WGI Unleashed Podcast: David Gerber, Project Manager
WGI Unleashed
In this episode of the WGI Unleashed Podcast, hosts Dan and Katie are back in our office to sit back down with David Gerber, Project Manager on our ! David is a two-time guest, a “two-peat” he happily likens to Steve Martin’s SNL record. Last time around, he got a little feedback for being too tight-lipped about his coworkers, so this time he came prepared to fix that, handing out shout-outs across thirteen years and five offices… From Miami to Lakeland David was born in Miami and lived there until he was about five, when Hurricane Andrew came through and cost his parents their jobs....
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Rachel Starck, Environmental Scientist
WGI Unleashed
In this episode of the WGI Unleashed Podcast, hosts Dan and Katie head down to our corporate headquarters to sit down with Rachel Starck, Environmental Scientist! Rachel is a Florida native who grew up in Orlando with a childhood reputation for attracting wildlife, and a mother who gave her exactly the right career advice at exactly the right time. Two and a half years into her first job out of college, she's doing the work she set out to do... and loving every second of it. From Orlando to the Atlantic Coast Rachel grew up in Orlando, where both of her parents built long careers at Walt...
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Susanna Coleman, Administrative Assistant
WGI Unleashed
In the latest episode of the , hosts Dan and Katie head back to South Florida to sit down with Susanna Coleman, an Administrative Assistant in WGI’s ! Susanna’s story is one of curiosity, reinvention, and an unshakable love of learning. From the south side of Chicago to the shipyards of Scandinavia, Susanna has lived what she jokingly calls “several lives” — and each one has shaped the curious, people-loving teammate she is today. This is one conversation you won’t want to miss. From the South Side of Chicago to South Florida Born and raised in a tight-knit, blue-collar suburb...
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Kristen Nowicki, Senior Project Manager
WGI Unleashed
In this episode of the , we head to Fort Lauderdale to catch up with Kristen Nowicki, Senior Project Manager on WGI’s team. From her early days climbing trees in Pennsylvania to helping shape communities across South Florida, Kristen’s story is equal parts thoughtful, driven, and refreshingly down to earth. We also learned one very important thing right away: she could eat pineapple pizza every day for the rest of her life. That might be the boldest take we’ve had on the podcast yet. From Tree Hugger to Planner Kristen’s path into planning was anything but linear, and it makes...
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Scott Jones, Technical Geospatial Solutions Manager
WGI Unleashed
At WGI, every associate brings a unique story to the table, but few start on a remote fishing island in Alaska and end up leading cutting-edge geospatial solutions across the country. In this episode of the , Dan and Katie sit down with Scott Jones, Technical Solutions Manager on our team, to talk about a career path shaped by adventure, curiosity, and a willingness to solve problems in some of the most challenging environments imaginable. A Childhood Built for Adventure Scott’s story begins in Petersburg, Alaska, a small fishing community where getting anywhere requires a boat or a plane...
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Jason Alvarez, Senior Operations Manager
WGI Unleashed
On the latest episode of the , we travel to WGI’s to sit down with Jason Alvarez, Senior Operations Manager for our group. In this episode, hosts Dan and Katie explore Jason’s 23-year journey at WGI, from starting in the field as a rod person to leading operations in one of the firm’s growing offices. His story highlights persistence, curiosity, and the impact of saying yes to opportunity. From Florida Roots to Geospatial Leadership Jason grew up in Central and South Florida, including time in Lake Wales, where he balanced football and marching band. Yes, marching band. And yes, there...
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Maria Acosta, Video Multimedia Editor
WGI Unleashed
On the latest episode of the , we head back to WGI's corporate headquarters in to sit down with Maria Acosta, Video Multimedia Editor! In this episode, hosts Dan and Katie take listeners behind the camera to spotlight Maria’s creative journey, the role she plays in shaping WGI’s multimedia content, and the passion she brings to telling stories through video. From her early artistic roots to her role producing podcasts, training videos, and campaign visuals, Maria’s story shows how curiosity, resilience, and creativity can lead to an exciting and impactful career at WGI. Early Creativity...
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Jill Mathison, Geospatial Administrator
WGI Unleashed
In the final episode of 2025, the heads to as hosts Dan and Katie sit down with Jill Mathison, a long-time member of WGI’s ! Jill’s story is one of persistence, adaptability, and wholehearted commitment. From her early days growing up on Long Island to helping shape WGI through years of growth and transformation, Jill’s journey reflects what it truly means to build a career with intention. From Long Island to South Florida Born in New York and raised on Long Island, Jill grew up surrounded by creativity and culture. Thanks to a mother who loved the arts, childhood trips into...
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Amanda Wojtasiak, Graduate Architect
WGI Unleashed
In this episode of the , hosts Dan and Katie sit down with Amanda Wojtasiak, a Graduate Architect in our , whose path into the profession is anything but ordinary. Amanda brings a spark of creativity, a global childhood, and a love of learning to everything she touches, and this episode shines a light on the personality behind her growing design career at WGI. From living overseas to mastering artistic crafts to racing sailboats under the moonlight, Amanda’s story is filled with movement, energy, and curiosity. This episode offers a fun, vibrant look at one of the many talented young...
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Coleen Johnson, Director of Geospatial
WGI Unleashed
The October edition of the is officially here! Join us as we travel to , to chat with Coleen Johnson, RPLS, WGI’s Director of . Coleen’s story is one of resilience, curiosity, and a lifelong passion for learning. From hand-drafting machine parts in Houston to leading cutting-edge geospatial teams at WGI, her journey proves that sometimes the best career paths are the ones you create yourself. From Small-Town Roots to the Lone Star State Coleen grew up in the rural town of Hannibal, New York, surrounded by rolling hills, dairy farms, and open skies. With four siblings, a farm-loving...
info_outlineIn this episode of the WGI Unleashed Podcast, we head to Fort Lauderdale to catch up with Kristen Nowicki, Senior Project Manager on WGI’s Planning team. From her early days climbing trees in Pennsylvania to helping shape communities across South Florida, Kristen’s story is equal parts thoughtful, driven, and refreshingly down to earth.
We also learned one very important thing right away: she could eat pineapple pizza every day for the rest of her life. That might be the boldest take we’ve had on the podcast yet.
From Tree Hugger to Planner
Kristen’s path into planning was anything but linear, and it makes perfect sense when you hear her story. Growing up just outside Philadelphia, she spent a lot of time outdoors, which sparked an early interest in the environment. That passion led her to study environmental science at the University of Florida.
But somewhere along the way, her perspective shifted. Instead of trying to stop development, she realized the real opportunity was in shaping it responsibly. That mindset led her back to school for a master’s in urban and regional planning and into a career where she could balance growth with environmental and community needs.
Finding Her Lane at WGI
Since joining WGI in 2020, Kristen has expanded her role beyond traditional planning. She now works across multidisciplinary teams, manages complex projects, and plays a key role in business development.
From municipal planning efforts to private development projects, her work covers a wide range of services. One standout example is a recent affordable housing project designed for seniors on fixed incomes, a meaningful contribution to a growing need in South Florida.
What she enjoys most? The ability to take ownership of her career.
At WGI, Kristen has found the flexibility to explore new opportunities, build relationships, and grow her impact. It’s not about staying in a box. It’s about stepping outside of it and making things happen.
Building Connections That Matter
Kristen is deeply involved in the planning community through organizations like the American Planning Association, where she has taken on leadership roles and helped organize major industry events.
For her, these connections are a way to stay engaged, keep learning, and contribute to the future of the profession. Whether it’s mentoring students, speaking at conferences, or collaborating with peers, she’s all in.
Planning for People
One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is Kristen’s perspective on planning itself.
Land use, zoning, and development approvals are all a part of the gig, but ultimately, it’s about people.
From public spaces to housing to infrastructure, every project impacts how communities live, work, and connect. Kristen approaches her work with that bigger picture in mind, always considering how decisions today will shape experiences tomorrow.
Life Outside the Office
When she’s not managing projects or attending industry events, Kristen is making the most of everything South Florida has to offer.
She’s a Yelp Elite reviewer, always on the hunt for new restaurants and local spots. She enjoys checking out festivals, live music, and anything that brings people together. And in the kitchen, she’s taken things to another level with homemade kombucha, hot sauce, and just about anything she can experiment with.
She also keeps things growing with a small hydroponic garden, proving that once a “tree hugger,” always a “tree hugger.”
Tune In
Kristen’s story is a great reminder that careers don’t have to follow a straight path. With the right mindset, a willingness to adapt, and a focus on people, you can build something meaningful along the way.
Listen to the full episode of WGI Unleashed to hear more about Kristen’s journey, her projects, and her take on what it means to plan for the future.
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