Colleague Connection: Perla Ledesma
For this month’s Colleague Connection, we had the pleasure of speaking with Perla Ledesma, program manager lead for the Identity and Access Management (IAM) team in the Information Security Office (ISO), who shared information about her role, offered insights into project management, and revealed her artistic side.Could you tell us about your role on the IAM team and some of your recent project work?
As the program manager lead, I work closely with my director to lead our key IAM programs and projects. Like many across IT, I wear multiple hats—from helping define the IAM portfolio and managing projects, to working closely with other leads in IAM to shape how our team organizes and plans its work. I also help identify, recommend, and implement process improvement opportunities to enhance our operational efficiency. Additionally, I serve as one of our Jira administrators, coordinate our quarterly IAM meetings, and lead partnership sessions with other IT teams to ensure our operational and project priorities remain aligned.
I also serve as the project team lead representing ISO for the Integrated Project Steering Committee (IPSC). Through this group, I maintain the ISO portfolio and help recommend and implement practices we can collectively align across Northwestern IT.
Recently, my project work has focused on large-scale initiatives, including rolling out 1Password across the University and supporting a multi-year Active Directory modernization effort.
What would you like to share about your career journey, including your previous roles at Northwestern IT and prior experiences?
My career at Northwestern IT has been a journey of growth and learning. I began as a project manager in the Office of Portfolio Management (OPM) within Administrative Systems (AS) in 2017, where I was part of the inaugural group of project managers working closely with AS leadership to establish this function. The OPM gave me the chance to work across domains and partner with business units throughout the University. Since then, I’ve taken on roles with increasing responsibility, each offering a new perspective on how IT impacts Northwestern. Stepping into IAM has enabled me to integrate those experiences while continuing to learn and grow alongside my colleagues.
Before Northwestern, I spent seven years at Chicago Public Schools (CPS). That experience introduced me to the education space and sparked my passion for supporting education through technology. My last role there was in central IT, where I was responsible for rolling out and then managing an enterprise service management solution. This experience shaped my perspective on service delivery. Fun fact: Serena Simpson, communications specialist in IT Communications, and I worked together at CPS before reconnecting here at Northwestern.
What do you wish more people knew or understood about project management?
I wish more people understood that project management is more than creating schedules and project management deliverables. Successful projects start with clarity—really digging into the problem we’re trying to solve, defining the desired outcomes, and agreeing on what success looks like. Without that upfront understanding, even the best plans will go off track, and teams can end up working in different directions.
It also requires flexibility. Priorities shift, circumstances change, and part of the role is adapting plans and schedules to keep the work moving forward. At Northwestern, and likely other places, project managers wear many hats. Our names aren’t just on the planning section of the schedule; we’re often directly involved in tasks as well, balancing coordination with hands-on contributions. What I find most rewarding is that when all these pieces come together, project management enables teams to work with clarity and confidence—and that’s when true progress occurs.
What upcoming projects are you excited about?
I am especially excited about the upcoming rollout of our new password manager, 1Password. It’s been quite a journey to get here, from evaluating tools and running pilots to preparing for a University-wide launch. Working in IAM, we focus on highly technical projects, and it’s rewarding to see all that planning and collaboration come together in a solution that will make security more accessible for everyone.
Any fun facts you think people would be surprised to know about you?
Few people at work know this, but I do creative work on the side through Plume and Script. I love bringing events and gifts to life through calligraphy. When I’m not in the office, you’ll likely find me collaborating with luxury brands and corporate clients on projects that let my creativity thrive.
Do you have a favorite “happy place,” on or off campus?
This question is a tough one because I love traveling with my family and have been fortunate to fill my passport with many stamps over the years. A few favorites come to mind—Costa Rica holds a special place for me, as I got married there many years ago and created wonderful memories with our loved ones; I’ve returned since. But I’ll always have a soft spot for Mexico. Maybe that’s due to my Mexican heritage. Still, after visiting many countries, some of my best experiences and memories have been in Mexico, from the vibrant culture to the incredible food; visiting there is always memorable.