CIEF - Construction Industry Education Foundation
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*Check back in to see additional details as they become available

Mentorship: The Cycle of Recruitment, Retention and Give Back

​Session sponsored by:
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Session Description: What makes a good mentor/protégé relationship?  How do you find the right person to help you chart your career and get the most from that relationship?  How can you mentor younger staff so they will want to stay and grow with your company? This breakout session will discuss the ins and outs of the mentor/protégé relationship.  Panelists include both mentors and proteges who will speak to their experience of what makes this connection successful – characteristics, communication, relationship-building, and career charting.  If you’re interested in becoming a mentor or improving your mentoring skills, or looking to find a mentor and build a successful relationship, this session will bring a fresh perspective to your process.  Learn on how best to give back as you grow from protégé to mentor throughout your career. 
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​Introduction by: Sahar Soltani, Development Manager at St. Anton Communities, and ULI Board Member
Moderator:
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Stephanie Craft
​Principal
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MARKETLINK Strategies, Inc.
Panelists:
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Gareth Figgess
​Assistant Professor, CM Dept.
CSUS

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John Haskell
Principal, Earl Consulting Co., LLC
and Guest Lecturer, CM Dept.
​CSUS
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Maram Daood
Estimator
​Otto Construction
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Rosni Pann
Project Manager
UCDH California Tower
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
see individual bios

Collaboration: Factors that Hinder High Performing Teams

Session sponsored by:
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Session Description: What are the key attributes for high performing teams? Is your team performing to its potential, and if not, why not? Where can you, as the team leader or member, make positive change happen? Join our diverse industry panel for an insightful discussion to discuss what works best, what is changing, and where we can all improve as a team. This breakout session will make you rethink your team, help take them to the next level, and hopefully enjoy the process!
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​Introduction by: Kelly Rule, Senior Vice President of Leasing Pappas Investments and CREW Board Member
Moderator:
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Chris Tejeda
Marketing & Business Development Manager
Capital Engineering Consultants, Inc.
Panelists:
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Angie Woo
Project Executive
Swinerton Builders
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Jeremy Hoffman
Associate | Project Manager
Taylor Design
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Jessica Mills
Project Executive
Truebeck Construction
see individual bios

Overcoming Unconscious Bias in Recruiting and Retention

Session sponsored by:
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Session Description: The term unconscious bias can be triggering in lots of ways. When we use those words in conversation or business, we may be talking about different things, even if we are talking to people who agree they are important to address. In this conversation, the panelists will share what unconscious bias means to them, how it has impacted them as individuals, and what firms can do to engineer solutions that address the biases that exist within their business. 

​Introduction by: Marina Hill, Business Development Manager (SMPS Sacramento President) Miyamoto International
Moderator:
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Marina Hill
Business Development Manager (SMPS Sacramento President)
Miyamoto International, Inc.
Panelists:
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Maisha Christian
Professional Development and Career Coach
Beauty & the Boss
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Kellie Schneider
Associate Principal, Director of HR
Lionakis
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Arun Kaiwar
Architect, Sacramento Office Leader
SmithGroup
see individual bios

Best Practices: How to Create a Culture that Invites Diversity

Session sponsored by:
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Session Description: As the construction workforce becomes increasingly diverse, developing and understanding best practices for an inclusive culture is critical. This panel will provide examples of best practices that are working for their companies. The session will include an interactive discussion with the audience, where we will share ideas that help us all to build and maintain a work environment that supports diversity.

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Introduction by: Marsha Perry Taras, Vice President of Construction Management, Roebbelen and President-Elect for NAWIC Sacramento
Moderator:
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Marsha Perry Taras
Vice President of CM
Roebbelen
Panelists:
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Sondra Friestad
Project Manager
CSI Construction
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Karen Conrod
Project Executive
Herrero Builders
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Dona Lisa Buschmann
Vice President, Surety
Bender Insurance Solutions
SEE INDIVIDUAL BIOS

Own your supHERpower!

Session sponsored by:
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Session Description: We believe there is power in sharing one’s story and providing a space where we can freely discuss the struggles and successes that make us who we are today. This interactive workshop will help us all to recognize and tap into your own superpower unique to you. We hope you leave with the realization that your differences may very well be your superpower. Often, society tells us to fall in line, behave like everyone else, blend in. We want to challenge those messages with affirmation that everyone’s personal brand is unique and important. One of the tools we encourage the audience to use is the Working Genius. The Working Genius is part personality assessment and part productivity tool to help individuals discover the areas in work that bring energy and fulfillment. Although not required, it would be great if those that plan to attend our session would take the assessment prior to the conference.
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​Introduction by: Jumoke Akin-Taylor, Project Manager, SF Public Works, 21/22 CMAA National Board and Co-Founder of SHADES
Moderator:
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Teri Cruz
Vice President
Sixth Dimension
CMAA Executive Board
Panelists:
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Carla Collins
VP/Senior Project Manager, UER Group
MatriScope/Signet
CMAA Past President
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Laura DeGooyer
Capital Program Manager, Support Services
Lake Washington School District
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Victoria Vicente
Campus Architect & Director of Compliance
UC Davis Health
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Jenny Derry
Director of Preconstruction
Flint Builders
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Brooke Higman
Project Executive
The Boldt Company
see individual bios

Integrating Mental Health and Suicide Awareness into Construction Safety

Session sponsored by:
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Session Description: In an industry with suicide rates four times the national average, construction companies know that they have to step in. While coming from different directions and at different scales, senior leaders from three respected construction companies talk about their journeys to normalize conversations about mental health and put programs in place to provide peer support on the jobsite and in the office.  Ren Bergeron, a dynamic young construction professional will moderate the panel.  Ren developed the brand, “WATCH WHAT SHE CAN DO” while at Colorado State University, and is dedicated to women’s empowerment in construction and stem fields.

​Introduction by: Geoffrey Nelson, Vice President & Director of Integrated Design, The Boldt Company and DBIA Sacramento Chapter Chair
Moderator:
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Ren Bergeron
Assistant Project Manager, Rand Construction
Creator, Watch What She Can Do
Panelists:
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Sheri Graciano
HR Business Partner
The Boldt Company
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Allison Otto
President
Otto Construction
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Alice Nguyen
Vice President of Preconstruction
McCarthy Building Companies
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SEE INDIVIDUAL BIOS

Breaking Barriers: What an All-Female Leadership Team Brought to a Project

Session sponsored by:
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Session Description: It was not by design that an all-woman team was assembled to lead a sizable tenant improvement project in Pleasanton, California. Nevertheless, tangible benefits emerged from the synergy of this diverse group. In this session, learn how interactions between leadership team members differed from more traditional configurations to enable a talented group of professionals to deliver an exceptional project!

​Introduction by: Laura Knauss, Architect, Lionakis and AIA Central Valley Vice President
Moderator:
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Laura Knauss
Architect (AIACV VP)
Lionakis
Panelist:
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Ray Montalvo
VP, Real Estate and Workplace
Blackline
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Maria Damas
Superintendent (GC)
Webcor Builder
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Shevelle Baunach
Project Manager 
JLL
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Laura Wall
Interior Designer 
Quezada Architecture
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Robin Sedor
Director, Account Dev.
Inside Source
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see INDIVIDUAL bios

Legal Panel: A range of discussions including COVID-19, Return to Office,
​Women's Rights, and the Multi-Generational Workforce

Session sponsored by:
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Session Description: Join us for a discussion on new legal developments and the human resources implications for our firms. How do topics such as Covid and the return to the office, women’s rights, and the multi-generational workforce impact diversity, equity and inclusion goals and shape company culture?
Moderator:
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Erin Stumpf
Broker Associate
Coldwell Banker
Panelist:
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Anna Towne
Chief Human Resources Officer
Bizhaven
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Steve McCutcheon
Partner
Cook Brown
see individual bios
© Copyright 1901-2022 Construction Industry Education Foundation
In Partnership with the Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange
​5370 Elvas Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95819 p: 916.442.8991
2001 Ross Avenue, Suite #700-182, Dallas, TX 75201 p: 214.241.1090
  • ABOUT
    • Board of Trustees
    • STAFF
    • DEI Statement
    • Job Opportunities
    • Grants
  • Programs
    • CREATE Mentoring Program
    • CREATE Summer Camp
    • Design Build >
      • Northern California
      • Southern California
      • North Texas >
        • Instructor Mixer
      • South Texas
    • NEXT Young Professionals
    • Scholarships
  • Get Involved
    • Committees
    • Mentoring
    • Instructors
    • Volunteer
  • Classes
  • Events
    • Crab Feed
    • St. Patrick's Day Brewfest
    • Spring Golf Tournament
    • Design Build Competition
    • Spring Clay Shoot
    • Charity Golf Classic
    • Brew Bikes
    • Harvest Fest BBQ
    • Tri-tip Shootout
    • Contractors Caring for Kids
    • Trades Day >
      • California >
        • Chico
        • Humboldt
        • Long Beach
        • Santa Cruz County
        • Riverside
        • Sacramento
        • San Joaquin
        • Tulare & Kings Counties
        • Turlock
      • Texas >
        • Houston
    • Women in Construction Conference
    • CREATE Awards Lunch
  • Calendar
  • Donate