Lita Hughes-Ward

Certified career project manager, transformation leader, and founder of Beyond the Gantt. I help professionals elevate their impact, find clarity in complexity, and lead with confidence.

LET'S CONNECT!

TRANSFORMATION

THE PROJECT MANAGER BEHIND THE VISION

I'M HERE TO HELP YOU THRIVE

I’m Lita — a PMP- certified senior project manager, speaker, and mentor passionate about helping others design careers they love.

My journey began in healthcare distribution, leading high-impact programs and transformation initiatives at the enterprise level. Over the years, I’ve discovered that project management is more than Gantt charts and deadlines — it’s about people, purpose, and progress.

Through Beyond the Gantt, I’m creating a community where project professionals can connect, collaborate, and grow — because great leaders don’t just deliver projects; they develop people.

LET'S CONNECT!

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

LET'S CONNECT, COLLABORATE, AND CREATE TOGETHER

WAYS WE CAN WORK TOGETHER

I believe in meeting people where they are whether that’s in your organization, in the classroom, or in community. Below are a few meaningful ways we can work together, depending on what you’re looking for.

COACHING & MENTORISHIP

Through 1:1 coaching, we’ll identify your professional goals, strengthen your leadership skills, and create a roadmap to help you elevate from where you are to where you’re meant to be.

“You don’t need permission to lead — just clarity, confidence, and courage.”

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SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Invite me to speak at your conference, panel, or internal leadership event. My sessions are interactive, relatable, and focused on actionable growth — blending leadership, mindset, and modern project management.

“In every talk, my goal is simple — to make leadership feel human again.”

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BEYOND

THE GANTT COMMUNITY

Join Beyond the Gantt, a growing network of project professionals from across industries and experience levels. Inside, we share best practices, mentorship opportunities, job resources, and host virtual and local meetups.

“Beyond the Gantt isn’t just about projects — it’s about the people who lead them.”

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PROJECT COACH

Whether you’re just breaking into project management or ready to move from managing tasks to leading transformation, I’ll meet you where you are. My coaching approach blends real-world experience, strategic frameworks, and human-centered leadership.

Focus Areas:

Transitioning into Project Management without a PMP
Mastering Stakeholder Communication
Building Confidence as a New or Aspiring PM
Leading with Empathy & Influence
Creating a Career Path that Aligns with Purpose

MORE ABOUT ME

SIGNATURE QUOTE

“Your journey won’t always be linear — but every step, setback, and success is shaping the leader you’re becoming.”

- LITA HUGHES-WARD, BEYOND THE GANTT

CONNECT WITH INTENTION

BEYOND THE GANTT

Beyond the Gantt is more than a name — it’s a movement. It’s where project professionals, from every industry and career stage, come together to share knowledge, build relationships, and grow.

Our mission is simple: to build a family of project leaders who are passionate about collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement.

PEER MENTORSHIP & NETWORKING

REAL-WORLD CAREER GROWTH RESOURCES

LIVE EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, AND COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHTS

A SAFE, SUPPORTIVE SPACE FOR GROWTH & CONNECTION

FOR BRANDS & COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES
"LET'S WORK TOGETHER"

"COLLABORATION IS THE HEARTBEAT OF GROWTH, WHEN WE CREATE TOGETHER, WE MULTIPLY IMPACT."

I love collaborating with brands and organizations that align with leadership, personal growth, professional development, or women’s empowerment. Whether it’s podcast interviews, digital features, or community partnerships — let’s build something meaningful together.

Perfect if you want to: