Midcontinent

IT Project Manager

My Project Brand, LLC

Advise project managers and mid-sized banks on integrating AI to streamline project delivery and reduce inefficiencies. Design custom AI-powered frameworks to optimize workflows, mitigate risks, and accelerate execution.

Consultant

Bell Bank

Managed largest IT project in Bell’s history by implementing equipment for 500+ employees across banking, HR, and facilities divisions at new Bell Tower facility. Managed $10M+ in cumulative budgets by driving on-time delivery through Agile and hybrid methodologies coupled with AI. Directed vendor coordination, resource planning, and risk mitigation across cross-functional teams.  Partnered with department leads to track KPIs, optimize workflows, and deliver value early and often.

•	Reduced manual work 30%, and cut reporting time by 5+ hours/week, by spearheading AI tech implementations that eliminated redundancies and centralized the project database.
•	Reduced company downtime 50% and enhanced information security by eliminating reliance on outdated on-prem systems, through leading migration of 1,400 Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDIs).
•	Increased system scalability 5%, and reduced vulnerabilities 40%, by enabling faster deployment and improved resilience through applying AI and AWS to manage cloud migration of 50+ servers.
•	Boosted compliance 40%, and cut manual workload 60%, by reducing human error and audit risks, through implementing Zero Trust security policies and automating access controls for 250+ service accounts.

First PREMIER Bank/PREMIER Bankcard

Promoted to manage cloud infrastructure and DevOps initiatives across cross-functional teams. Oversaw server migrations, secure access configurations, Agile workflow adoption, and deployment automation. Collaborated with developers and engineers to optimize delivery pipelines and reduce system downtime.

•	Increased up-time 40%, and cut infrastructure costs 25%, by leading cloud migration of 12 on-prem servers to AWS using serverless architecture.
•	Saved $50K annually, and improved data access speeds 30%, by optimizing AWS database migration and implementing automated ETL workflows.

Promoted to provide Tier 1 and Tier 2 technical support for 1,000+ internal users across multiple departments. Managed hardware deployments, user access configurations, and software rollouts. Collaborated with IT leadership to enhance system performance/security and support processes.
•	Increased developer productivity 30% by ensuring optimal hardware and environment set up for software engineering teams through deploying and maintaining 50 MacBooks and Mac minis.

Desktop Support Technician

Promoted to provide remote Tier 1 technical support for 1,000 end users by resolving software issues, access requests and account configurations. Managed helpdesk ticketing queues, triaged incidents and coordinated with desktop support teams for escalations.

•	Reduced ticket escalation rates and improved team bandwidth, by increasing first-contact resolutions for 1000+ users from 75% to 95% of tickets.

HelpDesk Coordinator

Performed both hunter and farmer roles by activating new customer credit cards and optimized account retention through persuasive retention strategies. Managed high call volumes in fast-paced environment to balance customer satisfaction with sales and churn reduction targets.

•	Consistently ranked in top 3% of sales team by securing new business from 30% of customers during activation calls.

Account Specialist

I help professionals transition to project management roles | Project Manager | Project Management Coach | LinkedIn Creator

I bring a unique blend of creativity, curiosity, and strategic thinking to every AI initiative - balancing cutting-edge innovation with grounded, reliable execution. 

Guided by emotional intelligence and cultural awareness, I foster authentic relationships and collaborative environments where teams and ideas flourish. 

My growth mindset fuels continuous improvement, while my strong work ethic and problem-solving acumen ensure projects stay aligned with both vision and value.  

I am highly regarded for leading with intention, adaptability, and a deep commitment to customer success. 

I thrive in cultures that prioritize servant leadership, out-of-the box thinking, and work-life balance.

AI Project Management | AI Project Optimization | Program Management | Hybrid Project Delivery | Change Management | Smartsheet | JIRA | Microsoft 365 | Google Workspace | Agile Methodologies

Most project managers aren’t bad at their job.

They’re just afraid to lead.

They hide behind tasks.

Drown in status reports.

Obsess over tools instead of outcomes.

Because real leadership means saying:

“We’re not doing this. It’s a waste of time.”

Most PMs want to be liked more than they want to deliver results.

You weren’t hired to play nice. 

You were hired to drive results.

David Odeleye

AI Project Management Specialist | Leading AI with the mind of a strategist and the heart of a leader || IT Project Manager | AI Evangelist for Tech Leaders | LinkedIn Creator

I crossed 10,000 followers last week!

And it all started with one post.

I started posting here just over a year ago.

Sharing thoughts on Project Management, leadership, and AI became a community that inspires me daily.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Consistency beats perfection.

2. Vulnerability builds trust.

3. Value attracts the right people.

Some mistakes I've made:

1. Overthinking.

2. Comparing myself to others.

3. Forgetting that one engaged person matters more than 100 views.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Growth happens when you show up with value.

Most project managers aren’t bad at their jobs.

They’re just bad at communicating.

Your skills don’t matter if no one understands your impact.

To higher-ups, you look disorganized if you can’t give a clear update.

To your team, you look detached if you don’t listen.

To stakeholders, you look unprepared if you can’t simplify complexity.

Communication is 90% of how you’re seen as a PM.

Here’s how to improve it fast:
✅ Give updates in 3 sentences or less.

✅ Speak in outcomes, not tasks.

❌ Don’t bury bad news, escalate it early.

Get communication right, and people trust you.

Get it wrong, and they doubt everything else.

Improve communication, and you improve your career.

The first day I laid eyes on my wife, I knew I was going to marry her.

Not really, but I did say to myself that she was oh so fine!

What I didn’t know was that it would take time, consistency, and showing up every day for her to see who I truly was.

Leadership works the same way.

It’s not about first impressions or flashy words.

It’s about proving yourself through consistent actions, trust, and commitment.

Charisma gets attention. 

Consistency earns loyalty.

📸: Me and my wife in April 2018, 1 year after I saw her for the first time

Sometimes the best career move starts with a door closing.

I was rejected from my first PM job.

The hiring manager told me they went with someone who had more experience.

I didn’t give up.

I got my CAPM certification, contributed to a few projects & I kept in touch with him.

Months later, the same hiring manager contacted me, asking me to apply for an open Project manager role.

In the final interview, he said my upskilling secured the offer.

Rejection isn’t failure. 

It’s a push to improve.

3 communication habits every Project Manager needs to build:

As a project manager, strong communication is everything.

Here are three habits every project manager should build:

1. Transparency:
↳ Don’t hide bad news
↳ Share problems early - it builds trust and speeds up problem-solving.

2. Regular Updates:
↳ Never assume everyone is on the same page.
↳ Provide consistent check-ins and status reports to align the team and reduce confusion.

3. Active Listening:
↳ Don’t dismiss feedback, even if you think you know better.
↳ Listening to your team leads to better decisions and stronger collaboration.

Building these habits will transform how you lead projects.

If you found this helpful, repost to your network.

3 Communication Habits every Project Manager needs

AI isn’t “coming” for project managers.

It’s already here.

A few days ago, Lola Adey, MBA & I spoke about AI and project management in the AI PM Series with David.

We both agreed that ChatGPT is the GOAT assistant - for now.

Standby for the full episode!

What AI tool is your go to right now?

You don’t need more AI training.

You need to play with AI more.

Push it to its limit.

Try to break it.

See what it can really do.

The people who lead with AI won’t have the most certificates.

They’ll be the ones who’ve tested it on messy, real work and know its limits.

Every experiment sharpens your instincts.

Pick one task today.

Prompt your AI in different ways.

Push AI until it gives up.

AI will replace project managers who ignore it.

Too many PMs think AI is just hype or a threat.

The danger isn’t AI itself; it’s staying stuck while the world moves forward.

AI already handles scheduling, reporting, and risk prediction better than humans.

But it can’t inspire teams, influence stakeholders, or drive strategy.

That’s where project managers remain irreplaceable.

To stay ahead, you need to:

✅ Learn how to integrate AI into your workflow

✅ Upskill in data analytics and decision-making

✅ Focus on leadership and big-picture value

Ignore AI and risk being replaced.

Master it, and you’ll be unstoppable.

Striving for perfection is holding you back.

Perfectionism leads to procrastination, missed opportunities, and a lack of innovation.

Pursuing “perfection” often paralyzes us from taking bold, necessary actions. 

Embrace imperfection, and you might find that your “good enough” is more than enough to achieve greatness.

The risk you’re afraid to take could be the one that changes your entire life.

OpenAI just released ChatGPT-5!

And it's about to change your workday.

Before ChatGPT-5:
↳ Spend hours chasing project updates

↳ Rewrite meeting notes into status reports

↳ Manually compare data from 5 different sources

↳ Explain the same project context over and over to AI tools

After ChatGPT-5:
↳ Auto-generate a polished status report in minutes

↳ Feed meeting transcripts, charts, and images into one chat and get instant insights

↳ Let it “remember” your project context so you never start from scratch

↳ Get expert-level recommendations, not just summaries

You move from reactive firefighting to proactive decision-making.

In 2025, your speed isn’t just about how fast you work.

It’s about how well you work with AI.

Demos to follow...

If you feel stuck in your career, your mindset might be the problem.

A thriving career isn’t just about the job you do, but how you approach it:

1. Clarity on your goals gives direction.
↳ Knowing your destination helps you make better career choices.

2. The right skills open new doors.
↳ Keep learning, and you’ll be ready for new challenges.
 
3. Networking unlocks hidden opportunities.
↳ Relationships are key to career growth.

4. Work-life balance sustains long-term success.
↳ Avoid burnout by prioritizing rest.

5. Feedback fuels growth.
↳ Use criticism to improve and succeed.

Your career is as much about mindset as it is skillset.

A positive mindset unlocks doors you didn’t even know existed.

AI is no longer a tool.

It’s your most valuable teammate.

At yesterday’s PMI South Dakota Chapter conference, the speaker broke down how AI is reshaping project management.

Here’s the biggest shift:

The people who ask better questions are the ones who will thrive.

If you want better output from ChatGPT or CoPilot,

Use RIPE every time you prompt:

1. Role
↳ Who should AI act as?

2. Instruction
↳ What do you want done?

3. Parameters
↳ What are the limits or scope?

4. Example
↳ Show what good looks like.

Here an example: 
Role: 
You are a project manager with 10 years of [your industry] experience. 

Instruction: 
Help me create a stakeholder update for a project that’s 3 weeks behind schedule but still expected to finish within budget.

Parameters:
Keep it under 150 words. Use clear, professional language. Highlight risks, next steps, and how we’re staying on track.

RIPE prompts = elite results. 

Start using it today.

Taplio

David Odeleye's Linkedin Analytics

's Best Posts (last 30 days)

Want to drive more opportunities from LinkedIn?

Taplio

.css-1jgreyo{background-image:linear-gradient(284deg, rgba(39,43,72,1) 0%, rgba(33,47,183,1) 100%);color:transparent;-webkit-background-clip:text;background-clip:text;}David Odeleye's Linkedin Analytics

's Best Posts .css-qqfgvy{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);}(last 30 days)

Want to drive more opportunities from LinkedIn?

David Odeleye's Linkedin Analytics

's Best Posts (last 30 days)