Lissette Pimentel in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
In this new blog series, I’d like to ask some questions to people from different countries, backgrounds, professions, and genders who have all one thing in common: volunteering. I hope you’ll get inspired by their journeys and take the leap into volunteering.
Notice: The positions, views and information contained published here are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily represent my views or opinions.
Lissette Pimentel is a project management leader, mentor, and community builder with more than twelve years of experience driving technology, cybersecurity, and organizational transformation initiatives. She is passionate about human-centered delivery and supports the growth of emerging professionals through mentoring and global community programs. Lissette is also the founder of Agileology, a project dedicated to practical, accessible, and people-focused project and agile practices. Her work spans strategic planning, agile coaching, leadership development, and advising teams across multiple industries.
She has served in various volunteer roles at PMI (Project Management Institute) Dominican Republic Chapter and later expanded her contributions globally through programs such as PMI Infinity Beta Testing, the PMI Global Mentorship Pilot, and PMI Global Voices. She is also an active volunteer with Women in Agile’s mentoring initiatives. Lissette is committed to creating spaces where people feel supported, confident, and empowered to lead with clarity and purpose.
Connect with Lissete on to know more.
How did you begin to volunteer?
I started volunteering more than a decade ago with a local NGO in the Dominican Republic that focused on supporting vulnerable families and people who lacked access to basic resources. I helped with their annual fundraising drives, collecting items and raising money for people who needed support.
Later, I joined a project called Mujeres TIC, created by a colleague and friend from my university, which encouraged girls and young women to explore technology from an early age. Even then, I didn’t fully realize how naturally connected I felt to this kind of work, I just knew it energized me and felt meaningful.
Why did you continue volunteering?
So, basically, because I discovered that volunteering wasn’t just something I liked, it became a real passion. Over the years, I continued volunteering through PMI Dominican Republic Chapter, serving in several roles. Eventually, I expanded into global opportunities with PMI, including serving as a Beta Tester for PMI Infinity and recently participating in global programs like the Mentorship Pilot and Global Voices.
I also volunteer with Women in Agile’s mentoring program initiatives.
All of these experiences keep me coming back: the sense of purpose, the connection with people, and the feeling that I’m contributing to something bigger than myself.
How has volunteering helped you in your career? Could you share two examples/stories, please?
To be honest, I really feel that volunteering has shaped my career in powerful ways. One of my earliest experiences was through a local NGO in the Dominican Republic. I spent several years helping with annual fundraising drives to support vulnerable families who lacked access to basic resources. That period taught me how to organize people around a cause, communicate with empathy, and stay calm under pressure. Those skills later became essential in my project management work, especially when coordinating teams and supporting stakeholders with very different needs.
Another pivotal moment came through PMI. After volunteering with the Dominican Republic Chapter in different roles, I eventually grew into global opportunities like PMI Infinity Beta Testing. Participating in these programs allowed me to collaborate across cultures and time zones, strengthen my leadership style, and expand my confidence. Several of the professional opportunities I’ve had later on came directly from relationships I built through PMI’s volunteer ecosystem. These experiences opened doors, expanded my world, and made me a more intentional and people-centered leader. If I had to sumarize it, I would say that volunteering has truly widened my world.
Would you encourage other people to volunteer, and if so, why?
Absolutely. Volunteering lets you grow through real experiences: collaboration, leadership, community building, and helping others in ways that truly matter. It opens doors, expands your perspective, and connects you with people you would never meet otherwise. And beyond all of that, for me especially, it simply feels meaningful. It’s a reminder that what I do can create impact, whether through mentoring, education, advocacy, or community work. I encourage everyone to try it because you never know how deeply it might transform other people's lives and yours, personally and professionally.
