What can be done to attract more women to construction? 

Today, on the Leadership Blueprints podcast, we welcome Barb Allen, a renowned construction industry keynote speaker and host of the Constructive Behaviors Podcast. In honor of Women in Construction Week, we talked with Barb about her construction career and how she is helping more women find success in the industry. 

From stumbling on a degree in construction management – and immediately realizing it was what she wanted to do – to spending over twenty years in the field, Barb recounts how she moved through the ranks to where she is today. We discuss the current level of diversity in construction, what can be done to attract more women to the field, and how The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) programs are introducing a new generation of young people to the joys of construction work. Barb also shares the story behind her 14%ers Subscription Box, designed to support and empower women in construction. 

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about breaking barriers and building a more inclusive future!

Key Points From This Episode:

•   How she uses public speaking to address gender-specific challenges.

•   Unpacking the variety of career paths in construction.

•   What the industry can do to attract more women to construction.

•   Why companies should spotlight female employees and their roles.

•   How to normalize construction as a career path for women from a young age.

Quotes:

“It's important that companies are spotlighting, as much as possible, the women that work in their companies and – help people understand what it is they do. Because we have amazing women.” — Barb Allen

“There's such a stigma about the challenges that women face in the industry. And yes, we face challenges, but when we are overcoming these, it is such a rewarding career.” — Barb Allen

“The more we can work together to make a more inclusive environment for everyone in it, the more successful this industry will be.” — Barb Allen

“Safety glasses are so inexpensive. But the first time I put these safety glasses on, and they fit in my face. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh. I'm 30 years into this industry, and this is the first pair of safety glasses that feel like they fit!’” — Barb Allen
 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Barb Allen

Barb Allen on LinkedIn

Constructive Behaviors Podcast

Women In Construction Subscription Box: The 14%ers

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)
Women in Construction Week

Women in Construction Midwest Region | Block Kids Building Program

Camp NAWIC | Building the Next Generation: Construction Programs for Girls (and Boys!)
GoldieBlox Superbowl commercial 2014

Plumber Paige

Plumber Paige Books

Judaline Cassidy

Judaline Cassidy Books

Talking from 9 to 5: Women and Men at Work

Leadership Blueprints Podcast

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

If you want to be successful in your career, you need to find your unique ability and have a maniacal focus on it! 

Joining us today is the incredible CEO of ICONA Resorts and managing director of Achristavest, Eustace Mita to share his wisdom about business. In this conversation, you’ll hear all about Eustace’s incredible career, his businesses, his construction projects, and how his relationship with faith has changed him as a businessman. 

We delve into our guest’s philosophy in life and business before discussing the importance of focusing on your purpose in life. Eustace even tells us how he maintains a sense of calm as a leader in hostile work environments and balances tactical and strategic leadership. 

Finally, our guest shares a few of his seven favorite books and his ideal dinner guests. Thanks for tuning in! 

Key Points From This Episode:

•   How his faith journey has informed his business decisions. 

•   His life philosophy and the danger of distractions. 

•   The importance of discovering what your unique ability is. 

•   Why Eustace always teaches lessons in threes. 

•   Maintaining composure as a leader in hostile environments. 

•   How Eustace balances tactical and strategic leadership. 

Quotes:

“There are three things that are going to change you from who you are today to who you’re going to be tomorrow: the books you read, — the people you meet, [and] the goals you set and achieve.” — Eustace Mita 

“Many men live lives of quiet desperation in jobs they hate and in relationships that are suffocating them. So I say, you’ve got to get more specific with everything you do in life.” — Eustace Mita 

“You’ve got to have that curiosity, keep learning, and love what you’re doing. And the minute I lose the passion, — that’s when I’m going to retire.” — Eustace Mita 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Eustace Mita on LinkedIn

ICONA Resorts

Achristavest

How to Win Friends and Influence People

As a Man Thinketh

Think and Grow Rich

The Greatest Salesman in the World

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BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

Ronald J. Bennett has an impressive track record of achievements, including serving as the Founding Dean and Professor Emeritus at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. He began his career in the industry, spending over 20 years in executive roles at BMC Industries, CPI (now Boston Scientific), Teltech, and several entrepreneurial organizations. 

Beyond his industry experience, Ron is also a dedicated educator and author, specializing in materials engineering, innovation, strategy, technology transfer, leadership, and engineering education. 

Join the conversation as BJ and Ron dive into his inspiring story and remarkable career journey, what inspired his pursuit of an MBA, and what led to the founding of the School of Engineering at the University of St. Thomas. He unpacks his hope and inspiration for writing the book Leadership for Engineers: The Magic of Mindset (Basic Engineering Series and Tools), and shares his answers to our rapid-fire questions. 

To hear more from Ron Bennett, be sure to tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

•   We are led through Ron Bennett’s story: who he is, what he’s done, and his career journey.

•   Why he started the School of Engineering at the University of St. Thomas. 

•   His hope for Leadership for Engineers and the inspiration to take his curriculum and turn it into a book. 

•   What Ron is working on currently: The innovator's dilemma issue. 

Quotes:

“Part of this whole thing of leadership is use all the talent around you and recognize it [and] nurture it and help it grow.” — Ron Bennett

“You’re going to be better at what you do if you’re working on something that you’re interested in.” — Ron Bennett

“Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” — Ron Bennett

“The thing that I would most like is if someone talked about it that I inspired ordinary people to do extraordinary things for the common good, and for their own good for that matter.” — Ron Bennett

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Ron Bennett on LinkedIn

Leadership for Engineers: The Magic of Mindset (Basic Engineering Series and Tools)

The Engineer's Guide to Authentic Leadership

‘EMPOWERMENT: How to Overcome Limiting Beliefs’

Leadership for Engineers

Bill George on LinkedIn

Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

'14 Grand Challenges for Engineers'

The Obligation of the Engineer

Leadership Blueprints Podcast

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BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

Joining BJ on the show today is Bill Mandara, the CEO and Owner of Mancini Duffy. With over 25 years of experience in architectural design, Bill has applied his expertise to a wide range of projects, including industrial facilities, corporate offices, residential housing, retail spaces, and educational buildings. 

 Deeply involved in every stage of project development, from initial design to construction, Bill brings a comprehensive perspective to his work. His hands-on experience in the construction field has further enriched his understanding of all aspects of the building process, making him a well-rounded leader in the industry. 

Join the conversation to hear the fascinating history behind his architectural career path and how he ended up in the AEC industry, what sparked his interest in becoming an owner, and Bill also sheds light on some of the leadership lessons he’s learned since taking over Mancini Duffy. For all this, and more, tune in now. 

Key Points From This Episode:

•   He unpacks his history, career path as an architect, and how he ended up in the AEC industry.

•   His journey into the Mancini Duffy firm and reinventing the culture. 

•   Bill speaks to some of the leadership lessons he’s learned taking over Mancini Duffy.

•   How Bill and his business partner Christian assigned roles and split duties at the company. 

•   Putting your ego in check, and not grabbing for recognition.

Quotes:

“[My grandfather and father] always had this narrative of elevating the family throughout the generations.” — Bill Mandara

“I think [a leadership lesson I’ve learned] is that; if you give people opportunity, they’re going to either really impress you, or not. And I think you can pretty quickly understand that.” — Bill Mandara

“Say what’s on your mind, be honest, and don’t beat around the bush — sometimes just saying what’s on your mind — [will] usually end in a much better result than you’re thinking. Get it all out there.” — Bill Mandara

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Bill Mandara on LinkedIn

Bill Mandara on X

Bill Mandara | Mancini Duffy

Mancini Duffy

Christian Giordano on LinkedIn

Ego is the Enemy: The Fight to Master Our Greatest Opponent

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BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

True leadership isn’t just about personal achievement; it’s about empowering others and driving meaningful impact. In this solo episode of The Leadership Blueprints Podcast, host BJ Kraemer dives into the heart of leadership transformation. 

Tuning in, you’ll hear BJ unpack the concept of “leadership as leverage” and how leaders act as levers for those they are leading. He expands on this concept by sharing his insights on what the army taught him about leadership, like how to balance mission execution with taking care of the people who accomplish that mission. To end, BJ encourages listeners to reflect on their leadership style and commit to leadership in 2025. 

Don’t miss out on this impactful conversation on how to become the lever your team needs!

Key Points From This Episode:

•   Unpacking the concept of leadership as leverage and how leaders act as levers.

•   The two objectives of leadership: accomplishing the mission and serving your team.

•   Why leadership is not about you, but the people relying on you.

•   How great leaders ensure their team understands the why behind their mission.

•   Navigating the tension between taking care of your team and accomplishing the mission.

Quotes:

“The leadership platform is one to be taken seriously, and requires constant self-reflection, self-development, testing, reevaluating, reapplying, and this whole process of continuous improvement.” — BJ Kraemer

“Leadership is about understanding and executing the mission that you've been empowered to lead, and taking care of the people and empowering them to help you accomplish that mission.” — BJ Kraemer

“Leadership's not about me. I'm not here to become a better me for me; I'm here to become a better me for everybody that's going to be relying on me.” — BJ Kraemer 

“Reflect on your leadership of 2024: Did you lean more toward focusing on your team or focusing on the mission?” — BJ Kraemer 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Leadership Blueprints Podcast

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

Some of the best examples of good leadership come from the military. Today on Leadership Blueprints we are joined by veteran and CEO of HCPA Construction, Heath Sanders. 

Tuning in, you’ll hear all about who Heath is today, his career journey from the Naval Academy to construction, his vision for his business in the future, and so much more! Heath discusses some of the most important leadership lessons he learned from the military and how he’s made use of them in his construction and entrepreneurial career. 

He touches on the parallels between leadership lessons in the military and in trade professions like construction. And he shares his thoughts on nuclear power and even shares advice for transitioning veterans. 

Thanks for listening in! 

Key Points From This Episode:

•   Heath tells us about HCPA Construction and BeaverFit. 

•   What led him to the Naval Academy and a breakdown of his career. 

•   Heath shares some leadership lessons he’s learned and how he applies them to HCPA. 

•   What his vision is for where HCPA Construction is going in the future. 

•   Heath’s thoughts about nuclear power and advice for transitioning veterans. 

Quotes:

“[In the military,] you have a mountain of things that need to get done and you have to be able to prioritize the most important tasks, and what I found interesting is that’s really the case in construction as well.” — Heath Sanders
 

“Do the right thing right and in that order.” — Heath Sanders

“I think the trades and specifically construction are well suited for military veterans.” — Heath Sanders

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Heath Sanders on LinkedIn

HCPA Construction

BeaverFit

The Fountainhead
A Game of Thrones

Leadership Blueprints Podcast

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BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

Capital is the cornerstone of healthcare infrastructure, and building large-scale projects without it is impossible. 

Joining us today is Gail W. Kosyla, Executive Vice President and CFO at Yale New Haven Health System, to explore the intersection of healthcare, finance, and infrastructure. With over 38 years of experience, Gail has navigated the complexities of mergers, capital allocation, and strategic planning in a not-for-profit healthcare model, overseeing $6 billion in annual operations. 

In this engaging discussion, Gail shares how her team balances immediate needs with long-term investments, including a billion-dollar neurosciences tower project adapted in the wake of the pandemic. She also reflects on the challenges of fostering innovation while maintaining access and quality in a system under financial pressure. 

Gail’s career path offers valuable lessons for leaders across industries. Her focus on mentorship, collaboration, and lifelong learning underscores the importance of shared knowledge and diverse perspectives in tackling today’s challenges. 

Tune in for a fresh perspective on leadership in complex, dynamic systems!

Key Points From This Episode:

•   Balancing quality care delivery with financial sustainability in nonprofit healthcare.

•   Unpacking the role of mergers and acquisitions in the healthcare industry.

•   How leadership makes decisions that balance core services and new growth opportunities.

•   Gail’s experiences as a woman in finance and healthcare and how it’s shaped her leadership.

•   The future of healthcare real estate, including supplementing ownership of core facilities.

•   Examining the challenges and opportunities of managing large-scale projects.

•   The need for strategic planning and investment in technology and growth.

Quotes:

“[As a non-profit] we don't exist to make a profit, but we need to make a profit to be able to fund important projects, to fund growth, and to have that security net of care for our community.” — Gail W. Kosyla 

“Everyone should be involved in finance. We’ve all got to be stewards of our resources – I just consider myself the shepherd of that. It’s up to all of our people – down to every employee in the organization of just being good stewards of our resources.” — Gail W. Kosyla  

“Building those connections and having safe spaces to have conversations is so important. – I don’t think that any one person can know everything, we’re just better when we talk to people and share.” — Gail W. Kosyla 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Gail W. Kosyla on LinkedIn

Yale New Haven Health

Lean In Circles
Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead

Leadership Blueprints Podcast

MCFA

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BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

Ever wonder what it takes to fix the people problem in the industries that quite literally build our world? 

In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, we sit down with Dan Briscoe, President of BuildWitt, a company on a mission to transform the "dirt world,” from heavy civil construction to infrastructure and more. 

Join us as we unpack the leadership, recruitment, and retention challenges facing the construction industry and explore how BuildWitt is innovating with creative solutions like microlearning platforms and leadership summits. Dan also shares invaluable insights from his journey through the Marine Corps, healthcare, and construction, offering actionable leadership lessons that resonate beyond the dirt world, and touches on the vital importance of caring for employees. 

If you want to find out how tackling these challenges can elevate your leadership, inspire your team, and secure a thriving future for the construction industry, be sure to tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

•   BuildWitt’s focus on improving recruitment, training, and engagement in the dirt world.

•   Unique challenges and hidden opportunities in the construction industry.

•   The importance of caring for employees while building sustainable business models.

•   Rethinking work-life balance to attract the next generation to the construction industry.

•   Addressing systemic issues like mental health, safety, and professional development.

Quotes:

“There's so much of this industry that people don't know, don't see, take for granted.” — Dan Briscoe

“You’ve got to have a good business that's profitable so that you can lead and care for people. That's got to be first.” — Dan Briscoe

“To attract the next generation [to the construction industry] and make it somewhere where people want to come work, they want to have a life and they want to work hard – We've got to think differently as leaders.” — Dan Briscoe

“We've got to be better companies to our current employees so that they don't leave and that they're fulfilled – We've got to take care of them not only with a paycheck, but look at their health and mental health.” — Dan Briscoe

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

BuildWitt

Dan Briscoe on LinkedIn

Dan Briscoe on Instagram

Aaron Witt

Dirt Talk Podcast

BuildWitt Training

BuildWitt Connect

Ariat DirtWorldSummit

Echelon Front Field Training Exercise (FTX)

Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family

Landman

Banana Ball: The Unbelievably True Story of the Savannah Bananas

Reset: How to Change What's Not Working

Leadership Blueprints Podcast

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BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

Engineers should leave the world a better place than they found it! 

Today, we are joined by the executive director of the National Engineering Foundation, Pat Natale. In this conversation, you’ll hear all about Pat’s incredible career, why he always prioritizes people in business, the power of marketing and diversification, and so much more! 

We go on to discuss how the public’s awareness and understanding of infrastructure investment has changed and why it should not be political. We also dive into his experience at PSEG and  some leadership lessons he learned throughout his career.

Finally, our guest offers some final words of wisdom for anyone who is new to the engineering world. 

Thanks for tuning in!

Key Points From This Episode:

•   The importance of the ‘people’ side of business. 

•   Which diversification programs are working according to Pat and the power of marketing. 

•   Pat shares how the public’s awareness and understanding of infrastructure investment. 

•   Why infrastructure and engineering should not be political. 

•   Final words of wisdom for engineering students and new engineers. 

Quotes:

“[Engineers are] the doctors of infrastructure, and we’re going to advise you on what you need to do.” — Pat Natale

“I believe engineers should leave things better than we found them.” — Pat Natale

“Engineers need to be able to communicate effectively.” — Pat Natale

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Pat Natale on LinkedIn

United Engineering Foundation

Changing the Conversation

Messages Matter

The Tipping Point

Think Big, Act Small

Jason Jennings Books on Amazon

The O-Ring Case Study

National Academy of Construction

Leadership Blueprints Podcast

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BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

How can today’s leaders best empower the new generation? 

Melissa Smith is a Leadership and Innovation Consultant for a boutique firm in Michigan called Innovatrium, and she joins us today to share her career journey, and key insights she has learned along the way. Join us as Melissa unpacks the four personality categories that guide her as she builds international teams. 

We discuss the five things that an idea needs to succeed, which include a birthday, and Melissa shares what she loves most about the new generation and how we can best support them to harness their enthusiasm most effectively. Melissa gives us a glimpse into her interior world with the quotes she lives by, why she would like to be remembered as a try-hard, and more. 

Tune in today to hear all this and more. 

Key Points From This Episode:. 

•   The four personality categories that she builds her teams around. 

•   How her work is structured through the framework, experimentation, and a final step forward.

•   The five things that an idea needs to succeed. 

•   What Melissa believes the next generation needs from us as leaders. 

Quotes:

“We create teams around these four different personalities to bring about innovation and new ideas.” — Melissa Smith 

“You have to overcome the inertia that is the status quo, and that’s the hardest part.” — Melissa Smith 

“What we can give [the next generation] is our ears, to listen to the challenges they have [through] a lens of wisdom and lived experiences, but to have them keep [their] enthusiasm.” — Melissa Smith 

“To go at all things with enthusiasm and to put your whole self behind them I think is where I’m at.” — Melissa Smith 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Melissa Smith on LinkedIn

Innovatrium

The 6 Types of Working Genius

Moonshots

Range
Simon Sinek
The Infinite Game

Leadership Blueprints Podcast

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