SMPS Connecticut’s DEI Taskforce invites you to a panel discussion of the inspiring challenges our colleagues have faced and overcome.

Making a big career change is hard, no matter whether you're reentering the workforce after time away, just beginning your career, or changing your role or industry. Life is full of transitions which are difficult to navigate, but you're not alone. Join SMPS CT for a panel discussion to learn how to navigate transitions into and within the AEC industry first-hand from those who've been there before. 

Learning Objectives

• Learn how to navigate your own career and life transitions, and how to support colleagues in navigating their own. 
• Hear thought-provoking suggestions for positive interaction among colleagues from different backgrounds, points of view, geographic locations, languages, and lifestyles.
• Create imaginative ways of encouraging newcomers to consider the AEC industries.
• Feel more confident applying the subjects of diversity/equity/inclusion to business challenges at your firm.

Our Panelists' Success Stories

Our panel participants have navigated many diverse transitions. Let them show you how.  

Moderator: Briana Carter, Page, Inc. / SMPS Research Triangle
Briana is a Marketing Strategist with Page, Inc., and has been in the industry since 2017 and has made her way through the “A”, the “E”, and the “C” by working on the construction side, the engineering side, and now, the architecture side of the business. During her six years in the industry, Briana has moved across country and back, became heavily involved in the SMPS DEI Committee, and became a mom to boy/girl twins in 2021.

Panelist: Asheya Warren, CPSM; PRAXIS Strategic Consulting / SMPS North Dallas
For twenty years, Asheya Warren, CPSM, has worked with numerous architecture/engineering/construction (A/E/C) and commercial real estate firms, ranging from large national corporations to emerging minority-owned/small businesses. Her involvement focuses on major commercial construction management, architectural/ design, and real estate development projects in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Her career began in residential development and currently focuses on national industry campaigns such as Construction Inclusion Week and strategic project pursuits throughout Texas. Asheya’s expertise encompasses strategic community building, DEI strategy, non-profit marketing, and community engagement. After working many years as an employee in the industry, Asheya founded her own firm PRAXIS, which helps AEC firms real estate developers, and non-profits/civic organizations connect, communicate, and compete.

Panelist: Lisa Pavano, BL Companies / SMPS Connecticut
Lisa Pavano is a Marketing Coordinator at BL Companies and has been in the industry for 5 years. Prior to joining BL Companies, Lisa ran her own photography business that specialized in capturing parenthood connection while also raising her three children and tutoring in special education within the Glastonbury School System.  Previously she held numerous positions over 10 years in the Human Resources field ranging from executive compensation, employee stock program management, recruiting, benefits and HR Generalist work.  Lisa looks forward to continuing to grow within BL Companies and the AEC industry utilizing her prior experience, creativity, and photography background. Lisa is an active member of SMPS Connecticut’s Programs Committee and Chair of the DEI Taskforce. 

Panelist: Chad Therrien, Turner Construction Company
Chad Therrien, is a 22-year veteran of both the Connecticut Army National Guard and Turner Construction Company. On the military side;  SFC Therrien RET and he holds two MOS’s (Military Occupation Specialties) 62B (Heavy Construction Equipment Repairer) and 63B (Light Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic).  Throughout his career he served in Combat Engineering Companies and retired as a Platoon Sergeant.  On the Civilian side, he serves as a Project Manager for Turner Construction.  He has a strong Financial and MEP acumen and has worked on several K-12, Higher Education Projects and in Health Care as a Project Engineer, Project Super and Project Manager.

Panelist: Ayodeji Ajidahun, from South Western Nigeria, intern at University of New Haven
Ayodeji, a South Western Nigerian national, is currently pursuing his graduate degree in Civil Engineering at the University of New Haven. He has experience working in Civil and Construction Engineering in Nigeria with about 4 years of experience in the field. He is passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and he is a member of the Tagliatela College of Engineering DEI Advisory Board at the University of New Haven.

DEI Panel Sponsor: 1 Available  

Location: The comfort of your home, office or mobile device.

• If registering after 5 PM on 01/23/2023 please email [email protected].
• Cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance to receive a refund.
• No shows are responsible for payment in full.
• Unauthorized sharing of the program's access link may result in higher registration costs.

Tickets:

$35.00 Non-Member

$0.00 SMPS CT Member

$0.00 SMPS Member

$0.00 Student