MGAC Inner Voices

This month, we hear from Priscilla Chavez, Business Development Manager at PCL Construction, in conversation with Bryan Gamez, Project Manager in our MGAC Los Angeles office. They discuss imposter syndrome, the importance of social responsibility in the construction industry, and the benefit of mentors.

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Project Manager, Los Angeles) chats with Lexie Mayewski (MGAC Project Manager, Washington, DC). They cover Lexie's experiences of being a woman on a construction site, how she overcame the obstacles, and what makes a good leader.

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Project Manager, Los Angeles) speaks with Monica (Eastwood) Taylor (MGAC Director, San Francisco) about the value of connecting with a mentor, showing compassion to colleagues, and making work a safe space.

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Project Manager, Los Angeles) speaks with Jessie Cortez (MGAC Recruiting Coordinator, Los Angeles) about her journey to her current role at MGAC and the importance of advocating for yourself. 

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Project Manager, Los Angeles) speaks with Carmen Martinez (MGAC Project Manager, London) about cultural differences between Spain and the United Kingdom, her involvement in programs to advance mental health awareness, and cultivating a workplace culture of openness.

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Project Manager, Los Angeles) speaks with Casey Gordon, AIA, LEED AP (MGAC Senior Director, Los Angeles) about changes in the industry over the last 30 years from New York to Los Angeles, building an inclusive team, and the importance of allyship among leaders. 

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Project Manager, Los Angeles) talks with Jai Beyer MRICS (MGAC Project Manager, Brighton) about the state of the industry for women in the UK, the importance of reflecting and responding to challenging situations, and the lessons she learned from her mother.

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Project Manager, Los Angeles) talks with Nicole Dehlin-Grant IIDA, LEED GA (HLW, Senior Associate, Job Captain, Los Angeles) about her experience handling double standards on-site, leaning on allies in uncomfortable situations, and the necessity of the human touch in an increasingly automated world.

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Project Manager, Los Angeles) talks with Louise Sharp (HLW, Principal, Los Angeles) about her international career journey, the benefits of reaching out and networking, and the importance of hearing voices from all levels of an organization.

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Project Manager, Los Angeles) talks with co-founders and Principals at Chromatic Lighting Design in Los Angeles—Lauren Dandridge, LC, IES and Nick Albert, MIES—about incorporating DEI principles from the ground up when building their business, the important but undervalued impact of lighting on communities, and channeling their expertise in lighting design to foster social change.

Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) interviews MGAC team member Poornima Krishnan (Assistant Project Manager, Cleveland) to talk about the AEC job market in India versus the U.S., learning to be assertive to benefit her clients, and  challenges of the immigration process. 

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Project Manager, Los Angeles) talks with Lena Bigelow (Del Amo Construction, Project Manager, Los Angeles) about her experiences as a female Project Manager, navigating others' assumptions of her, and dealing with unprofessional situations in the workplace. 

Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) interviews new MGAC team member Dara Jafari (Director, Brighton) to break down the pivotal moments in his childhood, young adulthood, and subsequent career that led to his passionate involvement in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. 

Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) talks with Kelly Guiney (MillerKnoll, Strategic Account Executive, Seattle) about his open identity in the construction industry and how his sexual orientation has impacted his experience in the workplace.

Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) talks with Andrea Carusi (MGAC Marketing Manager, Los Angeles) about choosing to pursue political activism in her home country of Venezuela and her journey to the United States.

Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) talks with Dianne Lee (Executive Director, Business Development and Strategy at Kitchell) about her background—both in culture and career—and learning to use stereotypes to her advantage, embracing the yin and yang in life.

Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) talks with Samuel Hakemi (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Canada) about living through the Iranian regime change, polarization, and how he's teaching his son to navigate discrimination. 

Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) talks with Malathy Amirthalingam (Senior Analyst, Business Intelligence at T-Mobile) about India's caste system, the invaluable impact of her strong family ties, and ignoring the noise to focus on what is truly important.

Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) talks with Stanislava Dobreva (MGAC Project Engineer, Los Angeles) about the importance of names and discrimination in the states compared to abroad.

Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) talks with Nilesh Jain (MGAC Scheduler, Washington, DC) about the challenges of the U.S. immigration process as an Indian and the importance of building a local family after moving away from home.

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Assistant Project Manager, Los Angeles) talks with Yolanda Baber (Kitchell Business Process Manager, Los Angeles) about owning your seat at the table, accountability, the need for frank and honest conversations, and the importance of instilling a sense of belonging in order to make change.Resources www.nawicla.orgwww.kitchell.com/careers

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Assistant Project Manager, Los Angeles) talks with Meredith Sonnen (a freelancer at Jack Morton) about their experience as a non-binary person in the workplace, the power of pronouns, and the importance of creating a safe, welcoming work environment.

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Assistant Project Manager, Los Angeles) talks with Isabella Villegas (MGAC Senior Vice President, Toronto) about her experience as a fair-skinned Mexican woman, how socio-economic status growing up impacted her work ethic, and the importance of getting feedback from all levels of an organization.

Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) talks with Jacqualynn Karsten (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) about how to avoid imposter syndrome and the empowerment in using your voice to stand up for what matters.

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Assistant Project Manager, Los Angeles) talks with Maxwell Williams (MGAC Assistant Project Manager, San Francisco) to discuss Max's unique upbringing, his formative experience on a mini job site, and the importance of professional outreach to kids of all backgrounds.

Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) talks with Amanda Goldsmith (MGAC Vice President, Washington, DC) about her early career transition from an administrative role to project management and the importance of speaking up for underrepresented groups, including religious minorities and women in construction.

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Assistant Project Manager, Los Angeles) talks with Suling Pong (MGAC Senior Manager of Creative Services, Los Angeles) to unpack ageism, female friendships and dynamics, and treatment of those in “support” functions of a firm.

Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) sits down with Jason Bell (MGAC Senior Project Manager, DC) to talk about defying stereotypes before they take root, the onus of cultural education, and issues with the “race card.” 

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Assistant Project Manager, Los Angeles) sits down with Uzair Faruqui (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Los Angeles) to discuss the importance of representation in the built environment, normalizing hard conversations, and making space for all voices to be heard.

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Assistant Project Manager, Los Angeles) sits down with Helen O’Connor (MGAC Assistant Project Manager, DC) to discuss her influential experience while attending Howard University, challenging assumptions faced by working mothers, and the strength that differing opinions can bring to everyone.

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Assistant Project Manager, Los Angeles) sits down with Jason Lacno-Musngi (MGAC Cost Consultant, Los Angeles) on being a first generation American, job site mannerisms, and the importance of a diverse workforce.

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Assistant Project Manager, Los Angeles) talks with Yanet Martinez (MGAC Assistant Project Manager, Los Angeles) about cultural adaptation, how one's upbringing can influence work ethic, and the importance of mindfulness and communication.

Bryan Gamez (MGAC Assistant Project Manager, Los Angeles) talks with Brandey McDonald (MGAC Project Manager, DC) about being your authentic self, unapologetically.

In our inaugural episode, Beth Scully (MGAC Senior Project Manager, Seattle) sits down with Bryan Gamez (MGAC Assistant Project Manager, Los Angeles) to discuss his experience at the intersection of the LGBTQ+ and Latinx communities within the AEC industry.