2026 PM Symposium Sam Kendall

Sam Kendall

Bio

Sam Kendall is a Strategic Relations Officer at Rotary International, where he leads complex, multi-country partnerships spanning government agencies, multilateral organizations, and civil society. With more than 15 years of experience in international development, Sam has managed portfolios exceeding $6.5 million while helping organizations navigate complex stakeholder environments, align competing priorities, and deliver sustainable results.

Throughout his career, Sam has collaborated with organizations including USAID, the United Nations, donor governments, and nonprofit partners to build governance models, strengthen cross-functional collaboration, and create partnerships that drive long-term value beyond individual projects. His work focuses on helping organizations turn stakeholder relationships into a strategic advantage that supports successful program delivery.

Topic

Beyond the Plan: Stakeholder Engagement as the Critical Lever of Program Success

Description

Successful programs are built on more than well-crafted plans and strong execution—they depend on meaningful stakeholder relationships. Yet many programs struggle because communication breaks down, priorities compete, or governance structures fail to align the right people at the right time.

In this session, Sam Kendall explores why stakeholder engagement is one of the most critical disciplines in program management and how intentional relationship management directly influences decision-making, risk mitigation, benefits realization, and long-term value delivery. Drawing from real-world experiences leading global partnerships, Sam will share practical strategies that help program managers move beyond managing stakeholders to building the trust and collaboration necessary for sustained program success.

Key Takeaways

  • Recognize stakeholder engagement as a strategic program management capability that drives successful outcomes.
  • Identify common relationship blind spots that create risk and hinder program performance.
  • Learn practical approaches for building stronger governance and stakeholder partnerships.
  • Discover how intentional relationship management supports better decision-making, benefits realization, and long-term organizational value.

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