Engineering Influence from ACEC

In this episode, Diana O’Lare sits down with Phil Crone, Vice President of State and Regulatory Affairs at Leading Builders of America, for an in-depth conversation on the U.S. housing affordability crisis—and what political and regulatory hurdles exist. Together, they unpack the real-world challenges driving up costs and limiting supply, including permitting delays and the need for reform, the gr...

On this episode of the Engineering Influence Podcast, host Diana O’Lare sits down with Peter Nabhan to explore how artificial intelligence—particularly GPU-driven workloads—is reshaping the future of data center development. As AI adoption accelerates, demand for power is surging, fueling the rise of massive, campus-scale data center projects across the U.S. The conversation dives into the evolvin...

In this episode of ACEC’s Engineering Influence podcast, RS&H CEO Lisa Robert offers an in-depth look at the firm’s expanding journey into employee ownership and how it’s reshaping every corner of the organization. Robert explains why broadening participation through all-associate stock offerings has become a powerful cultural engine—strengthening retention, enhancing recruitment, and creating...

At the 2025 ACEC Fall Conference in San Diego, global futurist, author, and CEO of Tomorrow, Mike Walsh delivers a compelling vision for how artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping the business of engineering. Walsh explains why we are entering a new industrial revolution—one driven not by mechanical automation, but by the emergence of digital workers capable of reasoning, making decisi...

In this episode of Engineering Influence, we take a deep dive into how Bentley Systems’ and Seequent are bringing together more than just technology. Our guests explain how real-time subsurface data sharing is transforming design workflows, enhancing collaboration between field teams and engineers, and laying the groundwork for more robust digital twin capabilities across the entire project lifecy...

In this episode of Engineering Influence, we sit down with Apurva Sawant, a transportation project manager at Jacobs, whose professional and personal journey spans continents, disciplines, and leadership roles. Apurva reflects on her early years in India, where an unexpected spark of curiosity led her toward engineering—a field that would eventually guide her across the world to the United States....

At the 2025 ACEC Fall Conference, we sit down with ACEC Scholarship recipient Evan Lopez, whose journey from Rutgers University to Clemson University reflects both determination and a deepening passion for solving real-world engineering challenges. In this episode, Evan opens up about how he discovered industrial engineering, why the discipline’s blend of systems thinking and practical problem-sol...

In this episode of Engineering Influence, host Shreya Jain sits down with Mallory Weber, one of ACEC’s Young Professional of the Year, for an inspiring conversation about passion, persistence, and finding purpose in engineering. Mallory shares how her early love of Legos and growing up around construction sites sparked a curiosity that evolved into a career in transportation engineering. She walks...

The Data Center Boom: Five Trends Engineering Firms Need to Know The data center market is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by artificial intelligence adoption and changing infrastructure demands. For ACEC member firms, this represents both a substantial business opportunity and a chance to shape critical national infrastructure. ACEC's latest Market Intelligence Brief reveals a market po...

In this episode, adventurer and leadership expert Debra Searle takes us inside her extraordinary journey of rowing solo across the Atlantic Ocean — a challenge that tested her endurance, mindset, and decision-making in ways few people ever experience. Debra reveals how those months at sea reshaped her understanding of resilience, leadership, and human potential, and how the strategies she relied o...

At the 2025 ACEC Fall Conference, the Engineering Influence podcast takes a deep dive into an exciting new workforce initiative from ACEC Nebraska and JEO. The episode highlights their creative outreach program—a collection of short, engaging videos and fully packaged classroom materials designed to introduce students to the many ways engineering impacts daily life. Built around the familiar categ...

At the ACEC 2025 Fall Conference in San Diego, McKinsey alum and OutThinkers podcast host Kaihan Krippendorff discusses how to "think differently" in an era of rapid technological change and AI. He shares his OutThinking framework for strategy and decision-making and explains the importance of the "job to be done" using examples like Apple and the MP3 revolution. Kaihan argues leaders should redef...

In this episode, we sit down with Jon Gray of Rockport Analytics. He shares an in-depth look at the economic outlook for the engineering and design industry. Gray explores how firms are navigating a complex landscape — balancing continued revenue and employment growth with new challenges on the horizon. He discusses the slower-than-expected rollout of IIJA funds, uncertainty surrounding tariffs, a...

In this episode, industry leaders from RJC Engineering and OpenAsset explore how forward-thinking engineering firms can embrace artificial intelligence (AI) in a way that’s strategic, sustainable, and tailored to real business needs. From developing internal AI policies and establishing solid data management frameworks, to launching pilot projects that demonstrate measurable value, our guests brea...

Join host Shreya Jain as she delves into the inspiring journey of Sarah McEwen, the ACEC Young Professional of the Year and H&H lead. In this interview, Sarah shares her path into civil engineering, influenced by family and her passion for water resources. Discover her impactful work mapping the stormwater system in Moss Point, which significantly benefits the community. Sarah also highlights...

This episode from ACEC's 2025 Fall Conference in San Diego features Eric Rensel discussing the Engineering Workforce Consortium, the newly released workforce playbook, and how industry and associations are addressing a long-term talent shortage by combining technology with people-focused strategies. He discusses rebranding the engineering profession, creating mid-career on-ramps, integrating data...

In this conversation, ACEC sits down with Olympian and keynote speaker Chaunté Lowe live at the ACEC Fall Conference in San Diego to explore what it truly means to lead with purpose, overcome adversity, and strive for excellence — both on and off the field. Lowe opens up about their Olympic journey, the mental and physical challenges faced along the way, and how those same lessons in resilience, t...

On this episode live from the ACEC Fall Conference in San Diego, host Shreya Jain interviews Young Professional Award winner Dylan Seesman about his ACEC journey, highlights from panels and keynotes, and practical takeaways around AI, leadership, and career growth. They explore workforce development, mentorship, increasing diversity in engineering, and Dylan's advice for aspiring engineers: be cur...

From the 2025 ACEC Fall Conference in San Diego, Joe Bates of the ACEC Research Institute discusses the latest economic sentiment rebound, rising concerns about inflation and the firm finances that remain strong. He previews the Firm of the Future initiative and a comprehensive workforce study showing a persistent talent shortfall—exacerbated by H-1B and visa limits that prevent many international...

On this episode of the Engineering Influence Podcast from ACEC, we speak with Arthur Jones (TYLin), past president of ACEC Metro Washington, about his two-decade effort mentoring young people and building Community Youth Advance. They discuss hands-on STEM exposure, workforce development partnerships, the power of consistent mentorship, and how diverse voices strengthen engineering solutions. Arth...

In this special Market Edge episode of ACEC’s Engineering Influence podcast, host Diana O’Lare is joined by GHD’s Victor Tirado, Americas Market Sector Lead for Maritime & Coastal, and Michael Vanderbeek, North American Maritime & Coastal Planning Lead, for a deep dive into the shifting dynamics of the global ports market. With decades of international experience, Victor and Michael unpack...

Music. In this episode Andrea Beaty—STEM graduate and author of Rosie Revere, Engineer—joins the show to discuss how storytelling encourages curiosity, resilience, and a sense of identity in young children that can lead them toward STEM careers. She explains how Rosie’s story of failure and persistence helps kids see themselves as engineers and scientists. Andrea highlights the importance of early...

Author Andrea Beaty discusses how her STEM background and storytelling created Rosie Revere, a character who teaches children that failure is part of inventing and learning. The episode explores ways to attract and retain young people in STEM—starting early with books, community programs, and hands-on projects—and the importance of showing kids they belong in science and engineering. Beaty shares...

Allison Schneider talks with Dave McIvor, CEO of Lamp Rynearson, about leading engineering firms with purpose, centering people, and designing infrastructure that serves communities for generations. They discuss building trust, inclusive community engagement, values-driven culture, and sustainable leadership practices that pair technical excellence with empathy and long-term impact.

NAWE President Carl Bentzel joins the Engineering Influence Podcast to explain the role of marine terminal operators, current trends shaping ports, and the policy challenges affecting trade and infrastructure. Topics include the impact of trade policy and tariffs, Chinese dominance in ship-to-shore cranes, import volume volatility, technology and space constraints at urban ports, rail connectivity...