Principal Project Manager · Richmond, VA

Fernando
Abreu

Cloud & Agentic AI · Microsoft Professional Services · Fortune 500

PMP CSPO CSM ITIL CMMI MBA
25+
Years in IT
10
Years at Microsoft
F500
Client Portfolio
4
Languages

"Nice meeting you and thanks for stopping by!"

Fernando Abreu

Hi, my name is Fernando Abreu, and I've spent the last 10 years at Microsoft as a Principal Tech PM. I began my career as a software engineer, then moved into consulting to help customers adopt Agile practices and PMO methodologies to run their projects more effectively. From there, I was invited to build a Modern Applications professional services practice from the ground up leading a group of 22 people at peak.

My time at Microsoft has been centered on delivery excellence and business growth in the Azure Cloud&AI space. I specialize in lead‑to‑order strategy and deal shaping, helping executives shepherd the approval and delivery of Microsoft's largest and most intricate consulting engagements, all while running global programs to strengthen and streamline tools and methods.

And that's just my side hustle — my full‑time job is being a proud girl dad, loving husband, and distinguished pet parent. I'm originally from Brazil, spent a chapter as a French Canadian, and later became a naturalized American now living in beautiful, historic Richmond, Virginia.

Chapter III · Microsoft

Ten years at
the top.

July 2016 — Present. Technical Project Manager leading Azure Cloud and AI, M365 and Dynamics implementation programs for Fortune 500 clients across Microsoft's Professional Services portfolio.

Led end-to-end delivery of Azure Cloud and AI consulting engagements across the Fortune 500 — orchestrating cross-functional teams of engineers, cloud architects, business analysts, vendors, and delivery executives. Fluent in AI-driven solutions and agentification (Claude Code and Copilot Studio) for portfolio-wide monitoring and data-driven decision-making.

🤖

Agentic AI Adoption

Agentic AI companion agents (Delivery, Pursuit, Sales) for portfolio-wide data-driven monitoring, root-cause analysis, and accelerated resolution. Fluent in Claude Code and Copilot Studio agentification.

☁️

Cloud Delivery Leadership

Managed OKRs/KPIs, consumption goals, financial health, risk profiles, and customer satisfaction metrics across the most complex programs in the portfolio.

📋

Sales Acceleration

Accelerated sales velocity through intake, design, and approval of technical proposals, Statements of Work, pricing models, and staffing plans for complex multi-million-dollar contracts.

🏗️

Practice IP & Methodology

Built and scaled practice intellectual property including delivery frameworks, methodology, offerings, accelerators, and reusable IP components that elevate the consulting value proposition.

Client Portfolio

AT&T AWS Chevron Coca-Cola Constellation Disney Domino's Electronic Arts ExxonMobil FedEx Ford GAP GM-Cruise Lumen Manpower NBA NFL Nike Pepsico Press Ganey T-Mobile Verizon WarnerBros. Discovery

Before Microsoft · 2000 – 2016

The foundation.

From writing code in Porto Alegre to building consulting practices in Houston — the foundation was always the same: deep technical roots, relentless curiosity, and a bias for delivery.

2010 – 2016
Dexian-DISYS
Practice Leader, Application Development · Houston, TX → Washington D.C. Metro

Head of delivery, technical sales prospecting, and oversight of all operations and projects under the Practice. Built a Modern Applications professional services practice from the ground up leading a group of 22 people at peak. Moved from Brazil to Montréal, then Houston, then the D.C. Metro, expanding scope at every step.

  • Built the Modern Applications practice ground-up — 22 people at peak
  • Delivered services to U.S. Postal Service, Schlumberger and HangIT
  • Full lead-to-order and order-to-cash lifecycle ownership
  • People management, technical presales, forecasting, P&L, complex deal governance

MBA in Business Strategy — Magna Cum Laude — PUC Rio Grande do Sul (2009–2011)

2002 – 2010
Meta Brasil
SW Engineer → Dev Lead → IT Consultant → Technical Program Manager · Porto Alegre, Brazil

Eight years of progressive growth across every discipline: from writing production code to leading product teams, from implementing SDLC and PMO methodologies to managing outsourcing operations.

  • Designed and engineered IT consulting products end-to-end
  • Implemented CMMI SEPG processes and led Scampi appraisals
  • Managed outsourcing operations and delivered optimized business-technology integration
  • Built expertise in solution design, product engineering, and client-facing IT consulting

Associate's in Software Engineering — Escola Técnica Santo Inácio

B.S. Computer Science — Summa Cum Laude — PUC Rio Grande do Sul (2003–2007)

2000 – 2004
Dinamize Web Systems
Full Stack Software Engineer · Porto Alegre, Brazil
Where it all began. Built client-server and web-based applications using Delphi, Visual Basic, ASP.NET, and SQL Server. Developed foundational skills in database administration, UX/UI wireframing, and product engineering.

Skills & Certifications

The Toolkit.

Practices
Agile / Scrum Design Thinking PMO Methodology SDLC CMMI Kanban DevOps
Cloud & AI
Azure Cloud Adoption Agentic AI Solutions AI Agent Development AI/Automation Optimization
Leadership
Cross-Functional Orchestration Stakeholder Management Change Management Risk Management Quality Assurance
Business
Technical Presales Portfolio Management Complex Deal Governance Consumption ROI SOW Design
Certifications
🏅
PMP
PMI — Project Management Institute
🏅
CSPO · CSM
Scrum Alliance
🏅
ITIL
Exin
🏅
CMMI SCAMPI A & B
SEI Carnegie Mellon
Languages
English Native
Portuguese Native
French Proficient
Spanish Conversational

Testimonials

What they say.

"

Just wanted to let you know what a great job Fernando does. He makes sure he is involved with the team closely through all of the machinations leading to the deal's readiness for approval. He is proactive about providing the team what they need and helping them get it quickly and efficiently.

"

I have unwavering confidence in everything you do. We have worked together for a long time, and I have witnessed your exponential growth over the years. You are intentional, focused, and do not shy away from challenges. I genuinely see you as a leader in your field.

"

Fernando is one of the most knowledgeable and effective resources I have come across in my +20yrs at MSFT. Your approach and structured working style keeping Team on point for the multitude of tasks and approvals it takes is SUPER. VERY few can accomplish this.

"

Fernando has a can do attitude. Even on areas outside of his remit, he has leaned in to support the team. Fernando was and continues to be one of my go-to resources for challenges, struggles and wins. On a personal level, Fernando is a joy to work with.

"

Fernando and I are on the same page 99% of the time, which makes it really easy to work through issues when they arise. He is a very collaborative partner and is genuinely interested in coming up with acceptable solutions to very difficult challenges, often in extremely tight timelines.

"

Fernando, your knowledge is widely known as exemplary. You decreased risk on every deal and injected clarity at the same time. You always took the time to explain your conclusions. I learned a tremendous amount from you this year.

The Human Side

Beyond the brief.

Originally from Porto Alegre, Brazil. Former French-Canadian resident. Naturalized American. Shaped globally by living and working across continents — Brazil, Montréal, Houston, Washington D.C., and now Richmond, VA.

🇧🇷Porto Alegre, Brazil
🇨🇦Montréal, Québec
🇺🇸Houston, TX
🇺🇸Washington, D.C. Metro
Richmond, VA (home)

"Eternal vigilance is the price of success."

— M.L. Walker
  • 👧Girl Dad — most important title
  • 🐾Distinguished Pet Parent
  • 🌍World Traveler — 30+ countries visited
  • 📸"That One Picture Project" — amateur photography
  • Amateur Footballer, Runner, Surfer
  • 🎭Broadway, Concerts, Major Leagues, F1
  • 🔥Grill master · Soup aficionado · Thai food devotee
  • 🎓PMP Exam Instructor — PMIRS Chapter (since 2006), Risk Management
  • 🏫PMO Workshop Facilitator — SEBRAE-RS (since 2011)

Get in Touch

Let's connect.

Open to conversations about Cloud & AI programs, consulting leadership, and what's next. Reach out through any of the channels below.

"Nice meeting you and thanks for stopping by!" — Fernando Abreu