What happens when a leader chooses authenticity over authority? In this episode, we sit down with Craig Galati, FAIA, FSMPS—author of The Reluctant Leader, and Principal at LGA Architecture—for a powerful conversation about leading with intention, empathy, and heart.

Craig shares how his leadership journey evolved from quiet reluctance to intentional impact. We explore how his values shaped the culture at LGA Architecture, why empathy belongs in the boardroom, how he invested in building the next generation of leaders, and what it means to step away from a firm you've helped build. In this powerful and reflective conversation, we dive into:

• The principles behind The Reluctant Leader and why so many leaders relate
• Why leading with vulnerability isn’t a weakness—it’s a strength
• How to cultivate and empower the next generation of leaders within your firm
• What Craig hopes the next generation of AEC leaders won’t forget

This episode is a must-listen for leaders rethinking their role, their legacy, and what truly matters in the long arc of a career

In this episode, we sit down with Bob Higgins, Chairman of the Board at Barge Design Solutions and Senior Consultant at Thrivence. With a long-standing track record of impactful leadership and industry influence, Bob shares powerful insights on vision, values, and what it really means to lead beyond the boardroom. From the importance of strategic clarity to building resilient teams, his perspective is both practical and inspiring.

Tune in for a candid conversation about leadership that lasts—and how to create meaningful impact from the top down.

In this episode of Beyond the Boardroom, three firm leaders share how embracing a people-first approach has transformed their A/E/C firms. By prioritizing their teams, they’ve built strong, unique cultures that drive productivity, foster collaboration, and deliver remarkable business results. Learn how focusing on people leads to natural outcomes like growth and revenue. Discover actionable strategies to enhance your firm’s culture and unlock sustainable success. If you’re ready to transform your firm from the inside out, this episode is for you.

Guests:

Greg Horejs: With over 24 years of experience in the land development industry, Greg Horejs, P.E. combines technical expertise with a passion for building strong, dynamic teams. In 2016, he founded CAGE Engineering, Inc., with a mission to elevate the engineering consulting industry by delivering an unmatched level of service and expertise to clients tackling complex engineering, land surveying, and construction management challenges. He has cultivated a culture that balances support with challenge, enabling team members to grow their careers while consistently exceeding client expectations. Today, CAGE has expanded into a thriving firm with offices in Illinois, Colorado, Arizona, North Carolina, and Florida, delivering top-tier consulting services nationwide. When he's not leading his team or giving back to his community, Greg is fully immersed in family life. With four active kids, he's often found cheering them on at their sporting events.

Roseann Schmid: Roseann graduated from Clarkson University in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Her extensive experience spans multiple disciplines within civil engineering, including structural, environmental, transportation, and traffic engineering, as well as planning, design, and construction management. This diverse background has equipped her with both strong technical expertise and exceptional communication skills. A licensed Professional Engineer in New York State, Roseann has dedicated over 18 years to Fisher Associates, serving in key leadership roles such as Project Manager, Highway Group Manager, and Director of Transportation. Since January 2018, she has served as CEO of the firm. As CEO, Roseann drives the firm’s long-term strategy, ensuring alignment with its core purpose, mission, vision, and core values. She is passionate about cultivating a culture that focuses on open communication, transparency, and employee growth and development.

Ryan Schmitt: 100% Owner, Founder and President of Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc. Ryan has over 32 years’ experience in the civil contracting industry with the last twenty-seven in senior management. A proven leader in the civil construction industry bringing a consistent history of corporate and association leadership, his areas of expertise include strategic planning, organizational design, process development and implementation, recruiting and staffing, motivating work force, safety design and implementation, estimating, project management, equipment acquisition and managerial accounting.

In this inaugural episode of Beyond the Boardroom, we dive into the often-overlooked isolation of leadership. Join us for a candid and vulnerable conversation about the importance of finding a trusted cohort—a tribe of fellow leaders who understand the challenges of steering the ship. Learn how to cultivate these vital relationships, gain insights from their journeys, and find the guidance, support, and camaraderie that every leader needs to thrive. Whether you’re seeking advice or champions for your cause, this episode lays the foundation for building meaningful connections that inspire and elevate.

Be sure to use code: ELEVATE for $300 off at ai.thrivence.com when registering for the AI Accelerator on May 15-16 in Nashville, TN.

Guests:

Jeff Gilliland, PE: Founding principal of J2, a multi-discipline engineering firm based in Virginia. While he has experience in all aspects of land development including planning; site feasibility analysis; rezoning; hydrology and hydraulics; and roadway design, he is best recognized for his diverse experience with mixed-use planned developments. A true engineer, he enjoys diving into the engineering side of things, but also relishes the opportunity to reinforce J2’s culture. He has been chiefly responsible for building the firm to over 85 employees in five offices in Northern Virginia. Jeff deftly manages both the engineering and business sides of the firm because he is passionate about the industry, the people, and the work.

Brian J. Sielaff, P.E., S.E., P. ENG. : Founding Tamarack Grove Engineering out of a love for design and problem-solving, the opportunity to serve a need within the industry, and a desire to lead with purpose, Brian gets to live his “why” every day. With more than 20,000 projects under his belt and 25+ years of experience, he successfully balances the operations of his 45-person structural engineering firm with delivering the ultimate client experience.

Rob Matthews MSCE, PE: Rob has built a thriving company by establishing solid, long-term partnerships with his clients through integrity, honest communication, and dependability. Rob serves as an advisor and principal-in-charge on every project, taking a personal interest in ensuring that project schedules and budgets are met, and clients receive high-quality deliverables. With a master’s degree in civil engineering from Clemson University and over 25 years of experience in land development, Rob provides an innovative approach and expertise to all phases of land development, civil engineering, and environmental and regulatory permitting.