I’m Giana Lawrence-Primus, a PMP-certified Project Manager, Career Coach, wife, mother, immigrant, and proud daughter of the Caribbean. My journey to where I am today has been far from linear—filled with many pivots in both my personal and professional life. I want to share a bit about how I arrived at this moment, launching Project Manager Lab and using my story to inspire others to embrace the art of pivoting.
From Trinidad & Tobago to the U.S.: The First Pivot
As a child of Trinidad and Tobago, a country with such rich, diverse cultural heritage, I’ve always been deeply connected to my roots. But in search of new opportunities, I made the life-changing decision to immigrate to the United States. Moving to a new country meant starting over from scratch. Adjusting to a different pace, different systems, and essentially, building a new life. This was my first major pivot.
It wasn’t easy — navigating immigration, figuring out where I fit in professionally, and learning how to network in a new environment. But it taught me the power of adaptability, resilience, and self-belief. And as I would later find out, those are some of the core skills that would serve me well in project management and entrepreneurship.
Changing Sectors: From Non-Profit to Public Sector
My professional journey began in the non-profit sector, where I found purpose in making a difference. However, as my career progressed, I realized I was ready for another challenge, and I made a bold move to the public sector. This was a significant pivot. Switching sectors meant I had to quickly understand different work cultures, stakeholder dynamics, and project goals.
In the public sector, I stumbled upon project management, and it felt like a natural fit. Project management gave me the structure and framework I needed to manage complex tasks while leading teams toward achieving shared goals. This is where I began to build my foundation as a PM, leveraging my transferable skills like communication, leadership, and problem-solving.
The Challenge of My Life: Pivoting to Project Management During Personal Crisis
However, my greatest pivot wasn’t just a professional one. It happened during the most challenging period of my life. In 2020, during the height of the global pandemic, I found myself caring for my mom, who was battling cancer, while also adjusting to a new pregnancy, while caring for my then 5 year old son, husband and eventually life with a newborn. I was navigating all of these personal responsibilities while trying to continue advancing in my career.
To say it was difficult is an understatement. There were days I didn’t know if I could balance it all. But what I learned was how much project management skills — from time management to stakeholder communication — applied not just to the workplace but to life itself. Leading a project is much like managing a family in crisis: you have to balance emotions, logistics, and goals, often simultaneously.
The Creation of Project Manager Lab
After losing my mom in 2022, I felt a void and a calling. I wanted to honor her legacy, and I also wanted to help others who were navigating pivotal moments in their lives and careers. So, I launched Project Manager Lab in 2023. It became a platform designed to help emerging project managers pivot into new roles by understanding the value of their transferable skills and learning the core principles of project management.
Through Project Manager Lab, I’ve connected with so many incredible professionals who, like me, are searching for ways to pivot into new and exciting opportunities. Whether they’re transitioning from different industries or sectors, I’ve found that most people don’t realize the valuable skills they already have that make them perfect for project management roles. My goal is to help them see that — to help them believe in the power of their own journey.
Why Pivoting Matters
Pivoting isn’t just about changing jobs. It’s about evolving. It’s about recognizing when one chapter of your life has ended and embracing the next, even if it’s scary or uncertain. Every pivot I’ve made, whether from non-profit to public sector, or from caregiver to entrepreneur, has taught me more about who I am and what I’m capable of. I believe that the more we lean into these pivots, the more we grow both personally and professionally.
Pivoting is never easy. But with the right mindset, support, and strategy, it can lead you to your next big opportunity. You don’t have to have it all figured out at once. What’s important is that you take the first step.
The PM Pivot Coach
Today, as a career coach in the project management field, my mission is to empower others take that leap. Whether you’re a mother balancing family life and career, or an immigrant with hopes of starting your career in project management or a professional looking to transition into project management, I’m here to share what I’ve learned. Please reach out via this link to schedule a chat!
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