How to Build Unshakeable Trust with Engineering Teams, with Phedra Arthur

Tired of being seen as "just the project manager" while your technical expertise and strategic insights go unrecognized?

In this session, Phedra Arthur Iruke will share proven strategies to help you shift from being tolerated to being essential in engineering and technical spaces. You’ll walk away with a 90-day roadmap for building credibility, amplifying your voice, and positioning yourself as a strategic leader—not just a task manager.

You’ll discover:

• How to establish technical credibility without needing to code, spotting risks and earning respect in the process

• Communication frameworks that empower women to thrive in male-dominated technical environments without code-switching or compromising authenticity

• A systematic approach to adding value as a force multiplier, not just a status reporter

• Tactics to surface hard truths strategically—advocating for realistic timelines and risk management without being labeled “difficult”

• A micro-commitment strategy to steadily build unshakeable credibility

• A clear 90-day action plan you can implement immediately to transform your role and influence

This isn’t just about project management skills—it’s about reclaiming your power, amplifying your strategic voice, and getting the recognition and compensation you deserve. Whether you’re navigating toxic work cultures, balancing caregiving responsibilities while climbing the ladder, or ready to move from doer to decision-maker, this session equips you with the clarity and confidence to make it happen.

About the Speaker

Phedra Arthur Iruke is the Chief Delivery Officer at Focus Consulting, where she drives delivery excellence across large-scale government programs in the health and civilian sectors. With deep expertise in engineering, product, design, and agile delivery, she has led organizations that foster high-performance cultures and guide complex modernization efforts to improve public outcomes.

She has held leadership roles at eSimplicity and People Inc. (formerly Dotdash Meredith), where she worked at the intersection of monetization and consumer products. An entrepreneur, writer, and thought leader, Phedra is the creator of The Business of Delivery, a fast-growing newsletter and community helping delivery professionals accelerate into senior leadership roles. Known for blending operational rigor with storytelling and social impact, Phedra brings clarity, candor, and a systems-level perspective to every stage, conversation, and engagement.