From Isolation to Inspiration: Unlocking Success in Distributed Project Teams

The business landscape has evolved dramatically, and project teams today look very different than they did just a few years ago. A connected world and a global workforce bring incredible opportunities—but also new challenges. As project leaders, we must adapt to keep our teams productive, motivated, and successful.
Managing distributed teams isn’t always easy. Engagement can slip, communication may falter, and time zones can slow decision-making. Team members can feel disconnected or uninspired. In this session, we’ll explore both the advantages and the hurdles of hybrid and distributed project teams, and uncover practical, creative strategies to bring teams back on track.
Guided by four key principles from the Agile Manifesto, we’ll focus on people over process, building trust, setting realistic expectations, and leveraging tools and techniques that strengthen communication and collaboration. Join us to discover how agile leadership can transform challenges into opportunities for stronger, more resilient teams.

Understand the evolving dynamics of hybrid and distributed project teams in today’s global business environment.
Identify common challenges in managing dispersed teams, including engagement, communication, and time zone barriers.
Explore the advantages of distributed collaboration and how to harness them for team success.
Learn how Agile principles can be applied to strengthen leadership and improve team resilience.
Gain practical strategies for fostering trust, setting realistic expectations, and sustaining motivation across diverse teams.

Actionable techniques to re-engage and inspire distributed team members.
Tools and methods to improve communication and collaboration across geographic and cultural divides.
Insights on balancing process with people-first leadership to drive better outcomes.
A framework for turning challenges into opportunities using Agile Manifesto principles.
Confidence in leading hybrid teams with adaptability, creativity, and resilience.

Presenter: Dan Dunsworth

Dan Dunsworth is a results-driven project leader with more than 15 years of experience guiding complex initiatives across technology, engineering, and software delivery. Known for his versatility and collaborative approach, Dan has successfully led projects in Agile, Waterfall, and Hybrid approaches, consistently driving outcomes that align with organizational goals while fostering strong team engagement.
Currently serving as Lead Project Manager at World Wide Technology, Dan oversees IT infrastructure and operations projects, ensuring adherence to rigorous standards while balancing scope, risk, and stakeholder expectations. Prior to this role, he spent six years at Perficient, managing IT and software initiatives in both the corporate PMO and client-facing environments. His work included multimillion-dollar global programs and modernization efforts for high-volume FinTech platforms. Within a SAFe framework, he supported multiple teams and release trains by facilitating Scrum ceremonies, guiding distributed collaboration, and resolving impediments to keep delivery on track. Dan is dedicated to inspiring globally dispersed teams and bridging cultural and geographic divides while sustaining productivity and cohesion.
Dan held technical and project management roles at Intoximeters, Inc. where he directed service operations, developed compliance systems, led embedded software customization projects, and delivered technical training to hundreds of international customers. Prior to that, he started his career out with Teledyne Instruments, Monitor Labs, first in field service and then as a technical trainer. His breadth of experience—from hands-on technical work to executive-level stakeholder communication—underscores his adaptability and depth as a leader.
Dan holds a B.S. in Information Technology from Lindenwood University and maintains multiple industry-recognized certifications, including Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), Certified Product Owner (CSPO), and SAFe 6 Agilist. He is an active member of PMI and the PMI Metro St. Louis Chapter, and has contributed to mentoring programs through PMI and through the Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamp.

Parking Information: Free parking in lot on site, additional street parking surrounding Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood