Top Podcasts of 2024 from Engineering Influence

As we bid farewell to 2024, what better way to reflect on the year than by revisiting some of the most insightful discussions and interviews from ACEC’s Engineering Influence podcast.

Embracing AI: Engineering’s Journey to a Smarter Future – Discover the rapid evolution of AI technologies and their impact on engineering and beyond. Didem shares insights into the journey of AI, from its inception to its current state, and the pivotal role of ChatGPT in making AI accessible at a consumer level. Watch | Listen

Hakeem Oluseyi’s Journey from the Streets to the Stars – Dr. Oluseyi shares his remarkable life story, growing up in challenging environments with limited academic role models, yet fueled by a passion for reading instilled by his mother. Despite early struggles, including bouts of homelessness, he persevered through adversity, eventually finding his calling in physics. Watch | Listen

The power of Story & Song with Miguel Cervantes – We were joined by Miguel Cervantes, Broadway star of Hamilton, to discuss his performance at the 2024 ACEC Spring Convention and discuss his personal and emotional story of dealing with the loss of his daughter to epilepsy and his family’s work to bring awareness and raising money to research neurological disorders. Watch and download Miguel’s song ‘Till the Calm Comes. All proceeds go to CURE, Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy. Watch | Listen

Justin Wren’s Fight For the Forgotten – We sat down with MMA fighter and humanitarian, Justin Wren at the 2024 Annual Convention to discuss his journey from professional fighting to his current fight to provide clean water to impoverished African tribes. Justin’s organization, www.fightfortheforgotten.org, aims to deliver clean water through the construction of wells in communities in Congo and Uganda. Watch | Listen

Demystifying BIM: Enhancing Building Documentation and Sustainability – This episode delves into the upcoming ACEC education session titled “BIM Demystified.” Joe and John share insights about the Coalition of Professional Surveyors (COPS) and the critical role of building documentation in design, construction, and maintenance. Learn about key initiatives like the level of accuracy specification and the importance of accurate building data in promoting sustainability. Watch | Listen

From Engineer to CEO: Joe Sczurko’s Journey at WSP – We sit down with Joe Sczurko, U.S. Region President of WSP. Joe shares his career path from starting as a field engineer to leading one of the largest engineering firms in the United States. Joe discusses the importance of understanding clients, projects, and people, and how his diverse experiences in different sectors have shaped his leadership approach. The conversation also delves into WSP’s strategic vision, focusing on resilience, innovation, and the evolving role of technology in the engineering industry. Watch | Listen

Communicating Effectively on ESG with Michael Maslansky – 2024 Spring Convention keynote speaker, Michael Maslansky joined the podcast to discuss how companies can communicate effectively on issues related to ESG and other thorny topics. Michael is the founder of Maslansky + Partners, a consulting firm focused on strategic communication with a focus on language choice. Watch | Listen

The Future of Mass Transit with Stantec’s Stuart Lerner – With over 30 years of experience in transportation infrastructure and transit-oriented projects, Stuart shares his personal and professional journey in the world of mass transit. He discusses the challenges commuters face and the legendary war stories that have become part of urban folklore. Stuart emphasizes the need for innovative solutions to improve commuting experiences and reduce traffic congestion.Watch | Listen

2024 Election Cycle: What Does it Mean for the Engineering Industry – A Post – Election Briefing – Led by Executive Vice President, Steve Hall and Political Affairs Vice President, Dave Bender, the briefing focused on how the results of the 2024 election will affect the engineering industry and engineering firms, namely around the twin issues set to dominate the agenda in the 119th Congress: infrastructure and taxes

The Journey to CEO with Halff’s Jessica Baker Daily – In this episode of the Engineering Influencer Podcast from the American Council of Engineering Companies, we feature a candid conversation with Jessica Baker-Daily, the present CEO of Halff. Jessica shared her journey from being an intern to the CEO of the firm, reflecting on the challenges, opportunities, and experiences that shaped her growth. Throughout the discussion, she emphasized the importance of fostering a flexible work environment to boost employee productivity and satisfaction. Watch | Listen