Advertise on podcast: Breaking Ground: A Women in AEC Leadership Podcast

Recorded Live! at Champion’s Conference in San Diego, this mini episode features Leah Gradl, Chief Business Officer at Kent Companies. Big ambition, thoughtful steps, and shared success. Leah brings great energy to our conversation. She champions keystone habits you do not want to miss out on!  Guest bio: Leah Gradl is the Chief Business Officer at Kent Companies, a top 10 concrete trade contractor in the United States. She leads enterprise-wide strategy for sales growth, overseeing sales analytics, CRM, business development, and marketing. Leah is known for building data-driven sales organizations that use data insights, technology, and process to improve performance, increase visibility, and drive smarter decision-making across the business.  Over her 15+ year career in the construction industry, Leah has built and led marketing, shared services, and national business development functions—roles that didn’t exist until she created them. She was also named the first female vice president in Kent Companies’ 60-year history and continues to break new ground as a C-suite leader.  Leah is an active member of AGC’s national business development committee and a frequent writer and speaker on business and career development. At home in Huntsville—“The Rocket City”—she and her husband Paul, a rocket scientist, are raising their family and spending as much time as possible outdoors, traveling, and cheering on their kids in sports.  Connect with Leah Gradl:https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahgradl/  Learn more and follow Kent Companies: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kent-companies/   https://www.instagram.com/kent_companies/  https://www.facebook.com/kentcompanies/  Have questions or want to get in touch? Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ Disclaimer: Any resources or links shared in this episode are provided by our guest and are not endorsed by Unanet. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unanet.

Recorded Live! at Champion’s Conference in San Diego, this mini episode features Carolyn Campot, Vice President of Marketing & Client Development at BOND Building Construction. Carolyn’s story is a thrilling reminder that dream jobs can evolve— She highlights the power of staying open, leading with honesty, embracing vulnerability, and even using AI as a creative thought partner in work and life.  Guest bio: Carolyn Campot is Vice President of Marketing & Client Development at BOND Building Construction, where she leads the firm's marketing, client engagement, and business development strategy across diverse market sectors. With more than 30 years of experience, she has built a career around connecting people, cultivating relationships, and helping organizations grow through strategic thinking, creativity, and collaboration.  Carolyn's career path is anything but traditional. She began in international sports television distribution before moving into the world of celebrity and professional speakers, partnering with Fortune 1000 companies and organizations around the globe. She later launched and scaled a multimillion-dollar wardrobe styling company, proving that entrepreneurship, creativity and relationship-building transcend industries. Those experiences continue to shape her leadership today and reinforce her belief that the strongest businesses are built on innovation, authentic relationships, and a willingness to think differently.  Her contributions to the A/E/C industry earned her recognition as Marketing Executive of the Year by the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS). Carolyn is passionate about advancing the industry and developing future leaders. She proudly serves as President-Elect of Professional Women in Construction (PWC) Boston and is an active leader with the Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts (AGC MA), supporting its Emerging Leaders initiatives.  Connect with Carolyn Campot: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-campot-cpsm-7ab7586/  Have questions or want to get in touch? Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ Disclaimer: Any resources or links shared in this episode are provided by our guest and are notendorsed by Unanet. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their ownand do not necessarily reflect the views of Unanet.

Recorded Live! at Champion’s Conference in San Diego, this mini episode features Michele Ramler, Sr. Associate. Accounting/HR Director at ERA Structural Engineering.  Michelle reflects on a dynamic career path through sales, HR, and accounting, and why AEC keeps her energized by constant change and opportunity. Her advice is both practical and uplifting: focus on purpose, take life one step at a time, manage stress in healthy ways, and stay active in the passions that help you show up at your best!  Guest bio: Michele Ramler is a finance and operations executive with more than 25 years of experience leading financial management, operational strategy, human resources, and business transformation initiatives. As a senior leader at ERA Structural Engineering, she oversees the firm's financial operations, workforce planning, business systems, risk management, vendor relationships, and organizational infrastructure, helping position the firm for sustainable growth and operational excellence.  Michele's broad expertise across finance, HR, and operations enables her to align business strategy with organizational performance. She has led system modernization initiatives, implemented business intelligence and reporting solutions, streamlined workflows, negotiated strategic vendor and benefits partnerships, and developed scalable processes that improve efficiency, transparency, and profitability.  Known for her collaborative leadership style and practical business acumen, Michele is committed to building high-performing teams, strengthening relationships, and leveraging technology to support informed decision-making. She believes lasting success is built on continuous improvement, trusted partnerships, and delivering exceptional value to clients and employees  Connect with Michele Ramler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-ramler-995b826b Have questions or want to get in touch? Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ Disclaimer: Any resources or links shared in this episode are provided by our guest and are not endorsed by Unanet. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unanet.

Recorded Live! at Champion’s Conference in San Diego, this mini episode features Mary Boyd, President and Founder of Outsourced Accounting Services, a multi-award winning Partner-of-The-Year.  Mary shares a powerhouse journey from bookkeeping in high school to founding a thriving accounting and ERP consulting firm serving AEC clients. Her episode is packed with wisdom on setting clear expectations, building strong processes, leading with clarity and teamwork, and refusing to let anyone else define what you’re capable of achieving.  Guest bio: Mary Boyd is the President and Founder of Outsourced Accounting Services (OAS), a consulting and outsourced accounting firm focused on supporting architecture and engineering companies across the country. Since founding OAS in 2010, Mary has built a reputation for helping firms improve operations, streamline financial processes, and successfully implement ERP solutions such as Unanet A/E.  With over four decades of experience in A/E accounting and consulting, Mary brings both technical expertise and practical industry insight to the clients and teams she supports. She is passionate about building strong relationships, developing people, and creating solutions that drive meaningful results.  Originally from Maryland and now living in Port Charlotte, Florida, Mary earned her accounting degree from the University of Maryland University College. She leads with a hands-on, client-focused approach and believes great leadership comes from recognizing potential in both people and processes—and having the courage to help that potential grow.  Connect with Mary Boyd:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryboyd/  https://www.linkedin.com/company/2752125/admin/  https://www.instagram.com/mboyd0711/ Learn more and follow OAS: https://x.com/4OAS  https://www.facebook.com/4OASLLC/  Have questions or want to get in touch? Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ Disclaimer: Any resources or links shared in this episode are provided by our guest and are notendorsed by Unanet. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their ownand do not necessarily reflect the views of Unanet.

Recorded Live! at Champion’s Conference in San Diego, this mini episode features Jessica Stoute, Operations Director of Special Initiatives at AKRF. The conversation explores Jessica’s leadership journey, her work at the intersection of infrastructure, policy, and community development, and the experiences that helped shape her career. It was a joy to hear from Jessica! Guest bio: Jessica Stoute is a leader in streamlining internal processes and fostering strong cross-departmental collaboration. As an Operations Director, Jessica plays a key role in driving overall operational excellence across her firm, leading strategic initiatives that improve how teams work together and deliver results. She is spearheading the firmwide implementation of Unanet CRM as part of a broader effort to modernize operations, integrating it with accounting and technology systems to enhance data accessibility and support business development.  Jessica brings deep expertise in managing complex transitions, including acquisitions and large-scale data migrations, and in aligning technology solutions with evolving organizational needs. With a strong foundation in strategic planning and cross-functional teamwork, she is known for building consensus, facilitating change, and empowering teams through effective training and process improvements. She also actively supports initiatives that strengthen organizational culture, improve communication, and drive continuous operational efficiency across teams and business functions.  Jessica serves on the Unanet Customer Advisory Board and has shared her insights at industry events, including co-presenting at multiple Unanet Champions Conference, while also mentoring emerging professionals through her firm and through SMPS New York.  Connect with Jessica Stoute: www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-stoute-1b6b0881  Have questions or want to get in touch? Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ Disclaimer: Any resources or links shared in this episode are provided by our guest and are not endorsed by Unanet. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unanet.

Recorded Live! at Champion’s Conference in San Diego, this mini episode features Nina Stenzler, Sales & Marketing Technologies at DPR Construction. Nina shares an inspiring nontraditional journey from library science to leading CRM at DPR, showing how curiosity and enterprise thinking can open big doors.   Guest Bio: Nina Stenzler manages Sales and Marketing Technologies at DPR Construction where she is supporting data-driven growth and collaboration. She brings a detail-oriented, strategic approach to her work, grounded in strong project management, communications expertise, and business insight. Nina works seamlessly across marketing, communications, and sales teams, and partners closely with technology and innovation groups and external vendors to deliver scalable solutions. She holds a Master’s degree in Library Science from Drexel University.  Nina brings a people-first mindset to her work, grounded in curiosity, collaboration, and a belief that better systems enable better relationships. She is especially energized by helping others understand the “why” behind the work and creating space for shared learning. When she’s not working on process and data strategy, she values time with family, listening to audio books and testing her skills at different craft projects.  DPR Construction is a technical builder with a passion for results, consistently ranked among the nation’s top contractors and specializing in technically complex and sustainable projects.  Connect with Nina Stenzler: www.linkedin.com/in/ninast⁠  Have questions or want to get in touch? Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ Disclaimer: Any resources or links shared in this episode are provided by our guest and are not endorsed by Unanet. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unanet.

In this episode of Breaking Ground: Women in AEC Leadership, hosts Reanna Dempsey and Sarah Brown talk with Katy Klaproth, Vice President of Marketing & Communications at Robins & Morton. Katy reflects on her 24-year career journey with the company and shares how mentorship, continuous learning, and a willingness to say yes to new opportunities helped shape both her professional growth and leadership path. The conversation explores company culture, career development, leadership, retention, and the importance of creating opportunities for people to learn, grow, and succeed over the long term. Learn more about Robins & Morton: www.robinsmorton.com Follow Robins & Morton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/robins-&-morton/ Connect with Katy Klaproth: www.linkedin.com/in/katy-klaproth Have questions or want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected] Disclaimer: Any resources or links shared in this episode are provided by our guest and are not endorsed by Unanet. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unanet.

In this episode of the Breaking Ground podcast, Mariah Meyer, President & CEO of BRR Architecture, shares perspective on leadership, perseverance, collaboration, and the importance of staying curious throughout your career. Mariah discusses how consistent growth, teamwork, and curiosity helped shape her career journey and leadership approach, while offering thoughtful insights for professionals navigating change and business growth. Connect with BRR Architecture on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brr-architecture/ Have questions or want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected] Disclaimer: Any resources or links shared in this episode are provided by our guest and are not endorsed by Unanet. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unanet.

In this episode of Breaking Ground, Stephanie Omdoll shares her journey navigating a unique path in the AEC industry and the lessons learned along the way. With 25 years of experience in marketing and communications within construction, Stephanie offers insight into how meaningful progress for women in AEC is being accelerated through active allyship and shared responsibility. This conversation explores the intersection of leadership, communication, and community—highlighting the importance of aligning people and purpose to drive lasting impact. The episode concludes with a call to action: engage, contribute, and help build a more inclusive and collaborative industry. Because in AEC, success is driven as much by relationships as it is by technical expertise. Have questions or want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected]     Disclaimer: Any resources or links shared in this episode are provided by our guest and are not endorsed by Unanet. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unanet.

Women in Construction Week may have wrapped, but this year’s theme—Level Up. Build Strong.—continues to resonate across the AEC industry.  In this episode of Breaking Ground, Julia M. Harrod, P.E., F.NSPE—President and CEO of MWM DesignGroup—shares how investing in yourself and committing to continuous improvement can elevate your leadership at every stage of your career.  Drawing on her experience leading interdisciplinary teams across Texas and serving as NSPE’s 2025–2026 President, Julia offers practical insight into what it takes to grow as a leader, strengthen your profession, and build lasting impact.  Because leveling up isn’t a moment—it’s a mindset.  Featured Resource: National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) https://www.nspe.org  Connect with Julia & MWM DesignGroup: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MWMDesignGroup LinkedIn: MWM DesignGroup  Have questions or want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected]  Disclaimer: Any resources or links shared in this episode are provided by our guest and are not endorsed by Unanet. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unanet.

AI is changing the AEC industry—but it can’t replace the human touch.  In this episode of Breaking Ground: Women in AEC Leadership, we’re joined by Aya Shlachter, Founder of MGS Global Group and a recognized AI thought leader in architecture. Aya shares her personal journey from feeling overwhelmed by AI to becoming a trusted voice helping firms navigate change with clarity and confidence.  She discusses AI as a tool (not a replacement), building community in the age of automation, navigating imposter syndrome, and why her milestone birthday led her to this reminder for every leader: don’t dim your light.  Featured Resource: 📘 AI for Architects Research Report https://aiforarchitects.ai/c/researchreport  Connect with Aya: Instagram: @aya_shlachter LinkedIn: Aya Shlachter YouTube: @MGSGlobalGroup  Have questions or want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected]  Disclaimer: Any resources or links shared in this episode are provided by our guest and are not endorsed by Unanet. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unanet.

In Season 2 Episode 2 of Breaking Ground: Women in AEC Leadership, hosts Reanna Dempsey and Sarah Brown welcome Gayla Nunn, Special Projects Manager at ABNA Engineering.  Gayla shares her professional journey and offers practical advice for women looking to grow their leadership impact in the AEC industry. From embracing opportunities to staying tenacious through challenges, her story highlights the power of persistence, confidence, and commitment.  🎧 Tune in to hear Gayla’s insights and get inspired to lead with purpose.  🔗 Connect with Gayla & ABNA: • ABNA Engineering: https://www.abnacorp.com/ • ABNA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/abna-engineering/ • Gayla Nunn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gayla-nunn-19496710/ • A Gayla Affair, LLC: https://www.agaffair.com/  Have questions or want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected]   Disclaimer: Any resources or links shared in this episode are provided by our guest and are not endorsed by Unanet. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unanet.

Every podcast has a beginning—and this one started with anearly morning phone call. In this special episode of Breaking Ground: Women in AEC Leadership, host Reanna Dempsey sits down with Akshay Mahajan, EVP of AEC at Unanet, to share the origin story behind the podcast and community. Together, they unpack the personal and professional moments that sparked the idea—from real conversations with women leaders in AEC to the growing need for mentorship, representation, and shared stories at the executive level. This episode sets the foundation for why BreakingGround exists: to elevate voices, connect leaders, and help women across AEC see what’s possible. 🎧 Subscribe and listen to hear how it all began. Have questions or want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected] Disclaimer: Any resources or links shared in this episode are provided by our guest and are not endorsed by Unanet. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unanet.

In this episode of Breaking Ground: Women in AEC Leadership, Reanna Dempsey interviews Susan Osterberg, CEO and President of Smith Seckman Reid Inc. (SSR). Susan shares her path from hospitality to leading a 100% employee-owned engineering firm and explains how SSR’s ownership model drives collaboration, long-term thinking, and shared success. She reflects on embracing discomfort, building credibility, and staying connected to frontline teams. Susan offers clear advice for women in AEC: Trust that growth comes from stepping into challenges—not waiting to be perfect. Dive into Susan's inspiring episode now! Have questions or want to get in touch? Email us at ⁠[email protected] Disclaimer: Any resources or links shared in this episode are provided by our guest and are not endorsed by Unanet. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unanet.

In this episode of Breaking Ground: Women in AEC Leadership, host Reanna Dempsey sits down with Michele Zorzi, Senior Director of Marketing and Principal at Colliers Engineering & Design. Michele shares her powerful journey of resilience and inclusion—opening up about her experience as a cancer survivor and how vulnerability, empathy, and balance have shaped her leadership approach. Through authenticity and transparency, Michele has inspired growth not only in her firm—from $30M to over $500M in revenue—but also within her team and community. She discusses leading with heart, founding her firm’s first Women’s ERG, and why being true to yourself is the foundation of personal and organizational success. You don’t want to miss Michele’s inspiring story of courage, leadership, and inclusion in action. Have questions or want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected] Disclaimer: Any resources or links shared in this episode are provided by our guest and are not endorsed by Unanet. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unanet.