Andrea Pratt-Smith in The Bahamas

Let’s get to know Andrea Pratt-Smith:

• City, Country: Nassau, The Bahamas

• Title:: Creative (Agile) Project Manager & Certified Scrum Master

• Industry: Project Management

• Number of years of work experiences: 20+

• Languages: English

• Certifications: PMP, PMI-ACP, Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Certified Agile Leadership Essentials (CAL-E), Team Kanban Practitioner (TKP), Project+ - CompTIA , Professional Kanban I (PK I), Certified SAFe 5 Agilist – Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

• Diploma: Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (BBA) in Management Information Systems from the University of The Bahamas

• 3 Passions: Agility, Philanthropy, Community Building

• Social Media: Linkedin

• Website: www.creativemindsprojects.com

How would you describe yourself?

I am a child of God, wife, mother, and friend. I see myself as a visionary, change agent that wants to leave a positive imprint on the world through my work, my voice, and my presence. I am a willing servant of God and I strive to do His will.  I am a continuous learner, filled with passion, purpose and promise.    

Why did you become a project manager?

I think I have always had innate project management skills from an early age, so it was natural for me to pursue this field of work and become a project manager. I was managing projects before I had any credentials, it was always in my DNA.

If you have one tip to give to a new woman project manager, what would you say?

I would encourage her to be bold, brave and to lead fearlessly with grit, passion, and conviction. Do not allow anyone’s limiting beliefs make you feel as though you do not deserve to be where you are, claim your space. Never stop learning! 

As a project manager, what is one thing you would like to improve or learn in the future?

It has been said that the soft skills (people skills) are the hard skills, so I am always seeking ways to become more self-aware and to lead with emotional intelligence, empathy, and compassion.

Do you have any resources to recommend?

• Project Management for Parents by Hillary Kinney, PMP is an excellent book. 

• LinkedIn Learning is an excellent resource for continuous development. 

• Attend PMI events, Scrum Gatherings and Community of Practice (CoP) meetups to network with your peers, build relationships and strengthen your craft.