2026 Roundtables

At WashU's Roundtables, we're more than just a platform — we're a one-of-a-kind community of professionals united by common goals. Here, individuals in similar fields converge to share insights, discuss challenges and collaboratively enhance their craft. Your expertise, experiences, and collective knowledge form the backbone of this dynamic exchange, making Roundtables a hub where specialized knowledge flourishes and professionals grow together.

This year's Project Management Roundtable Season theme is:

Leadership and Influence through Project Management - beyond the plan!

Today’s project managers operate in environments shaped by AI, data risk, escalating complexity, and competing priorities. WashU’s Roundtable program helps Project Managers rise to the challenge by strengthening the capabilities that matter most. Through six monthly sessions, participants explore how today’s most effective project managers drive outcomes – not just through plans and processes, but through sound judgment, strategic communication, psychological safety, and the ability to influence diverse stakeholder groups. Each session blends practical tools and real‑world scenarios to lead beyond the plan. Participants walk away with stronger decision‑making skills, greater strategic influence, and the confidence to guide teams through the complexity of modern project environments.

These are the topics we will be covering this year. The meeting sequence will be determined and dates are down below.

Data Security, AI, and the Project Manager’s New Role
- This session will provide a foundational understanding and operational framework for project managers involved in data security and AI realization. Less than five years ago, Yotam Segev cofounded Cyera to solve the practical, enterprise-scale problem of data security. Then, the world changed: as the AI boom materialized, data became the essential fuel for corporations to make their AI dreams a reality. That’s put Cyera in an important position within organizations in need of new frameworks for data security and data management – defending a company’s information from a multitude of new threats, including agentic attacks, while enabling internal data to power new AI applications.
Orchestrating Change in the Age of Continuous Disruption
- Today’s projects operate in a constant state of change. This session equips leaders and project managers with practical strategies to navigate ongoing disruption, align teams, and keep initiatives moving forward. Learn how to anticipate shifts, communicate effectively through uncertainty, and turn continuous change into a competitive advantage rather than a constant setback.
Psychological Safety: How Project Managers Shape Team Performance
- High-performing project teams don’t happen by accident – they’re built on trust and open communication. This session explores how project managers can create psychological safety that encourages collaboration, problem-solving, and accountability. Learn practical strategies to help foster honest dialogue, reduce conflict, and improve team performance across every phase of your projects.
Trust, Credibility, and Political Capital: What Experienced PMs Wish They Had Known Sooner
- Technical skills alone don’t drive project success – relationships do. This session reveals the unwritten rules of influence that seasoned Project Managers and executives learned the hard way. Discover how to build trust, strengthen credibility, and grow your political capital to gain support, resolve conflicts, and move projects forward more effectively.
Deliberate Doubt: Better Decisions in Complex Project Environments
- In fast-moving project environments, speed and confidence are often rewarded; however, unchecked certainty can lead to blind spots and preventable errors. This session introduces Deliberate Doubt, a practical decision-making framework designed to help leaders challenge assumptions, surface risk earlier, and improve judgment without slowing execution. Participants leave with tools to strengthen decision quality, reduce avoidable risk, and navigate uncertainty more effectively.
Workshop: AI Tools for Project Managers
- Discover how AI can simplify your day-to-day project work. In this interactive workshop, Project Managers will learn practical ways to use AI for scheduling, reporting, risk tracking, and communication. Walk away with ready-to-use tools and techniques that help you save time, improve accuracy, and stay ahead of project challenges – without adding complexity to your workflow.

Project Management / Agile

We are kicking off the Project Management Roundtable in April. Connect with project management professionals to share successes, challenges and insights. The cost is $1,800 for the 6 x ½ day sessions or $350 for an individual session.

8:30-11:30 a.m. breakfast included

April 2
May 7
June 4
Break in July - No roundtable
August 6
September 3
October 1

April 2 roundtable

This session will provide a foundational understanding and operational framework for project managers involved in data security and AI realization. Less than five years ago, Yotam Segev cofounded Cyera to solve the practical, enterprise-scale problem of data security. Then, the world changed: as the AI boom materialized, data became the essential fuel for corporations to make their AI dreams a reality. That’s put Cyera in an important position within organizations in need of new frameworks for data security and data management – defending a company’s information from a multitude of new threats, including agentic attacks, while enabling internal data to power new AI applications.

April 2 roundtable speakers

Gregory Graff is a seasoned Technology Leader and AI security evangelist with extensive experience guiding Fortune 500 organizations through modern cybersecurity complexities. Specializing in AI-driven security solutions, he has built and led high performing Engineering teams that deliver tailored, high-impact security architectures. His expertise bridges traditional data networking and security foundations with cutting edge cloud computing and AI technologies, enabling seamless hybrid environments and robust risk mitigation. Passionate about evangelization, he translates complex technical concepts into compelling business value, conducting thorough assessments to align innovative solutions with strategic client goals and drive measurable outcomes.

Gregory is a recognized thought leader in the AI security space, frequently sharing insights about the necessity of AI-powered, behavior-based protection in today’s threat landscape. Committed to fostering collaboration, continuous learning, and innovation, he equips teams and organizations to stay ahead of adversaries while unlocking operational value.

He is eager to bring his strategic perspective to audiences seeking to modernize security postures in an AI accelerated world.

Greg Schwarz works with security and data leaders to help organizations better understand and protect their most critical asset... data. At Cyera, he partners with enterprises to uncover where sensitive data lives across cloud and SaaS environments, reduce risk exposure, and enable teams to safely adopt AI and modern data platforms.

Greg focuses on bridging the gap between security strategy and business outcomes, helping organizations gain visibility into their data attack surface while maintaining speed and innovation. His work centers on practical approaches to data security, governance, and responsible AI adoption in complex enterprise environments.

Email boyne@wustl.edu for more information about 2026 roundtables or to purchase a seat.