Podcast
Building Better Futures
Hosted by Infinite Consulting · EN
Welcome to the Building Better Futures podcast, where host Eric Hirani connects with visionary thought leaders who are building the future. Together they delve into what it takes to not only build companies and structures but how to inspire individuals to reach their full potential, creating the leaders of tomorrow.
This is the show for you if you’re interested in:
- Learning more about building and delivering iconic projects and companies
- Cutting-edge innovation
- Cultivating positive work cultures
- Helping everyone reach their full potential
- Creating exceptional teams
Together we can create a ripple effect of positive change in our communities and society, one inspired individual at a time.
17episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
EP 37: The Power of Saying Yes to Unexpected Career Opportunities with Michele Fitzsimmons of New York City Fire Department
Mar 1000:44:32Tap to summarizeJoin us as Michele Fitzsimmons, Deputy Chief of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), discusses navigating high-stakes leadership and building trust within a team. We explore the importance of standard operating procedures, overcoming the emotional toll of demanding careers, and why saying yes to new opportunities is critical for growth.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.03:49 Family legacy and transitioning to a career in the FDNY.10:43 Why teams must fall back on established training during a crisis.13:42 Delegating responsibilities and learning to trust your team.16:25 The value of asking questions and admitting when you don't know something.20:03 Fostering a culture that accepts mistakes as valuable learning opportunities.24:07 Managing the emotional toll of a difficult job by seeking help and leaning on the community.32:44 How saying "yes" to unexpected opportunities opens new doors.Resources Mentioned:Michele Fitzsimmonshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-fitzsimmons-0b49101a0/New York City Fire Department (FDNY) | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/new-york-city-fire-department/New York City Fire Department (FDNY) | Websitehttps://www.nyc.gov/site/fdny/index.pagePrinciples: Life and Work by Ray Daliohttps://www.amazon.com/dp/1501124021/Thanks for listening to the “Building Better Futures” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations.#PeopleDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #AECpodcast
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EP 36: Mastering Emotional Intelligence for Sales Success with Colleen Stanley of SalesLeadership, Inc.
Feb 2300:49:04Tap to summarizeColleen Stanley, President of Sales Leadership Inc., joins us to discuss how emotional intelligence drives sales success and leadership. We explore why soft skills are actually hard skills, how to reframe failure and the importance of creating a mentorship culture.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.08:27 Startups scale effectively by hiring for emotional intelligence. 10:47 Delayed gratification means doing the work to earn the reward. 15:35 Discussing adversity in interviews reveals a candidate’s character. 19:19 Self-actualization and a desire to separate high performers from the rest. 27:07 Reframing failure as a lesson turns it into a gift. 36:33 Removing cell phones from meetings improves presence and connection. 42:02 Leaders should actively seek people to mentor.Resources Mentioned:Colleen Stanleyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenstanleysli/Leadership Inc. | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/salesleadership-inc./Sales Leadership Inc. | Websitehttps://www.salesleadershipdevelopment.com“Emotional Intelligence for Sales Success” by Colleen Stanleyhttps://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Intelligence-Sales-Success-Customers-ebook/dp/B009RQ7RCW“Emotional Intelligence for Sales Leadership” by Colleen Stanleyhttp://amazon.com/-/es/Colleen-Stanley-ebook/dp/B081N1NP37/“Be the Mentor Who Mattered” by Colleen Stanley and LeAnn Thiemanhttps://www.amazon.com/-/es/Colleen-Stanley-ebook/dp/B0FVMVTM8M“Trillion Dollar Coach” by Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg and Alan Eagle https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Eric-Schmidt-ebook/dp/B076ZHG3H3/Thanks for listening to the “Building Better Futures” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations.#PeopleDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #AECpodcast
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EP 35: How Saying Yes Opened the Door to Transformational Projects with Jaidev Sankar of AECOM
Feb 1000:43:27Tap to summarizeJaidev Sankar, Transit Strategy and Growth Lead for the US East and LATAM of AECOM, reflects on a career shaped by mega projects, public-sector leadership and a willingness to say yes. He shares lessons from the Big Dig — the Second Avenue Subway — and his time on the owner side at Amtrak, offering a candid look at how collaboration, trust and emerging delivery models are reshaping rail and transit programs.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.02:09 Finding balance between work, family and personal passions shapes long-term career fulfillment.06:13 Early technical interests and constraints often guide engineers toward their true strengths.10:17 Long-duration mega projects accelerate learning across design, construction and delivery.12:55 Building an organization from scratch requires comfort with uncertainty and iteration.19:08 Being honest about what you want helps ensure the right role fit for both sides.24:10 When trust exists, collaborative delivery improves alignment on scope, budget and schedule.30:26 AI should be used to increase efficiency and help owners do more with limited funding.34:48 Infrastructure funding and policy decisions require long-term thinking and public engagement.36:53 Saying yes to varied opportunities builds perspective across disciplines and career stages.Resources Mentioned:Jaidev Sankarhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaidev-sankar-9aa35269/AECOM | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/aecom/AECOM | Websitehttp://www.aecom.comAmtrakhttps://www.amtrak.com/Second Avenue Subwayhttps://aecom.com/projects/second-avenue-subway-phase-one/?utm_source=chatgpt.comBig Dig (Central Artery/Tunnel Project)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_DigTren Urbano (Puerto Rico)https://tutrenpr.com/New York City Congestion Pricing Programhttps://congestionreliefzone.mta.info/Thanks for listening to the “Building Better Futures” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations.#PeopleDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #AECpodcast
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EP 34: Chasing Challenges as the Foundation of Long-Term Leadership with Anthony Pastore of STV Inc.
Jan 2000:47:53Tap to summarizeJoin us as Anthony Pastore, East Regional Director of STV, reflects on a career built through persistence, trust and leadership. Anthony shares his path from union carpentry to leading some of New York City’s most complex public works projects, including the World Trade Center. He discusses why communication, decision making and investing in people matter more than titles and how construction remains a powerful way to serve communities.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.06:10 Growing up in a blue-collar environment shaped early exposure to construction and work ethic.08:03 Balancing full-time field work with night school builds discipline and long-term commitment.14:14 Leadership effectiveness depends on clear communication and shared understanding.17:48 Advanced planning and steady decision-making are critical on complex projects.22:16 Public works projects are uniquely rewarding because they serve communities long term.28:06 Trust and integrity are essential to maintaining strong professional relationships.32:20 Chasing challenges and continuous learning matter more than titles for career growth.39:05 Project delivery is growing more complex while the industry faces increasing skilled labor challenges.Resources Mentioned:Anthony Pastorehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-pastore-b804091b7/STV | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/stv/STV | Websitehttps://www.stvinc.comFordham Universityhttps://www.fordham.eduInstitute of Design and Constructionhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_of_Design_and_Construction“Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brownhttps://www.danieljamesbrown.com/the-boys-in-the-boatConstruction Management Association of America (CMAA)https://cmaanet.org Thanks for listening to the “Building Better Futures” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations.#PeopleDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #AECpodcast
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EP 33: How To Lead by Pouring Into Others and Creating Room for Questions with Jared Green of Langan Engineering and Environmental Services
Jan 600:48:06Tap to summarizeJared Green, Principal and Vice President of Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, reflects on a 23-year career in geotechnics shaped by early STEM curiosity, steady mentorship and community service. He shares why AEC can feel intimidating at first yet stays welcoming, how practical math and science teaching excites students and how leaders build safe rooms where new voices grow.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.05:26 A career feels meaningful when learning connects to real-world outcomes.10:02 Early curiosity and hands-on learning often shape long-term interests.16:05 Supportive peers and mentors make it easier to enter demanding industries.18:12 Students stay engaged when math and science feel practical and relevant.28:44 Taking a chance before feeling ready can open important doors.34:38 Strong teams communicate by asking questions early and making time to support each other.40:24 Progress in professional communities is made possible through shared effort and support from others.44:45 Long careers benefit from caring for mental health and asking for support.Resources Mentioned:Jared Greenhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjaredmgreen/Langan Engineering and Environmental Services | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/langan-engineering-environmental-services/Langan Engineering and Environmental Services | Websitehttp://www.langan.comSalvadori Centerhttps://www.salvadori.org/National Science Foundation Engineering programshttps://www.nsf.gov/eng/programsAmerican Society of Civil Engineershttps://www.asce.org/“The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelhohttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18144590-the-alchemist Thanks for listening to the “Building Better Futures” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations.#PeopleDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #AECpodcast
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EP 32: How Long-Term Vision and Relationships Drive Success with Eric Alemany of New York Power Authority
Nov 2500:45:52Tap to summarizeOn this episode, Eric Alemany, Senior Director, Supplier Relationship Management of the New York Power Authority, shares his 27-year journey in public power. We cover how supplier relationships drive execution, why patience and resilience matter, and how NYPA supports communities through accessibility, diversity and forward-looking energy initiatives.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.05:39 A sustained career path demonstrates continuous learning and adaptability.10:29 Strong supplier relationships enable efficient project delivery.14:37 Guided onboarding helps partners navigate complex procurement systems.19:22 Supplier diversity initiatives expand opportunity for businesses.21:29 Public assets strengthen community engagement and local economies.24:27 Accessibility programs increase inclusion across statewide services.27:43 Resilience and collaboration turn disruptions into progress.35:54 Innovation and AI improve operational efficiency and planning.43:40 Success means creating lasting impact through growth and empowerment.Resources Mentioned:Eric Alemanyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/alemanye/New York Power Authority | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/new-york-power-authority/New York Power Authority | Websitehttp://www.nypa.gov/New York State Canal Corporationhttps://www.canals.ny.gov/ Thanks for listening to the “Building Better Futures” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations.#PeopleDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #AECpodcast
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EP 31: Transforming Leadership Through Empathy and Peer Connection with Ahad Ghadimi of forums@work
Nov 1100:45:57Tap to summarizeAhad Ghadimi, CEO and Founder of forums@work, discusses vulnerability, psychological safety and the story behind his book “Turnaround Artist: A True-Story about Creating Great Workplace Culture in 11 Steps.”In today’s discussion, we uncover Ahad’s entrepreneurial roots, we look at culture change in practice and delve into how peer forums strengthen trust and communication across teams.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.01:58 Turning people into leaders strengthens culture and creates momentum for sustained growth.09:09 Clear purpose provides direction for change and aligns effort across the organization.13:12 Structured peer groups encourage reflection, accountability and consistent professional growth.17:05 Openness and vulnerability foster trust and elevate team performance over time.22:33 Trust and connection improve resilience and reduce friction in demanding environments.27:41 Consistent practice addresses skepticism and builds genuine commitment to new habits.31:04 Equal airtime and attentive listening create safety and improve decision quality.40:42 Leaders grow by asking for help and practicing self-compassion.44:11 Environments that encourage growth empower people to bring their best selves forward.Resources Mentioned:Ahad Ghadimihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ahad-ghadimi/forums@work | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/forumsatwork/forums@work | Websitehttp://www.forumsatwork.com“Turnaround Artists: A True-Story about Creating Great Workplace Culture in 11 Steps” by Ahad Ghadimihttps://www.amazon.com/Turnaround-Artists-True-Story-Creating-Workplace/dp/057880512X "The Art of Possibility" by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zanderhttps://www.amazon.com/Art-Possibility-Transforming-Professional-Personal/dp/0142001104YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization)https://www.ypo.org/Vipassana Meditationhttps://www.dhamma.org/Thanks for listening to the “Building Better Futures” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations.#PeopleDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #AECpodcast
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