Spotlight on Mark Lewis
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PMI DHC Member Spotlight: Mark Lewis - A Leader Who Builds Projects — and People
Mark began his project management journey the way many practitioners do: by doing the work long before he had the title. After successfully leading several initiatives, a mentor encouraged him to formally pursue project management — a suggestion that immediately felt like the right fit. That moment of recognition set him on a path defined by curiosity, discipline, and a genuine commitment to helping others succeed.
His passion for lifelong learning naturally led him into academia. He credits his own teachers and mentors for shaping his career, and teaching has become his way of paying that generosity forward. One of his favourite moments is when a former student told him they’d taken something from his class and passed it on to someone else. For him, that’s the true measure of impact: knowledge that continues to move from person to person, strengthening the profession along the way.
That same spirit of service inspired Mark to join the PMI Durham Highlands Board of Directors. Motivated by the dedication of past board members, he wanted to contribute to the chapter that had supported his growth. Mark encourages members to volunteer in any capacity they feel comfortable, believing deeply in the value of community involvement and shared leadership.
When he defines project success, Mark doesn’t start with metrics — he starts with people. A successful project, in his view, is one where stakeholders are satisfied and teams feel proud of what they’ve accomplished. He loves seeing that moment when the final deliverable is submitted and the team recognizes the collective achievement. Hearing that a client’s expectations were exceeded is the perfect finish.
One of Mark’s most challenging projects — a product launch in Canada for a company based in mainland China — pushed him to refine his communication and time management skills. Tight timelines, cultural and language differences, regulatory hurdles, and multiple time zones created a demanding environment. Navigating expectations on both sides taught him lessons that continue to shape his leadership today.
Outside of project management, he’s a writer at heart. He’s recently returned to the craft, taking courses and working on his first longer piece of writing. He also loves to read, cook, and bake — activities that bring people together and create moments of connection. And as someone who lives on the water, he finds daily calm and inspiration in the view from his office window.
He credits many resources for shaping his career, but none more than the mentors who guided him along the way. He gives special recognition to Sylvie Edwards, his PMP prep instructor at the University of Toronto, whose influence left a lasting mark on his professional journey.
Mark’s story is one of service, growth, and generosity — a project manager who leads with heart, teaches with purpose, and strengthens the PMI DHC community through every role he takes on.
Want to know more about Mark? Connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marklewis125/.
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