Women in AEC: Wine After Work

Designing a Life and a Space That Actually Works for You

Your home isn't just where you live—it's shaping how you think, feel, and function every day. In this episode, Bryce sits down with Ashleigh Clark, CEO and Lead Designer of IDG, to talk about the real impact of interior design—beyond just how things look. From new builds to large-scale renovations, Ashleigh has worked with high-performing clients to create spaces that are not only beautiful, but also deeply functional and aligned with their lifestyle. They dive into how your environment influences your energy, productivity, and overall well-being—and why so many people are living in spaces that don't actually support them. If you've ever felt like your home doesn't match your life, this conversation will change how you think about design. What we cover: • How your environment impacts your mindset and daily performance • The biggest mistakes people make in home design and renovations • Why functionality matters just as much as aesthetics • Designing for real life (especially as a busy professional or parent) • How to create a space that reflects you and supports your lifestyle About Ashleigh: Ashleigh Clark is the CEO and Lead Designer of IDG, an award-winning interior design firm recognized as Cleveland's "Best in Interior Design" for two consecutive years. Specializing in new builds, large-scale renovations, and full-scope furnishings, Ashleigh works with executives, entrepreneurs, and local leaders to create spaces that are both elevated and deeply livable. Born into the industry and raised around design, Ashleigh developed her passion early—eventually studying interior design at Ursuline College and later being recruited as an adjunct professor. Her work has been featured in HGTV, Cleveland Magazine, and Homes & Gardens. Through her designs, Ashleigh blends high-end aesthetics with real life—creating homes that feel personal, functional, and effortlessly refined. https://www.ashleighclarkidg.com/

Beyond Hearing: How Great Leaders Build Trust Through Communication

Communication is one of the most talked about leadership skills and one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, Bryce sits down with Emma Collyer, executive coach and founder of Aspire Executive Coaching, to unpack what's really happening beneath the surface of workplace communication. From feedback conversations that fall flat to teams that feel disconnected, Emma shares how a lack of trust and the inability to truly listen—are often the root cause. Together, they explore how leaders can shift from one-way communication to meaningful, two-way conversations that build stronger teams and better results. If you've ever felt like your message isn't landing… or your team just isn't fully engaged this episode is for you. What we cover: Why employees feel unheard (even when leaders think they're communicating clearly)  The connection between feedback and trust  Common communication habits that damage team dynamics  How to give feedback that actually lands  The power of active listening in leadership  Simple ways to turn tough conversations into growth opportunities  About Emma: Emma Collyer is the owner and principal coach of Aspire Executive Coaching, where she helps leaders turn everyday interactions into powerful, two-way conversations that spark trust, creativity, and results. Known for her down-to-earth approach and energy in the room, she transforms "tough talks" into growth moments that bring teams closer together. A certified ICF-ACC coach and Emotional Intelligence practitioner based in Canada, Emma works with leaders around the world—helping them communicate with clarity, lead with empathy, and enjoy the ride along the way.  

The hiring system is frustrating everyone and what to do if you're looking for a JOB

In this episode of Women in AEC: Wine After Work, Bryce sits down with Katie, founder of Hire Innovations, to unpack what is really happening inside modern talent acquisition. Katie leads a proprietary, human-centric AI platform that challenges the industry's overreliance on bots, ghosting, and automated job posts that erode trust on both sides of the hiring process. Through Hire Innovations and its family of brands Recruitics, Talivity, and Jobstream, her team has helped more than 25 million people find employment using collective AI talent technology. In this conversation, we explore: • Why traditional applicant tracking systems are failing candidates and employers • How companies can turn dispositioned applicants into long-term pipeline value • What Gen Z and Millennial talent expect from brands • Why social media is now a primary recruiting channel • How AI can support human decision-making without replacing accountability • Lessons from Katie's career with brands like MTV, AOL, and The Wall Street Journal Katie also shares how her commitment to community work, including serving on the board of the American Red Cross Metro NY North Chapter, shapes her perspective on leadership and impact. This episode is for anyone who hires, anyone who has been ghosted, and anyone who believes recruiting should feel more human. https://getjobstream.com/    

A different take on Leadership in Construction

Guest: L.R. (Lee) Weeden, CM-Lean, LCI-CPC What We Discussed: Lee's journey into construction leadership and lean thinking Why continuous improvement matters in project delivery and teams How lean principles shift focus from firefighting to intentional progress What resilience looks like in busy project environments The intersection of process, people, and leadership in built work Lessons from building teams as much as buildings Why It Matters: Lee brings a systems mindset to an industry that moves at the pace of relationships and momentum. His experience especially in healthcare projects, shows how intentional process and team dynamics make the difference between chaos and predictable outcomes.  Key Highlights: Continuous improvement isn't a buzzword it's a set of choices and habits Leadership in construction happens on the ground as much as in meetings Lean principles are human, not just technical Follow Lee on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lrweeden/  where he posts regularly about leadership and lean in construction.  

Breaking the Approval Addiction: Why Engineers Struggle With Autonomy in Leadership

In this episode of Wine After Work, Bryce sits down with Elif Acar-Chiasson, P.E., founder of OPLE Leadership and former COO with over 30 years in the AEC industry. Elif built her consulting practice after living inside what she calls a "broken autonomy model." Brilliant engineers are promoted into leadership roles, then trapped in approval culture where every decision climbs uphill for permission. The leader becomes the bottleneck. The team stops growing. Everyone burns out. Together, Bryce and Elif unpack: • Why technical excellence and leadership requirements are often in conflict • The hidden addiction to approval and control inside engineering firms • Why autonomy is not "do whatever you want," but clear decision ownership with guardrails • How emotional intelligence supports decision-making under pressure • What stepping away from a COO role taught Elif about fit and courage • Why leading with both head and heart is not weakness but maturity • What competitive ballroom dancing at 50 revealed about starting over and discomfort Elif shares a systemic approach to leadership. Instead of coaching one overwhelmed leader in isolation, she looks at the entire decision architecture of a team. Who owns what? Where decisions stall. How trust is built or broken. Her core belief: the most critical structural integrity is not in buildings. It is in teams. About Elif: Elif Acar-Chiasson, P.E., is a Professional Engineer and founder of OPLE Leadership. After 12 years as an executive, including 8 as COO at CSRS/Westwood, she now works with technical professionals who are exceptional at their craft but struggling in leadership roles. She translates emotional intelligence into engineering frameworks and helps teams redesign how decisions are made so leaders are no longer the bottleneck. Originally from Istanbul, Turkey, Elif brings a multicultural lens to leadership and challenges the idea that "people skills" are separate from technical rigor.   https://www.elifchiasson.com/