We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ceneé LaTulippe a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ceneé, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
When I think about resilience, I don’t picture a single moment—I see a mosaic of challenges, setbacks, and triumphs that have shaped every step of my journey. My story isn’t about never falling; it’s about always rising.
Rising Above: The Power of Perseverance
From my earliest days, I refused to accept limitations—whether imposed by circumstance, industry norms, or even my own body. In high school, I was diagnosed with Compartment Syndrome, a condition that led to 20–30 fractures in each leg. My athletic and academic dreams were on the line. For most, this would have been a full stop. For me, it was the beginning of a lesson in grit that would define my life.
I endured painful surgeries, relentless physical therapy, and recurring injuries. Every season brought new setbacks, but I never let them dictate my future. Through sheer determination, I completed all four years of athletic eligibility and graduated with my coveted degree—funded entirely through scholarships and self-applied loans. That chapter forged my resilience, teaching me that perseverance isn’t just about enduring pain; it’s about refusing to let adversity write your story.
Breaking Barriers: Leading with Vision and Grit
My career in technology began at a small start-up, later acquired by Perot Systems. Inspired by Ross Perot Sr.’s principled approach to growth, I embraced every challenge as an opportunity. When asked to move to India to establish an outsourced technology operation, I stepped into a world where I was often the only woman at the table. In a male-dominated industry and culture, I earned respect through knowledge and grit, using my experience to elevate other women to leadership roles.
I learned that resilience isn’t just personal—it’s collective. I sought out strong, thoughtful female leaders, building teams that could conquer the hardest challenges together. Today, my leadership team is 100% female, with 55% of the entire company being women and 33% non-Caucasian—a testament to the power of diversity and inclusion.
Building a Movement: From Entrepreneur to Visionary
When I launched 5280 PMO, I did so without external funding, guided by the lessons of discipline and integrity learned from my mentors. My self-funded, grassroots effort grew into a successful business, achieving a 167% revenue increase between 2022 and 2024.I lead by example, shaping strategy at the executive table and diving into the trenches to execute, ensuring every detail is managed and every team member is empowered.
My approach has delivered $12.2M in client cost savings and $4.1M in cumulative under-budget performance, with my team managing $93.6M in total portfolio spend (fiscal year 2024). But the real impact is in the culture we’ve built—a place where resilience is celebrated, and every voice matters.
Championing Women and Community
Resilience means lifting others as you rise. I serve on the Executive Board of Project Helping, support disadvantaged women through volunteerism, and am a committee member for Colorado Technology Association’s Women in Technology. I host quarterly roundtables, mentor women, and donate 5–10% of my income to nonprofits. My advocacy is not just professional—it’s deeply personal, rooted in a belief that leadership means creating opportunities for others to shine.
Fostering Growth and Innovation
I am relentless in my pursuit of growth. I attend top-tier leadership programs, seek mentorship, and even curate an AI-powered “Virtual Board of Directors” modeled after my ideal mentors. I pilot emerging technologies inside my company, using real-world case studies to drive innovation and adoption. My commitment to learning and sharing knowledge creates a culture of excellence and collaboration.
Resilience is not an innate trait, but a habit cultivated through adversity and strengthened with each challenge overcome. My journey—from overcoming physical setbacks to breaking barriers in technology, building a business from the ground up, and championing women and community—demonstrates how perseverance, when paired with purpose, can transform obstacles into opportunities. I hope my story serves as evidence that refusing to let circumstance, doubt, or fear define your limits unlocks the power to rise above, break new ground, and lead with empathy, discipline, and unstoppable resilience. May these lessons inspire others to pursue their own paths with courage and conviction, knowing that every challenge is an invitation to grow.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
About My Work and What Drives Me
As the founder and CEO of 5280 PMO Services, I help organizations tackle their most important and complex projects—like merging companies, upgrading technology, or launching new systems. My team and I act as guides and problem-solvers, making sure everyone knows their role, stays on track, and works together smoothly. Think of us as expert coaches who turn complicated challenges into clear, manageable steps so teams can achieve big goals with confidence.
What makes our work special is our ability to translate technical complexity into practical solutions that deliver real results. We combine deep project management expertise with a people-first approach, building strong, diverse teams and fostering a culture where everyone can contribute and succeed. Our commitment to operational excellence means we don’t just finish projects—we leave organizations stronger, more capable, and ready for future growth.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about expanding our services with new AI-powered tools, sharing client success stories, and deepening our impact within the Colorado technology community. Whether it’s through mentoring, community partnerships, or innovative solutions, my focus is always on driving meaningful change and helping organizations thrive.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, strategic vision, and the ability to empower others.
Resilience has been my foundation. From overcoming physical adversity in my youth to navigating complex, high-stakes projects and building a business from scratch, I learned that setbacks are inevitable—but perseverance transforms obstacles into opportunities. My advice: Embrace challenges as learning experiences. Develop grit by pushing through discomfort, and remember that every challenge is an invitation to grow.
Strategic vision has allowed me to see beyond immediate hurdles and chart a path toward meaningful, long-term impact. Whether leading global operations, driving M&A integrations, or scaling 5280 PMO, I’ve learned to balance big-picture thinking with disciplined execution. For those starting out: Invest time in understanding your industry, study market trends, and always ask “what’s next?” Cultivate curiosity and don’t be afraid to pivot when new opportunities arise.
Empowering others is the multiplier for success. I’ve seen firsthand how diverse, inclusive teams outperform and how mentorship and advocacy can change lives. Building a culture where every voice matters has been central to my leadership. My advice: Seek out mentors, build networks, and lift others as you rise. Focus on collaboration, celebrate different perspectives, and create space for others to shine.
For anyone early in their journey:
• Be relentless in your pursuit of growth—attend workshops, seek feedback, and never stop learning.
• Lead with integrity and empathy; your reputation is built on how you treat others.
• And above all, don’t let fear or doubt define your limits. The most impactful leaders are those who rise above challenges, envision what’s possible, and help others do the same.
How would you describe your ideal client?
5280 PMO’s ideal client is an executive leader who is responsible for driving high-stakes, strategic initiatives such as Post Mergers & Acquisition integration, digital transformation, or enterprise software rollouts. While we excel in supporting technical teams and technology leaders, our greatest impact is often for non-technical clients who need to enable technology within their organizations.
Many of our clients are business leaders who know what they want to achieve but need a trusted partner to bridge the gap between strategy and technical execution. They may not have deep technical expertise, but they need clarity, control, and confidence that their initiatives will move from concept to completion with speed and precision. We specialize in translating complex technical requirements into actionable plans, providing real-time visibility, and leading cross-functional teams—so our clients can focus on vision and outcomes, not the technical details.
Our Project Management as a Service (PMaaS) model is custom-fit for each client’s needs, whether they’re rolling out new systems, integrating AI, or navigating vendor complexity. We plug in fast, build trust quickly, and deliver results that reflect the business strategy—not just activity. For non-technical leaders, we become the strategic ally who “speaks their language,” leads with authority, and ensures technology enablement is seamless, business-aligned, and outcome-driven.
In short, our ideal client is a decision-maker who values agility, clarity, and expert execution—especially when technology is a critical enabler for their business goals, but not their core expertise. We make it possible for non-technical leaders to lead boldly and execute confidently, knowing their initiative is in expert hands.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://5280pmo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cenee_5280pmo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/5280PMO
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cenee-latulippe-a876396/
- Twitter: @5280PMO
Image Credits
Headshot @5280Production – Stephanie Ross Whisenhunt
