Abstract: 

Your brain is simultaneously designed to resist change and built for remarkable adaptation. Understanding this paradox is the missing piece in most transformation initiatives — and the reason even well-planned projects stall. In this interactive session, originally presented to 5-star reviews at the 2025 PMI Global Summit in Phoenix, Annmarie Curley takes you inside the neuroscience of change resistance. Through a live exercise, you’ll experience your own brain’s threat response in action and discover why what we call “resistance” is your brain doing exactly what it evolved to do. You’ll learn a practical 60-second neuroscience-backed technique to shift yourself and your teams from survival mode to creative engagement — and a framework for designing project environments where people naturally move toward change instead of away from it. Grounded in research from HeartMath Institute, neuroscience, and 25+ years of leading complex transformations, this session will change how you think about every project you lead.

At the end of the session, attendees will be able to:

Bio

Annmarie Curley is the Founder of Newgrange IT Consulting, where she helps organizations execute their strategy, transform how they work, and build high-performing teams that sustain it - blending project management discipline, organizational change expertise, and neuroscience based leadership training. A frequent PMI Global Summit speaker with 25+ years of executive leadership, her 2025 PMI Global Summit session received 5-star attendee reviews.

Meeting Details:

Pre-registration Expires:  Day of event @1P CST. Registration is capped at 100 attendees.

Cancellation Policy: Event will be cancelled if we do not have a minimum of (6) or for other reasons out of our control. All attempts will be made to re-schedule it.

PDUs: 1.5 (Power Skills)

Note:  Registrants will receive an MS Teams link via the confirmation email after registration.  Those using employer issued machines at home and connecting VPN may need to use phone for audio and a Smart device (table, PC or Smartphone) to view slides and video.  To increase engagement on an online event, we sincerely encourage you to enable your camera.  Use a Smartphone if your PC or MacBook does not have a camera.  

Substitution Policy: 

Substitutions will be allowed. Alternate Attendee will need to notify us who they are replacing. Contact [email protected] for any cancellations or Substitutions.

Video/Photo Release:

With the permission of our speaker/presenter, the Chapter reserves the right to record and share this session on its official platforms (e.g., YouTube Channel) in full or in part within 4–8 weeks after the event. By registering/attending this event, I understand the PMI Central Illinois Chapter or its representatives may take video/photographs of attendees at the above-identified event. I agree that the PMI Central Illinois Chapter may use such video/photographs of me with or without my name and for any lawful purpose, including, for example, such purposes as publicity, illustration, advertising, and Web content. (Note: "If I do not wish to be photographed, I understand it is my responsibility to notify chapter representatives at the event.")

Questions?

For technical registration questions, email [email protected].

For any other questions, email [email protected] and/or [email protected].

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