Building Better Futures
Episodes
EP 32: How Long-Term Vision and Relationships Drive Success with Eric Alemany of New York Power Authority
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, Eric Alemany, Senior Director, Supplier Relationship Management of the New York Power Authority, shares his 27-year journey in public...
EP 31: Transforming Leadership Through Empathy and Peer Connection with Ahad Ghadimi of forums@work
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ahad Ghadimi, CEO and Founder of forums@work, discusses vulnerability, psychological safety and the story behind his book “Turnaround Artist: A True...
EP 30: Lessons in Leadership and Legacy From Jessica Sherman of The Douglaston Companies
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jessica Sherman, Vice Chair and Principal of The Douglaston Companies, discusses family-rooted leadership, community-first development and how charact...
EP 29: Embracing Change and Finding Plan B in Engineering Careers with Michael Shamma of TYLin
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Michael Shamma, New York Metro Executive of TYLin, talks about leading major infrastructure projects in New York. He shares the resil...
EP 28: How Leadership and Mentorship Shape the Future of Construction with Milo Riverso of Manhattan University
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Milo Riverso, Senior Advisor to the President and Board of Manhattan University, reflects on leadership lessons, career insights and the challenges fa...
EP 27: Leading With Purpose and Integrity in Public Service with Vlada Kenniff of New York City Public Housing Preservation Trust
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Vlada Kenniff, President of New York City Public Housing Preservation Trust, discusses her journey from Uzbekistan to New York City and her leadership...
EP 26: Building Stronger Communities Through Institutional Projects with Raffaela Dunne of VHB
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Raffaela Dunne, Regional Institutional Market Director of VHB, shares her career journey, insights on public-private partnerships and perspectives on ...
EP 25: Career Growth: From Engineering to Leadership with Joanne Iddon of Arup
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Joanne Iddon, Principal - Regional Service Leader (Project and Program Management) of Arup, has over three decades of experience in structural enginee...
EP 24: Leading With Impact with Amanda Rogers of The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Amanda Rogers, Director of Construction and Chief of Construction - Aviation of The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, shares insights...
EP 23: Building Legacy and Culture in Architecture with Guy Geier of FXCollaborative
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re joined by Guy Geier, Senior Partner at FXCollaborative, who shares insights from a distinguished career in architecture spanning decades of tr...
EP 22: How Community Engagement Elevates Building Design with Eleftherios Pittas of Tishman Speyer
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we’re joined by Eleftherios Pittas, Senior Director of Design and Construction of Tishman Speyer. Eleftherios shares his background in civil ...
EP 21: Building Safer Job Sites and Stronger Communities with Elizabeth Crowley of Building Trades Employers’ Association
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Elizabeth Crowley, President and CEO of the Building Trades Employers’ Association (BTEA), joins us to discuss leadership in the construction indust...
EP 20: What Leadership Needs To Know About Empowering Young Talent with Delia Riggi of HNTB
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re joined by Delia Riggi, Associate Vice President and Program Manager of HNTB. Delia shares her journey from growing up in a third-generation fa...
EP 19: Inspiring the Next Generation Through Mentorship and Vision with Luis Delgado of STV
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Luis Delgado, President of the Construction Management Division of STV, joins us for this episode.He shares his journey from recovering architect to e...
EP 18: Creating Meaningful Career Paths for the Next Generation with Tom Giordano of Suffolk Construction
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re joined by Tom Giordano, General Manager, New York Region of Suffolk Construction. Tom shares his journey from practicing law to leading one of...
EP 17: Leaving a Lasting Legacy Through Purpose-Driven Projects with Joseph Pizzurro of VHB
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for a conversation with Joseph Pizzurro, SVP and Northeast Regional Manager of VHB. Joseph reflects on his path from manual drafting to execut...
EP 16: Balancing Legacy and Innovation in Construction with Michael Gargiulo of Citnalta Construction Corp
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Gargiulo, President of Citnalta Construction Corp., reflects on his journey from laborer to leader. He shares lessons from building community-...
EP 15: Leading Change in Public Construction Through Collaboration with Yvi McEvilly of NYC Department of Design and Construction
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Yvi McEvilly, Assistant Commissioner, Design-Build Unit of NYC Department of Design and Construction, joins us to discuss the dynamic environmen...
EP 14: Leadership, Mentorship and Innovation in Architecture with Joseph Lauro of Gensler
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Architecture shapes the world around us, influencing how we live, work and interact with our environment. Joseph Lauro, Managing Director and Principa...
EP 13: The Intersection of Healthcare, Engineering and Innovation with Oscar Gonzalez of NYC Health & Hospitals
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Managing large-scale healthcare infrastructure requires strategic planning, adaptability and a keen understanding of evolving technology.Oscar Gonzale...
EP 12: Bridging Vision and Delivery in Complex Programs with Priya Jain of Mace
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For this episode, we’re joined by Priya Jain, President, Americas Mace Consult of Mace. Priya discusses delivering complex projects, fostering colla...
EP 11: Building New York’s Future Through Advocacy and Action with Carlo Scissura of The New York Building Congress
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Leading an organization that shapes New York City’s future requires vision, dedication and a deep understanding of advocacy. Carlo Scissura, Pr...
EP 10: Leading Change for Women in Construction with Palmina Whelan of Palmina Whelan Strategic Solutions
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Palmina Whelan, Capital Program Director of The New Terminal One JFK and Founder of Palmina Whelan Strategic Solutions, shares her experience leading ...
EP 09: Integrity, Timing and Transparency in Construction Management with Richard Cote of Hudson Meridian Construction Group
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Richard Cote, CCM, Assoc. DBIA and Executive Vice President of Hudson Meridian Construction Group, joins us to talk about his journey from military se...
EP 08: Making Infrastructure Projects More Sustainable for Future Generations with John Dionisio of Global Infrastructure Solutions Inc.
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For this episode, we’re joined by John Dionisio, Managing Director of Corporate Development at Global Infrastructure Solutions, Inc.John shares his ...
EP 07: Balancing Tradition and Innovation in Engineering with Arthur J. Alzamora, Jr. of Langan Engineering and Environmental Services
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Arthur J. Alzamora, Jr., Principal/Vice President of Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, discusses his career path, NYC’s evolving engine...
EP 06: Guiding Future Leaders Through Hands-On Mentorship with Michael Wallace of LiRo-Hill
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us as Michael Wallace, Senior Vice President of LiRo-Hill, shares his journey from engineering intern to seasoned leader in construction manageme...
EP 05: Balancing Tradition and Innovation in Construction with Brennan Gilbane Koch of Gilbane Building Company
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Brennan Gilbane Koch, Vice President and Director, Strategic Partnerships and Client Relations at Gilbane Building Company, joins us to talk about her...
EP 04: Transforming Communities Through Landmark Projects with Michael Sweeney of HNTB
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Sweeney, Executive Vice President/Eastern US President of HNTB, joins us to discuss his journey in the civil engineering field, the impact of ...
EP 03: Building Iconic Landmarks in New York City with Johnny Evers of ACEC New York
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, Johnny Evers, President and CEO of The American Council of Engineering Companies of New York (ACEC New York) shares the challenges of...
EP 02: The Power of Collaborative Leadership with Joe Tulumello of Gannett Fleming
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Giuseppe "Joe" Tulumello, Executive Vice President - Buildings and Places Director at Gannett Fleming, as he shares his career journey and leader...
EP 01: Fostering Leadership and Innovation in Building Design and Construction Management with Kim Vierheilig of STV
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us as seasoned architect and leader Kim Vierheilig delves into her journey from a small architecture firm to President of the National Buildings ...
Welcome to the Building Better Futures Podcast
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Building Better Futures podcast, where host Eric Hirani connects with visionary thought leaders who are building the future. Together t...