MODERATOR: JUMOKE AKIN-TAYLOR | CCM | PMP | DBIA
Project Manager, SF Public Works
Board of Directors, CMAA NorCal
Co-Founder, SHADEs
Project Manager with San Francisco Public Works, Jumoke has over 30 years’ Project Management experience on an array of diverse public and private projects. She serves on the CMAA National Board of Directors, CMAA NorCal Chapter and a Juror on DBIA yearly National Award Jury Committee. She is fortunate to serve as one of the 11-member team of SF Public Works Racial Equity Cohort for more than 2 years that developed the Department’s Racial Equity Action Plan.
In her commitment to social justice as an immigrant and the impacted, she is co-founder of SHADEs advocating for positive change in the industry. Jumoke is a teacher at heart who loves teaching Sunday school, and an aspiring blogger who writes inspirational stories under the pen name “The King’s Daughter” She holds a degree in Civil/Construction Engineering from University of the District of Columbia and graduate degree from California State University East Bay.
Project Manager, SF Public Works
Board of Directors, CMAA NorCal
Co-Founder, SHADEs
Project Manager with San Francisco Public Works, Jumoke has over 30 years’ Project Management experience on an array of diverse public and private projects. She serves on the CMAA National Board of Directors, CMAA NorCal Chapter and a Juror on DBIA yearly National Award Jury Committee. She is fortunate to serve as one of the 11-member team of SF Public Works Racial Equity Cohort for more than 2 years that developed the Department’s Racial Equity Action Plan.
In her commitment to social justice as an immigrant and the impacted, she is co-founder of SHADEs advocating for positive change in the industry. Jumoke is a teacher at heart who loves teaching Sunday school, and an aspiring blogger who writes inspirational stories under the pen name “The King’s Daughter” She holds a degree in Civil/Construction Engineering from University of the District of Columbia and graduate degree from California State University East Bay.
MODERATOR: MATHEW CHANEY, AIA | LEED AP | DBIA
Partner, Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects
Co-Founder, SHADEs
Mathew Chaney is a Partner at Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects, recipient of the prestigious 2015 AIA National Architecture Firm Award. Mathew has served as Principal-in-Charge for some of the firm’s largest and most complex projects, where with Patricia Rhee he shares leadership of the firm’s commercial and institutional studios. Mathew is a recognized thought leader in alternative delivery methods throughout the A/E/C industry and lectures frequently on Design/Build and Integrated Project delivery across the country. Mathew recently led the design of a $220 million hotel and condominium development in West Hollywood, and is currently Partner-in-Charge of the UC San Diego Theater District Living and Learning Neighborhood design-build project.
Partner, Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects
Co-Founder, SHADEs
Mathew Chaney is a Partner at Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects, recipient of the prestigious 2015 AIA National Architecture Firm Award. Mathew has served as Principal-in-Charge for some of the firm’s largest and most complex projects, where with Patricia Rhee he shares leadership of the firm’s commercial and institutional studios. Mathew is a recognized thought leader in alternative delivery methods throughout the A/E/C industry and lectures frequently on Design/Build and Integrated Project delivery across the country. Mathew recently led the design of a $220 million hotel and condominium development in West Hollywood, and is currently Partner-in-Charge of the UC San Diego Theater District Living and Learning Neighborhood design-build project.
MODERATPR: LATOYA THOMPSON
Co-Founder of SHADEs
Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, LaToya Thompson learned the value of a good education very early in life. She graduated from Smith College as an African-American Studies major and is now one of the Founding Members of SHADES in Construction. She has only been in Construction (Business Development) for 4 years, but her 18 years of Sales Management experience has proved to be valuable with helping to change the face and ideas of this industry. Currently, she is also a member of the Marin Builder’s Association, a committee member for CMAA’s Owner’s group and previously a Board member of WiOPS NorCal (Women in Construction Operations). When she isn’t working, LaToya spends her free time as a guest drummer for her mother’s Blues band, dog-sitting for friends and finding really cool small towns with her partner when the chance to escape permits.
Co-Founder of SHADEs
Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, LaToya Thompson learned the value of a good education very early in life. She graduated from Smith College as an African-American Studies major and is now one of the Founding Members of SHADES in Construction. She has only been in Construction (Business Development) for 4 years, but her 18 years of Sales Management experience has proved to be valuable with helping to change the face and ideas of this industry. Currently, she is also a member of the Marin Builder’s Association, a committee member for CMAA’s Owner’s group and previously a Board member of WiOPS NorCal (Women in Construction Operations). When she isn’t working, LaToya spends her free time as a guest drummer for her mother’s Blues band, dog-sitting for friends and finding really cool small towns with her partner when the chance to escape permits.
MODERATOR: NIHAN TIRYAKI, PE
Vice President, PEVP Webcor
Co-Founder, SHADEs
Trained as a civil engineer, Nihan Tiryaki brings more than 21 years of experience working in the construction industry. Her unique background includes project and construction management, complex dispute resolution matters, and risk management expertise. As vice president at Webcor, Nihan works closely with Webcor’s executive and operations leadership to implement innovative systems, methodologies, and procedures to manage and minimize business and operational risks. Her efforts also result in increased efficiencies across the organization, enabling collaborative processes that increase the level of trust among the company's various stakeholders. Outside her work at Webcor, Nihan is a co-founder of SHADEs, a social change advocacy group in the construction industry. Prior to joining Webcor, Nihan worked at AECOM Tishman, AECOM, URS Corporation, and Charles Pankow Builders. She graduated from Purdue University and Leibniz Universität Hannover, Germany. She traces her passion for DE&I back to her pre-professional days growing up as a proud daughter of immigrants in Germany.
Vice President, PEVP Webcor
Co-Founder, SHADEs
Trained as a civil engineer, Nihan Tiryaki brings more than 21 years of experience working in the construction industry. Her unique background includes project and construction management, complex dispute resolution matters, and risk management expertise. As vice president at Webcor, Nihan works closely with Webcor’s executive and operations leadership to implement innovative systems, methodologies, and procedures to manage and minimize business and operational risks. Her efforts also result in increased efficiencies across the organization, enabling collaborative processes that increase the level of trust among the company's various stakeholders. Outside her work at Webcor, Nihan is a co-founder of SHADEs, a social change advocacy group in the construction industry. Prior to joining Webcor, Nihan worked at AECOM Tishman, AECOM, URS Corporation, and Charles Pankow Builders. She graduated from Purdue University and Leibniz Universität Hannover, Germany. She traces her passion for DE&I back to her pre-professional days growing up as a proud daughter of immigrants in Germany.
PANELIST: KAREN COMPTON, CPSM
Founder, Principal, AK3 Consulting
Bio Coming Soon.
Founder, Principal, AK3 Consulting
Bio Coming Soon.
PANELIST: ESMERALDA PEÑA, MBA
Director of HR, Vanir Construction Management, Inc.
Esmeralda Peña oversees Vanir Group of Companies overall strategic planning, management, and direction of human resources functions. As Vanir’s Director of Human Resources, Ms. Peña brings 20 years of experience in human resources operations. The Vanir companies are national leaders in program, project and construction management and real estate development. Vanir employs a growing staff of more than 400 talented executives, architects, engineers, construction managers, developers, contractors and support staff across 17 regional offices located in major U.S. cities.
Esmeralda’s experience in customer-focused and service-oriented HR management positions at Corporate Staff levels honed her extensive employee/labor relations, employee engagement, organizational management and policy development skills. She possesses superior strategic aptitude and vision with a clear sense of purpose and urgency. She has a talent for making rapid assessments of diverse situational challenges and then developing and leading the resulting action plans. She is committed to building a culture of engagement, innovation and opportunity. Esmeralda is a member of the Board of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and also serves as co-chair on the Latino Economic Council Sacramento committee. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources Management and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from California State University, Sacramento.
Director of HR, Vanir Construction Management, Inc.
Esmeralda Peña oversees Vanir Group of Companies overall strategic planning, management, and direction of human resources functions. As Vanir’s Director of Human Resources, Ms. Peña brings 20 years of experience in human resources operations. The Vanir companies are national leaders in program, project and construction management and real estate development. Vanir employs a growing staff of more than 400 talented executives, architects, engineers, construction managers, developers, contractors and support staff across 17 regional offices located in major U.S. cities.
Esmeralda’s experience in customer-focused and service-oriented HR management positions at Corporate Staff levels honed her extensive employee/labor relations, employee engagement, organizational management and policy development skills. She possesses superior strategic aptitude and vision with a clear sense of purpose and urgency. She has a talent for making rapid assessments of diverse situational challenges and then developing and leading the resulting action plans. She is committed to building a culture of engagement, innovation and opportunity. Esmeralda is a member of the Board of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and also serves as co-chair on the Latino Economic Council Sacramento committee. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources Management and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from California State University, Sacramento.
PANELIST: BETH RUBENSTEIN
Deputy Director of Communications, San Francisco Public Works.
With a background in architecture, education and policy, Beth is the Deputy Director of Policy and Communications at San Francisco Public Works, where she focuses on the Racial Equity Initiative, communications and department-wide projects. Previously, she was a legislative aide to three members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Beth was awarded the Koshland Civic Unity Fellowship by the San Francisco Foundation in recognition of being "a Bay Area grassroots risk taker." She is the co-founder of two community-based nonprofits, Excelsior Works! - a multi-lingual workforce development center – and Youth Art Exchange – a youth development and civic engagement organization, where she was the long-time executive director before working in City government.
Deputy Director of Communications, San Francisco Public Works.
With a background in architecture, education and policy, Beth is the Deputy Director of Policy and Communications at San Francisco Public Works, where she focuses on the Racial Equity Initiative, communications and department-wide projects. Previously, she was a legislative aide to three members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Beth was awarded the Koshland Civic Unity Fellowship by the San Francisco Foundation in recognition of being "a Bay Area grassroots risk taker." She is the co-founder of two community-based nonprofits, Excelsior Works! - a multi-lingual workforce development center – and Youth Art Exchange – a youth development and civic engagement organization, where she was the long-time executive director before working in City government.
PANELIST: MEI LIN WOLFF, SPHR | SHRM-SCP
EVP/Chief People Officer, Webcor
Mei Lin Wolff is executive vice president and chief people officer for Webcor. In her role, she is responsible for all HR activities, including Total Rewards (Webcor’s compensation and benefits program), talent acquisition, compliance, and internal communications. She also co-leads Webcor’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy with Webcor’s Chief Executive Officer, Jes Pedersen.
Mei Lin has over 20 years of experience in human resources with an emphasis in building programs and initiatives that foster greater equity and inclusion. She has earned an Advanced Diversity and Inclusion Certification through Cornell University’s School of Industrial Relations. She is an active member of the Construction People Executive Group, where she has served on the board of directors in multiple roles; she is the organization’s current executive director. Mei Lin holds multiple HR certifications from the Society for Human Resource Management and the HR Certification Institute. She earned her B.A. in psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an M.S. in psychology from Dominican University of California.
EVP/Chief People Officer, Webcor
Mei Lin Wolff is executive vice president and chief people officer for Webcor. In her role, she is responsible for all HR activities, including Total Rewards (Webcor’s compensation and benefits program), talent acquisition, compliance, and internal communications. She also co-leads Webcor’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy with Webcor’s Chief Executive Officer, Jes Pedersen.
Mei Lin has over 20 years of experience in human resources with an emphasis in building programs and initiatives that foster greater equity and inclusion. She has earned an Advanced Diversity and Inclusion Certification through Cornell University’s School of Industrial Relations. She is an active member of the Construction People Executive Group, where she has served on the board of directors in multiple roles; she is the organization’s current executive director. Mei Lin holds multiple HR certifications from the Society for Human Resource Management and the HR Certification Institute. She earned her B.A. in psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an M.S. in psychology from Dominican University of California.