FreezePoints eMagazine

On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, PMI Orange County (PMI-OC) held their New & Prospective Member Orientation at the Back Bay Conference Center in Irvine, CA. It was an evening dedicated to growth, community, and connection.

Setting the Stage

The evening was spearheaded by Amol Chitte, the Director of New and Prospective Member Orientation, who served as the master of ceremonies. He opened the event by welcoming the attendees and outlining an agenda designed to introduce the local chapter’s mission: empowering people to turn ideas into reality through global advocacy and collaboration.

Our Professional Home

Touda Bentatou, the Director of Membership, took the stage to share her personal story and  presented the chapter’s "organization tree," highlighting the Board of Governors, which includes leaders such as VP of Membership Mai Tran, VP of Communications William Noyes, VP of Strategy Niketa Mehta, and VP of Programs Vazi Okhandiar. The presentation highlighted the chapter’s vision to be recognized as a dynamic organization dedicated to serving the Orange County community.

Growth Through Volunteering

Joyce Hester, the Volunteer Registration Manager, spoke about the "More You Give, The More You’ll Get" philosophy of volunteering. She detailed how members can build professional networks, develop leadership skills, and earn PDUs to maintain their certifications. She showed the open positions people can volunteer for. 

Inspiring Personal Journeys

The audience heard a powerful testimony from Narmela Sargis, a Past President of the chapter. She shared how PMI-OC has been the best chapter for her career, offering benefits that extend beyond professional development. Narmela spoke about her dedication to helping others, often referring fellow members looking for work to opportunities within her own company.

Mastering Networking 101

Following a brief networking break, Mai Tran, VP of Membership, led an interactive Networking 101 workshop. People got to practice their elevator pitch while also connecting with new peers. The workshop led to numerous new connections and reconnections between long-time volunteers and new faces.

The event concluded with a sense of excitement and belonging, leaving new and prospective members ready to make the most of their PMI-OC journey.