Building Doors with Lauren Karan

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan chats with Luke Crouch, a former air traffic controller who made a bold leap into construction project management. Luke’s unconventional career, from managing McDonald’s to directing airspace and now leading infrastructure projects, challenges traditional ideas about how talent enters the construction industry. He opens up about the risks of cha...

In this episode of Building Doors , host Lauren Karan welcomes Domenic De Fazio, a seasoned executive whose career journey from project manager to CEO is marked by conviction, courage, and consistency. Domenic shares the raw truth about navigating leadership without compromising your values, and what happens when the traditional leadership "suit" no longer fits who you are. From making the leap in...

In this episode of Building Doors , host Lauren Karan sits down with Harley Whaikawa, Director at Minerva Group, whose journey from the military to civil engineering and into consultancy leadership is anything but traditional. From cold calls and rejection to becoming a respected voice in fire engineering and a force on LinkedIn, Harley shares the lessons he’s learned about authenticity, leadershi...

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Jock Macfarlane, a leader in environmental and sustainability practices within the construction industry. Jock shares his insights on why Australia’s construction sector is lagging in sustainability and how technological innovation can be the key to bridging the gap.  Jock, a respected leader known for his authentic leadership sty...

In this episode of Building Doors , host Lauren Karan welcomes the remarkable Radmila Desic, a carpenter turned national changemaker and Order of Australia Medal recipient, to explore what it truly takes to reshape an industry and build a legacy that lasts. Radmila’s story spans continents, generations, and industries, from her humble beginnings in Montenegro to becoming a leading voice for women...

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Monica Bradley, board advisor, impact strategist, and systems thinker, to explore the radical mindset shifts needed to thrive in today’s construction and infrastructure landscape. With a career that spans continents, industries, and boardrooms, Monica brings unmatched insight into how leaders can adapt, innovate, and build for the...

In this episode of Building Doors , host Lauren Karan sits down with Lana Johnston—executive HR strategist, leadership consultant, and founder of Ageing Connect—to unpack a deeply human conversation around aging workforces, career transitions, and the urgent need for intentional connection in our personal and professional lives. With decades of experience at the crossroads of people strategy and o...

In this episode of The Building Doors Podcast, host Lauren Karan sits down with Carina Nixon, an engineer and sustainability advocate, to discuss the future of engineering, the changing workforce, and why knowledge transfer is critical to success in construction. With a background spanning renewable energy, hydrogen technology, and supply chain decarbonization, Carina is a passionate leader who be...

In this episode of The Building Doors Podcast , host Lauren Karan sits down with Alison Sherry , a powerhouse leader known for her expertise in mergers, acquisitions, leadership resilience, and Indigenous advocacy. With a career spanning executive roles, large-scale corporate transformations, and community impact, Alison shares insights on navigating uncertain times, building resilient teams, and...

In this episode of Building Doors , host Lauren Karan sits down with Jon Davies , CEO of the Australian Constructors Association (ACA), to discuss how the construction industry is at a turning point. With rising costs, crippling skills shortages, and increasing pressure for sustainability, Jon explains why 2024 is the year for transformation —and how leaders, contractors, and clients can work toge...

In this episode of Building Doors , host Lauren Karan sits down with Natasha Roy, General Manager of Operations at John Holland Group, to discuss the high-pressure world of infrastructure delivery, the importance of honesty in leadership, and how to create a culture of trust in an industry known for its relentless demands. With nearly 30 years of experience , Natasha has led teams through economic...

In this episode of Building Doors , host Lauren Karan sits down with Emma McCaughey, President of NAWIC Queensland and a highly accomplished civil engineer, to discuss leadership, advocacy, and diversity in the construction industry. Emma’s career, spanning over 15 years at CPB Contractors, highlights the power of mentorship, strategic decision-making, and fostering inclusive workplaces. With a st...

In this episode of Building Doors , host Lauren Karan sits down with Sascha Kurz, an award-winning project management and engineering professional, to discuss pivotal topics shaping the construction and infrastructure industry.  Sascha brings over 25 years of diverse experience, making her a sought-after leader and mentor in the field.   Together, they explore the lessons learned from challenging...

In this episode, we are joined by Paul Kahn, a distinguished business mentor with a background at KPMG and experience assisting global and small to medium businesses.  Leveraging his global career experience, Paul shares insights into the key mistakes small businesses make, the importance of understanding values and behaviours in action, and how to build lasting success.  He also emphasises the si...

In this episode of the Building Doors Podcast , host Lauren Karan sits down with Bradley Durkin , Founder and Director of Contrast Construction, a thriving Queensland-based construction company. With over 25 years of experience spanning commercial construction, design, and multi-residential projects, Bradley shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings in the cattle industry to leading a s...

In this insightful episode of Building Doors , we’re joined by Priscilla Radice, the Deputy Director General of Health Infrastructure in Queensland, as she shares her wealth of experience in leadership, collaboration, and trust-building in government and private sector organisations. From her sociology roots to leading major health infrastructure projects, Priscilla offers practical advice on stak...

In this episode of The Building Doors Podcast , Mary Camus shares her growth and leadership lessons coming from an entry-level role through to managing a national teams. Mary shares her own personal journey of  finding the right opportunities, mentors and embracing the discomfort involved in her own personal growth.  In this episode we discuss the emerging trends in the next generation of leadersh...

In this episode of the Building Doors Podcast, we dive into a transformative conversation with Richard Austin, CEO of Omni. Richard shares his journey across industries, from hospitality and insurance to construction, unpacking the values and principles that have guided him through each transition.  He opens up about his approach to aligning with organisations that reflect his values, the importan...

 In this episode of the Building Doors Podcast, we sit down with Lydia Gentle, a seasoned engineering professional who shares her journey of over 20 years in the industry. Discover the importance of aligning your career with personal values, the power of continuous learning, and how to navigate work-life balance.  Lydia emphasises the significance of kindness and community involvement, both in the...

Evan Black is a business coach who brings over 30 years of senior management experience, spanning roles from Sales and Marketing to CEO and Managing Director in both privately owned and billion-dollar listed companies.  He started a career in health working as a registered nurse and then later moved into race car driving.  This holistic experience led to a career leading companies through signific...

In this episode of the Building Doors Podcast, Lauren welcomes Angus Ferguson, who shares his intriguing journey from a humble upbringing in Echuca and soccer scholarship in Caulfield Grammar, to creating and selling a tech start-up for $25 million.  Angus talks about the values instilled in him by his family, the pivotal experiences in playing soccer in the U.S., and transitioning into real estat...

In this episode of the Building Doors Podcast, host Lauren Karan speaks with Andrew Chapman, a prominent figure in the construction industry and the CEO of the Queensland Major Contractors Association (QMCA).  Andrew addresses the significant productivity decline in the sector over the past decade, driven by shifts from private to public sector projects and evolving regulations. He underscores the...

In this episode of the Building Doors Podcast, host Lauren Karan sits down with Vincent Williams, founder of Tungsten, to explore actionable strategies for enhancing productivity.  Vincent reveals how adopting a four-day work week has reshaped his company’s culture and efficiency. In this episode we dive into: Implementing a Four-Day Work Week: Discover how this bold move led to higher productivit...

In this insightful episode of the Building Doors Podcast, host Lauren Karan is joined by Martin G. Moore, the former CEO of CS Energy, who transformed the company from struggling under massive debt to achieving a staggering compound annual growth rate of 125%.  Marty’s journey is a testament to the power of effective leadership, strategic communication, and the delicate balance between empathy and...

Don Mackay's career is a testament to exceptional leadership and strategic execution. As the current Chairman of Seymour Whyte Group, Don brings a wealth of knowledge and insight from his previous roles, including Managing Director of AACo and Rangers Valley, and Senior Executive at Elders.   His tenure at these organizations underscores his ability to drive business development and change managem...