After combining more than sixty years of collective business and leadership experience, the team has designed and is proud to present the Professional Program Leader (PPL) Certificationโa rigorous, residency-style program created for experienced professionals ready to operate at the next level of leadership.
This certification is purpose-built for PMPs and seasoned project professionals who already possess a strong foundation in project management and are ready to expand into program and portfolio leadership. The curriculum approaches program management through both Agile and predictive lenses, reflecting the realities of todayโs hybrid organizations. Participants are guided to integrate business acumen, leadership capability, Agile thinking, and program management discipline into a cohesive, practical skill set.
The PPL program draws from a solid and credible body of knowledge, including PMI-aligned program management practices, John Maxwellโs leadership principles, and Royโs extensive experience as an Agile transformation coach. Together, these perspectives equip participants to pivot, adapt, and position themselves strategically in an ever-changing business landscape.
Unlike traditional certifications that rely on isolated study and exam-based validation, the PPL certification emphasizes hands-on, immersive learning. Participants engage in real endeavors, drive initiatives to completion, and demonstrate proficiency through outcome delivery, value realization, and program-level thinking. This is not learning in a vacuumโit is leadership in action. Through structured coaching, practical exercises, and continuous feedback, participants develop the mindset and judgment required to function as trusted business leaders across industries.
Graduates of the program gain a deeper understanding of how organizations truly operate, enabling them to step confidently into roles as program leaders or portfolio leaders with credibility and influence. The intellectual rigor, applied problem-solving, and peer-level discourse consistently push participants to think and operate well above the level of their peers.
This residency is intentionally rare, with only one planned offering in 2026, preserving the depth, quality, and exclusivity of the experience. Full participation is required to earn the 35 PDUs and the Professional Program Leader (PPL) credential, ensuring that certification holders meet a high and meaningful standard of excellence.
Most importantly, the PPL experience provides something few certifications offer: side-by-side engagement with professional coaches, pragmatic guidance grounded in real-world delivery, and a community of like-minded leaders committed to growth, execution, and value creation. Participants leave not only with a credential, but with an expanded network, sharpened perspective, and the confidence to lead at scale.
Those who join are not simply earning a certificationโthey are stepping into an elite community of professionals who choose to operate at a higher level. You are invited to journey with us and become part of a leadership cohort that is, quite simply, a cut above the rest.
About the Coaches & Trainers
ROY SCHILLING
Roy has 30+ years experience across many industries, including Finance, Insurance, Government, Manufacturing and Telecommunications. Over the course of his career, Roy has participated as an individual contributor, Scrum Master, Product Owner, Manager, Leader and now an Enterprise Coach in companies ranging from small startups to multi-national Fortune 50 firms. Roy also has experience in managing International teams and dealing with communication issues, time zones and cultural differences that typically plague these teams.
Over the past 20+ years, Roy has been practicing Agile in large company โ heavily regulated environments and has worked closely with PMOs and Change Management groups to help them transition to Agile. His passion is organizational change and has implemented Scrum, Kanban and Lean methodologies to help organizations recognize and address their challenges, not just at the team level, but also for the enterprise. Roy believes that there is no "one size fits all" solution and looks to find the right combination of processes for the situation.
Roy is a skilled mentor, proven developer and an experienced leader with a long history of building lasting trusted relationships.
Specialties: Executive and Organizational Coaching, Lean and Agile Methodologies, Agile Transformation, Mentoring, Scaling Lean/Agile, Software Development, Managing Global Teams, Program and Portfolio Management, CSP-SM, CSP-PO, PMI-ACP. ICP-ATF, ICP-ACCย
PHILL AKINWALE
Phill Akinwale is a leadership coach, trainer, and speaker dedicated to developing confident, capable leaders who can operate effectively in complex organizational environments. As a Leadership Coach at the Project Leadership Institute, he focuses on cultivating leadership excellence by guiding professionals to recognize their strengths, sharpen their judgment, and lead with clarity and composure. His coaching approach is grounded in the John Maxwell leadership principles and emphasizes practical application, personal growth, and sustained professional impact.
In addition to his coaching work, Phill is a seasoned Trainer and Speaker with the John Maxwell Team, bringing decades of experience in leadership development, project management, and organizational delivery. Through Praizion Media, he integrates leadership thinking with real-world project and program management expertise, helping individuals and teams align strategy with execution. His work centers on building leaders who can navigate uncertainty, engage stakeholders effectively, and deliver results with confidence, discipline, and strategic insight.