The New Rules of Hiring: Fit, Autonomy & Human-Centered Leadership
Women in AEC: Wine After Work
This week on Women in AEC: Wine After Work, I’m joined by the brilliant Seyka Mejeur, CEO and Founder of AdAstra Talent Advisors—an executive search firm helping early-stage Clean Tech and New Space startups build high-performing leadership and technical teams. Seyka has built her career around one philosophy: 👉 People thrive when they’re given autonomy and placed in environments that align with their strengths, values, and long-term goals. In this conversation, we explore: ✨ What true workplace autonomy looks like (and why most companies still get it wrong) ✨ How to match talent...
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Designing Your Own Blueprint: Women, Architecture & The Right Fit with She Builds Podcast
Women in AEC: Wine After Work
Guest(s): Norgerie Rivas, Licensed Architect (Houston, TX) — 10 years of experience in commercial design projects, co-creator of She Builds Podcast, passionate about uncovering the untold stories of women in architecture, engineering, and construction. Jessica Rogers, Marketing & Office Coordinator at an architecture firm in Miami, co-host of She Builds Podcast, advocate for women’s representation and recognition across creative industries. In this episode, Bryce sits down with Norgerie and Jessica from She Builds Podcast — a show dedicated to shining light on the women who...
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Designing Your Own Fit: Autonomy, Leadership & Career Systems
Women in AEC: Wine After Work
In this episode, Bryce sits down with Erin Fantozz to explore what “finding the right fit” really means in architecture and beyond. Erin shares her journey—from commercial A&D design to launching her own firm and building systems that support autonomy, growth, and meaningful leadership. Together they discuss: The tension between design passion and the structures that support it. How autonomy comes from systems, not isolation. What firms can do to attract and retain talent by offering clarity, culture, and career trajectories. Why defining your “fit” is less about the job...
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Unlocking Talent: AEC Hiring Strategies That Work in 2025 & Beyond
Women in AEC: Wine After Work
In this special episode of Wine After Work, Bryce shares highlights from her recent METALCON presentation, “Unlocking Talent: Proven Strategies for Attracting External Candidates in 2025/2026.” The AEC industry is facing a turning point — labor shortages, an aging workforce, and shifting expectations are redefining how firms attract and retain talent. In this solo episode, Bryce breaks down the data, the real challenges, and what top-performing firms are doing differently. You’ll learn: Why speed and communication are your new hiring advantage The top 3 barriers keeping firms from...
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Designing Your Own Path: Women in Architecture with the Architectette
Women in AEC: Wine After Work
In this episode of Wine After Work: Women in AEC, Bryce sits down with architect, advocate, and podcast host Caitlin Brady, the creative mind behind The Architectette Podcast. Caitlin shares her journey from launching her career in architecture to becoming a recognized leader and 2023 AIA|DC Emerging Architect Award recipient. She opens up about her experience working in Philadelphia, San Francisco, and D.C., and how a “digital nomad” year sparked the idea for The Architectette Podcast. Together, Bryce and Caitlin dive into: The importance of finding the “right fit” in your firm and...
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How to Ethically Stack Jobs and Build a Million-Dollar Career using AI
Women in AEC: Wine After Work
How do you go from $80K/year to nearly $400K… and then turn that into a 7-figure business? This week on Wine After Work, I’m joined by Delaney William—former product manager turned entrepreneur, and founder of Elevated Tech. Delaney is the only coach teaching how to ethically stack remote jobs and use AI + automation to multiply income without starting a business or burning out. In this conversation, Delaney shares: His journey from $80K to $390K/year by stacking remote jobs. Why he walked away from it all to build a business that now generates $1M+ annually. How his team applied...
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Building an Aligned Business Empire
Women in AEC: Wine After Work
This week on Wine After Work, I’m joined by Kasey D’Amato—business strategist, executive life coach, and aligned empire builder. With over 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical sales, dermatology, entrepreneurship, and real estate, Kasey has built multiple businesses, launched a global skincare brand, and created a multi-seven-figure investment portfolio—all while maintaining a thriving personal life. In this conversation, Kasey shares: The roadblocks that hold high-achievers back and how to break through them. Why self-mastery and emotional intelligence are just as important as...
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Designing Spaces with Soul: A Conversation with Emily of Milliman Design Studio
Women in AEC: Wine After Work
In this episode of Wine After Work, I sit down with Emily, the visionary behind Milliman Design Studio, an interdisciplinary landscape architecture practice in Raleigh, NC. With over 12 years of experience, Emily has worked on complex international projects—ranging from parks and plazas to trails, resorts, and university campuses. We talk about how her work blends technical expertise with artistic vision, the role of community engagement in design, and why she believes landscapes should foster a deep connection between people and the environment. Emily also shares her journey from earning...
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The Career Architect: Designing a Career That Aligns with Your Vision & Values
Women in AEC: Wine After Work
In this special solo episode of Wine After Work, Bryce shares the heart behind her upcoming book The Career Architect. Just like a building needs vision, a foundation, and a blueprint, your career deserves intentional design. Tune in as Bryce explores: Why too many professionals “fall into” roles that don’t align with their values Why women often leave mid-career — and what firms can do to change that How to uncover your core values and use them as a filter for every career decision The difference between mentorship and sponsorship — and why both matter A simple but...
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From Corporate Exec to Entrepreneur: The Happy CEO Method
Women in AEC: Wine After Work
In this inspiring episode of Wine After Work, Bryce sits down with Charity — keynote speaker, author, and coach — to talk about the powerful shift from corporate executive life to thriving entrepreneurship. Charity shares her signature 4Ps Method (Power, Planning, Positioning, and Profits) and her Happy CEO framework, which has helped countless women accelerate growth while embracing joy and purpose. You’ll learn: ✨ How to successfully transition from corporate leadership into entrepreneurship ✨ The 4Ps every woman needs to build a sustainable business ✨ Why positivity, resilience,...
info_outlineInside the 2025 ENR 500: Why the Real Battle Is for Talent, Not Just Projects
In this episode of Wine After Work, Bryce breaks down the newly released ENR Top 500 Design Firms list for 2025—and why it’s more than just a revenue leaderboard.
With $135 billion in combined design revenue and firms rapidly expanding into infrastructure, data centers, and sustainability, the AEC industry is clearly booming. But here’s the problem: the growth is outpacing the talent pipeline.
Bryce shares how today’s leading firms are struggling to fill roles fast enough—and why attracting and retaining top talent has become the real competitive edge in 2025.
🔍 Topics Covered:
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The big takeaways from the 2025 ENR 500 list
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The growing disconnect between project wins and staffing capacity
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What AEC leaders need to do now to stay ahead in the talent race
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How to build a brand that top candidates want to work for
💡 Whether you're leading a firm or managing a growing team, this episode will inspire you to rethink your hiring strategy and invest in building a workplace that thrives long-term.
👉 Got hiring challenges? Bryce can help. DM her on Instagram or LinkedIn, or visit www.brycebatts.net