In this episode of Wine After Work, Bryce sits down with Elif Acar-Chiasson, P.E., founder of OPLE Leadership and former COO with over 30 years in the AEC industry.

Elif built her consulting practice after living inside what she calls a "broken autonomy model." Brilliant engineers are promoted into leadership roles, then trapped in approval culture where every decision climbs uphill for permission. The leader becomes the bottleneck. The team stops growing. Everyone burns out.

Together, Bryce and Elif unpack:

• Why technical excellence and leadership requirements are often in conflict • The hidden addiction to approval and control inside engineering firms • Why autonomy is not "do whatever you want," but clear decision ownership with guardrails • How emotional intelligence supports decision-making under pressure • What stepping away from a COO role taught Elif about fit and courage • Why leading with both head and heart is not weakness but maturity • What competitive ballroom dancing at 50 revealed about starting over and discomfort

Elif shares a systemic approach to leadership. Instead of coaching one overwhelmed leader in isolation, she looks at the entire decision architecture of a team. Who owns what? Where decisions stall. How trust is built or broken.

Her core belief: the most critical structural integrity is not in buildings. It is in teams.

About Elif:

Elif Acar-Chiasson, P.E., is a Professional Engineer and founder of OPLE Leadership. After 12 years as an executive, including 8 as COO at CSRS/Westwood, she now works with technical professionals who are exceptional at their craft but struggling in leadership roles. She translates emotional intelligence into engineering frameworks and helps teams redesign how decisions are made so leaders are no longer the bottleneck.

Originally from Istanbul, Turkey, Elif brings a multicultural lens to leadership and challenges the idea that "people skills" are separate from technical rigor.

https://www.elifchiasson.com/

Success isn't always linear and sometimes the bravest move is walking away from something you worked incredibly hard to build.

In this episode, Bryce sits down with Sharla Toller, J.D., Senior Vice President and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at CannonDesign, to talk about courage, career pivots, and redefining what success really means.

Sharla's journey to executive leadership in the AEC industry didn't follow a straight path. A former practicing attorney with a J.D. from Howard University School of Law, she made the bold decision to leave litigation behind to pursue work aligned with her passion: building inclusive, people-centered workplaces.

Since joining CannonDesign in 2021, she has:

• Led implementation of the firm's DEI Strategic Framework

• Directed the DEI Council and Employee Resource Groups

• Launched firmwide training programs

• Deepened partnerships with organizations like National Organization of Minority Architects

• Co-authored the children's book Deja the Dynamo

• Been named one of the Top 50 DEI Professionals in the OnCon Icon Awards (2025)

She also holds a Master of Professional Studies in HR Management/Diversity & Inclusion from Georgetown University and is a single mother who has intentionally shaped a career aligned with both passion and parenthood.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Leaving a prestigious profession to follow purpose

• How DEI work impacts retention, talent acquisition, and engagement in AEC

• What real executive leadership looks like

• Building a career that supports your life — not competes with it

• The courage required to pivot

This conversation is about alignment, authenticity, and redefining success on your own terms.

🎧 Listen now and share with someone who needs the reminder: it's never too late to pivot toward what inspires you.

If you enjoy the episode, please rate and review Wine After Work — it helps us continue elevating powerful voices in AEC.

What does it really mean to build wealth — not just earn money?

In this episode of Wine After Work, Bryce sits down with Doug Kinsey, founding member of the Sweater Cashmere Fund and partner at Artifex Financial Group, for a grounded conversation about wealth, investing, and long-term strategy.

With more than 25 years of experience in wealth management and investment strategy, Doug works with individuals and organizations to align financial decisions with real life goals — not just short-term performance. Holding a master's degree in management and strategy from Harvard and a certification as an Investment Management Analyst, Doug brings a thoughtful, disciplined approach to building and protecting wealth.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• The difference between income, success, and true wealth

• Common mistakes high earners make with investing and retirement planning

• How to think about private assets and long-term strategy

• Why clarity and intention matter more than timing the market

• Building financial confidence as your career and responsibilities grow

This episode is especially valuable for professionals who've focused on building their careers — and are now asking bigger questions about sustainability, freedom, and long-term security.

What does leadership look like when your path isn't linear — and your industry wasn't built with you in mind?

In this episode of Wine After Work, Bryce sits down with Gwen Smothers, a long-tenured leader at Piedmont Service Group, to talk about career pivots, people-centered leadership, and the power of community in the HVAC industry.

Gwen began her career in accounting before transitioning into business systems and leadership roles — a move that required confidence, curiosity, and a willingness to step into discomfort. With more than two decades at the same organization, she shares what has kept her engaged, how the industry has evolved, and what leadership really requires beyond technical expertise.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Navigating leadership without a technical background

• Building confidence when stepping outside your comfort zone

• Long-term career growth inside one organization

• Co-founding and leading the Women in HVAC peer group at Service Logic

• Why visibility, voice, empowerment, and community matter — especially in male-dominated fields

Gwen also reflects on mentorship, culture, and what the HVAC industry must do to attract and retain diverse talent in the years ahead.

This episode is a powerful listen for anyone leading through change — or considering a career path that doesn't fit the traditional mold.

What does it really take to lead boldly in spaces where women are still the exception — not the norm?

In this episode of Wine After Work, Bryce sits down with Toni Will, trailblazing leader, keynote speaker, and author, for a candid conversation about leadership, courage, and choosing a life aligned with your values.

As the first female general manager in the history of the ECHL's Kalamazoo Wings, Toni knows what it means to break barriers and lead authentically in male-dominated environments. She shares lessons from her journey in professional sports, the realities of high-visibility leadership, and how redefining success — including choosing an alcohol-free lifestyle — transformed both her career and personal life.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Leading confidently in male-dominated industries

• Navigating pressure, visibility, and imposter syndrome

• What authentic leadership really looks like behind the scenes

• Choosing an alcohol-free lifestyle and challenging cultural norms

• Redefining success on your own terms

Toni also talks about her work as a keynote speaker, her podcast Women In…, and her upcoming book (releasing March 1, 2026), all rooted in one mission: inspiring women to lead with courage, clarity, and authenticity.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone questioning old definitions of success — and ready to write their own.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonildaniels/

https://www.toniwill.com/

What does it look like to build a career that blends technical mastery with creative freedom?

In this episode of Wine After Work, Bryce sits down with Nicole Roe, founder of R. Nickson Interiors, to talk about her unconventional path from construction to couture-level interiors — and what it takes to carve your own lane in a male-dominated industry.

With more than 15 years of experience across construction and design, and a degree in Building Construction from Georgia Tech, Nicole brings a rare blend of technical credibility and expressive creativity. She shares how her background allows her to design spaces that aren't just beautiful, but deeply functional and aligned with how her clients actually live.

In this conversation, we cover:

• Transitioning from construction into high-end interior design

• Building confidence and credibility as a woman in male-dominated spaces

• Why understanding the full construction process changes how you design

• Scaling a boutique design firm with operational control (including launching a warehouse and receiving space)

• Designing homes that support real life, not just aesthetics

Nicole also opens up about balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood, creativity with structure, and ambition with authenticity — all while raising four energetic boys and building a design brand that refuses to fit into a single box.

If you're navigating a career pivot, building a business, or redefining success on your own terms, this episode will resonate.

https://rnicksoninteriors.com/

https://www.instagram.com/rnicksoninteriors/

What happens when technical excellence is no longer enough to lead?

This week on Wine After Work, Bryce is joined by Kirby Lee, Professional Engineer, third-generation HVAC construction professional, and AEC leadership expert, for a candid conversation about what leadership really requires in today's AEC industry.

With more than 23 years of experience spanning consulting engineering, owner's representation, HVAC construction, and equipment sales, Kirby brings a rare, holistic perspective on the pressures facing AEC leaders today. He shares how his engineering background — combined with decades in the field — led him to recognize a critical gap in traditional leadership development programs.

In this episode, Bryce and Kirby discuss:

• Why most leadership training fails AEC professionals
• The transition from technical expert to people leader
• How emotional intelligence shows up on real projects
• What resilient leadership looks like in an evolving AEC workforce
• Why the industry needs leadership systems designed for AEC, not borrowed from elsewhere

Kirby also shares insights from his work with ASHRAE and how service, mentorship, and intentional leadership shape stronger teams and better outcomes.

If you're an AEC professional navigating leadership, growth, or transition — this episode will resonate.

What happens when working harder stops working?

In this episode of Wine After Work, Bryce sits down with Ritu G. Mehrish — former corporate executive, leadership advisor, and author of Leader's Block and Rewrite the Rules.

After leading global teams across five continents and managing multi-million-dollar business lines, Ritu reached a pivotal moment many high-performing leaders quietly face: the strategies that once worked… no longer did.

That turning point became the foundation of her work today — helping leaders navigate burnout, loss of clarity, confidence dips, and high-stakes transitions that don't show up on performance reviews.

This is a grounded, honest conversation about what it really takes to recover, reset, and lead forward when the path isn't clear.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Why high performers often feel "stuck" — even when they're successful on paper

• The hidden leadership moments no one prepares you for (burnout, self-doubt, transition missteps)

• Ritu's "Critical Quarter" framework for navigating the first 90 days of leadership change

• How perception-based stakeholder feedback can create momentum instead of fear

• The invisible cultural dynamics impacting Asian women leaders — and what leaders can learn from that research

• How to rewrite the rules when your old playbook no longer fits

Who This Episode Is For:

• Leaders navigating change, transition, or burnout

• Women questioning visibility, confidence, or next-level growth

• Executives who want clarity without clichés

https://www.ritumehrish.com/

Linkedin

What if true workplace autonomy wasn't about working alone — but about working in alignment?

In this episode of Wine After Work, Bryce sits down with Virginia Muzquiz, widely known as The Referral Diva® — founder of Master Connectors and creator of the Referrals on Demand® system.

Virginia believes autonomy doesn't come from grinding harder or escaping structure — it comes from aligning your work with your values, strengths, and relationships. Whether you're in a corporate role or building your own business, the right environment creates trust, breathing room, and sustainable success.

Through her work, Virginia helps entrepreneurs reduce dependency on hustle and cold outreach by building referral ecosystems and strategic alliances that feel natural — and profitable.

This episode is a powerful conversation about designing work that supports your genius, honors your values, and actually feels like home.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• What real workplace autonomy actually looks like

• Why trust (not supervision) fuels productivity

• How referrals and relationships create freedom in business

• Designing work around values, strengths, and alignment

• Letting go of hustle culture without sacrificing growth

• Building businesses — and careers — that give you breathing room

Who This Episode Is For:

• Entrepreneurs tired of cold outreach and constant hustle

• Professionals craving more autonomy and alignment

• Leaders building businesses rooted in trust and relationships

Business By Referral podcast

LinkedIn

In this episode of Wine After Work, Bryce sits down with Adam Jackson, CEO and founder of Braintrust, the world's largest user-owned talent network and the company behind Braintrust AIR, the first end-to-end AI recruiting platform built to benefit both companies and talent.

Adam shares his entrepreneurial journey—from founding telemedicine giant Doctor on Demand to building Braintrust—and unpacks how AI is fundamentally changing hiring. We dive into what Braintrust AIR actually does, why now is the moment for AI in recruiting, and how technology can finally make hiring faster, fairer, and more human.

Plus, we talk misconceptions around AI, how leaders should approach change, and Adam's unexpected creative outlet: running a wine label called Asymmetric.

If you're curious about the future of recruiting, talent acquisition, or how AI can work with people instead of replacing them, this episode is a must-listen.

What we cover:

• Adam's career journey and the origin story of Braintrust

• The vision behind a user-owned talent network

• What Braintrust AIR is and how it reduces time-to-hire from months to days

• How AI can improve outcomes for hiring managers and job seekers

• Common myths about AI in recruiting (and what's actually true)

• How to lead through technological change

• Entrepreneurship, creativity, and wine 🍷

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation.

LinkedIn

Braintrust