Clarity, Confidence, and Connection: A Framework for What Top AE Firms Do Differently
CLICK HERE to download your copy of the presentation slides.
CLICK HERE to view all of our upcoming live events.
Summary
The AEC industry is evolving rapidly — shaped by increasing project complexity, accelerating AI adoption, workforce burnout, and changing expectations around leadership and career growth.
In this webinar, we explore key findings from the 2026 Future of Work in AEC Report, based on insights from 400+ AEC professionals across multiple career stages and disciplines.
The session introduces the “Three C’s” framework — Clarity, Confidence, and Connection — along with a fourth reinforcing element: Ownership. Together, these pillars reveal what separates high-engagement, talent-first firms from the rest of the industry.
You’ll learn where firms are struggling to keep pace, why traditional development systems are no longer enough, and how leading organizations are building cultures that improve engagement, retention, leadership development, and long-term performance.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why career clarity and transparent advancement systems directly impact retention and performance
- How firms can build confidence in AI adoption through training, role-based learning, and repeatable workflows
- The growing disconnect between leadership and staff experiences — and how connection improves engagement
- Why ownership and employee investment create stronger accountability, initiative, and retention
- Practical strategies AEC leaders can implement this quarter to build stronger, more engaged teams in a changing industry
Speakers
Anthony Fasano, P.E., AEC PM | Engineering Management Institute
Most AEC organizations are too busy to focus on attracting, developing, and retaining talented professionals, making it hard to grow. Through his work a tEMI, Fasano utilizes a proven framework to help organizations, both public and private, build professional development plans, programs, and tools that help them attract, build, AND maintain strong teams and grow sustainably.
Fasano has written a bestselling book entitled Engineer Your Own Success (by IEEE-Wiley Press) and Beyond PM Training, and under his stewardship, EMI has built a massive content platform including 10 active podcasts, 3 YouTube channels, and a popular blog dedicated to helping AEC professionals become better managers and leaders.
Fiona Johann, PMP, ACE PM | Engineering Management Institute
Fiona Johann is a PMP-certified Project Manager and the Manager of Strategic Marketing & Engagement at the Engineering Management Institute. With a background in higher education leadership development, she specializes in helping AEC professionals strengthen their project management, communication, and leadership capabilities in an industry undergoing rapid transformation.
Through her work at EMI, Fiona partners with engineers, project managers, and firm leaders to develop practical leadership systems that improve team performance, engagement, and long-term career growth. Her expertise includes strategic initiatives, professional development programming, stakeholder engagement, and workforce readiness.