In this Master Builders episode of Navigating Major Programmes, Riccardo Cosentino and co-host Shormila Chatterjee sit down with previous colleague and friend Chantal Sorel, a seasoned leader whose 30-year career spans architecture, project management, and executive roles across industries including infrastructure, mining, and social infrastructure. With extensive international experience and a commitment to delivering value through challenging projects, Chantal reflects on her journey and shares lessons from managing high-stakes initiatives like the McGill University Health Centre.

Chantal discusses the importance of breaking barriers as a woman in construction, fostering ethical collaboration, and adapting project management practices to meet evolving challenges. Her insights highlight the critical role of leadership, strategy, and societal impact in shaping the future of the industry.

"Project management is about maximizing the result with the resources you have. That’s it. My definition of project management is maximizing the result with the resources you have and using them in the best combination—the right capacity and to the right objective and the needs that you have to fulfill, and not detracting from that. And this is what it is about. So for me, it’s always been a passion. I said I’m a builder. And of course, I’ve practiced infrastructure all my career because, for me, it was a way to deliver value, value for society. I’m a bit of an idealist, but I think that society needs value, and we’re there to deliver value." – Chantal Sorel 

Key Takeaways

• How resilience and expertise helped Chantal navigate leadership in traditionally male-dominated industries.
• Why delivering value through infrastructure projects requires balancing strategy, collaboration, and societal impact.
• How global experience and adaptability shape effective project management practices.
• The evolving role of technology, including AI, in addressing the complexities of modern mega-projects.

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Music: "A New Tomorrow" by Chordial Music. Licensed through PremiumBeat.

Welcome back to Navigating Major Programmes and welcome to season 3 of our podcast! In this episode of Navigating Major Programmes, Riccardo Cosentino launches the third season by reflecting on the podcast’s journey and setting the stage for an exciting year ahead. From embracing the challenges of imposter syndrome to exploring transformative industry trends, Riccardo shares his vision for 2025 and how the podcast will continue to elevate the conversation around major programmes.

“I believe this is the year where technologies like AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics are no longer just the ‘next big thing’ but are truly embraced on a mass scale across the industry. It’s no longer about being curious about these technologies; it’s about fully accepting and harnessing their potential to drive real change. And that change will define the future of how we operate—from project management to risk assessment and, especially, preventive maintenance.” – Riccardo Cosentino

Key Takeaways

• The transformative potential of AI and predictive analytics in preventive maintenance.
• Insights from industry leaders on balancing innovation with legacy systems.
• Embracing new skills and challenges for personal and professional growth.
• A sneak peek at the new Preventive Maintenance vodcast series.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox.

The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our LinkedIn community: 

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Music: "A New Tomorrow" by Chordial Music. Licensed through PremiumBeat.

In this episode of Navigating Major Programmes, Riccardo Cosentino wraps up season two by revisiting the key themes and groundbreaking insights that defined the season. From the transformative power of AI in project management to the essential role of human collaboration, Riccardo explores how major programmes are evolving and shares his vision for the future.

This season featured distinguished guests who brought fresh perspectives on technology, leadership, stakeholder management, and public perception. Riccardo reflects on these conversations, highlighting how AI-driven tools, digital twins, and predictive analytics are revolutionizing infrastructure projects while emphasizing the enduring importance of empathy, trust, and inclusivity.

“While AI and technology are reshaping how we plan and execute major programmes, it’s important to remember that success in infrastructure isn’t just about the tools we use—it’s about the people who bring these projects to life. As we navigated the complexities of infrastructure, we often touched on the human element that underpins successful project delivery.” – Riccardo Cosentino

Key Takeaways

• The power of AI in forecasting and risk management
• Fostering collaboration, diversity, and resilience within teams.
• Reflections on trust and allyship as essential components of successful infrastructure projects.
• The critical role of societal acceptance for the adoption of technologies like urban air mobility.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox.

The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our LinkedIn community: 

• Follow Navigating Major Programmes on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/navigating-major-programmes/
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Music: "A New Tomorrow" by Chordial Music. Licensed through PremiumBeat.

In this episode of Navigating Major Programmes, Riccardo Cosentino sits down with Alan Mosca, CTO and Co-Founder of nPlan, to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and project management. Alan shares his journey, from founding nPlan in 2017 to transforming how major programmes forecast and mitigate project risks using AI-powered tools.

Alan dives deep into the technicalities of nPlan’s innovative approach to project scheduling, risk assessment, and portfolio management. Through real-world applications and fascinating anecdotes, he discusses how AI can turn vast amounts of project data into actionable insights, paving the way for more proactive and informed decision-making in the infrastructure and construction sectors.

“You think about like you're starting a business, right? You start from what's a problem that you want to solve. And so we started from the end effectively. Problem that we want to solve is: why is it that when humans say that they're going to build something or do a project it then almost invariably takes twice as long and four times the amount of money than you said it was going to take.” – Alan Mosca

Key Takeaways:

• How AI models like nPlan's transform static project schedules into dynamic tools that anticipate risks and propose proactive solutions
• How leveraging historical project data helps refine forecasts and improve project outcomes
• The role of culture in project success—aligning incentives and fostering transparency between teams and stakeholders can break down silos and create trust
• Unlocking efficiency with AI-generated schedules—could this give your team the edge in competitive bidding and execution?

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox. https://lovethepodcast.com/NavigatingMajorProgrammesPod

The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our LinkedIn community: 

• Follow Alan Mosca on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitbix/
• Explore the nPlan website at https://www.nplan.io/
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Music: "A New Tomorrow" by Chordial Music. Licensed through PremiumBeat.

In this special Master Builders episode of Navigating Major Programmes, Riccardo Cosentino and co-host Shormila Chatterjee are joined by Marianne Smith, a distinguished partner at Blakes National Infrastructure Group, to celebrate her remarkable career and pay tribute to Judy Wilson, a trailblazer in Canada’s infrastructure industry. Judy, a world-renowned procurement lawyer and a champion for diversity, left an indelible mark on the sector before her passing. This episode honors her legacy while highlighting Marianne’s own contributions as one of Judy’s closest mentees.

With over 20 years of experience in infrastructure and procurement law, Marianne has played a pivotal role in shaping public-private partnerships (P3s) across Canada. She shares her journey from working alongside Judy to becoming a leader in the field, emphasizing how mentorship and advocacy for diversity have been central to her success.

"Judy was a champion of diversity. She was an ally before we had the nomenclature of what an ally is.  She used her power, authority, influence. Not just selfishly, but also to promote, women, people of color, anyone who might've felt, that they didn't belong in the boardroom or around the table, talking about tough, infrastructure type issues. She really did impact so many people in that way." – Marianne Smith

Key Takeaways:

• Judy’s approach challenges with creativity, focus on client needs, and advocate for diversity to drive meaningful change
• How to leverage your expertise to develop frameworks and processes that can become industry benchmarks.
• How to build inclusive environments that encourage collaboration and empower diverse teams to succeed.
• Why investing in mentorship by sharing knowledge and supporting the growth of future leaders.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox.

The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our LinkedIn community:

• Follow Marianne Smith on LinkedIn
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• Follow Riccardo Cosentino on LinkedIn
• Read Riccardo’s latest at www.riccardocosentino.com

Music: "A New Tomorrow" by Chordial Music. Licensed through PremiumBeat.

In this episode of Navigating Major Programmes, Riccardo Cosentino sits down with Mikaila Kukurudza to explore the significance of thought leadership—and some of the biggest mistakes professionals make on LinkedIn.

Mikaila Kukurudza, founder of Colada Marketing Ltd., has been instrumental in helping both people and brands tell their stories, including working with Riccardo over the last three years. If you’ve come across any of Riccardo’s LinkedIn articles, chances are, Mikaila is the pen behind them. Is hiring a ghostwriter unethical? Why does personal branding matter for the infrastructure industry—and beyond? And how do social media platforms shape major programs? Riccardo and Mikaila dive into all this and more.

“You already have a personal brand, whether you like it or not. It’s just a matter of whether you’re going to define and refine it into something you’re happy with. For anyone listening—even if you’re not actively posting on LinkedIn—you already have a personal brand. It’s up to you to shape it into how you want to be represented online.” — Mikaila Kukurudza

Key Takeaways:

• Riccardo’s thought leadership journey: from posting to podcasting.
• The controversy and value of ghostwriting.
• Grab a pen, here’s your 10-minute LinkedIn checklist for building your online presence.
• The vulnerability of personal branding—do vanity analytics really matter?

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox.

The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our LinkedIn community:

• Colada Marketing Ltd. 
• LinkedIn Learning – Becoming a Thought Leader
• Follow Navigating Major Programmes on LinkedIn
• Follow Riccardo Cosentino on LinkedIn
• Read Riccardo’s latest at wwww.riccardocosentino.com

Music: "A New Tomorrow" by Chordial Music. Licensed through PremiumBeat.

In this episode of Navigating Major Programmes, Riccardo Cosentino sits down with Annie Goodchild, a passionate advocate for inclusivity in major projects. As a trans, non-binary professional in the infrastructure industry, Annie shares insights on industry resilience, stakeholder management, and the value of diverse perspectives in shaping successful projects. The duo discusses all this, plus the role of public inquiries in major projects. 

Annie Goodchild brings a wealth of experience in communications and stakeholder outreach, driving strategic initiatives for complex infrastructure projects across Canada. As the Director of Communications and Stakeholder Outreach at Kiewit, they currently lead efforts on Ottawa’s Confederation Line extensions, focusing on building essential relationships for project success. Known for their commitment to teamwork, learning, and connection, Annie believes that true progress happens when everyone moves forward together.

“We are the eyes and ears in many ways of how the project's going to do everywhere else, but in the very boardroom that it's executed from, and that those outside forces, the climate around the boardroom affects the boardroom more than sometimes they'd like. So let us help. Let us be in the room. Let us share our understanding of what's coming and help us plan a mitigation around any problems we might see, because that's our ultimate benefit to the major project." – Annie Goodchild

Key Takeaways:

• Annie’s journey into major projects and the importance of diversity in creating resilient teams.
•  How proactive and transparent stakeholder management can build trust and transform community relationships, revealing insights that could redefine your approach to major projects.
• How embracing diverse perspectives enhances the problem-solving capabilities of major projects.
• The role of allies in creating a more inclusive and supportive industry for marginalized groups, from a trans perspective.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox.

Mentioned Links:

• How Big Things Get Done by Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner

The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our LinkedIn community: 

• Follow Annie Goodchild on LinkedIn
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Music: "A New Tomorrow" by Chordial Music. Licensed through PremiumBeat.

In this episode of Mastering Major Projects, Riccardo Cosentino and co-host Shormila Chatterjee sit down with Marni Dicker, a dynamic and bilingual senior executive recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women and one of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in the country. Marni’s accolades include the General Counsel Award for Business Achievement and the Premier’s Award of Excellence from the Province of Alberta for her groundbreaking work on the Calgary Courthouse Public-Private Partnership.

With an impressive background in corporate law and a strategic leadership role in the Canadian Premier League, Marni shares her extraordinary journey from criminal law to becoming a transformative figure in infrastructure and business strategy. Known for her ability to deliver projects on time and within budget, she discusses the importance of diversity and inclusion in leadership and her commitment to mentoring the next generation of female leaders.

"Remember, I knew nothing about construction and infrastructure engineering, and they would ask me a very substantive question. What would you do if this happened on one of your sites? And I did the following. I would certainly call external counsel who is specialized in that area, and I would ensure that we got the best advice. Basically, I was punting it down the line because I had no idea, none, how to answer their questions. What I quickly learned is that's what they liked. No one is expected to know everything you are supposed to be able to know how to use your resources, how to get the right expert advice." – Marni Dicker

Key Takeaways:

• Career Evolution: Marni’s path from criminal law to leading major infrastructure projects, showcasing her adaptability and leadership across industries.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Marni’s experience in structuring award-winning public-private partnerships, including her work on the Calgary Courthouse project.
• Leadership in Infrastructure Development: From leading infrastructure for the Canadian Premier League to managing multimillion-dollar projects, Marni’s strategic and operational expertise is highlighted across sectors.
• Mentorship and Diversity: Her role as a mentor and advocate for diversity, pushing for gender equality in leadership roles within traditionally male-dominated industries.Plus, insight into how Marni successfully balanced her demanding career while prioritizing her family life.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox.

The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our LinkedIn community: 

• Follow Marni Dicker on LinkedIn
• Follow Shormila Chatterjee on Linkedin
• Follow Navigating Major Programmes on LinkedIn
• Follow Riccardo Cosentino on LinkedIn
• Read Riccardo’s latest at wwww.riccardocosentino.com

Music: "A New Tomorrow" by Chordial Music. Licensed through PremiumBeat.

In this episode of Navigating Major Programmes, Riccardo Cosentino dives into an engaging conversation with AI visionary Dev Amratia, uncovering how AI is revolutionizing the infrastructure industry. Together, they explore the game-changing potential of harnessing data from over 760,000 global projects to forecast outcomes with precision, drastically improving risk management and efficiency. Dev reveals the untapped possibilities of AI, from smarter decision-making to reshaping the very way projects are delivered, offering insights that challenge traditional approaches and inspire a bold new future for infrastructure.

"What if we had the experience of 760,000 projects between the two of us and then worked on a project, wouldn’t we be hundreds of times more effective than we currently are?" – Dev Amratia

Dev is the Co-Founder and CEO of nPlan, where he is at the forefront of rethinking how project outcomes are forecasted and addressing risk in the built environment. With an aerospace engineering background and 9 years of capital project management experience, he combines both technical and commercial expertise to tackle complex challenges. Dev also co-authored the UK Government's AI Review (2017) and is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) through the Royal Institute of Mechanical Engineers.

Key Takeaways:

• Why AI's full potential in project timelines, risks, and improvements is still untapped
• How can the infrastructure industry overcome inefficiency and poor risk management when outdated methods, like fixed-price contracts based on incomplete data
• The cultural shift  needed for AI adoption, with ground-level resistance requiring both top-down and bottom-up strategies
• Data-driven decision-making is crucial for the infrastructure industry, as AI-facilitated collaboration and data sharing can improve project outcomes and reduce adversarial approaches.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox.

The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our LinkedIn community: 

• Follow Dev Amratia on LinkedIn
• Learn more about nPlan
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Music: "A New Tomorrow" by Chordial Music. Licensed through PremiumBeat.

In this episode of Navigating Major Programmes, Riccardo Cosentino sits down with Vickie Turnbull, a trailblazer in infrastructure finance with over 35 years of experience in the banking industry. Vickie shares her unique journey from corporate banking to becoming a key figure in infrastructure finance, shedding light on her extensive work with leading Canadian banks like TD Securities and RBC. Now, in what she calls "Vickie 2.0," she remains deeply involved in the sector, leveraging her expertise in advisory roles and as a board member for Infrastructure Ontario.

Vickie also dives into her commitment to mentorship and advocacy for women in infrastructure, reflecting on her role in founding the Women's Infrastructure Network (WIN) and Women in Energy Canada (WIECAN). She emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in infrastructure and discusses how these networks have evolved to support and empower women in the industry.

"I think that's one of the things I really love about the whole infrastructure space is it takes a village to get these transactions done. I think that's been part of the fun part for me is that I have so many different people that I talk through as I'm working on a transaction. Right? And you've got all these people that you can interact with. And again, you get that whole diversity. People are looking at things from various different ways. And at the end of the day, we've got these fabulous assets that are getting built for the use of Canadians and replacing, you know, things that really needed to be replaced. There's a lot more that still needs to be done. So I'm a part of it, but I don't see myself, like I, it's hard and I don't know whether that's just how I think through things, how I look at it, but I do really, like, it does take a village to get these things done and I couldn't do it alone on my own. Absolutely not." – Vickie Turnbull

• Vickie's journey from corporate banking to a leadership role in infrastructure finance
• The genesis and growth of the Women's Infrastructure Network and Women in Energy Canada
• Insights into navigating the complexities of infrastructure finance and project management
• The evolving role of mentorship and diversity in the infrastructure sector
• Strategies for fostering innovation and resilience in major programmes

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox.

The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our LinkedIn community: 

• Follow Vickie Turnbull on LinkedIn
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Music: "A New Tomorrow" by Chordial Music. Licensed through PremiumBeat.