With a full-time management job at Wells Fargo Corporation, his own
professional development firm, Component Learning Institute, and his
PhD studies at Capella, you might think Nealand Lewis would guard
his remaining waking hours from other commitments.
Instead, he volunteers as a global component relations regional
mentor with the Project Management Institute® (PMI). Lewis estimates
that he averages 10 to 15 hours a week working on behalf of PMI. But
he can’t be sure. “I don’t think about the number of hours. I just relish
being able to help people meet their challenges and achieve their
goals,” he says.
Lewis helps PMI chapter presidents create and execute professional
development events and both establish and strengthen relationships
within the area business community.
“I’ve had more than 20 years experience managing and building
organizations, and PMI gives me an opportunity to use that. I don’t do
it alone and the collaboration is part of the joy. It’s a labor of love. It’s
a way for me to see my vision come to fruition, to prove to myself and
others that we can help people,” Lewis says.
PhD provides leverage to bring more solutions to more people
Lewis is working on his second Capella degree. He graduated with an
MBA, specializing in Project Management, in 2008, and is now pursuing
a PhD in Education with a specialization in Postsecondary and Adult
Education.
Then both of those passions grew into a single, compelling purpose: “To
bless others in Sierra Leone and all of Africa through a new generation of
leadership and a strong private sector.”
An inner drive to help people fuels Lewis’ multiple endeavors.
Life is a relay race—we win it together
Lewis plans to finish his PhD and create a school to foster virtual
learning worldwide and to spread professional development.
“Education empowers people with options,” he says. ”And along the
way, everybody needs someone to stoke their fire and encourage
them to good works. Life is circular—the time and effort invested in
others will always generate a positive return. We are all connected in
some way. We can and should strive to win collaboratively.”