Synopsis:

Many organizations have project risk frameworks, reporting tools, and governance processes in place, yet important risks still surface too late. Often, the challenge is not the absence of processes, but the human response to them. When people associate risk reporting with blame, unnecessary escalation, or negative consequences, they may hesitate to raise concerns early or communicate them clearly.

This session explores the human side of project risk reporting and why trust, communication, and culture play such an important role in surfacing risks before they become larger issues. Drawing on practical experience in risk reporting and risk culture, the presentation will examine common barriers to timely reporting and discuss how project leaders can create an environment where concerns are raised earlier, discussed more openly, and addressed more effectively.

Through a real-life case scenario, participants will gain insights into how reporting breakdowns occur in practice and what project professionals can learn from them. Attendees will leave with practical ideas to improve risk conversations, strengthen escalation practices, and support better decision-making across projects.

Learning Outcomes:

• Recognize the human and cultural factors that cause project risks to be underreported, delayed, or escalated too late
• Understand how trust, communication, and leadership behavior influence the quality of project risk reporting
• Identify practical ways to create a more open and constructive environment for reporting concerns and emerging risks
• Apply lessons from a real-life case scenario to improve risk conversations, strengthen escalation practices, and support better project decision-making

PDUs:

0.5 (Business Acumen)

0.5 (Power Skills)

0.5 (Ways of Working)

Agenda:

7:00 PM - Welcome and Opening
7:05 PM - Presentation
8:00 PM - Q&A
8:20 PM - Closing Remarks
8:30 PM - Conclude

Registration Deadline:

Registration closes on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 6:59 p.m.

Fees:

(Subject to HST)

PMI Toronto Members (login prior to registering): $5.00

Non-Members and Guests: $20.00

Presenter:

Maria Alexander

Maria Alexander is a risk analyst with experience across both the financial sector and government environments, specializing in risk culture, reporting, and compliance. She brings a strong background in fraud prevention, investigations, and regulatory practices, with a focus on how organizations can improve the way risks are identified, communicated, and addressed.

Through her work and published articles, Maria has explored the critical role of trust, communication, and organizational culture in effective risk reporting. She understands that while frameworks and tools are essential, project outcomes are often shaped by human behavior, how individuals perceive risk, communicate concerns, and respond to uncertainty.

Maria is known for her practical, experience-driven approach, helping leaders and teams create environments where risks are surfaced earlier, discussed more openly, and managed more effectively to support better decision-making across projects.