Project Management 101 (in and outside the home!)

Learn how to overcome anxiety and boost your confidence with Erin Helland, home improvement coach and founder of the HardHat Diplomat! Erin will focus on the logistical and emotional challenges of renovations, big or small, and help you gain valuable organizational tools and insights. Learn how applying project management skills to your home renovation can also help you manage other projects, self-advocate, and make more informed decisions. About the speaker: Erin Helland is the founder of HardHat Diplomat, a company dedicated to empowering homeowners — especially women — to confidently navigate the home renovation process. Following water damage to her own home, Erin transformed this personal setback into the impetus for HardHat Diplomat, focusing on helping people not traditionally encouraged to take part in the construction industry. As a home improvement coach, she offers educational classes and individual consulting to both commercial and residential clients, equipping them to self-advocate and make well-informed decisions whether performing a “Do-It-Yourself” project or hiring professional contractors. With 20 years of experience in global corporate, nonprofit, and small business sectors, Erin’s career reflects her diverse interests—from owning an indie coffeehouse to a decade spent in public diplomacy. Her work and personal travels to 40 countries deepened her appreciation for diverse cultures and the importance of civic engagement, focusing on bridging cultural divides and fostering global understanding. Locally, she engages in public-private partnerships to bolster economic development for small, local, and disadvantaged businesses. Erin holds a Master of Science in Business and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Germanic Languages ​​from Virginia Commonwealth University.