Bridging the Gap: Insights & Innovations in Construction

What does it take to build a data strategy that empowers people—rather than overwhelms them?

Live from AU Nashville, BIM governance leader Kirsty Hogg unpacks how to build a useful data strategy (not a data swamp), keep feedback lightweight in ACC, and prepare your teams for AI, machine learning, and cloud-first workflows. We dig into lessons-learned capture, lakehouse fundamentals, picking low-friction tools (Ideate, File Sync), and why cultural safety (“it’s OK to learn fast”) turns skeptics into champions. Plus: what seamless interoperability should look like—and how to inch toward it today.

Kirsty Hogg is a BIM Governance Lead based in London, overseeing software strategy, standards, and workflows for a global engineering consultancy. She focuses on practical data governance, cloud-first delivery, and scalable processes that make ACC, Ideate, and automation work for real project teams. Kirsty champions “data with intention,” helping organizations capture the right signals for analytics and AI—while building a culture where learning fast beats perfection.

Start with the questions, then collect the data. Keep data feedback capture lightweight (e.g., “lessons learned” via simple ACC issues), make it interoperable, and build your data lake to serve decisions—not to hoard. Machine learning comes after you’ve curated useful, consistent signals.

Change sticks when teams are allowed to “do it wrong” once to see why the better path matters. Spread champions beyond BIM—let others carry the message so the right people hear the “what’s in it for me.” The right messenger accelerates adoption.

Choose tools with a low learning curve and broad utility to cut cognitive load and speed uptake. Automations and smart syncs free people from busywork so they can focus on value. Keep strategy horizons short, stay cloud-first, and design for interoperability as Forma and AI evolve.

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What does it take to make sustainability more than a buzzword?

Recorded live at Autodesk University 2025 in Nashville, this conversation with Allison Scott, Director of Customer Experience & Industry Engagement at Autodesk, dives into how sustainability becomes real when it’s woven into the daily workflow.

Allison shares how the AEC industry is entering a hockey-stick moment—where data, technology, and culture converge to turn good intentions into measurable impact. From integrating carbon with cost to building a culture of accountability, this episode explores how innovation, accessibility, and human leadership are reshaping the built world for people and planet alike.

Allison Scott is Director of Customer Experience & Industry Engagement at Autodesk, leading sustainability initiatives that bridge technology and impact across the built environment. With over 20 years of experience spanning architecture, construction, and tech, Allison focuses on transforming sustainability from a concept into a core business advantage—helping firms design, build, and operate with purpose and performance in mind.

Allison underscored that sustainability can’t be a side effort or a separate team in the corner—it has to become part of the everyday workflow. Just like BIM or digital field tools, the biggest gains happen when sustainable practices are integrated into decisions early and often.

Sustainability often feels overwhelming or abstract, but Allison reframed it as a practical, competitive advantage. By tying carbon data directly to cost, companies can ground big goals in everyday project choices—whether it’s reducing waste, reusing materials, or tracking embodied carbon. That shift moves sustainability from “good intentions” to measurable business impact.

The industry is in a hockey-stick moment where both leadership mandates and grassroots champions are driving change. From superintendents using mobile tools to enterprise-level firms making sustainability part of their strategy, the cultural shift is accelerating. The future of innovation comes from aligning both forces to make sustainable, tech-enabled practices the norm.

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What does it take to turn AEC’s ‘impossible quests’—like coordination, data sharing, and upskilling—into victories? Every great innovation begins with a quest.

Recorded live at Autodesk University 2025 in Nashville, this episode features Jessica Brams-Miller, Director of Design Technology at Hart Howerton, as she leads us through the epic adventure of solving AEC’s toughest challenges — from the Point-Limit Basilisk to the Merge Hydra.

Jessica shares how creativity, collaboration, and a “fellowship of leaders” mindset are helping firms turn roadblocks into victories. When teams share data instead of guarding it like the One Ring, innovation becomes a shared journey — not a solo climb.

Jessica Brams-Miller is Director of Design Technology at Hart Howerton, where she helps lead a multi-disciplinary team across architecture, planning, and interiors. With a creative spirit and technical mastery, Jessica is on a quest to make collaboration, data-sharing, and innovation part of every firm’s journey.

The opportunity comes when teams think creatively about how to adapt tools to their workflows—whether that’s reimagining site modeling, tiling data, or inventing new approaches. When technology and ingenuity work together, even the toughest constraints become opportunities for innovation.

Progress accelerates when teams talk early, share data, and swap playbooks. Jessica’s “fellowship of leaders” mindset—publishing cleaned workflows, comparing what works, and leaning on partners and tools like Ideate—turns isolated fixes into industry improvements. Collaboration beats siloed genius every time.

Adoption sticks when you pair tools with clear processes and upskilling. Weekly check-ins, consistent updates, baseline skills, and model hygiene turn change fatigue into momentum. Innovation, as Jessica puts it, is knowing the rules—and breaking them for the better.

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How can construction finally break free from silos and unlock the full power of connected data?

Recorded live at Autodesk University 2025 in Nashville, this conversation with Lalith Subramanian, Global VP of Product & Engineering, explores the future of an end-to-end industry cloud — where design, preconstruction, and operations all work from the same living data.

Lalith shares insights on creating trust in AI, practical collaboration frameworks, and how selective data sharing is redefining what’s possible for teams across the built environment.

Lalith Subramanian is the Global Vice President of Product and Engineering, driving innovation across cloud, data, and AI solutions that connect the full project lifecycle. With over two decades of SaaS and product leadership experience spanning cybersecurity, document management, and digital transformation, Lalith brings a systems-level view to construction’s modernization journey. His focus on practical collaboration, cultural alignment, and trustworthy AI reflects a mission to help teams move from fragmented processes to connected, insight-driven workflows that elevate performance across the built world.

Bringing ACC into Forma isn’t a feature drop—it’s the foundation for an end-to-end industry cloud where design, precon, construction, and operations share the same living data. Less handoff friction means fewer early-stage errors and better schedule and margin outcomes. This is the starting line for true lifecycle transformation.

Silos won’t disappear with software alone—trust and contracts matter. The play is selective sharing: let each party keep a full-fidelity copy while securely syncing the right, current data at the right time (think “bridge,” not “dump”). That’s how collaboration grows without sacrificing accountability or IP.

AI expectations are maturing from “magic button” to “trust but verify.” The wins come from assistive AI that cites sources, accelerates answers, and leaves final judgment with people. Leaders should tailor ROI by stakeholder, pair AI with clear guardrails, and build the culture and workflows that make adoption stick.

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What does it take to turn skeptics into champions of innovation?

Recorded live at Autodesk University 2025, this conversation with Mark Dinius of Satterfield & Pontikes dives into how one of Texas’s most forward-thinking builders is shaping a “bleeding-edge” culture where technology, trust, and field-first innovation thrive.

From leading a major Procore → ACC migration to redefining risk management with data-driven tools, Mark shares practical lessons in change management, intentional tech adoption, and empowering teams to see value in new ways.

Mark Dinius is Vice President of Innovation & Technology at Satterfield & Pontikes, where he leads IT, VDC, systems integration, and analytics across commercial, industrial, K–12, and healthcare projects. A BIM pioneer and Purdue alum, Mark has evolved from virtual construction within academia into driving digital transformation in the field—advancing object-driven data, process modernization, and intentional tech adoption to help his teams work smarter, not harder.

SatPon’s “bleeding edge” mindset starts at the top and spreads by proving value on real jobs. Once teams see tech remove risk and save time, the boulder rolls downhill—your hardest skeptics become your loudest advocates. Trust is earned by solving their problems first.

Their Procore → ACC migration worked because they didn’t cram old habits into new tools. Clear ownership, phased rollout, and people-first support (training, ticketing, KPIs) kept overwhelm down and adoption up. The same discipline guides AI: avoid point-solution sprawl, prioritize impact.

The win isn’t “more apps”—it’s faster answers where supers already live: the plans. An object-driven approach that ties RFIs, submittals, schedule, costs, and vendor info to the element on screen beats tool-switching every time. Interoperability (and smart tools) should serve that simple goal.

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What happens when someone who’s lived the chaos of the jobsite starts leading global construction sales at Autodesk?

Recorded live at Autodesk University 2025, this conversation with Brent Ramos dives into the human side of construction tech — solving the real problems that happen every day on projects. Brent shares his journey from fourth-generation stucco contractor to Autodesk leader, revealing why technology only matters when it fixes miscommunication, eliminates rework, and frees people to focus on building.

Brent Ramos leads Autodesk’s global construction technology sales, bringing a unique perspective shaped by decades in the field. A fourth-generation stucco and plaster tradesman by roots, Brent began his career doing hands-on work—hot carrying, patching, scaffolding—and then managed projects, founded his own construction business, and eventually pivoted into software and digital transformation. Today, as Autodesk’s construction sales leader, Brent bridges real-world experience with modern tech, guiding how connected data, AI, and purposeful innovation can solve the problems he once faced firsthand.

The passion for construction technology comes from firsthand experience with the pain points—miscommunication, rework, and wasted time. Technology only matters when it fixes those problems. The goal should always be less paperwork, fewer silos, and more people building.

Data has been messy, siloed, and disconnected for too long. The shift happening now is toward unifying information in one platform so it’s searchable, contextual, and actionable. That’s how data goes from “bad” to powerful—fueling workflows, predictive insights, and better decision-making.

Progress doesn’t happen by chasing every shiny object. It takes an intentional, steady commitment to unify tools, embed AI where it adds real value, and build trust with customers and partners. That’s what ensures innovation sticks and makes life easier for people in the field.

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How do you lead through change when innovation is happening at lightning speed?

Recorded live at Autodesk University 2025 in Nashville, this conversation with Rachel Tuller, VP Global Channels at Autodesk, explores how data, AI, and culture are redefining success in the partner ecosystem. The discussion dives into what it takes to build trust, communicate effectively, and stay agile in a world where technology and customer expectations are constantly evolving.

Rachel Tuller is the Vice President of Global Channels at Autodesk, where she leads global partner strategy, programs, and enablement. With deep expertise in digital transformation, channel development, and customer success, Rachel focuses on building high-trust relationships, aligning partner value with customer outcomes, and preparing the Autodesk ecosystem for the future of AI and data-driven innovation.

The most exciting change is that innovation is no longer framed as features or transactions—it’s about outcomes. Partners and technology providers alike are leaning into solving customer problems, improving workflows, and creating measurable impact. That shift from “what’s the tool” to “what’s the result” is where true transformation happens.

The story this year isn’t about buttons—it’s about end-to-end workflows driven by connected data and embedded AI. When insights surface in real time, teams move faster and make better calls. Practical AI plus thoughtful services create a multiplier effect for productivity and project success.

Change management begins with clarity. When leaders communicate the “why” early and often, they build trust that makes adoption possible. Add cultural alignment and open collaboration, and change shifts from something feared to something embraced. That circle of trust is where meaningful progress happens.

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How do we unlock the real promise of AI in construction and design?

Recorded live at Autodesk University 2025 in Nashville, this conversation with Dara Treseder, CMO of Autodesk, explores the importance of good technology paired with the right culture to allow innovation to thrive. When AI’s potential meets human ingenuity inside the right environment, that’s where the magic happens. It’s a rising tide that lifts all boats, accelerating opportunities, resilience, and impact across the industry.

Dara Treseder is the Chief Marketing Officer of Autodesk, where she leads global marketing, brand, and customer engagement. Named one of the world’s most influential CMOs, Dara has a track record of helping organizations harness technology, culture, and creativity to drive impact. At Autodesk, she champions opportunities for customers to embrace AI, adapt to change, and model the future with confidence and purpose.

We’ve officially crossed the line where AI is no longer just a buzzword—it’s showing up in real workflows, saving time, and driving better decisions on the jobsite. The winners will be those who don’t treat AI as “just another cool technology” but as a tool to solve real customer problems. The pace of change over the last six months proves this isn’t optional—it’s here to stay.

The construction industry has no time for hype cycles. What resonates are real customer stories and tangible outcomes. By rooting messaging in authenticity, showing how real companies achieve results—leaders build the trust that’s necessary for change. True influence comes from proving value, not promoting features.

Adopting new technology isn’t just about tools—it’s about creating a culture where people feel safe to take risks and try new approaches. Change is hard because most people fear it will make things worse. Leaders need to model trust, create psychological safety, and show that innovation makes life easier, not harder. That’s the culture where real transformation happens.

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Mass timber is everywhere in today’s conversations about sustainable construction. But is it the silver bullet that many claim it to be? In this episode of Bridging the Gap, Todd Weyandt talks with Varun Kohli, Director of Sustainability at Corgan, about the real impact of mass timber and the future of sustainable design.

Varun shares insights from Corgan’s groundbreaking research on embodied carbon and their new Mass Timber Carbon Calculator, which challenges assumptions about net-zero claims and highlights the hidden emissions in forestry practices. 

If you care about the future of building design, sustainability, and carbon accountability, this episode is packed with takeaways that will reshape how you think about construction materials.

Varun Kohli is Principal – Director of Sustainability at Corgan. A fierce advocate for environmental and social sustainability, Varun creates and implements integrated design processes for significant projects globally. His meticulous approach purposefully dissolves the boundaries between built, human, and natural ecosystems. As the Director of Sustainability at Corgan, Varun provides firm-wide leadership on climate and sustainability topics. With a focus on integrating environmental sensitivities in design, Varun collaborates with Yale Center for Ecosystems + Architecture (CEA) researchers on novel pedagogical models for environmental design and has taught courses at Harvard GSD and RPI (CASE). 

Mass Timber is exciting, but it’s not a cure-all. We need to view it as one option in a broader toolkit of sustainable materials and strategies.

Sustainability isn’t about choosing one perfect solution. It’s about combining methods, technologies, and ideas to create better outcomes together.

The biggest breakthroughs come when we keep asking deeper questions. Where does this material come from, what’s its impact, and how can we make it better?

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What does it take to turn a century-old family trade business into a modern, people-first brand? In this episode of Bridging the Gap, Todd Weyandt sits down with Christene Marie, founder of The Knowing Group, host of the Craft & Calling Podcast, and fourth-generation leader in her family’s 100+ year business.

Christene shares her journey of balancing legacy with innovation, why authentic communication is the ultimate business advantage, and how bravery fuels personal and professional transformation. From branding Amazon to scaling her family’s company, she reveals how principles, values, and storytelling can shape a great legacy in construction. Tune in for a conversation that blends wisdom, legacy, and modern insights on building a construction career that lasts.

Christene Marie, a thought leader in empathy-driven branding and measurement marketing strategies, is the CEO and Founder of The Knowing Group. In addition to managing The Knowing Group, the parent company to The Knowing Agency, Christene is a Partner in the family business, Hoffman Painting & Finishing, which celebrated 100 years in 2022. Christene’s vision is to power executives, teams, organizations, and communities with the knowing necessary to position their selves authentically and connect with their intended audience in empathy to drive greater impact.

At the end of the day, it’s not just about what you do but why you do it. If your practices don’t line up with your core principles, your brand will come across as forced and inauthentic. Make sure every digital touchpoint reinforces the values you want people to experience when they interact with you or your company.

In today’s world, every person on your team is part of your company’s digital presence—whether you like it or not. Rather than resist it, lean into it. Be intentional about the value you’re adding, and embrace the fact that your people are the best storytellers for your brand. Authenticity and relatability from real humans always outperform polished corporate messaging.

Sharing online feels uncomfortable at first—but bravery and consistency build the muscle. Bring your audience along on your journey, own the awkwardness, and keep showing up honestly. Relatability, not emotional manipulation, is what resonates. The more you share authentically, the more momentum you build—for yourself, your team, and the next generation who needs to see what construction really looks like today.

00:00 Introduction to Christine Marie and Her Legacy

06:48 The Importance of Family Values in Business

11:36 Building Authentic Connections in a Digital World

17:13 The Power of Personal Branding and Storytelling

20:35 Embracing Authenticity in Storytelling

23:28 The Power of Vulnerability and Legacy

26:04 Building Community Through Social Media

28:50 Challenging Vanity Metrics in Content Creation

33:02 Modeling the Future and Innovation in Construction

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