In this episode of The Comms Exchange, hosts Rachel Ledet and Christianne Brunini explore workforce development through a very literal lens: the construction site. Their guest is Aaron Frumin, founder and CEO of Uncommon Construction, a nonprofit that has spent more than a decade transforming how young people enter the workforce.

Uncommon Construction brings high school students from across New Orleans together as paid construction apprentices, turning the process of building a house into a real-world classroom. Over the course of a semester, students earn wages, academic credit, and hands-on experience while developing the technical, leadership, and soft skills needed to succeed on job sites and beyond. The homes they help build enter the housing market, allowing buyers to invest not only in a property, but in the future of local youth.

Aaron shares the origin of the program, why economic participation is central to youth empowerment, and how paying students for their labor creates confidence, accountability, and long-term opportunity. The conversation also dives into the role of industry partnerships, the realities of workforce shortages in the construction sector, and Uncommon’s expansion beyond Louisiana into Minneapolis — offering a glimpse into how this model can scale nationally.

This episode is a thoughtful look at how education, housing, and workforce development intersect — and how reimagining the classroom can help build stronger communities, stronger industries, and a more prepared next generation.

To learn more or to support this organization visit www.uncommonconstruction.com

In this episode of The Comms Exchange, hosts Rachel Ledet and Christianne Brunini go behind the spreadsheets with Amanda Roy and Alison Fossyl of Aprio to unpack the financial, regulatory, and strategic realities shaping affordable housing today.

Amanda and Alison share what they are seeing firsthand across public housing authorities, LIHTC developments, and complex real estate portfolios, from tightening margins and construction delays to increasing compliance pressure and evolving HUD and REAC requirements. They break down where deals most often get stuck, why exit planning needs to start far earlier than most developers expect, and how outdated systems quietly slow audits and strain internal teams.

The conversation also explores how technology and AI are beginning to transform audits and financial reporting, shifting them from backward-looking compliance exercises into forward-looking strategic tools. Amanda and Alison discuss how better data, cloud-based systems, and automation can help owners, developers, and PHAs make faster decisions, reduce risk, and strengthen long-term portfolio performance.

Beyond the numbers, this episode highlights the importance of communication, trust, and mentorship in the affordable housing ecosystem. From building strong auditor–client relationships to creating pathways for women leaders in housing finance, Amanda and Alison offer a candid look at what effective leadership looks like in a highly regulated, high-stakes industry.

Key topics include:

• Affordable housing audits and compliance
• Public housing authority financial strategy
• LIHTC, HUD, and REAC challenges
• Exit planning and long-term deal risk
• Technology and AI in financial reporting
• Auditor–client communication best practices
• Mentorship and women in housing leadership

If you’re a developer, CFO, housing authority leader, asset manager, or board member navigating today’s affordable housing landscape, this episode offers practical insight into how the numbers behind the deal can either stall a project or move it forward.

Learn more at www.aprio.com

In this episode of The Comms Exchange, hosts Rachel Ledet and Christianne Brunini sit down with Wes Palmisano, Founder and CEO of RNGD, to explore what it truly means to build a construction company where people, culture, and brand drive growth.

Wes shares how RNGD evolved from a young startup into a regional construction powerhouse by investing in company culture, leadership development, and marketing with the same intentionality as operations. From publishing five internal culture books to launching the Renegade Academy, building a $25M training-center-focused headquarters, and creating a nonprofit foundation tied directly to workforce development, RNGD has redefined what modern construction leadership looks like.

This conversation goes deep into how branding creates trust, why culture is a competitive advantage in the construction industry, and how leaders can scale without losing authenticity. Wes also reflects on lessons learned, including early branding missteps, the shift from a house of brands to a unified identity, and why growth must pause at times to protect values and alignment.

If you’re a leader in construction, AEC, real estate development, or any people-driven organization, this episode offers a practical and inspiring look at how intentional culture, storytelling, and community engagement fuel long-term success.

Key topics include:

• Construction branding and marketing strategy
• Building and scaling company culture
• Leadership development and workforce training
• ROI of brand and culture investments
• Community engagement and nonprofit impact
• Authentic growth in the AEC industry

Whether you’re growing a construction firm, leading a team through change, or rethinking how culture supports performance, this episode delivers real-world insight from one of the industry’s most forward-thinking leaders.

www.rngd.com

In this episode of The Comms Exchange, developer and designer Mimi Spiehler shares how she (and her brother David Fuselier) transformed a 1925 Spanish Colonial Revival church in Uptown New Orleans into The Josephine, an immersive cultural venue that blends historic preservation, digital projection mapping, and community-centered programming. Mimi opens up about what it means to be a woman leading large-scale projects in construction and real estate development, navigating gender dynamics on the job site, and building workplace confidence in male-dominated spaces. She and hosts Rachel Ledet and Christianne Brunini explore how women’s perspectives, attention to detail, and communication styles shape better outcomes—for projects, teams, and communities.

If you care about women’s roles in the construction industry, empowerment, professional growth, and how design, storytelling, and courage can revive sacred spaces, this conversation is for you.

Key Takeaways

• Women’s empowerment in construction: Mimi shares how she built confidence as one of the few women in her construction management classes and on job sites, and how she’s learned to hold her ground in male-dominated rooms.
• Gender dynamics & leadership: The episode explores how women are often conditioned to “be agreeable,” and how recognizing those patterns helps women navigate power dynamics and advocate for their ideas.
• Workplace confidence grows with experience: Mimi explains how knowledge, repetition, and learning from mistakes over nearly two decades in the industry have strengthened her voice and leadership style.
• Women bring a different lens to projects: From communication to detail orientation, Mimi highlights the unique insights women bring to design, development, and client relationships.
• Reviving The Josephine as a community hub: Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at the structural challenges, design decisions, and risk-taking involved in turning a decaying church into a vibrant cultural venue for weddings, concerts, yoga, theater, and neighborhood gatherings.
• Innovation meets heritage: The team discusses how digital projection mapping, thoughtful naming, and storytelling allow The Josephine to honor its sacred history while offering a modern, immersive experience.
• Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship: Mimi talks candidly about being a mom of three while running complex projects, and how trusting her instincts has guided her professional growth.
• Courage to keep going: From sleepless nights to unexpected construction surprises, Mimi’s story underscores that big visions require resilience, partnership, and the belief that “if it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”

You can learn more about The Josephine, visit online https://www.thejosephinenola.com/  

In this episode of The Comms Exchange, architect Steve Rome, partner at VergesRome Architects, joins host Rachel Ledet and co-host Christianne Brunini to explore what resilient design really looks like on the Gulf Coast. Steve walks through the story of Les Maisons de Bayou Lafourche, a $9.5M affordable housing community in Lockport, Louisiana, designed with Fortified Gold, Enterprise Green, and Energy Star certifications—and then tested in real time by Hurricane Ida.

While surrounding neighborhoods suffered catastrophic damage, Les Maisons de Bayou Lafourche experienced minimal impact, proving how intentional architecture, rigorous quality control, and sustainable building practices can transform hurricane preparedness and community resilience.

The conversation covers how empathy, equity, and foresight inform good design, why certifications should be more than a box-checking exercise, and how travel, reading, and continuous learning keep architects sharp. If you care about architecture, resilient communities, affordable housing, or climate-smart design, this episode offers a powerful case study and practical insight.

Key Takeaways

• Resilience as a design mandate: Les Maisons de Bayou Lafourche was intentionally designed for major storm events, showing how architecture can change outcomes in disaster-prone regions.
• Fortified Gold as a process, not a plaque: Fortified Gold, Enterprise Green, and Energy Star demanded strict documentation, construction oversight, and quality control from foundation to roof.
• Beauty and strength can coexist: Vernacular Gulf Coast design, front porches, and neighborhood-friendly aesthetics can align with high-performance, hurricane-ready construction.
• Collaboration is essential: Close partnership among architect, developer, and contractor kept the project on budget while honoring resilience goals.
• Community resilience starts with buildings: Housing that can be quickly reoccupied after a storm helps preserve jobs, social networks, and neighborhood stability.
• Quality control pays off: Careful detailing on roof decking, structural connections, and systems resulted in less than $4,000 in storm-related damage on a roughly $9.5M project.
• Lifelong learning matters: Steve credits reading, travel, and curiosity with expanding his perspective as a designer—and encourages young architects to do the same.

Steve Rome’s Reading List:

No Compromise: The Work of Florence Knoll

https://a.co/d/b9xwEcu

If Walls Could Speak: My Life in Architecture

https://a.co/d/apskVS5

The Pillars of the Earth (Kingsbridge)

https://a.co/d/bkkOWL6

You Say to Brick: The Life of Louis Kahn

https://a.co/d/3pgYQ2f

You can learn more about VergesRome Architects at www.vergesrome.com

Affordable housing, housing policy, and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) take center stage in this episode of The Comms Exchange. Hosts Rachel Ledet and Christianne Brunini sit down with Emily Cadik, Executive Director of the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition, to unpack why LIHTC has never been stronger politically and what that means for developers, advocates, and communities.

Emily shares her journey from HUD to leading a national coalition, explains how LIHTC became a rare bipartisan success story in Washington, and breaks down what really resonates with lawmakers—from data and economic impact to on-the-ground site visits and resident stories. She also talks candidly about navigating a male-dominated space, the importance of mentorship, and why diversity in advocacy makes the movement more effective.

Whether you’re a developer, housing authority, policy advocate, or communicator, this conversation offers practical insight into how to pair strong policy with strong storytelling and why local voices and marketing budgets should be part of every affordable housing pro forma.

Key Takeaways (for show notes / description)

• LIHTC has unprecedented bipartisan support. After years of playing defense, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit is now recognized on both sides of the aisle as a core engine for housing production and economic growth.
• Policy is about people, not just programs. Personal stories from residents and families in affordable housing (like the handwritten “binder of stories” Emily describes) are essential for humanizing housing policy.
• Site visits change minds. Bringing members of Congress and their staff to walk properties, meet residents, and see transformed schools and neighborhoods is one of the most effective advocacy tools for LIHTC.
• Local advocacy is not optional. National coalitions can’t replace the impact of constituents. Developers, owners, and local partners need to invite elected officials out, say “thank you,” and show what LIHTC has delivered in their district.
• Marketing and storytelling belong in the pro forma. Community outreach, education, and events that bring policymakers and neighbors into the process can reduce friction and build long-term support for affordable housing.
• Women are reshaping a male-dominated field. Emily’s path highlights the importance of mentorship, visible female leadership, and greater diversity across development, tax policy, and real estate finance.
• Data still matters. Impact stats: how much LIHTC units save residents compared to market rent. These help counter myths that only developers and investors benefit from the program.
• Expectation-setting is key in advocacy. Major wins on Capitol Hill require significant political capital; advocates must be strategic and patient about what they push for next.

You can learn more at https://www.taxcreditcoalition.org/

In this episode of The Comms Exchange, hosts Rachel Ledet and Christianne Brunini sit down with Brandi Bailey, VP of Strategic Development at Snyder Construction Group. Brandi shares how she moved from commercial interior design into construction business development and what she has learned about communication, leadership, and growth along the way.

Together, they dig into how creativity shows up in business development, why authenticity and company values matter so much in construction, and how Brandi helps Snyder strengthen relationships with clients, partners, and communities. Brandi also talks about her focus on affordable housing, her time working in China, and how risk, empathy, and service shape the way she shows up as a leader.

If you are in construction, real estate, community development, or simply curious about how strategic partnerships and communication can fuel growth, this conversation is full of practical insight and heart.

Key Takeaways

• How Brandi transitioned from commercial interior design to construction business development and strategic leadership.
• Why creativity is a powerful tool in construction marketing, networking, and brand building.
• How authenticity and clear values help Snyder Construction Group grow while staying true to its roots.
• What working in China taught Brandi about risk-taking, nonverbal communication, and trusting your instincts.
• How Snyder builds a differentiated construction brand in a price driven market.
• Why affordable housing and LIHTC projects are a major focus for Snyder and how they impact communities.
• How relationship building, feedback, and empathy drive Brandi’s approach to business development.
• Why giving back through community service and nonprofit leadership keeps Brandi grounded and aligned with her work.

In this episode of The Comms Exchange, hosts Rachel Ledet and Christianne Brunini sit down with Melissa Warren, Senior Advisor and Market Leader with Stirling Properties, long-time industry advocate, and the driving force behind the NAIOP Gulf Coast Chapter’s rapid rise.

Melissa shares her journey from political consulting to commercial real estate, the mentors who shaped her path, and the pivotal moment she realized advocacy and collaboration were essential to strengthening the Gulf Coast’s economic future. Together, they break down how NAIOP Gulf Coast grew to 100 members in its first year, why policy work matters at the municipal, state, and federal levels, and how diverse leadership teams drive better outcomes for both industry and community.

Listeners will hear how commercial real estate connects to broader economic development — from infrastructure and permitting to port expansion, energy policy, and insurance challenges — and how NAIOP is convening the right partners to tackle these issues with a regional mindset.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How NAIOP Gulf Coast became one of the fastest-growing chapters in the nation
• Why advocacy, policy alignment, and regional collaboration matter for long-term growth
• The role of mentorship — and allies — in building careers in commercial real estate
• How diverse teams and cross-sector partnerships strengthen economic development
• The future of the Gulf Coast market and where Melissa sees the greatest opportunities ahead
• What patience, confidence, and showing up in the right rooms can do for your career

This episode reveals how leadership rooted in passion, persistence, and partnership can transform an industry — and a region.

In this episode of The Comms Exchange, Rachel Ledet and Christianne Brunini sit down with Michael Hecht, President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. and State Coordinator for Infrastructure and Economic Development for Super Bowl LIX. Together, they unpack how a single sporting event became a forcing function for cleaner streets, brighter public spaces, new public art, and a renewed sense of pride in New Orleans.

Michael shares how more than 500 projects across multiple agencies came together on a tight timeline, why expectation setting with local businesses matters, and how the “real win” of the Super Bowl lives in global perception, repeat visitors, and future conventions rather than one weekend of sales.

You will hear how “small moves” like graffiti removal, murals, lighting, and sidewalk repairs can shift a city’s image, create shared accountability, and raise expectations for what is possible long after the cameras leave.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How major events can catalyze long-term infrastructure and quality of life improvements
• The leadership and communication tactics behind coordinating hundreds of partners for maximum efficiency
• Why storytelling, visuals, and clear expectations are essential for public buy-in
• What other cities can learn from New Orleans about using deadlines to drive real change

You can learn more about GNO, Inc at https://gnoinc.org/.

Summary

Chief Growth Officer Brian Moldaner takes us inside T. Baker Smith’s culture-first playbook, where EOS becomes “the TBS Way” and heart, knowledge, and grit guide how teams work and grow. We unpack how a shared language and an internal communications hub align eight offices, why immersive office environments and authentic project photography deepen pride and connection, and how culture fuels recruiting, retention, and business development. Brian shares practical lessons from building a field-ready culture book, translating it into dashboards, video updates, and on-site visuals, and leading growth through clear frameworks people can use every day. The result is a firm focused on progress over perfection, with strategy and storytelling working together to build lasting impact.

Key Takeaways:

• Culture is foundational for how we do what we do.
• The TBS Way is a unique interpretation of EOS.
• We want our individual offices to have their own identity.
• The TBS Way book serves as a tool for integration.
• Internal communication is critical for building trust.
• Creating an immersive environment reflects our culture.
• Authentic photography enhances our marketing efforts.
• Growth is about progress, not perfection.
• We aim to make our culture personal and relatable.
• Building a lasting culture is essential for future success.

You can find T. Baker Smith online at www.tbsmith.com