Dear Corner Office’s Podcast

micheleheyward
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Management and human resources professionals often wonder why diverse employees leave or what their workplace experiences are like. Dear Corner Office provides real-life experiences of women of color STEM professionals in corporate America.

  1. May 27

    The Career Nobody Told You Was Possible

    Jean Malafrante went to Mexico in college to build schools, and couldn't drink the water. That moment launched a 20+ year career in environmental engineering, a managing director role she never planned for, and eventually a consulting firm she built from a single contract in her first 60 days. She joins Michele to talk about asking for the work nobody else wanted, learning the business before she needed it, and why the engineers who will lead the next generation aren't the ones solving the technical problem; they're the ones who understand the people in the room.

    49 min

  2. May 6

    Built to Fail: The Infrastructure Mistakes No One Talks About Until It's Too Late

    Most people flip on a light switch or plug in their EV and never think twice about how that power got there. Dr. Richard Ezike has spent his career at the intersection of policy, technology, and workforce  across the Department of Energy, EPA, Department of Transportation, and Argonne National Laboratory and he's here to tell you everything that had to go right (and often goes very wrong) before that charger works. In this episode, Michele and Richard break down EV charging infrastructure from the ground up the three levels of charging, why half the stations you find on a map might be down, and what the federal government actually did to try to fix it. They get into cost overruns on major projects, how public utility commissions set your electric rates, who shows up to those meetings (and who doesn't), and what it costs communities when companies build at them instead of with them. Plus: what young engineers should be learning right now to stay employable in a shifting energy landscape and why hands-on training will never be replaced by a Zoom course.

    55 min

  3. Apr 22

    Beyond the Grind: Rethinking Promotions, Feedback, and Culture in AEC

    This episode features Heather Calvert, Chief Operating Officer at CORE, sharing how her firm intentionally centers people, equity, and psychological safety while still delivering complex projects on time and on budget. Heather walks through CORE’s journey from scrappy startup to “thirteen‑year‑old teenager” firm, including the painful inflection points of rapid COVID‑era growth and what they had to redesign to truly scale. She dives into their equity‑driven promotion and feedback systems, explaining how crowd‑sourced input and collaborative performance conversations help reduce bias and burnout.    Heather also unpacks the delivery pressures facing AEC firms today and why real‑time communication, trust‑building with clients, and developing engineers’ soft skills are just as critical as technical excellence. Throughout the conversation, she offers practical examples leaders can use to build cultures where people feel safe speaking up, learning from misalignment, and actually “living their core” at work.

    53 min

  4. Apr 8

    The Engineering Talent Risk AEC Leaders Ignore

    What happens when workforce strategy quietly becomes your biggest delivery risk? In this episode of Dear Corner Office, Michele Heyward sits down with Chris Ross, HR leader, industry insider, and PositiveHire advisor, who recruited her into the AEC industry nearly 20 years ago. Together, they unpack how engineering and architecture firms used to manage talent, what was lost along the way, and why leadership behavior has become one of the most underestimated risks in today’s firms. From the shift to skills-based hiring, to what exit interviews are really saying, to why hybrid work has exposed long-standing leadership gaps, this conversation makes one thing clear: people don’t leave organizations, they leave experiences. If you’re a firm leader, HR executive, or project delivery leader navigating retention challenges, talent shortages, or rising delivery pressure, this episode will sound uncomfortably familiar and deeply relevant.

    1h 2m

  5. Mar 25

    Career Strategy for Underrepresented Women Engineers in AEC Industry

    Join us for a thought-provoking session led by industry thought leader, where we will delve into the essential components of a powerful career strategy designed specifically for underrepresented women in the AEC industry. Michele will identify and explore 3-5 strategic steps that are crucial for navigating the complex landscape of racial and gender barriers often faced by underrepresented women professionals in AEC. She will draw upon their extensive experience and expertise to shed light on practical approaches that can empower women to overcome obstacles and achieve their career goals. Listeners will gain valuable knowledge and actionable takeaways to implement in their own career strategies, helping them overcome systemic barriers and create paths to success.

    44 min

  6. Mar 11

    5 Ways to Promote Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Your AEC Company

    Are you an experienced executive in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, looking to make a positive impact on diversity, equity, and inclusion within your organization? It's never too late to take action!  Join Michele Heyward for a transformative webinar designed specifically for professionals like you. In this episode, "Empowering Change: 5 Ways to Promote Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Your AEC Company," she will explore the crucial steps you can take to foster a culture of inclusivity and create a lasting positive impact for your black employees and coworkers.

    29 min

  7. Feb 25

    Glass Cliff to Bridge: Crafting a Roadmap to Sustainable DEI in Engineering Construction Industry

    In this BuiltXWomen episode, we explore how underrepresented professionals are often placed into high-stakes roles with little support, then blamed when systems fail. This conversation goes beyond surface-level DEI talk and gets honest about why many initiatives don’t stick. Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of the glass cliff phenomenon, its impact on careers and organizations, and a practical roadmap for building sustainable, inclusive environments that actually work. This episode is for leaders, professionals, and change-makers ready to turn intention into impact.

    41 min

  8. Feb 11

    Activating Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Pioneering Change in Interior Design

    Join Michele Heyward and guest, Jessica Bantom, for a thought-provoking conversation on the importance of inclusivity in design. Our speaker will shed light on the current landscape, discuss the gaps in DEI practices, and inspire you to be a driving force for positive change within the industry. This engaging talk delves into the untapped potential of DEI and its profound impact on shaping the future of design. Key Highlights: Innovating Through Diversity: Explore how embracing diverse perspectives can drive innovation and reshape interior design, making spaces more universally appealing and meaningful. Navigating the DEI Landscape: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the current state of DEI within interior design, identifying challenges, opportunities, and the pivotal role of inclusivity. Designing for All: Discover the symbiotic relationship between inclusivity and design excellence. Learn how diverse perspectives can lead to groundbreaking solutions that resonate with a global audience. Bridging Gaps and Fostering Change: Uncover existing industry gaps hindering DEI progress and explore actionable strategies to foster an inclusive design community. Empowerment for Change: Our expert speaker, proficient in both design and DEI, will empower you to become an agent of change. Learn from real-world success stories and practical insights to actively promote inclusivity in design. Collective Responsibility: Recognize the shared responsibility of individuals and organizations in advancing DEI within the design sphere. Discover how your contributions can lead to lasting impact. Interactive Engagement: Engage in a live Q&A session with our speaker, providing an opportunity to directly interact, share experiences, and seek guidance on navigating your DEI journey.

    36 min
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About

Management and human resources professionals often wonder why diverse employees leave or what their workplace experiences are like. Dear Corner Office provides real-life experiences of women of color STEM professionals in corporate America.

Information

  • Creator
    micheleheyward
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Dear Corner Office’s Podcast