2025 ELECTION RESULTS

Ms. Sufka has a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems from Jacksonville State University and a Master of Business Administration from Samford University.  She became PMP certified in 2004, and has served on the PMI Columbus, Georgia Chapter board in several capacities, most recently as Chapter President from January 2024 to the present. 

When asked why she would be interested in serving another term as President, Ms. Sufka responded, “It has been an honor to serve the chapter as President in 2024 / 2025.  During that time, we had an influx of new Board members and volunteers who have swiftly become an integrated team.  I would really appreciate the chance to serve another term as President so I can help put many of our planned goals into action and hopefully see them completed.”   

Krystle Lawson is an operations management professional with a distinctive background bridging psychology, special education, and supply chain management. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University with dual concentrations in Child and Adolescent Development and Mental Health Studies and is currently completing her MBA at Southern New Hampshire University with a focus in Supply Chain and Operations Management. With 12 years of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis and eight years as a Special Education paraprofessional, Krystle brings proven expertise in client portfolio management, regulatory compliance, and cross-functional team leadership. 

Currently serving as a Store Support Associate in operational management training at The Home Depot, Krystle combines analytical rigor with a human-centered approach to program management. As a dedicated advocate and parent of two special needs children, she actively volunteers with Seattle Children's research departments, contributing to neuroscience research on rare brain malformations and congenital developmental disabilities. Her unique blend of psychological insight and operational excellence enables her to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics and deliver collaborative, results-driven solutions. 

When asked why she was interested in becoming VP of Administration for the Columbus GA PMI Chapter, she responded,” Because this role represents the perfect intersection of my operational management expertise and passion for building systems that support organizational success. My professional history in regulatory compliance, stakeholder management, and process optimization, combined with my human-centered approach to leadership, positions me to strengthen the chapter's administrative foundation while fostering an inclusive, collaborative environment for members. Having successfully managed complex programs involving diverse stakeholders, I am excited to leverage my skills in systematic execution and cross-functional coordination to enhance the chapter's operational efficiency and support its strategic goals. This opportunity aligns with my commitment to professional development and community service, allowing me to contribute to the growth of project management professionals in our region while continuing to expand my own leadership capabilities.” 

Catherine Leigh is a seasoned Business Consultant with a diverse background in operations, regulatory compliance, process improvement, project management, coaching, and IT development support. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a Master of Business Administration, along with professional certifications including Certified Scrum Master, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and most recently, the Project Management Professional (PMP) credential. 

As a newly engaged member of the PMI Columbus, GA Chapter, Catherine is enthusiastic about deepening her involvement in the project management community. She is committed to building meaningful professional relationships and contributing to the chapter’s growth and success. 

Outside of her professional endeavors, Catherine enjoys spending quality time with her family, reading, watching films, volunteering, and exploring new interests with her son. 

Monica Daniel 

Monica Daniel has been VP of Membership from 2024 through 2025 and launched the chapter’s Mentor Program during her term.  She served previously as Youth and Social Impact Coordinator when, involving chapter members and foster children, she established a valuable partnership between two organizations to bring project management training to the foster program and a beautiful garden spot to the facility. That partnership continues today. 

 Ms. Daniel makes everything possible with her positive attitude and enthusiasm, while mixing her talent of relationship-building with a strong work ethic. She says that “serving as the current VP of Membership has been enlightening and a great honor. It has enabled me to meet prospective members and be a point-of-contact for the chapter.  I am interested in serving another two-year term to bring our members on-time programs and connections. My objective is to ensure our chapter’s support is strategically aligned with the locations where our members reside and work, effectively addressing their individual and professional requirements. 

Ms. Daniel is a Business Project Manager with analytics experience at AFLAC. She holds a B.S. in Statistics from The University of Georgia, as well as Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, PROSCI® Change Practitioner, and Certified Scrum Master credentials. Her expertise includes analytics, employee engagement, and project management. She has been a long-time member of the PMI Columbus, Georgia Chapter and brings the spirit of collaboration to the board. 

Torve Merine

Torve Merine has served one 2-year term as VP of Professional Development for the PMI Columbus, Georgia Chapter.  He has demonstrated leadership ability to gather a team who could put together a successful project management training each year of his term.  Mr. Merine makes leading look easy – no wonder he has progressed through the ranks of leadership at one of Columbus’ most successful companies – AFLAC!  When asked, “Why do you want to serve another term”, his response was, “I would like to continue building on the momentum we’ve created. My goal is to further grow and mature our Professional Development Day Summit, expanding its reach and impact for our members and the local community. I am passionate about helping members achieve their professional goals—whether that means earning PMI certifications or developing new leadership skills—and bringing in dynamic speakers who can inspire growth both professionally and personally. Continuing this work will allow us to strengthen our chapter’s value and empower our members to reach new levels of success.”   

Mr. Merine is the Senior Manager for the Program Management Office at Aflac. As a Senior Manager, he provides direct leadership and mentoring to a team of up to 13 Project Managers including mid-level managers. He develops executive level presentations to include identifying, defining, and implementing best-in-class practices for project management.   

Mr. Merine currently holds the following certifications: PMP, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Prosci Change Management, and Scrum Alliance Certified Product Owner. 

Samantha Miller Gurski 

Samantha Miller Gurski has been serving a partial term as VP of Programs, bringing new talent to the board.  If Ms. Gurski is elected this year, she will serve a one-year term to align the position with the chapter’s established election schedule, as outlined in the bylaws. In her professional position as Director of Continuing & Professional Education at Columbus State University, she leads a diverse portfolio of workforce development initiatives including the English Language Institute, professional certificate programs, summer youth camps, and CSU's testing centers.  

Ms. Gurski has established successful custom training partnerships with private and government organizations, recently focusing on data literacy, project management, and AI readiness. Her expertise is supported by an MS in Organizational Leadership from Columbus State University, a BA in Philosophy from the University of South Carolina, and a UGA Certification in Executive Project Management. (She is approved by PMI to take the PMP exam this year!)  

Beyond her professional roles, Ms. Gurski also serves several nonprofit organizations and is a proud board member of the Urban League of the River Valley and the Columbus Literacy Alliance, bringing her strategic program development skills to benefit the broader community.