Mr Galen Townson - EMBA, MAPP, PMI-ACP, PMP

Board of Directors
Project Management Institute

Galen Townson is a senior leader with over 25 years in strategic execution, complex programs and change initiatives, up to AU$500 million and general manager level, for education, energy, government, finance and for-purpose sectors, including the United Nations. He currently leads systems-level culture change for 162 schools to prevent child abuse, help children feel safe, and support well-being, engagement and learning.

Since 1999, Mr. Townson has served on boards, and finance, governance, audit and risk committees, including for professional associations, community and global sustainability nonprofits. He has completed NFP Board and Company Directors Courses, with ongoing director professional development required as a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and UK Institute of Directors.

Mr. Townson has 15 project management-related professional certifications including agile project and program, portfolio, benefits and PMO management. He has spoken at international conferences, taught project management and strategy execution to MBA level at a top-100 university, and was a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.
Following his Executive MBA and Graduate Certificate in Social Impact (University of Western Australia), he studied sustainability (Curtin University), advanced project management and energy innovation certificates (Stanford University), and a Master of Applied Positive Psychology (University of Melbourne).

Joining PMI in 2000, Mr. Townson served in chapter board roles from 2009, as a chapter president in 2012–2014, and as region mentor in 2014–2018, supporting and developing leaders, boards and governance for PMI in Australia and New Zealand.

He enjoys being present, exploring, traveling, sailing and learning with his young family. He also has active interests in sustainability, social enterprise, design thinking and systems practice, and coaches and mentors for purpose, well-being and impact.

“The Value of Project Management” - PMI’s 2019 Pulse of the Profession® 

All strategic change is made possible through projects - and project managers help turn ideas into reality for organizations around the world. Thanks to the knowledge and skills of project professionals, more organizations can achieve their strategic goals – within budget. In this presentation, you will gain insights from PMI’s latest research on how champion organizations effectively implement their visions in a world increasingly disrupted by emerging technology - and how you can better help your organization to succeed.