Project Management Institute Will Appoint Interim CEO
The Philadelphia-based group will transition leadership to Johannes Heinlein on September 30, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in People
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Pierre Le Manh will step down as President and CEO of the Project Management Institute after a four-year tenure. Effective September 30, 2026, current Chief Growth Officer Johannes Heinlein will assume the role on an interim basis.
Why it matters
The leadership change arrives as the organization, founded in 1969, prepares to initiate a search for a permanent successor. Operators should monitor this transition for potential shifts in the group's strategic priorities for project management standards and certifications.
Pierre Le Manh concludes a 4-year term as CEO, marking a change for the Philadelphia-headquartered institution founded in 1969. The board is currently overseeing the search for a permanent replacement.
The players
Pierre Le Manh
The outgoing President and CEO who led the Philadelphia-based professional standards organization since 2022.
Johannes Heinlein
The current Chief Growth Officer and incoming interim CEO who previously held leadership roles at Harvard University, MIT, and Deloitte.
Project Management Institute
A Philadelphia-headquartered global organization established in 1969 that sets standards for project, program, and portfolio management.
The details
The board of directors is managing the transition through a structured succession plan to maintain continuity of operations. Johannes Heinlein, the incoming interim CEO, will pivot from his current responsibilities as Chief Growth Officer. His background includes prior leadership experience at Deloitte, Harvard University, and MIT, providing a baseline for his tenure as the organization continues its core mandate.
Timeline
Pierre Le Manh joined the organization in September 2022.
The leadership transition occurs on September 30, 2026.
Market Landscape
This leadership change follows the 2022 cycle that installed Le Manh at the organization. The shift now marks a departure from that period as the board looks to recalibrate its executive strategy.
Operators currently holding or seeking certifications through the institute should monitor the group's communication channels for potential changes to service delivery. Assess whether your current project management training budget needs adjustment based on future updates from the interim leadership.
The takeaway
Management transitions often signal an upcoming shift in institutional focus for certifying bodies. Operators should track the board's public search updates to anticipate potential changes to professional development requirements.
What happens next
The Board of Directors expects to share details regarding the search for a permanent President and CEO in the coming months.
Further reading
For more on executive shifts and local organizational changes, see People.
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