Insights and inspiration for project professionals

As we step into 2026, we reflect on the achievements of 2025, which were only possible thanks to the dedication and passion of our volunteers. They are the driving force behind our vibrant community, helping us elevate both individual knowledge and collective competency in project management. We deeply appreciate their time, energy, and commitment, and through this series, we aim to recognise their contributions and inspire others to join.

For this edition, we are delighted to introduce Saeedeh Ebrahimi Takalloo, who brings a rich and multifaceted background to our chapter. Originally from Iran, she studied and worked in Vancouver, Canada for nearly a decade before moving to Belgium in 2021 to join imec. Professionally, she combines engineering and multidisciplinary scientific research with a current pursuit of an Executive MBA at Solvay Brussels School, preparing for more strategic and business oriented roles.

Beyond her career, Saeedeh is an accomplished artist in classical Persian arts, including calligraphy and manuscript illumination, disciplines that reflect her values of patience, harmony, and excellence. Her diverse experiences across cultures and fields shape her approach to challenges and collaboration, making her a true asset to our community.

What is your role in PMI Belgium?

I have been serving as the Webinar Organization Lead within the Professional Development team since September 2024. This role has been a fantastic experience, giving me the opportunity to engage with experts across different industries and geographies who are willing to generously share their knowledge and insights with fellow professionals. What I find particularly rewarding is creating opportunities and facilitating meaningful connections between those willing to share their expertise and those eager to learn and grow in their careers.

Recently, I was honored to be elected as the Director of Sponsorship for the PMI Belgium Chapter. I am excited to take on this new role and contribute at a higher strategic level to the chapter’s mission. In this capacity, I will focus on building and nurturing relationships with organizations and industry partners to create mutually beneficial collaborations. My goal is to enhance the value we deliver to our members while strengthening the chapter’s visibility and impact within the broader project management community in Belgium and beyond.

Why did you consider becoming a volunteer?

I was inspired by our project management professor, Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez, during the Modern Project Management course in my EMBA at Solvay Brussels School of Echomics and Management. He emphasized how volunteers who take on responsibilities in a professional capacity bring a unique spirit to their work. Their intrinsic motivation and natural alignment with project goals often make their contributions more impactful.

His words resonated with my own past volunteer experiences, where my commitment was driven purely by purpose rather than compensation. This reflection motivated me to join the PMI Belgium Chapter volunteer team and eventually take on a permanent role there.

What have you gained from volunteering?

This volunteer experience has been valuable to me on several levels. It has enabled me to connect with project management professionals both locally and internationally and to strengthen my leadership and communication skills through working with people from different professional cultures and backgrounds. I have also found it rewarding to contribute to the chapter by supporting quality learning opportunities for our members.

What I did not initially anticipate was how much I would value the collaborative aspect of volunteering. The supportive atmosphere within the Professional Development team and the productive collaboration with the Marketing team have been highlights of this experience. Working across different functions has shown me how diverse perspectives and skills complement each other, and the shared commitment among volunteers has been genuinely motivating.

Why would you recommend volunteering with PMI Belgium?

I highly recommend volunteering with PMI Belgium for reasons that go beyond simply expanding your professional network. Two stand out: the transformative experience of committing to work driven by purpose rather than compensation, and the opportunity to collaborate professionally with people across diverse industries and sectors.

When you volunteer, you contribute your time and energy from genuine interest rather than for a paycheck. This shift in motivation creates an environment where authentic growth flourishes. Without the transactional nature of paid employment, you approach tasks and challenges with a different mindset, creating space to explore capabilities and strengths that are not always exercised in traditional work settings.

PMI Belgium offers volunteer work within a professional setup, where you collaborate with professionals from various industries and sectors, each bringing different mindsets, approaches, and work cultures. This cross industry exposure broadens your perspective and helps you understand how project management adapts across different business contexts.

By combining these experiences, you develop valuable leadership and communication skills, expand your professional network, and gain competencies that translate directly to your career, all while contributing to the growth of the project management professionals’ community in Belgium.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I want to take a moment to thank the PMI Belgium team and my fellow volunteers. Since joining, I have been genuinely moved by the dedication, generosity, and collaborative spirit of everyone involved. It is rare to find a group where people give so freely of their time and expertise, driven purely by a shared commitment to creating value for others. I am grateful for this opportunity and excited about what we will achieve together in the future.

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