The Trailblazers Presented by BST Global

On this episode of The Trailblazers, Joseph Joseph, Partner and Chief Digital Officer at Gensler, joins BST Global Chief Executive Officer Javier A. Baldor for an inspiring conversation in which he reveals the moving stories behind his approach to leadership, design and AI. 
Speaking candidly about his personal journey, Joseph shares what fuels his passion for technology, design and meaningful innovation. He dives into the pivotal role digital transformation is playing in the AEC industry, the growing impact of AI and the importance of storytelling in shaping spaces that truly serve people. 
Javier and Joseph also contemplate what the future holds for the built environment, maintaining that human experience must factor into every design decision. It’s a masterclass in resiliency, foresight and the power of storytelling. 
Listen to the full episode to hear more of Joseph’s insights.

In this episode, BST Global’s Chief Marketing Officer Eileen M. Canady sits down with Nasrine Tomasi, Head of AI at Mott MacDonald, for a dynamic conversation about how artificial intelligence can empower (not replace) AEC employees. 
Nasrine shares her passion for using AI as a tool to elevate people, praising Mott MacDonald’s commitment to a people-focused approach. She spotlights the company’s Emerging Leaders program as a transformative initiative that supports growth and innovation from within. 
The conversation also dives into real-world applications of AI, including SafeSwim — a project in New Zealand that predicts flooding using historical data. It’s just one example of how data-driven insights can create safer, smarter communities. 
Nasrine also offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Mott MacDonald is driving digital transformation. From robust governance to cross-functional teamwork, she details the practical strategies helping the organization embrace AI responsibly and effectively. 

On this episode of The Trailblazers, Shankar Kalyana, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Stantec, joins BST Global Chief Executive Officer Javier A. Baldor for a compelling conversation about the evolving role of digital transformation in the AEC industry. Drawing on his 40-year tech career — in which he held the prestigious title of IBM Fellow — Shankar emphasizes that meaningful transformation is rooted in solving real-world challenges, not just adopting new technologies. 
 
As the interview continues, Shankar explores how AI, data and automation are revolutionizing infrastructure, from compressing design cycles to enabling predictive, self-regulating operations. He stresses the need for a true fusion between digital innovation and engineering expertise and highlights the opportunities as well as the risks tech and consulting firms entering the AEC space bring. 
 
During the discussion, Shankar also dives into the critical role of robust data infrastructure, governance and workforce development in enabling sustainable digital transformation. While he acknowledges the potential downsides of AI, he remains optimistic about humanity's ability to use it as a force for good. 
 
Tune in for a forward-looking discussion on how engineering firms can adapt, innovate and lead in a digitally driven future. 

In this episode, WSP Chief Technology Officer and Head of Business Solutions Chadi Habib joins BST Global CEO Javier A. Baldor for a candid conversation on the future of the AEC industry. Fresh off the stage at BST Global’s AI Summit 2025, Chadi examines how AI is reshaping the way AEC firms tackle some of their most complex challenges.  
From generative AI and large language models to agentic systems, Chadi shares how emerging technologies are streamlining repetitive engineering tasks, accelerating knowledge transfer and unlocking new levels of innovation. He proposes that, eventually, junior engineers could tap into the collective brilliance of retired experts, envisioning a future where institutional knowledge is not just preserved but amplified.  
The discussion also explores how democratizing access to data can empower teams and support a shift toward more outcome-driven business models across the industry. Tune in for insights, inspiration and a glimpse into the AI-powered future of AEC. 

Tembi Holmes, Global Chief Data Officer at Arup, joins Eileen M. Canady, Chief Marketing Officer at BST Global, for an engaging conversation on The Trailblazers podcast. Together, they explore the rapid pace of change in the AEC industry, the evolving landscape of data governance and ethics, growing client expectations, and how Arup is leading with purpose in the age of AI. 
Tembi highlights how Arup has dramatically accelerated its digital and data transformation over the past year under its bold new strategic vision, “The Future We Choose.” This strategy signals a deep commitment to leveraging data and technology to drive impactful, future-focused change. She also shares Arup’s impressive momentum in AI adoption — more than 4,000 employees are currently using the firm’s internal platform, AI for Everybody, with plans to scale that to 20,000 employees by year’s end.  
The conversation also covers shifting client demands, as organizations seek faster, more cost-effective and data-informed solutions. AI is playing a key role in meeting expectations around sustainability, predictive maintenance and long-term infrastructure value.  
Watch the full episode for more insights from Tembi on leadership, innovation and the future of the built environment. 
 

In this episode, Shannon Miller, President of Strategy, Growth & Digital at Jacobs, joins Javier A. Baldor, Chief Executive Officer at BST Global, to explore how AI is reshaping the AEC industry. They discuss the potential for AI to accelerate project delivery, drive innovation and redefine traditional business models. 
Shannon highlights how Jacobs is leveraging AI to bring solutions to market faster and fostering a culture of innovation across the organization. She also examines how the entry of tech companies into the AEC space is challenging firms to rethink the conventional time-and-materials approach. She notes that even clients are beginning to question whether the traditional model of “engineers against a taxi meter over time” truly delivers the results they need. Instead, there’s a shift toward outcome-driven strategies. 
Shannon also shares insights on AI’s role in creating “talent mobility,” enhancing urban planning and empowering engineers to make a greater impact. Tune in to hear more of Shannon’s perspective on the future of AI in the AEC industry. 

In this episode of The Trailblazers podcast, Sean Young, Director of AEC, Geospatial & AI Solutions Industry Marketing at NVIDIA, joins Eileen M. Canady, Chief Marketing Officer at BST Global, for a conversation on how artificial intelligence, geospatial data and digital transformation are driving change across the AEC industry — with a spotlight on NVIDIA’s contributions.  
Sean emphasizes that AI is becoming a core element of the AEC sector, not only enhancing support functions but also accelerating innovation, boosting productivity and opening new business opportunities. He stresses the importance of early adoption, encouraging firms to invest in hiring, foster a culture of experimentation and build internal capabilities to stay competitive. 
Framing AI as the next step in a broader tech evolution — from 2D to 3D to BIM and now to AI — Sean predicts its impact will surpass that of previous technological advancements. He calls on AEC organizations to begin integrating AI now by bringing in the right talent and reskilling existing teams. 
The discussion also covers preparing the workforce for AI, separating real innovation from hype, exploring the future of design and simulation, and offering insights into career development and personal growth. 

The Trailblazers podcast is back with a new season! To kick things off, Darren Martin, Chief Digital Officer at AtkinsRéalis, joins Javier A. Baldor, CEO of BST Global, to explore how the AEC industry is continuing to navigate the rise of AI technology. 
Darren shares his perspective on how AI can be a powerful tool to enhance human capabilities across the AEC landscape. From mitigating climate impacts to detecting safety risks on-site, he sees AI as a force for positive change — when approached with balance and intention. He stresses the importance of implementing AI in ways that are practical and non-disruptive, advocating for "tolerable use cases" that accelerate progress without overwhelming teams.  
The discussion dives into key themes such as human and AI collaboration, the evolving agentic movement, AI’s role in business development, and how firms can close the digital divide between tech-savvy staff and executive leadership. It’s a forward-looking dialogue for anyone curious about the future of AI in AEC. 

In this episode of The Trailblazers, Parsons' Chief Technology Officer, Ricardo Lorenzo, tells BST Global's Chief Executive Officer, Javier A. Baldor, that AEC leaders should “be unafraid” as the industry begins to embrace AI technology.  
Ricardo discusses the reactions he sees from customers and employees when it comes to AI, which range from reluctance to excitement. He states that firms should help clients take measured risks and identify AI applications that will suit their specific needs. To encourage employee adoption, Ricardo says to make upskilling fun by organizing challenges that allow teams to gain hands-on experience while they innovate. 
As Ricardo describes Parsons’ approach to helping clients enhance efficiency, his passion for innovation and using technology to solve complex problems becomes clear. He highlights that, apart from using AI for tasks like proposal development and remote construction supervision, Parsons creates AI-driven decision-making solutions for federal clients. 
Ricardo also addresses the new security risks AI introduces, stressing the importance of having governance structures and risk management processes in place.  
Listen to the full episode to hear more of his thoughts on these and other topics! 

In this episode, Jason Kephart, Chief Technology Officer at Terracon, joins Eileen M. Canady, Chief Marketing Officer at BST Global, to delve into his career path and the evolving role of technology in the AEC industry. 
Jason reflects on his transition from consultant to technology leader, highlighting the critical role of aligning technology with business needs to drive efficiency and innovation. He discusses the evolution from basic technology to the transformative potential of AI, emphasizing that AI should complement human expertise, not replace it. In his experience, the key to leveraging AI effectively is using it to phase out non-value-added tasks and enhance value-added work, thereby improving team efficiency and distinguishing the firm's offerings from its competitors. 
The Terracon CTO also addresses the importance of a robust data strategy, the need to embrace new technologies while managing change, and the growing requirement for engineers to be tech savvy. He believes future technological advancements should boost efficiency and client value rather than merely generate designs. Finally, Jason offers advice on learning the business as well as the technology and urges others to adopt a growth mindset.