Meet Our 2020 Speakers

Mary Mahany
Project Executive
@Shawmut Design and Construction

Mary Mahany is project executive at Shawmut Design and Construction, a leading $1.5 billion national construction management firm. As project executive, she is responsible for the oversight of office and field teams and acts as key owner liaison with clients, ensuring their expectations are exceeded. With nearly 20 years of experience in the construction industry, Mahany has worked on projects spanning from trading floors and data centers to schools and condos to hospitals and hotel infrastructure. Throughout her career she's risen through the project management ranks, starting off as an assistant field engineer. Mahany earned a degree in civil engineering from The Cooper Union and a master's in design studies from Harvard University's Graduate School of Design, with a focus on design and construction management. She is 30-hour OSHA certified.

Emily Brown
Director, Talent Development
@McCownGordon Construction

Emily Brown is a former Project Executive turned learning and development professional. In her role as Director, Talent Development at McCownGordon Construction, Emily oversees the development of timely, applicable development opportunities for all associates — from individual contributors to top executives. She is passionate about bringing women into the construction industry through McCownGordon's collegiate internship program and welcomes the opportunity to mentor women in construction.  Emily serves on the executive board of the Construction Industry Resource and Training Network, as well as the Kansas City Chapter of the Association of Talent Development. She is the immediate past president of the Pittsburg State University School of Construction Advisory Council and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Adult Learning and Leadership.

Greg Skalaski
Executive Vice President, West Region
@Shawmut Design and Construction

Greg Skalaski is executive vice president of the West region at Shawmut Design and Construction, a leading $1.5 billion national construction management firm. As executive vice president, Skalaski oversees the Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Irvine, CA offices, setting the strategy to ensure continued growth across all sectors in the region—hotel, restaurant, retail, commercial ground-up, tenant interior, sports venues and luxury residential—and ensuring executional excellence and technical expertise to exceed clients' expectations. Previously, Skalaski was vice president of retail and director of operations, managing teams nationwide.

Melissa Anderson
Co-owner
@Art Anderson

Melissa Anderson is the co-owner of Art Anderson, a family-owned engineering and naval architecture firm based Bremerton, WA. She is passionate about business, strategy, community, and team culture. Melissa devotes time to learning about her industry, and particularly how to engage and empower women. When not in the office Melissa spends summers boating, fall coaching soccer, and winters skiing with her family and friends.

Rachel Birnboim
Associate Principal and Senior Project Manager
@Perkins Eastman

Rachel Birnboim, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, an Associate Principal and Senior Project Manager at Perkins Eastman, where she focuses primarily on healthcare architecture. Her repertoire also includes multifamily housing, collegiate student life, senior living, and K-12. Rachel's 21+ years of experince include zoning and code analysis, concept planning and programming, project managment, documentation, consultant coordination, and construction administration. Growing existing client relationships through exemplary performance, achieving excellence in design execution and project delivery, and developing new client relationships are her foremost priorities. Rachel is passionate about design and the collaborative process, advocates for professional growth and development of both herself and her collegues, and is a proud member of the Advisory Board of the WiD+C Conference.

Danielle Dy Buncio, LEED AP
Co-Founder & CEO
@VIATechnik

Danielle Dy Buncio is the Co-Founder and CEO of VIATechnik, a virtual design & construction consulting and implementation firm transforming the real estate and construction industry. Danielle and the VIATechnik team are spearheading advancement of BIM, VDC, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Artificial Intelligence. For her innovative contributions to the AEC industry, Danielle was awarded Building Design+Construction's 40 Under 40 in 2018 and ENR Top Young Professional National 20 under 40 in 2019. Danielle serves on the Board of Directors for Ryan Companies US, a $2B Integrated Real Estate Development, Construction, and Design firm and J.F. Brennan, a 100 year-old firm specializing in marine and heavy civil construction. Prior to founding VIATechnik, Danielle worked for general contractors in Silicon Valley, Sydney, and Chicago. As a Civil Engineer and a LEED Accredited Professional, she has extensive commercial building, heavy civil, and marine construction experience. She holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Stanford University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Ivi Gabales
Business Development Manager
@Rice Fergus Miller Inc.

Ivi Gabales is an architect by training, but a business development professional by choice. Having been a project architect for 18 years before focusing on business development, Ivi is able to see the project cycle through from initial lead to completed project. She is currently focused on growing the firm strategically in its healthcare, hospitality, community, and education markets. Most days she develops and maintains relationships to grow the firm's practice, while encouraging and mentoring others to do so as well. Ivi loves meeting new people, making connections, and using those connections to help build healthy and sustainable communities. She is also a startup entrepreneur who is passionate about advocating for those with barriers to employment.

Tami Hausman, PhD
President
@Hausman LLC

Tami Hausman is a strategist and facilitator who helps AEC professionals amplify their influence inside and outside the industry. For some 25 years, she has been an expert advisor to top firms who seek out her experience and insights. Her international roster of clients includes architecture, engineering, and construction firms; real estate developers; project management firms; construction cost consultants; and non-profit organizations. Using her wide network of contacts in the media, Tami positions her clients' knowledge and expertise to best advantage and opens doors to targeted audiences that strengthen their position in the marketplace. She is a graduate of Brown University and received a PhD in art history from New York University.

Les Hiscoe
Chief Executive Officer
@Shawmut Design and Construction

Les Hiscoe is CEO of Shawmut Design and Construction, a leading $1.5 billion national construction management firm. As CEO, Hiscoe drives the continued growth and success of the company by creating the most differentiated customer experience in the industry, working with executive leadership to ensure delivery of exceptional levels of client service, develop teams of remarkably talented people, and implement the latest technologies across every aspect of the business. Before being named CEO, Hiscoe was President and COO. Hiscoe was a driving force in elevating the company to a national level, and was instrumental in the establishment and growth of Shawmut's New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago offices.

Marianne Monte
Chief People Officer
@Shawmut Design and Construction

Marianne Monte is Chief People Officer at Shawmut Design and Construction, a leading $1.5 billion national construction management firm. As CPO, Monte drives human resource and business strategy, using her effective executive coaching, talent management, and business partner leadership to create a successful work environment in which employees thrive. Since starting, Monte's work has been integral to Shawmut being named Best Workplace by Fortune Magazine three years in a row.

Brenda Radmacher
Partner @Gordon & Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP

Brenda Radmacher is a noted expert in construction law and is called on as a counselor, litigator, and noted speaker in regard to issues involving land owners, general contractors, developers, and builders. She has a varied practice with significant experience in representing companies to address risk management issues, handling their litigation, and drafting critical documents and procedures. Ms. Radmacher has developed further expertise in defending against California Proposition 65 and regularly advises multi-national and Fortune 500 clients on compliance and related litigation. At USC Law School, Ms. Radmacher took honors in Environmental Law and was captain of the 1996 Jessup International Moot Court team. She is a past member of the California Bar Association Committee on ADR, and taught negotiation and mediation for over a decade.

Cathy Sewell
Principal @Rider Levett Bucknall

Cathy Sewell is a Principal for Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) North America. Starting with RLB in 2005, she manages business development and marketing for North America. Over the course of her career, Cathy has played a fundamental role in developing and implementing strategic initiatives to strengthen the firm's name recognition and grow the business. Cathy holds a MBA in Marketing and Management from Hawaii Pacific University and a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Kent State University. She has served as a judge for the Society of Marketing Professional Services' "National Striving for Excellence" and "National Marketing Communications" awards and co-founded the organization's Hawaii chapter in 2007.

Emily Tilgner, PE, WELL AP, LEED AP
Director, Engineering Services

Emily Tilgner wants other women to be able to thrive in her industry. Director of engineering services at McCownGordon Construction, Emily saw little gender diversity in the upper ranks at her former engineering firm, which led her to spearhead an internal women's network to help propel women to leadership. Upon moving to McCownGordon, she helped start the company's Women in Leadership initiative which inspires and prepares women in the company and community for leadership. In her day job, she creates tools that save hundreds of hours of labor and hundreds of thousands of dollars in construction-related conflicts on projects throughout the Midwest. She is also a licensed commissioning agent. Outside of her work leading McCownGordon's engineering, Virtual Design and Construction, and QAQC departments, Emily serves on the Rockhurst University Civil and Mechanical Engineering advisory board and is active with the Urban Land Institute.

Rebecca Udell
Executive Director of Marketing Strategy @KSS Architects

With passion for design, strategy and connectivity, Rebecca serves as Executive Director of Marketing Strategy for KSS Architects. A women-owned architecture, planning, and interior design firm located in Philadelphia, Princeton, and New York, KSS believes the built environment stimulates learning, commerce and community to support today's social, economic, and environmental challenges. With 20+ years of industry practice as an interior designer coupled with leadership skills honed as President of a boutique firm and through MBA studies, Rebecca's expertise manifests itself in developing comprehensive strategic positioning initiatives. Passionate about helping younger women find their voice, Rebecca has been an active member of CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) Philadelphia for over 17 years as a Past President and board member for over a decade, Strategic Planning Committee and Outreach Committee member, with a focus on professional development. She is also an inaugural graduate of the CREW Network Leadership Development Program.

Sheryl Van Anne
Project Executive
@Mortenson

With more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry, Sheryl Van Anne serves as a project executive in Mortenson's Chicago office with a primary focus on the higher education market. Since joining Mortenson in 2003, Sheryl has managed numerous large-scale projects throughout the Chicagoland area and beyond. Sheryl is passionate about promoting the advancement of women and minorities in the construction industry - in both encouraging women to enter the construction industry as well as promotion within the construction industry.

Peggy Newquist
Owner
@Constructing Opportunity, LLC

Peggy Newquist is the owner of Constructing Opportunity, LLC a consulting firm focused on talent development and leadership coaching within the A/E/C industries. She is also an adjunct faculty member of the Corporate, Community and Continuing Education department of Moraine Valley Community College. Prior to founding her company, Peggy held the position of Construction Planning Lead for The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. She has the distinction of being the first woman engineer hired by Walsh Construction Company and the first woman project manager to be hired by Matocha Associates.

Luke Deets
Project Executive @McCownGordon Construction

Luke leads McCownGordon's K-12 business unit, managing a team of more than 100 operations and field professionals who deliver engaging learning environments for grade, middle and high school students throughout the Midwest. With nearly 20 years of experience serving clients in an industry dominated by women, Luke understands the importance of diverse voices. He's serves on the leadership team of McCownGordon's Women in Leadership program and as the father of two young daughters, aspires to help break down barriers and create more opportunities for them. Actively involved in the industry, Luke serves on the board of the Association for Learning Environments and is involved in several other professional organizations.

Jacob Littrell
Founding Partner @SixtyTwentyOne Architecture

Jacob is a registered architect and founding partner at SixTwentyOne. With more than 15 years of architecture and construction industry experience, Jacob combines his design sensibility and business acumen to deliver clear and concise solutions that balance thoughtful design and real-world economics. Jacob also oversees the day-to-day operation of SixTwentyOne, providing organizational leadership and business management, and has been recognized as an emerging leader in the Kansas City business community.

Darcey Schumacher, PE, LEED AP BD+C
Principal - Structural Engineer @Wallace Engineering

Darcey Schumacher, PE, LEED AP BD+C started her career at Wallace Engineering's Kansas City office over seventeen years ago. She received her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Missouri University of Science in Technology and Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Kansas. She has worked on a variety of projects including retail, commercial and industrial buildings. In addition to new construction, Darcey has also been involved in numerous historic renovation/restoration projects. She is a licensed Professional Engineer in twenty-one states and a LEED Accredited Professional. Darcey currently serves on the CREWKC Board and on the National Council of Structural Engineers Association - Structural Engineering Equity and Engagement Committee. She is Past President of the Kansas City Architectural Foundation and is currently a member of various other structural professional organizations such as the Structural Engineering Association of Kansas and Missouri, the American Institute of Steel Construction, National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, an affiliate member of American Institute of Architects, and was named 2017 ENR Midwest and National 20 Under 40 award winner.

Pat Dziuk
Co-Founder @Above Glass Ceilings

Pat Dziuk is a 32-year construction industry veteran. Initially in field office and light trade positions followed by extensive quality control and project management on large commercial projects she ventured on her own 16 years ago as owner of a design-build general building contractor and construction management firm, WBE Contractor. A woman-owned small prime contractor, Pat is keenly in-tune with the challenges and opportunities for women in the industry. Much of her work focus is in collaboration, teaming, and pioneering means and methods for effective execution of US Department of Defense work including minority inclusion in the U.S. and in the Middle East. Her enthusiasm in spreading awareness of the unique value that women add to business while engendering appropriate inclusion has evolved throughout her entire career. Initial works to instill effective change and spontaneous awareness of bias began many years before her decision to dedicate her work to it at Above Glass Ceilings, now actively helping to anchor the pivot to a gender-parity mindset.

Nancy Novak
VP of Operations @Compass Datacenters
Visionary Champion @Above Glass Ceilings

Nancy Novak is a 31-year construction industry veteran. She started her career in construction and progressed to currently serving as a National Vice President for Compass Datacenters, a data center solutions company. She provides national leadership to operations teams across the country and works with leadership to strengthen company's ability to scale innovation and knowledge and bring national consistency and strong operating culture. Nancy is the only female national Vice President of Operations in the company and one of only few women represented in the company's leadership. She is also a strong advocate and mentor to women within the company, as well as in the industry. Her passion for advancing women in business occurs through organizations like Women In Government Relations (WGR), Women Construction Owners and Executives (WCOE), the World Trade Center Institute (WTCI), and the Sewall-Belmont House in Washington, D.C. Currently, Nancy is an active board member at the Sewall-Belmont House & Museum, which is committed to sharing the untold stories of women's history. In addition, Nancy is a Visionary Champion for Above Glass Ceilings, a consulting company focused on advancement of professional women.

David Barista
Editor in Chief @Building Design+Construction

David has covered the U.S. construction industry for more than 18 years, including multiple editorial roles at  Building Design+Construction and Professional Builder. During his tenure at BD+C, David has led the development and planning of two national events; launched several award-winning editorial programs; created the publication's Daily 5 e-newsletter; and established content partnerships with more than 35 leading AEC firms. He enjoys writing about technology and innovation in the design and construction fields. He is a six-time Jesse H. Neal Award winner, and a seven-time finalist. He's also won numerous editorial awards from the Construction Media Alliance and the American Society of Business Publication Editors.