The Global Pinay: Leading PMI’s Transformation with Malasakit and Purpose

Karla Mae Bautista Eidem is a proud Filipino-American who grew up in a household of strong women. she serves as the Global Head of Transformation and Project Delivery at the Project Management Institute (PMI).

From Manila to the Midwest: Choosing Courage Over Comfort

Growing up in a household of strong women—her mother, three sisters, and a father who encouraged them to be strong, independent women and to chase their dreams— Karla Mae (Bautista) Eidem built a foundation for a global career. As a proud Filipino-American, she currently serves as the Global Head of Transformation and Project Delivery at PMI.

Her role sits at the intersection of transformation, governance, and delivery, ensuring that complex, enterprise-level initiatives are not only well-designed but actually delivered in ways that create measurable outcomes and long-term value. At its core, her role is about helping people and organizations move from intention to impact.

However, her path was not a straight line. A defining moment in her project management journey didn’t come from a single flawless project—it came from a decision to step into uncertainty.

In October 2009, Karla made the decision to leave the Philippines and move to Mexico City. On paper, it didn’t look like a smart or safe career move, although it was a promotion. She faced a new country, a new language, and a new culture, with no clear, linear plan beyond the next role. What she did have was her grounding in project management and a growing belief that it was more than a set of tools. It was becoming her compass.

"I had to stop proving competence through control and start creating clarity through context and purpose."

At that point in her career, Karla was a strong manager who knew how to build plans, manage stakeholders, and solve problems under pressure. But the move forced her into situations where plans broke quickly, assumptions didn’t hold, and language was becoming a barrier to collaboration.

"I couldn’t manage my way through that environment," she reflects. "That’s when the shift happened. I realized that leadership wasn’t about having the answers—it was about having the courage to move forward without them, and bringing people with you when the path wasn’t clear”. She had to stop proving competence through control and start creating clarity through context and purpose. Her 10,000-mile journey from Manila to Mexico to the Midwest taught her that leadership is not about managing every step; it’s about helping people find their footing when the map runs out.

A cherished moment of Karla with her parents at her wedding in the Philippines.

Leading with Malasakit and Masayahin

PMI may be global, but Karla's leadership is deeply shaped by very local roots—especially growing up in the Philippines and carrying that identity with her as a Filipina on the global stage.

She points to malasakit—a deep sense of care and responsibility for others—as one of the strongest influences on how she leads. Growing up, she learned that leadership wasn’t about position or authority; it was about showing up, being present, and taking responsibility for the people around you. Whether working with teams across regions or leading large-scale transformation, she starts from the belief that results matter, but people matter more. If people don’t feel seen, supported, and trusted, sustainable success just doesn’t happen.

Another trait that often surprises people in global environments is masayahin—a sense of warmth, openness, and optimism.

For Karla, it is about creating energy and psychological safety, especially in complex or high-pressure situations. Transformation work can feel heavy, and she notes that leading with lightness, humor, and humanity helps teams breathe, connect, and stay resilient through uncertainty.

"In many ways, PMI’s global-local model mirrors my own journey," she shares. "I bring my roots with me wherever I go—not as something I leave behind, but as the foundation that helps me lead with purpose, connection, and courage in a global organization." One of the ways she proudly shows those roots is by wearing a Filipiniana on the global stage, finding joy when someone from the audience recognizes what it stands for.

"Visibility isn’t about the spotlight—it’s about responsibility. Representation accelerates belief, and belief is often the difference between staying silent and stepping forward."

Claiming Voice and Building Community

One of the challenges that helped Karla grow the most as a woman in project management was learning to claim her voice and her impact, especially in environments where she was often the only woman, the only person from a different culture, or the least “obvious” authority in the room.

Karla’s three beloved sisters, who hold a special place in her heart

Early in her career, she believed that if she delivered consistently, her work would speak for itself. But as her roles became more complex and global, she realized that execution alone wasn’t enough.

Decisions were being shaped not just by what was delivered, but by who was heard. She had to confront a pattern many women recognize: waiting to be invited into the conversation rather than stepping into it with confidence.

Visibility and representation matter because people need to see what’s possible before they can imagine themselves there. For Karla, visibility isn’t about the spotlight—it’s about responsibility. Representation accelerates belief, and belief is often the difference between staying silent and stepping forward.

Captured with the love of her life and husband Steve, and her stepsons Isaac and Brendan during their vacation in the Philippines, with the Taal volcano in the background.

This sense of responsibility extends to her involvement in the PMI community, which she credits for sustaining her career long before titles ever did. Every major geographical transition required her to rebuild networks, credibility, and confidence. What made those transitions possible wasn’t just technical skill; it was people—peers and mentors who challenged her and shared hard-earned lessons.

To those looking to grow in the profession, Karla's advice is clear: "Raise your hand—even when you don’t feel fully ready. Say yes to the stretch assignment, the leadership role, or the volunteer opportunity that feels uncomfortable."

Gathering at the Pentagon: (L-R) Karla as the PMI North America RMD alongside PMI CEO Pierre Le Manh and Colonel Dixon from the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Looking toward 2030, she hopes the need for women to prove their credibility twice—once through their work and again through their presence—no longer exists. She envisions a future where women step into project management roles knowing their expertise will be assumed, not questioned; their voices welcomed, not tolerated; and their leadership styles valued, not compared to a default standard.

"What excites me most about the future of project management is that the profession is finally being recognized not just as a delivery discipline, but as a leadership capability... It is finally valuing what many women have always practiced."