3rd Annual Women Who Build Summit Goodwin College - East Hartford, CT Sponsored by:
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Totebag Sponsor Montagno Construction is proud to sponsor
WOMEN WHO BUILD
‌providing collaborative construction management in healthcare, multifamily housing, private education, non-profit, historic preservation, and more‌
www.montagno.com
203.597.9014
Call Marie Maia to discuss your next project.
3RD ANNUAL WOMEN WHO BUILD SUMMIT
February 22, 2018 - Goodwin College - East Hartford, CT 7:45 - 8:30
Breakfast and Registration
8:30 - 8:40
Welcome and Opening
8:40 - 8:50
Networking Interaction - The Bolder Company
Nancy Greenwald, Executive Director, Construction Institute Carolina Cudemus, Gilbane Building Company
8:50 - 8:10 Keynote Speaker Melody Currey, State of Connecticut 9:15 - 10:30 Panel 1 - Harnessing the Wisdom of Business Owners 10:30 - 10:45
Break
10:45 - Noon
Panel 2 - Interactive Presentation: Asserting Your Value
Noon - 12:45 Keynote Speaker Dr. Anamaria Popescu, Berkeley Research Group 12:45 - 12:50
Networking Interaction - The Bolder Company
12:50 - 1:30
Lunch
1:30 - 2:40 Panel 3 - Women Innovators Transforming Our Industry
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2:40 - 2:50
Break
2:50 - 4:00
Panel 4 - Giving Back: Sharing Our Power
4:00 - 4:10
Networking Interaction - The Bolder Company
4:10 - 4:30
Prizes, Raffles, Networking
4:30 - 6:00
Wine, Cheese, Networking
Lanyard Sponsor
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3RD ANNUAL WOMEN WHO BUILD SUMMIT Panel Descriptions
Panel 1 - Harnessing the Power of Business Owners
Learn leadership lessons from our panel of women business owners about what inspires them, the challenges they've faced and the rewards of running a business. Diane Petra, Petra Constrution Corporation, Moderator Cindy Herson, Dicin Electric Co., Inc. Karin Patriquin, Patriquin Architects Jennifer Pinck, Pinck & Co. Joyce Reynolds, Reynolds Welding & Fabrication LLC
Panel 2 - Interactive Presentation: Asserting Your Value
Compensation, promotion - how can we be confident in our discussions? Our expert coaches share their knowledge and experience in leading women to success in an interactive session. Joy Kacik, Kacik Consulting Services Carol Kardas, KardasLarson LLC
Panel 3 - Women Innovators Transforming Our Industry
How is technology changing the face of our industry? What does it mean for you? Our panel of women innovators are trailblazers at the cutting edge of change in our industry. Laura Pirie, Pirie Associates, Moderator Jessica Chambers, Microdesk Ginger Chicos, Gilbane Building Company Deb Gearty, DIRTT Allison Scott, Skanska USA Building
Panel 4 - Giving Back: Sharing Our Power
We can use our skills to make a difference in the world. Hear from our panel of industry leaders how they use their unique skills to give back to the community. Lindsay Fortunato, Fortunato Construction, Moderator Medria Blue-Ellis, ESUMS Jessica Chambers, Microdesk/U.N. Refugee Agency Cathy DeFrances, Fuss & O'Neill/ACE Mentor Program Julia Jack, WPS USA/Habitat for Humanity 6
Breakfast Sponsor
DELIVERING VALUE TO CLIENTS IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT For more than 30 years, BL Companies has been an award-winning leader in delivering high-quality, integrated architecture, engineering, environmental, land surveying, planning and consulting services for land development, building design and infrastructure projects. BL Companies, Inc. 800.301.3077 | www.blcompanies.com Meriden | Hartford | Bridgeport
Lunch Sponsor
Working together for a better tomorrow. Eversource is a proud sponsor of the 3rd Annual Women Who Build Summit .
Eversource.com
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Thank You! The Construction Institute is grateful for the time and dedication of the Women Who Build Planning Committee for thier help and creative input in the planning of this event. Many thanks to: Carolina Cudemus Senior Project Manager - Gilbane Building Company Marie Maia Director of Business Development - Montagno Construction Seaneen Thorpe Senior Interior Designer - Centerbrook Architects Milena Erwin Program Manager - University of Hartford Entrepreneurial Center Veronica Cook Program Director - University of Connecticut Supplier Diversity Program Kathy Cowles Principal, Architect - Id3a Design and Architecture Annie McEvoy New England Real Estate Journal Lisa Harlow Program Administrator - Construction Institute Nancy Greenwald Executive Director - Construction Institute
The Construction Institute is pleased to serve as the New England Local Users Council for CURT.
Promoting Facility Management Excellence in Connecticut www.ifma-ct.org
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Pen Sponsor
Contributing to a World of Prosperous, Compassionate Communities info@svigals.com
www.svigals.com
Charging Station Sponsor Construction Law s Commercial Litigation s Franchise Law s Labor Law s Real Estate Law s Alternate Dispute Resolution
Exceeding Expectations. Delivering Results. Serving the legal needs of the construction industry for over thirty-five years.
Construction Practice Principals:
Raymond A. Garcia Jane I. Milas Nicole L. Micklich 44 Trumbull St., New Haven, CT 06510
Phone: (203) 773-3824
Fax: (203) 782-2312
www.garciamilas.com
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Meet the Keynote Speakers MELODY CURREY COMMISSIONER, DAS STATE OF CONNECTICUT
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Melody A. Currey was appointed as Commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) on January 7, 2015. DAS houses a number of distinct programs that share the common goal of providing timely, fair, competent, cost-effective services to address the needs of state agencies, municipalities, private industry, and the public. As Commissioner, Ms. Currey leads DAS’s efforts to fulfill its core functions: • Protect the Public and the State • Reduce Costs by Eliminating Redundancy Through Centralized Services • Utilize Specialized Skills and Expertise to Assist Agencies • Foster Economic Growth in the State • Established School Building Standards and Guidelines for Construction of Public Schools Prior to serving as the Commissioner of DAS, she served four successful years as the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles. In 2005, Commissioner Currey was elected as the Mayor of East Hartford, CT and served from 2005 until 2011. Among her successes as Mayor, Commissioner Currey worked with the elected officials to develop and implement an energy conservation program and brought collaboration among town agencies and state officials to obtain significant economic development incentives. Before serving as Mayor, Commissioner Currey served in the Connecticut House of Representatives for 13 years representing East Hartford. Four of those years she served as Deputy Majority Leader and six as Deputy Speaker of the House. Melody Currey was born and raised in Upstate New York. She graduated with a Regents Diploma from Bethlehem Senior Central High School and attended the State University of New York at Cobleskill where she majored in Business Administration. She currently resides in East Hartford with her husband Donald.
Meet the Keynote Speakers ANAMARIA POPESCU, PE, PMP, PSP DIRECTOR BERKELEY RESEARCH GROUP LATIN AMERICA CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE
Dr. Anamaria I. Popescu is a Director of BRG’s Latin America Construction Practice based in Denver, CO. She is a construction arbitrator with the AAA and a licensed Professional Engineer with more than 23 years of experience in project management, construction claims, schedule delay analysis, project controls, and contract management. She holds a PhD from the University of Texas in Civil Engineering. Her doctoral thesis was on Forensic Schedule Analysis. Dr. Popescu's project experience includes power generation, natural gas drilling, pipelines, petrochemical and process plants, oil and gas production platforms, mining, water treatment plants, airports, telecommunications, and commercial construction in Australia, Canada, United States, Mexico,South America, South Africa, and China. Dr. Popescu provided program/project management and project control services for projects ranging from $500,000 to $50 billion. As an Expert Witness, she has written numerous expert reports that led to successful settlements as well as testified in international and national arbitration hearings and dispute review board proceedings regarding delay and disruption claims. She has also taught seminars and courses on scheduling, effective project controls, and dispute avoidance in the United States and internationally. She is also the Chairman of the Society of Construction Law North American Chapter. Dr. Popescu's specialized computer software skills include Microsoft Project, Primavera Project Planner (P3), Primavera P6 Project Management Enterprise, Primavera Risk Analysis, and Acumen FUSE. She speaks fluent Romanian and intermediate Spanish. Thank you to Berkeley Reserach Group for sponsoring Dr. Popescu's travel.
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Notebook Sponsor AT GILBANE, WE’RE ABOUT PEOPLE, RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNITY.
We proudly support the Construction Institute and the 3rd Annual Women Who Build Summit Gilbane Building Company 208 New London Turnpike Glastonbury, CT 06033
www.gilbaneco.com
Student Sponsors Women + Innovation + Construction =
Doing It Right This Time
There is no substitute for
Experience
Find out how DIRTT technology means we all build better together. Manafort Brothers Incorporated Manafort.com 414 New Britain Ave, P.O. Box 99, Plainville, CT 06062 • 860.229.4853
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Meet the Panelists - Panel 1 MODERATOR DIANE PETRA, SIOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PETRA CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION
Diane Frailey Petra, SIOR has worked in the Construction and Real Estate Industry for over 31 years. She attended University of New Haven for her Brokerage License and Society of Industrial and Office Real Estate designation. Diane was primarily a Commercial Real Estate Broker with Petra Real Estate and worked hand-in- hand with the Construction Company. She also spent a few years as the National Real Estate Transaction Manger for Nestle/Perrier Water Company but returned to Petra Corporation in 2011. Business Development is her primary responsibility at Petra Construction Corporation where she is responsible for creating and maintaining client relationships for the Construction Company. Diane is an avid boater, fisher and sailor and lives in Guilford near her two sons, daughter in law and two grandchildren.
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Meet the Panelists - Panel 1 CYNTHIA HERSOM PRESIDENT DICIN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.
Cindy is President and the sole proprietor of DICIN Electric Company, Inc., which was founded in 1973 by her parents, Rudolph and Janice Chieka. DICIN Electric’s foundation was built on integrity, loyalty, and hard work. These qualities served as the cornerstone of success for DICIN Electric over the past decades and remain the same values embodied by this second-generation leader. Cindy’s ownership of DICIN Electric began August 2015. Her professional experience provided Cindy with the skills needed to shift DICIN Electric from the business of yesterday to one more suited for today and tomorrow. During this time, she cultivated long-term trusting relationships with employees, project owners, project managers, subcontractors and industry partners. Under Cindy’s leadership, DICIN Electric has maintained a strong bonding capacity and successfully sought and secured several new projects varying in scope and contract size. As a result of this success and personal development, she received her certification as a Connecticut W.B.E. and is recognized as a Federally Certified Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB). Cindy is also deeply involved in her community and serves on two local boards: The Kelsey S. Harrington Foundation and the Science & Technology Magnet High School of Southeastern Connecticut Advisory Board. Cindy approaches everything with a can do attitude and she is proud to be driving DICIN Electric Company, Inc. successfully forward into the next decade!
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Meet the Panelists - Panel 1 KARIN PATRIQUIN, AIA, LEED AP PRINCIPAL PATRIQUIN ARCHITECTS
Karin Patriquin is the founding principal of Patriquin Architects, an award-winning, full-service architectural design firm based in New Haven, Connecticut, with a broad range of experience in institutional, commercial and residential projects. Karin directs the firm’s overall strategies and leads the design effort of all projects in the office. Strongly believing in the power of excellent design, she strives to bring innovation and sustainability to all the firm’s projects. Prior to founding Patriquin Architects, Karin worked with Pelli Clarke Pelli (New Haven) on large institutional and mixed-use projects; and with HLW International (New York) on various corporate and institutional projects. Karin is a graduate of the University of Waterloo and McGill University, with advanced studies at NYU’s Schack Institute of Real Estate and McGill’s School of Management. She is licensed in the states of Connecticut and New York. She is a member of AIA, is a LEED Accredited professional (USGBC), a Fitwell Ambassador and a Certified Passive House Consultant.
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Meet the Panelists - Panel 1 JENNIFER PINCK PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER PINCK & CO., INC.
Jennifer Pinck was one of the first women to break into the construction industry, working in the building trades in the late 1970s and as a construction superintendent for a major Boston construction firm in the 80s. She earned an MBA from Simmons Graduate School of Management in 1986, the same year she received an ABC Boston Building License – becoming the first woman in Massachusetts to do so. Jennifer was among the few women in leadership positions for the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority’s Boston Harbor Project – a $4 billion courtordered sewage treatment plant, and the Big Dig – two of the country’s largest, most complex, and heavily scrutinized public works projects. In 1998 she founded Pinck & Co., Inc. -- an independently-owned building industry consultant providing comprehensive project management services to owners and developers. The firm primarily focuses on providing multifamily housing, education, and health care clients with planning, design coordination, project management, and comprehensive real estate development consulting services. Pinck & Co. has grown every year for the past 20 years, has managed more than $5 billion in construction value, and has won numerous awards -- including being named one of the fastest-growing private companies by Inc. magazine, earning a place on the Inc. 5000 list for 2016 and 2017. Since 2013, Pinck & Co. has also been recognized as one of the fastest-growing inner city businesses – a distinction given by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC). For the second year in a row, Pinck & Co. was named to the ICIC Inner City Hall of Fame, which honors firms that have received the award five times or more.
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Meet the Panelists - Panel 1 JOYCE REYNOLDS OWNER REYNOLDS WELDING & FABRICATION LLC
Joyce Reynolds was born in Portland, Jamaica West Indies and migrated to America in 1988. In Jamaica she worked in the marketing department for a distribution company called Grace Kennedy & Company Ltd, yet starting a marketing career in America proved to be difficult. She had two young children at home and a husband that was still in Jamaica so she had to take whatever opportunity she could get. That opportunity came as a cashier at a fast food restaurant called Nathan’s Famous Inc. in Hicksville, NY. Within four months she was promoted to assistant manager. In 1995, Joyce became a manager for Kentucky Fried Chicken in New York and worked there until 1998, when her husband decided to pursue a quieter life nearer to family in Connecticut. Moving to Hartford, CT forced Joyce to start her career path once again but nevertheless she persisted and decided, now with three children, to complete the Certified Nursing Assistant Program at Capitol Community College in 1999. She later went on to become a LPN in 2000 and worked as a charged nurse. In 2010, with the support of her husband and family, Joyce went on to become a registered nurse and work as the Assistant Director of Nursing at Alexander Manor in Bloomfield, CT. Reynolds Welding and Fabrication LLC was started in 2005. While working as a nurse or attending school Joyce would work part-time at the company. In 2015, she and her husband decided that it was time for the company to grow, in order to do so she would be needed fulltime. She resigned her position as an Assistant Director of Nursing and started working full time at Reynolds Welding and part-time as a nurse. Since then Reynolds Welding has grown tremendously and today is now DAS prequalified, DOT/BED certified, SBA certified, MA minority certified, and Hartford Minority certified. Joyce is proud of her, her husband, and their family’s accomplishment. She is still learning and growing along with the company. 17
Meet the Panelists - Panel 2 JOY KACIK PARTNER, CERTIFIED PERSONAL COACH KACIK CONSULTING SERVICES
Joy is a partner in Kacik Consulting Services, LLC and brings a rich background in organizational development, training, negotiations and employment relations. Joy has a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio with major concentrations in Labor Relations and Marketing, and minors in Economics and Management. Joy’s experience includes two years as an Associate Personnel Representative with the National Supply Co. division of Armco Steel Corporation and then twenty-eight years as a UniServ Representative with the Pennsylvania State Education Association, the last five of which as Regional Field Director for PSEA’s Midwestern Region. Joy has extensive experience in labor negotiations, grievance administration, arbitration, leadership development, strategic planning, group facilitation, and training design and delivery. Joy also served as the Capital Campaign Chairperson for the Randolph Area Food Shelf and as Secretary of the Vermont chapter of the American Society for Training and Development. Joy is a Certified Professional Coach and member of the International Coach Federation, providing whole person, career, executive, negotiations and other subject-specific coaching and consulting to individuals and organizations. As an Insights® Discovery licensed practitioner, she brings to clients the added value of Insights Discovery® Portfolio of products when working with individuals, teams, leaders and whole organizations to create inspiring visions, improve relationships, handle conflict with positive outcomes and create confidence in navigating change as foundations for higher organizational success and growth.
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Meet the Panelists - Panel 2 CAROL KARDAS, SPHR, CCP, SHRM-SCP FOUNDING PARTNER KARDASLARSON, LLC
Carol Kardas is recognized as an outstanding human resource generalist with an expertise in compensation, training, and employee relations. She has diverse industry experience in manufacturing, not-for-profit healthcare, real estate, public accounting, construction, and financial services. She is known for her ability to work with client companies to create an efficient human resource department and provide ongoing strategic HR leadership. She is an acknowledged career counselor for those in job transition. Additionally, her strength is in compensation for small- to medium-sized companies. Ms. Kardas has been actively involved in the human resource community and is a past president of the Human Resource Association of Central Connecticut (HRACC). She holds the designation of Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Certified Compensation Professional (CCP); Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) and she is certified in Advanced Employee Relations Law, Myers Briggs, and Ennegram. Ms. Kardas has been a featured speaker for several organizations on human resource and personal development topics. She is a published author on the topics of compensation and market pricing; generational differences; management and leadership of employees; and human resources in not-for-profit organizations. She recently had a second printing of Financial Overview for the HR Business Partner. Ms. Kardas holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Fordham University and a master’s degree in human resources from Villanova University.
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Save the Date!
9th Annual Visionaries Forum May 17, 2018 - 4:00pm
Join the Construction Institute at this hallmark event that has become a premier gathering for the AEC industry. Learn from pioneers who are shaping the future of design and construction and changing the way the built environment will be managed in years to come.
Contact lharlow@construction.org/860-768-5690 (ELPINGČŠ"USINESSESČŠ'ET /ÄšÇ´Ĺ”Â–ĂŽĂ˜ČƒČ ČŠ0ÄšĂ¸Č Ç?Č—ČšĂŽÇżČƒČŠĹ”Â–Č ČŠ0ÄšĂ¸Č˘ĂŽČšĹ”Ć˛ĂŁČƒĹ“
Lesley IngĂžs 4 ČŠČŠ ČŠ ČŠČŠ# ČŠ ČŠ ,ESLEY #LEAR0ATHWAY COM WWW #LEAR0ATHWAY COM
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Meet the Panelists - Panel 3 MODERATOR LAURA PIRIE PRINCIPAL PIRIE ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS
Laura Pirie is principal of Pirie Associates Architects in New Haven CT, an architecture, interiors, landscape, and urban design practice. The firm creates mission-driven environments that empower people and communities to take what they do to the next level. Their innovative approach centers on demystifying the design process and engaging clients more deeply than is traditional. Clients describe working in this way as transformational. The results are environments that serve as active collaborators in the client’s mission and catalysts for change. The award-winning practice is known for its high degree of craft, sensitivity to occupant health and well-being, and timeless design solutions that evoke a spiritual-like connection to place and materials. Laura is a Lecturer in Architecture at Yale University and is co-founder of Conscious Pioneer, a wellness and personal growth organization that uses ancient sites in North and South America as classrooms for creativity and leadership development.
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Meet the Panelists - Panel 3 JESSICA CHAMBERS, E.I.T., LEED AP SENIOR CONSULTANT/INFRASTRUCTURE MICRODESK
Jessica studied architecture and civil engineering at Syracuse University, receiving her BSCE in 2004. Following graduation, Jessica joined a large multi-disciplinary engineering firm and provided site consultant services for commercial, institutional, and residential projects throughout New England, focusing on sustainable and low impact design. Jessica transitioned into the public sector, managing planning, design and construction of Capital Improvement Projects prior to returning to the private sector to consult on multi-modal transportation retrofit projects in Vermont and New Hampshire. Throughout her diverse work experience, Jessica discovered innovative strategies for incorporating new design techniques and technologies. As a senior consultant with Microdesk, Jessica has been consulting with the Autodesk Foundation to provide innovative technological solutions to improve workflow efficiencies and intelligent design.
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Meet the Panelists - Panel 3 GINGER CHICOS VDC ENGINEER GILBANE BUILDING COMPANY
Ginger Chicos brings more than 16 years of experience in Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the construction industry. Her role in preconstruction and construction spans from upfront planning and schematic design, through creation of construction documents, and administration throughout the construction phase. Ginger is instrumental in creating strategic plans with project teams to address BIM management and communication protocols. She specializes in BIM-related problem solving to ensure a successful collaborative process. Ginger integrates information from the design team and subconsultants to visually communicate construction logistics, scheduling milestones, construction phasing, and trade coordination, enabling the project team to quickly assess activities, impacts, and status of the project. Her role is instrumental in creating a strategic plan with the project teams to address BIM/VDC development, creating detailed, virtual construction models of the project’s life cycle to improve the speed and accuracy of estimates as well as optimize construction schedules.
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Meet the Panelists - Panel 3 DEB GEARTY MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVE DIRTT
Deb has specialized in design, project coordination, management & consultant services related to interior environments for over 20 years. A team player who prides herself on personal service, exceptional responsiveness, and creative problem solving, Deb is known for her meticulous attention to detail while balancing functional, aesthetic and budgetary aspects of interior environments. She is NCIDQ certified, has a Bachelor of Science in Design from Arizona State University, College of Architecture and Environmental Design and attended Wentworth Institute of Technology. Deb considers herself a lifelong learner with a growth mindset who enjoys participating and volunteering with various community, industry and charitable organizations; staying connected with students and emerging professionals through engagement in educational, networking & mentoring activities.
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Meet the Panelists - Panel 3 ALLISON SCOTT DIRECTOR, MARKETING STRATEGY, INNOVATIVE CONSTRUCTION SOLUTIONS SKANSKA
As a marketing and management strategist, Allison has experience in the arts, design, technology, and construction industries. In her current role, she supports the national Innovation group of Skanska USA Building, a Fortune 500 construction firm, helping to investigate and integrate gamechanging tech like virtual reality, wearables, IoT/sensors, and drones onto the jobsite. She cultivated her career working in architecture, where she assisted in developing niche services for the design of energyefficient data centers during the advent of cloud computing. She also served as a marketing specialist for renowned inventor and futurist Ray Kurzweil, where she supported numerous start-up initiatives like an AI-based cybernetic artist and a nutraceutical company, and learned about entrepreneurship and disruptive innovation. Allison holds a BA in Theatre/Arts Management from Emerson College and an MBA in Innovation and Design Management from Suffolk University’s Sawyer Business School.
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Upcoming Workshop
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Skills You Can Use March 21, 2018 - 8:00am to 12:00pm
This workshop provides an overview of why conflict feels stressful, how we can overcome the stress, and the importance of negotiation and conflict resolution skills in our personal and professional lives. Participants will be given negotiation role playing exercises which will then be discussed as a group. • Learn how conflict affects us physically and mentally, and learn ways to overcome the stress. • Understand the importance of negotiation and conflict resolution in our personal and professional lives, and the connection between decisionmaking, negotiation, and conflict resolution. • Understand that negotiation and conflict are a normal part of business, and learn problem-solving strategies. • Learn negotiation strategies through role playing exercises and group discussion. **SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR WOMEN WHO BUILD ATTENDEES! Receive $40 off this workshop by entering promo code ED-WWB when registering.**
Contact leldredge@construction.org/860-768-5869 26
Meet the Panelists - Panel 4 MODERATOR LINDSAY FORTUNATO TODISCO ARCHITECT AND PROJECT MANAGER FORTUNATO CONSTRUCTION GROUP
Lindsey Fortunato Todisco is a licensed architect and project manager at Fortunato Construction Group. Lindsey was an Arioch scholar and fellow at Wentworth Institute of Technology, graduating with a B.S. in architecture in 2011 and a Masters of Architecture in 2012. She began her career with JCJ Architecture in design and marketing in Boston, and joined Fortunato Construction Group almost four years ago. In that time, her work has been focused on design, project management, marketing, business development, and strategic planning. Outside of her work at Fortunato, Lindsey teaches freshman studio classes as an adjunct professor in the architecture department at Wentworth. Lindsey is the co-founder and interim president of the Wentworth Institute of Technology Architecture Alumni Club. She’s focused on bridging the divide between design and construction professionals and promoting collaboration across disciplines through the Construction Institute’s industryREdesign workshop series.
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Meet the Panelists - Panel 4 MEDRIA BLUE-ELLIS PRINCIPAL ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE UNIVERSITY MAGNET SCHOOL
Medria Blue-Ellis has been the principal of the Engineering and Science University Magnet School (ESUMS) for 8 years. ESUMS is New Haven Public Schools District’s (NHPS) only 6-12 school and although it is only 10 years old, it has earned national and state recognition. ESUMS leads NHPS in all standardized tests scores and its averages are higher than state averages in all grades and in all areas. To support ESUMS success and initiatives for college and career readiness, Ms. Blue-Ellis has secured outside funding of over 100K through grant writing and private giving. She has recruited top business and industry professionals to form a Business Advisory board that engages with staff and students in addition to providing input on strategic planning, marketing and career readiness skill development. Prior to being appointed to ESUMS as principal, Ms. Blue-Ellis was Assistant Principal at a HOTS school, Edgewood K-8 School and Roberto Clemente Leadership Academy. To these roles, she brought experience from being both an urban and private school educator. She taught high school at Hamden Hall Country Day School and had the good fortune of beginning her career in one of NHPS’ first magnet schools, West Hills Magnet, where she taught middle school. There she was trained under the Bank Street integrated thematic teaching model. During this time, she also became a Connecticut Writing Project fellow. She has earned several fellowships and residences including 2009 Orton-Gillingham Fellow; 2004-2001 Cave Canem Fellow; 2000-2002 Niantic Prison Girl Scouts Behind Bars, Artist in Residency; and 2000 Wesleyan Writers Workshop Fellow. Ms. Blue-Ellis is a native of New Haven. She attended Howard University where excellence, activism and service were instilled in her. She holds a MA in Education from UNH and a 6th Year Degree in Administration from Southern Connecticut State University. 28
Meet the Panelists - Panel 4 CATHY DEFRANCES DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FUSS & O'NEILL ENVIROSCIENCE
As Director of Business Development at Fuss & O’Neill EnviroScience, Cathy DeFrances loves the excitement of working with the myriad of disciplines inherent in design and construction. She thrives on the challenge of identifying new opportunities and developing strategies to grow existing relationships. With over 25 years of experience working in many aspects of the industry, including property management, real estate development, architecture, engineering, construction, and ultimately to Fuss & O’Neill, Cathy has been very successful in forging relationships and her reputation for integrity and honesty, as well as her down-to-earth manner, has been instrumental in her success. Cathy’s personal accomplishments include a lifetime achievement award from the Connecticut Society for Marketing Professionals. She also serves on the advisory board of the ACE Mentor Program in Hartford, the programs committee for Professional Women in Construction, and although her game is hardly noteworthy, the golf committee for Connecticut Building Congress.
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Meet the Panelists - Panel 4 JULIA JACK ASSISTANT PROJECT CONTROLS SPECIALIST WSP USA
Julia is a multi-talented professional with an outstanding career that followed an unexpected path to where she is today. Having started her career working with several Connecticut Architectural/Engineering Companies, such as JCJ Architecture, The S/L/A/M Collaborative and BL Companies, her career began on the traditional path from Architectural School to work as an Architect in training. But, she would eventually earn an opportunity to work in the Construction Industry as an Owner’s Representative. Shortly after that she would journey through the nonprofit sector in a dual position as Program Director of Youth Build New Britain and Program Coordinator of Capital Workforce Partner’s Jobs Funnel Program, where she was provided the opportunity to mentor and direct young people to achieve the skills and education necessary for employment in the construction trades. Five years later, slightly changing course again, she is now with WSP USA doing work in Project Controls. Having received her Bachelors Degree in Architecture from Howard University in 1992 and her Masters Degree in Construction Management from CCSU in 2013, she has a combination of experience and technical expertise that spans across generations. Julia is longtime resident of Connecticut and is honored to be the mother of five incredible children, four currently in college and one in middle school. So, the value of mentoring and service has been, and remains to be, a valuable and valued part of her life, both personally and professionally.
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Meet the Influence Instigators ELLEN FELDMAN ORNATO FOUNDING PARTNER THE BOLDER COMPANY
JENNY DRESCHER FOUNDING PARTNER THE BOLDER COMPANY
The Bolder Company connects individuals to themselves, to each other, and to the futures of their organizations. With 30+ years of facilitation & coaching experience, they combine fully experiential, improvisationbased learning with grounded, outcomes-focused content to produce deep behavioral change. They are committed to helping people build trust, courage, and levity so that organizations become collaborative, generative environments. Their most popular programs focus on empowering the confidence, clarity, ease, and power of emerging leaders and executives. Their clients include EW/USESI, St. Francis Hospital, AARP, Middlesex Hospital, and the UConn School of Business Career Development Center. The Bolder Company is the catalyst for the lasting behavioral change that empowers businesses to thrive. Founding Partners Ellen Feldman Ornato and Jenny Drescher have developed programs that bridge the gap between aspirational and actual behaviors, freeing people to live powerfully and to find joy in the work that they perform. They are results driven and bring subject matter expertise in organizational dynamics, Effective Communication, Unconscious Bias & inclusion, DISC & MBTI Personality Type, Facilitation and Presentation skills, and Emotional Intelligence. http://www.theboldercompany.com
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JOIN CI AND BECOME PART OF OUR... Leadership: Join your colleagues at the CI in taking responsibility for the future of the Industry through concrete opportunities to join in problem solving, publishing, & speaking. Community: Enjoy close personal interaction with a diverse group of member professionals who share our mission of collaboration and innovation. Information Bank: Gain access to the thinking of leading professionals throughout the AEC industry. Membership in The Construction Institute provides every person in your firm the opportunity for professional advancement through sharing with the best of construction industry professionals. The growth of a business depends on the growth of its people and the CI offers that opportunity to all its members. www.construction.org
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Fairfield County Owners' Forum
Earth, Wind, Fire & Water: Planning for, recovering quickly, and curbing damage from natural disasters If you own, manage, design, construct, and/or repair buildings, or care about resilient communities, join us for open discussion about the issues surrounding natural disasters. The program will help you become more informed and better able to make decisions that impact the strength of your facilities and the resiliency of your business.
March 22, 2018 7:45am The Norwalk Inn - Norwalk, CT Collaborating Sponsors
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Notes
Thank you for attending! 34
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Special Thanks to our 2017-18 Major Program Season Sponsors
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