Keynote Speakers
Erica Keswin – Author, Speaker, and Workplace Strategist
Becoming a Great Human Leader in the Age of AI
Erica Keswin is a speaker, bestselling author, and workplace strategist who partners with some of the most well-known companies in the world. For the past two decades, Erica’s work has defined what it means to be a human leader. Erica’s WSJ Bestselling Human Workplace Trilogy: Bring Your Human to Work, Rituals Roadmap, and The Retention Revolution was published by McGraw Hill. When Erica isn’t writing books, she delivers keynotes, leads workshops, and coaches organizations and individuals.
Jay Bowman – Partner, FMI Consulting
Key Trends AEC Industry Professionals Need to Know
Jay Bowman is a partner at FMI and one of the construction industry’s most trusted advisors on strategy and growth. He works with AEC firms on high-stakes decisions around markets, expansion, and diversification, guided by his Mixed Market Principle—that bull and bear conditions always coexist. Named one of the Top 50 Construction Influencers globally by Autodesk, Jay co-authors the North America Construction Outlook and has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and ENR. A frequent keynote speaker, he is known for making complex market trends clear, relatable, and actionable.
Jim Thompson – Chairman & CEO, DCCM
Growing and Retaining Talent in Today’s Competitive Landscape
Jim Thompson is a seasoned executive with over 40 years of experience in project development, engineering, construction, and facilities management, focusing on profitable growth and global project delivery. Prior to starting DCCM, Jim spent 13 years with AECOM in several roles, including CEO of International Government Services and President & CEO of TCB AECOM, serving the southern and southwestern United States. Earlier in his career, Jim was President & CEO of JF Thompson (Thompson Engineering), a civil and structural engineering consulting and surveying firm serving public and private clients throughout Texas and the greater Gulf Coast. He is a registered professional civil and structural engineer and a certified design-build professional.
Bob Kelleher – Author/Speaker/Founder, AEC Workplace Solutions
Leadership Lessons from the 1980 US Men’s Hockey Gold Winning ‘Miracle’
Bob is a best-selling author of five books, a keynote speaker, a global thought leader on employee engagement, and an AEC industry expert who travels the globe sharing his insights on employee engagement, leadership, and workforce trends. Bob is also the Founder and President of AEC Workplace Solutions (formerly The Employee Engagement Group) and host of the HR Summit since its inception in 2010. Previously, Bob spent 25 years in the AEC industry, including roles with AECOM as Chief HR Officer; ENSR as Executive Vice President of Organizational Development, and Chief Operating Officer; and Metcalf & Eddy as Director of HR.
Breakout Speakers
Emily White – Talent Development Manager, Timmons Group
Blueprints for Growth: A Strategic Approach to Talent Development
Emily White is the Talent Development Manager at Timmons Group, with over 20 years of experience in learning and development across multiple industries. She holds a master’s degree in education with a focus on Instructional Design and is known for creating learning experiences that drive results and leave learners feeling respected and inspired. Emily brings deep expertise in leadership training, data-driven design, and adult learning theory, and is passionate about storytelling, visual design, and delivering learning that sparks real change.
Ryan Southern – Organizational Dev. Director, Freese & Nichols
Career Architecture: Building a Future-Ready Workforce Through Structure, Skills, and Strategy
Ryan leads Organizational Development at Freese and Nichols, bringing over 20 years of experience in learning, leadership, and talent development. He drives strategic initiatives that strengthen people practices and align talent growth with business goals. Ryan helped design and implement his firm’s Career Architecture framework, including the integration of Success Profiles, the launch of their internal eLearning platform, and the buildout of their Job Architecture for scalable career growth. His work ensures leaders are prepared, managers coach effectively, and the workforce stays aligned with the evolving needs of the AEC industry.
Kellie Dougan – HR Leader, SVP, Bartlett & West
Leadership Unlocked: Creative Approaches to Nurture Successors and Elevate Leadership
Kellie brings over 32 years of Human Resources experience, with additional depth from 12 years in engineering and 20 years in banking. Across these industries, she’s discovered a universal truth: people want to grow, each in their own way. Together with fellow employee-owners, she has been championing new, creative ways to ensure every individual has a voice and can discover where they belong within the organization.
Beth Eibl – Sr. HRBP, Smith Seckman Reid, Inc
Staying NSYNC (pun intended): Aligning Feedback, Growth & Accountability
As Senior HR Business Partner at Smith Seckman Reid, Inc., Beth Eibl brings over a decade of experience in a multitude of areas, including coaching, counseling, total rewards, and crafting people-centric solutions that drive organizational growth. Beth thrives on variety and challenge, and a desire to make a meaningful impact through people.
Jessica Nyce
Director of HR – Smith Seckman Reid, Inc
Staying NSYNC (pun intended): Aligning Feedback, Growth & Accountability
Jessica Nyce is a dynamic HR leader with a passion for people, employment law, and organizational development. As Director of Human Resources at Smith Seckman Reid, Inc., she brings a wealth of experience in strategic HR leadership, employee engagement, compensation strategy, and succession planning. Jessica is known for her ability to craft policies and programs that support a thriving workforce culture.
Danielle Voss – VP of HR, DUDEK
Map Your Future: Using Job Descriptions to Build Next-Level Career Ladders
Danielle Voss serves as Vice President of Human Resources at Dudek, bringing nearly 20 years of HR expertise and more than nine years of dedicated service to the firm. She has been instrumental in expanding the HR department, building specialized teams in recruiting, talent management, benefits, wellness, and learning and development. Danielle has strengthened Dudek’s culture, advanced DEI initiatives, and contributed to multiple Top Workplace and Culture Excellence awards. She holds an MS in Employee Relations from the University of New Haven and was honored with the San Diego HR Forum’s HR Rock Star Award.
Molly Mapes – Sr. Talent Acquisition Partner, DUDEK
Map Your Future: Using Job Descriptions to Build Next-Level Career Ladders
Molly Mapes is the Talent Acquisition Partner at Dudek, bringing more than 28 years of HR experience, primarily within the AEC industry. She has spent over four years at Dudek, where she leads strategic recruitment efforts across technical and professional roles. Before joining Dudek, Molly served as a Senior Strategic Recruiter for Wood’s Pacific Region and held recruiting roles at Booz Allen Hamilton, AMEC, and General Dynamics. She holds an M.Ed. in Career Education and HR, along with a BA in Psychology from Bowling Green State University. Molly is recognized for her deep industry knowledge and strong talent-building expertise.
Melissa Wilcox – VP of HR, KCI
Total Rewards: Building a Value-Based Culture for Success
Melissa Wilcox, VP of HR at KCI, leads company-wide HR strategy with expertise in personnel management, resource optimization, and organizational performance. A part of KCI since 1998, she brings deep institutional knowledge through her work in leadership coaching, consulting, and her tenure as Director of Quality and Organizational Development. Melissa’s extensive experience strengthens KCI’s talent strategy, employee engagement, and organizational development efforts. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Rochester, an MBA from the University of Buffalo, and a CPCU designation.
Amanda Wachendorf – Director of Product Mgmt., Eagle Point Software
Unlocking Business Value Through an Intentional Learning Ecosystem
Amanda Wachendorf is the Director of Product Management at Eagle Point Software, leading the development and evolution of the Pinnacle Series learning solutions. She joined the company in 2018 as its first Customer Success Manager and has since played a key role in building teams, improving processes, and driving client-focused innovation. Appointed Director in 2022, Amanda uses her diverse industry background to keep the platform aligned with the changing needs of users and organizations. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Clarke University. Outside of work, Amanda enjoys family time, gardening, cooking, travel, and Tough Mudder races.
Anthony Fasano – President and CEO, Engineering Management Institute
What Your Workforce Wants: Key AEC Talent Trends from the Future of Work Report
Anthony Fasano is the President and CEO of the Engineering Management Institute and a leading voice in engineering career development. After early success as a civil engineer, he shifted his focus to helping engineers grow their core and leadership skills through coaching, speaking, and training. He is the author of the bestselling Engineer Your Own Success and co-creator of two top-rated engineering podcasts, including The Engineering Career Coach, recognized by Forbes as a top inspiring podcast. Anthony holds engineering degrees from Lafayette College and Columbia University and an executive coaching certification from iPEC.
Fiona Johann – Strategic Initiatives Team Leader, Engineering Management Institute
What Your Workforce Wants: Key AEC Talent Trends from the Future of Work Report
Fiona Johann, PMP, AEC PM, joined The Engineering Management Institute as the Strategic Initiatives Team Leader in February 2025. With eight years of experience in developing leadership programs in an academic setting, she brings valuable expertise in planning and executing impactful initiatives. Fiona utilizes her PMP certification and program management skills to oversee events like PM AEC Connect and optimize internal processes for improved efficiency. Based in central North Carolina, she combines her strategic approach with a passion for driving successful outcomes at EMI.
Testimonials about AEC HR Summit Speakers
“Many conferences I have attended in the past have “some” good sessions…even some great ones – but I’ve never felt like ALL of the sessions – from keynotes to breakouts were so phenomenal! They were all great sessions!”
Tamara Goff
Principal/Director of Marketing & Communications at HBG Design“First time coming to the AEC HR Summit and was blown away with the information presented to us and the knowledge I walked away with.”
Kristen Benton
HR Generalist at R.E.Y. Engineers“Off the charts incredible!!”
Chad Robertson
HR Director at Fisher Associates“Great information that I will share with senior leadership and our board.”
Laurie Iulg
HR Director at LJB Inc.“Keynote speakers were phenomenal!”
Audra Augustin
Regional HR Specialist at CRB