The Construction Cafe

In this final episode of Women in Construction Week, Tristen sits down with Parisa Nassiri, a senior fire protection engineer at Holmes US, to explore her unique career path. From navigating gender disparities in engineering education to earning her master’s in fire protection engineering, Parisa shares how she found her way into this critical but often overlooked field. She discusses the importance of fire safety regulations, the ...

From building hospitals to building future industry leaders, Adrienne Sraver has done it all! A Project Executive at Barton Malow Builders and an instructor at Ohio State University, Adrienne takes us on a journey from the jobsite to the classroom. She shares how navigating occupied renovations in healthcare construction prepared her for mentoring the next generation. We chat about confidence, adaptability, and why the best con...

Who says you have to stick to one career path? Sarah Ahrendt went from nursing to running a thriving construction company—and she’s not looking back. In this episode, she shares how critical thinking, resilience, and adaptability helped her transition into the industry and thrive as CEO of Ardmor Construction. From balancing business ownership with motherhood to setting boundaries and outsourcing the right tasks, Sarah proves succe...

Mayra Soto’s career has taken her from the remote, rugged landscapes of mining projects to the fast-paced world of venture capital. In this episode, she shares her journey from growing up around her family’s construction business to managing large-scale infrastructure projects and eventually diving into the world of construction technology startups. We explore what it takes to secure funding in ConTech, the challenges of being a wo...

In this episode of The Construction Cafe, Tristen Magallanes chats with Neha Thakker, a Project Manager at BHM Construction, about her journey from intern to leadership. Neha shares insights on mentorship, industry challenges, and the evolving role of women in construction. She also highlights the importance of early exposure to construction careers and the lasting impact of the projects we build. Tune in for a conversation on lead...

What happens when cutting-edge technology meets the traditionally rigid world of construction? In this episode, we dive into the evolution of digital twins, the rise of construction tech, and how data is reshaping the built environment. Tristen sits down with Sarah Causey CEO of Implexus Lab, a powerhouse in BIM and digital transformation, to explore the intersection of gaming engines and building intelligence, the challenges (and ...

PhD candidate Simi Aluko joins The Construction Café to discuss equity, innovation, and legacy in construction. From her structural engineering roots to rethinking buildability and workforce well-being, she shares insights on navigating biases, making construction more inclusive, and why real change must align with industry values. Tune in for a powerful conversation on bridging academia, research, and real-world impact in the buil...

Think of construction like LEGO—but for real-world housing solutions. In this episode with Candice Delamarre of Kit Switch we explore how prefabricated, modular interiors are shaking up the industry, making renovation and new builds faster, more efficient, and more sustainable. From a startup born at Stanford to tackling the housing crisis with a kit-of-parts approach, we dive into the journey of innovating in a traditional field. ...

Bridging the gap between design and construction takes creativity, communication, and a whole lot of problem-solving—just ask Eva Talbot. With a career that’s taken her from architecture to modular construction to tackling inefficiencies in building, Eva brings a unique perspective on how the industry can evolve. She shares hard-earned lessons from the startup world, why thinking differently is key to progress, and how collaboratio...

Startups, risk, and shaking up the status quo—Rose Hall knows how to make things happen. From navigating the worlds of construction and insurance to helping startups refine their ideas, she’s all about turning uncertainty into opportunity. In this episode, she shares how bridging the gap between contractors, insurers, and innovators leads to real industry change. Plus, we dive into the power of mentorship, why embracing risk is key...

Renée Powers has done it all—from concrete construction to shaping minds as a global facilitator at DPR Construction. She joins Tristen Magallanes to share her journey, the game-changing power of mentorship, and how small acts of advocacy make a big impact. From navigating a male-dominated industry to building a more inclusive future, Renée dives into allyship, leadership, and why lifting others up is the real foundation of success...

In this episode of The Construction Café, we’re rolling into the world of heavy equipment with operator and industry advocate Brenna Moore. From commanding dozers to competing in the National Equipment League, Brenna shares her journey of breaking stereotypes, balancing motherhood, and proving that precision and power go hand in hand. She also dives into the importance of mentorship, pay equity in the trades, and encouraging the ne...

In this episode of The Construction Cafe, we sit down with Dafna Kaplan, founder of Cassette, to talk about her unconventional journey from social work and global branding to the world of modular construction. From working with architects to betting on herself as a startup founder, Dafna shares how prefabrication is reshaping the industry and why women are leading the charge in this new era of building. We discuss leadership lesson...

Harriet Ingham of Holmes Solutions, a recovering structural engineer, shares her journey from New Zealand to the U.S., blending engineering, R&D, and big ideas. From testing seismic anchors to revolutionizing mass timber connections, she proves that breaking the mold leads to real innovation. We dive into problem-solving in construction, why bad ideas spark genius, and how embracing your strengths can shape your career. Plus, t...

In this episode of The Construction Café, Tristen Magallanes is joined by Chloe Smith, founder of Mercator.ai, to explore how AI and data are transforming business development in construction. Chloe shares her unconventional path into the industry, the challenges of being an outsider, and how fresh ideas can drive innovation. They also discuss shifting industry mindsets, the role of technology in opening new opportunities, and what...

In this episode of The Construction Café, Tristen Magallanes sits down with Margie O’Driscoll to explore her dynamic career at the intersection of construction, design, and policy. From pulling wire on job sites as a young girl to shaping building codes and influencing global reconstruction efforts, Margie shares how her experiences have fueled her passion for creating equitable opportunities in construction. They discuss the u...

Just when you thought The Leadership Blend series was over, we’re back with a bonus episode! Tristen Magallanes and Scott Brown welcome construction safety leader and Navy veteran Shawn Love for a conversation on leadership, accountability, and culture in construction. Shawn shares his journey from the military to the jobsite, the challenges of leading safety in an industry resistant to change, and how building trust transforms tea...

In this episode of The Construction Cafe, Tristen Magallanes and Scott Brown explore the power of accountability in leadership. Through personal stories and hard-won lessons, they discuss the difference between accountability and responsibility, creating a culture of ownership, and how reframing questions can lead to positive outcomes. Grab your coffee as we dive into how leaders can brew a culture of trust, integrity, and authenti...

In this episode of The Leadership Blend, Tristen Magallanes and Scott Brown dive deep into the power of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) in leadership. From self-awareness to empathy, they explore the crucial competencies that shape great leaders. Together, they discuss how understanding and managing emotions—both our own and others'—can elevate leadership, foster stronger relationships, and drive success in challenging environments. Tu...