In this episode of The Inference Show, we are joined by Angela Byrne, President of Perez APC, an award-winning architecture, design, and construction firm based in New Orleans. Angela’s journey is anything but linear. From growing up with a passion for both art and math to becoming a leader in architecture, real estate development, and business, she shares how curiosity, resilience, and adaptability shaped her career. From designing buildings to owning and rebuilding a firm through some of the toughest moments in history, Angela brings a deeply human perspective to leadership and innovation. From navigating early entrepreneurial ventures in her 20s to leading a firm through crises like Hurricane Katrina, Angela shares powerful lessons on reinvention, humility, and what it truly takes to build something that lasts. In this conversation, Angela dives into: * Growing up between Colombia and the U.S., and how early exposure to architecture shaped her career * Why architecture is the perfect blend of art, math, and engineering * Starting her first real estate development projects at just 24 * The importance of understanding finance alongside design * Her journey across New York, entrepreneurship, and eventually leading Perez APC * Living through Hurricane Katrina and rebuilding her business from scratch * Leading through uncertainty and making tough decisions as a business owner * The mindset required to survive crises and continuously reinvent yourself * Why humility, hunger, and intelligence are critical traits for hiring and leadership * The role of storytelling, communication, and listening in winning high-stakes projects * The future of construction, including modular design and 3D printing * Challenges in financing innovative architectural projects * Mentorship, leadership philosophy, and building the next generation of leaders * Why success is never final—and the importance of always striving for more — About Angela Byrne Angela Byrne is the President of Perez APC, where she leads complex architecture, design, and construction projects across sectors including healthcare, education, and infrastructure. With decades of experience spanning design, development, and finance, Angela has built and rebuilt organizations through some of the most challenging moments, including Hurricane Katrina. She is also a community leader and was instrumental in post-Katrina rebuilding efforts through initiatives like CityWorks, helping shape a more resilient New Orleans. — About the Host Dr. Manish Arora is the co-founder of LearnDesk and Insaito, where he leads marketing and sales. He has helped scale LearnDesk into a global platform serving over 25,000 businesses worldwide. He is currently building Automatan, an AI-powered platform for intelligent workflow automation. With 80+ patents and deep industry experience, Dr. Arora brings thoughtful, human-centered conversations to leaders across disciplines. — The Inference Show The Inference Show explores leadership, learning, technology, and human performance through conversations with builders, thinkers, and practitioners shaping the future. Stay connected and explore more episodes, guests, and insights: 🔗 Automatan: https://www.linkedin.com/company/automatan-ai 🔗 Insaito: https://in.linkedin.com/company/insaito-inc 🔗 Dr. Manish Arora: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manish7901 🔗 Vivek Puri: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivpuri 🔗 LearnDesk: https://www.learndesk.us/ 🔗 Insaito: https://www.insaito.com/ Want to be a guest? Email us at vivek@insaito.com
