MGAC Inner Voices

This month, we hear from Priscilla Chavez, Business Development Manager at PCL Construction, in conversation with Bryan Gamez, Project Manager in our MGAC Los Angeles office. They discuss imposter syndrome, the importance of social responsibility in the construction industry, and the benefit of mentors.

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Project Manager, Los Angeles) chats with Lexie Mayewski (MGAC Project Manager, Washington, DC). They cover Lexie's experiences of being a woman on a construction site, how she overcame the obstacles, and what makes a good leader.

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Project Manager, Los Angeles) speaks with Monica (Eastwood) Taylor (MGAC Director, San Francisco) about the value of connecting with a mentor, showing compassion to colleagues, and making work a safe space.

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Project Manager, Los Angeles) speaks with Jessie Cortez (MGAC Recruiting Coordinator, Los Angeles) about her journey to her current role at MGAC and the importance of advocating for yourself. 

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Project Manager, Los Angeles) speaks with Carmen Martinez (MGAC Project Manager, London) about cultural differences between Spain and the United Kingdom, her involvement in programs to advance mental health awareness, and cultivating a workplace culture of openness.

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Project Manager, Los Angeles) speaks with Casey Gordon, AIA, LEED AP (MGAC Senior Director, Los Angeles) about changes in the industry over the last 30 years from New York to Los Angeles, building an inclusive team, and the importance of allyship among leaders. 

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Project Manager, Los Angeles) talks with Jai Beyer MRICS (MGAC Project Manager, Brighton) about the state of the industry for women in the UK, the importance of reflecting and responding to challenging situations, and the lessons she learned from her mother.

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Project Manager, Los Angeles) talks with Nicole Dehlin-Grant IIDA, LEED GA (HLW, Senior Associate, Job Captain, Los Angeles) about her experience handling double standards on-site, leaning on allies in uncomfortable situations, and the necessity of the human touch in an increasingly automated world.

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Project Manager, Los Angeles) talks with Louise Sharp (HLW, Principal, Los Angeles) about her international career journey, the benefits of reaching out and networking, and the importance of hearing voices from all levels of an organization.

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Project Manager, Los Angeles) talks with co-founders and Principals at Chromatic Lighting Design in Los Angeles—Lauren Dandridge, LC, IES and Nick Albert, MIES—about incorporating DEI principles from the ground up when building their business, the important but undervalued impact of lighting on communities, and channeling their expertise in lighting design to foster social change.

Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) interviews MGAC team member Poornima Krishnan (Assistant Project Manager, Cleveland) to talk about the AEC job market in India versus the U.S., learning to be assertive to benefit her clients, and  challenges of the immigration process. 

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Project Manager, Los Angeles) talks with Lena Bigelow (Del Amo Construction, Project Manager, Los Angeles) about her experiences as a female Project Manager, navigating others' assumptions of her, and dealing with unprofessional situations in the workplace. 

Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) interviews new MGAC team member Dara Jafari (Director, Brighton) to break down the pivotal moments in his childhood, young adulthood, and subsequent career that led to his passionate involvement in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. 

Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) talks with Kelly Guiney (MillerKnoll, Strategic Account Executive, Seattle) about his open identity in the construction industry and how his sexual orientation has impacted his experience in the workplace.

Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) talks with Andrea Carusi (MGAC Marketing Manager, Los Angeles) about choosing to pursue political activism in her home country of Venezuela and her journey to the United States.

Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) talks with Dianne Lee (Executive Director, Business Development and Strategy at Kitchell) about her background—both in culture and career—and learning to use stereotypes to her advantage, embracing the yin and yang in life.

Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) talks with Samuel Hakemi (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Canada) about living through the Iranian regime change, polarization, and how he’s teaching his son to navigate discrimination. 

Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) talks with Malathy Amirthalingam (Senior Analyst, Business Intelligence at T-Mobile) about India’s caste system, the invaluable impact of her strong family ties, and ignoring the noise to focus on what is truly important.

Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) talks with Stanislava Dobreva (MGAC Project Engineer, Los Angeles) about the importance of names and discrimination in the states compared to abroad.