global experience behind me, I continue to learn from every interaction. PMI Belgium creates a space where those exchanges happen naturally, and I’m grateful to be part of that. I’m looking forward to contributing more as my involvement grows.

Gert Van Hoecke
Director of Volunteering, PMI Belgium Chapter
volunteering@pmi-belgium.be