Project Management Institute (PMI), the leading authority in project management, today announced that Pierre Le Manh has decided to step down as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 30, 2026. Johannes Heinlein, Chief Growth Officer, has been appointed Interim President & Chief Executive Officer of PMI, also effective September 30, 2026.
Pierre Le Manh joined PMI in September 2022. During his four-year tenure, he led the development and execution of PMI’s current strategy, strengthened its leadership team, expanded its capabilities through acquisitions and partnerships, and positioned PMI for a profession being rapidly transformed by artificial intelligence and a greater focus on project success.
“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Pierre Le Manh for his leadership and his commitment to PMI,” said Ike Nwankwo, Chair of the PMI Board of Directors. “PMI has a clear strategy, a strong leadership team and significant momentum. Pierre leaves the organization well positioned for the future. Pierre will be missed.”
“Being the CEO of PMI has been an extraordinary privilege,” said Pierre Le Manh. “I came here with a clear job to do. Four years later, PMI has a clear strategy and a strong leadership team. We have grown strongly in every region so far this year. This feels like the right moment to step down and for me to take on another substantial challenge that gives me renewed energy and where I can make the greatest contribution in the future. I am deeply grateful to our Board, our teams, and PMI’s members and volunteers around the world.”
In accordance with robust operational continuity processes and succession planning in place at PMI, the Board will conduct a search for a permanent President & CEO for PMI and expects to share further details in the coming months. But in the meantime, under Heinlein’s leadership, this transition supports the continuity of PMI operations and strategic priorities so it can continue to be a worldwide leader in the project management profession.
“We are fortunate to have a leader of Johannes’s experience and institutional knowledge ready to step in,” said Nwankwo. “The Board has confidence in his ability to guide PMI and maintain our strong momentum as we conduct our search for a permanent CEO."
At PMI, Heinlein currently serves as Chief Growth Officer, leading advocacy, community, research, education, and business growth worldwide. He previously held leadership roles across Europe, Asia Pacific, and North America, including at Harvard University, MIT, and Deloitte. At Harvard, he directed university-wide change initiatives in the President's Office before becoming Chief Commercial Officer and SVP of Strategic Partnerships at edX, the Harvard/MIT-founded online learning platform.
“I am honored by the trust the Board has placed in me and for the opportunity to lead PMI and maintain our strong momentum while the Board completes its search for a permanent CEO. I’d also like to thank Pierre Le Manh for his leadership over the past four years,” said Heinlein. “PMI’s mission has never mattered more, and I look forward to working with our Board, our leadership team, and our members worldwide to keep building on the progress we’ve made together.”
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