MGAC Inner Voices - podcast cover

MGAC Inner Voices

MGAC Inner Voices is an interview format podcast where a diverse mix of employees are interviewed to share their perspective on challenges they have faced in the AEC industry as a result of their identity—including race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, sexuality, ability, etc. By discussing the experiences of our staff, our hope is that their stories will have newfound and powerful resonance with the audience—both to comfort others in similar situations and to encourage those in positions of power to bring about positive, actionable changes to workplace environments for all AEC professionals, regardless of their identity.
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Episodes

Bryan Gamez and Stephanie White

Born in Canada, with time spent in Australia, and now building a career in London, MGAC CDM Consultant Stephanie White has undoubtedly had quite the journey— from early days in wedding planning to her current role working in health + safety.

Aug 20, 202526 min

Bryan Gamez and Amelia Fairley

In the latest episode, we hear from Amelia Fairly, Project Coordinator, based in Nashville, in conversation with Bryan Gamez , Project Manager in our Los Angeles office. They discuss speaking up for yourself, how to pivot to a new industry, and the closeness of the MGAC teams—despite working cross-country.

May 29, 202531 minEp. 34

Bryan Gamez and Priscilla Chavez

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.

Dec 12, 202435 minEp. 33

Bryan Gamez and Lexie Mayewski

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.

Sep 27, 202427 min

Bryan Gamez and Monica (Eastwood) Taylor

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.

Aug 29, 202439 min

Bryan Gamez and Jessie Cortez

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.

Jul 30, 202425 minSeason 1Ep. 30

Bryan Gamez and Carmen Martinez

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.

Jul 26, 202432 minSeason 1Ep. 28

Bryan Gamez and Casey Gordon

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.

May 31, 202433 minSeason 1Ep. 29

Bryan Gamez and Jai Beyer

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.

Jan 29, 202437 minSeason 1Ep. 27

Bryan Gamez and Nicole Dehlin-Grant

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.

Nov 06, 202326 minEp. 25

Bryan Gamez and Louise Sharp

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.

Sep 26, 202334 minEp. 24

Bryan Gamez, Lauren Dandridge, and Nick Albert

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.

Sep 22, 202339 minEp. 25

Beth Scully and Poornima Krishnan

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.

May 31, 202330 minEp. 23

Bryan Gamez and Lena Bigelow

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.

May 01, 202327 min

Beth Scully and Dara Jafari

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.

Mar 27, 202338 min

Beth Scully and Kelly Guiney

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.

Feb 27, 202321 min

Beth Scully and Andrea Carusi

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.

Nov 29, 202227 min

Beth Scully and Dianne Lee

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.

Oct 24, 202243 minSeason 1Ep. 18

Beth Scully and Samuel Hakemi

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.

Sep 27, 202220 minSeason 1Ep. 17

Beth Scully and Malathy Amirthalingam

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.

Aug 30, 202231 minSeason 1Ep. 16

Beth Scully and Stanislava Dobreva

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.

May 31, 202215 minSeason 1Ep. 15

Beth Scully and Nilesh Jain

Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) talks with Nilesh Jain (MGAC Scheduler, Washington, DC) about the challenges of the U.S. immigration process as an Indian and the importance of building a local family after moving away from home.

Apr 22, 202221 minSeason 1Ep. 14

Bryan Gamez and Yolanda Baber

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Assistant Project Manager, Los Angeles) talks with Yolanda Baber (Kitchell Business Process Manager, Los Angeles) about owning your seat at the table, accountability, the need for frank and honest conversations, and the importance of instilling a sense of belonging in order to make change. Resources www.nawicla.org www.kitchell.com/careers...

Mar 31, 202240 minSeason 1Ep. 13

Bryan Gamez and Meredith Sonnen

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Assistant Project Manager, Los Angeles) talks with Meredith Sonnen (a freelancer at Jack Morton) about their experience as a non-binary person in the workplace, the power of pronouns, and the importance of creating a safe, welcoming work environment.

Jan 26, 202247 min

Bryan Gamez and Isabella Villegas

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Assistant Project Manager, Los Angeles) talks with Isabella Villegas (MGAC Senior Vice President, Toronto) about her experience as a fair-skinned Mexican woman, how socio-economic status growing up impacted her work ethic, and the importance of getting feedback from all levels of an organization.

Dec 30, 202135 min

Beth Scully and Jacqualynn Karsten

Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) talks with Jacqualynn Karsten (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) about how to avoid imposter syndrome and the empowerment in using your voice to stand up for what matters.

Nov 23, 202130 min

Bryan Gamez and Maxwell Williams

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Assistant Project Manager, Los Angeles) talks with Maxwell Williams (MGAC Assistant Project Manager, San Francisco) to discuss Max's unique upbringing, his formative experience on a mini job site, and the importance of professional outreach to kids of all backgrounds.

Nov 02, 202127 min

Beth Scully and Amanda Goldsmith

Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) talks with Amanda Goldsmith (MGAC Vice President, Washington, DC) about her early career transition from an administrative role to project management and the importance of speaking up for underrepresented groups, including religious minorities and women in construction.

Sep 28, 202128 min

Bryan Gamez and Suling Pong

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Assistant Project Manager, Los Angeles) talks with Suling Pong (MGAC Senior Manager of Creative Services, Los Angeles) to unpack ageism, female friendships and dynamics, and treatment of those in “support” functions of a firm.

Aug 24, 202131 min

Beth Scully and Jason Bell

Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) sits down with Jason Bell (MGAC Senior Project Manager, DC) to talk about defying stereotypes before they take root, the onus of cultural education, and issues with the “race card.”

Jul 29, 202143 minSeason 1Ep. 6
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