Workplace Innovator Podcast | Enhancing Your Employee Experience | Facility Management | CRE | Digital Workplace Technology

Jeff Frick is a podcast host and a media entrepreneur who is passionate about the future of work, leadership, and innovation. He is the host of two podcasts, Work 20XX and Turn the Lens, and he joins Mike Petrusky on this collaboration episode to share his current views on the workplace and the role of the built environment in the future of work. They explore how the physical office can serve as a place for meaningful interactions and experiences and discuss the role that technology can play in understanding space utilization and enhancing the experience of employees who come into the office. Jeff believes that leaders must shift their mindset from the workplace being where we are housing employees to creating an environment where they can deliver their best work and the office of the future will likely be more flexible, with a focus on hospitality and services. Collaboration and sharing of content across different platforms and communities can help in building a stronger, more engaged audience, so Mike and Jeff team up to offer the practical advice and encouragement you will need to be a Workplace Innovator! Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefrick/ Subscribe to the Work 20XX Podcast: https://www.work20xx.com/ Learn more about Menlo Creek Media: https://www.menlocreek.com/ Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://www.workplaceinnovator.com/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/  

Lorri Rowlandson is Senior Vice President for Strategy & Innovation at BGIS in Toronto and Alana Dunoff, ProFM, FMP, IFMA Fellow is a Consultant and Adjunct Professor at Temple University in Philadelphia. They joined Mike Petrusky on stage in front of an audience of FM professionals at IFMA’s Facility Fusion in Austin, TX to record a live podcast called “Leading through Change and the Future of FM Innovation” where they discussed change management and the role of technology in the built environment. Mike asked his guests to share practical use cases as they focused on sharing specific ways that facility managers can have a significant impact on the health of human beings in the workplace. Innovation in FM should start with small, incremental changes, and the panel emphasized that technology, especially AI, should be used to enhance human potential rather than replace it. Lorri and Alana agreed that continuous learning and upskilling are essential for staying relevant in this rapidly changing industry, so they offered change management strategies and practical advice to help you be a Workplace Innovator in your organization! Connect with Lorri on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorri-rowlandson/ Connect with Alana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanadunoff/ Learn more about IFMA: https://www.ifma.org/ Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://www.workplaceinnovator.com/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/  

Kay Sargent is Senior Principal and Director of Thought Leadership for Interiors at HOK where she is a recognized expert on workplace design and strategy and author of the new book, “Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces: Advancing Sensory Processing and Cognitive Well-Being in the Built Environment”. Mike Petrusky invites Kay back to the show for a milestone episode and an inspiring conversation about the importance of neuro-inclusive design in the workplace and the impact of the built environment on individuals. Kay believes that designing with intention and evidence-based methods is essential, so her book includes case studies and quotes from experts, providing a rich resource for those interested in neuro-inclusive design. Mike asks how technology can impact this topic and wonders about the role of facility management professionals as they collaborate with their partners to ensure that design decisions are not undermined by practical considerations. Kay shares that neuro-inclusive design is not just about accommodating specific needs but about optimizing human potential for everyone, so she and Mike offer the practical advice and encouragement you will need to be a Workplace Innovator! Connect with Kay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kay-sargent-53b2431/ Buy the book: https://www.inclusiveworkplace.design/ Learn more about the Interiors at HOK: https://www.hok.com/projects/discipline/interiors/ Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://www.workplaceinnovator.com/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/  

Amanda Schneider, LEED AP, MBA is Founder & President at ThinkLab, a TedX Speaker, and Host of “Design Nerds Anonymous” podcast where she is passionate about sharing research and insights for the built environment. Mike Petrusky asks Amanda about the evolving role of the workplace, the importance of process innovation over product innovation, and the impact of generational changes in the world of work today. They explore the integration of human resources, workplace design, and technology, and the need for professionals to connect space to strategy, people to purpose, and data to decisions. Amanda believes that the built environment is no longer just a backdrop to work, but “it is the workplace experience” and she is excited about the possibilities for workplace leaders as research reveals that Gen Z thinks digital first and analog second, which impacts how they build relationships and engage with the workplace. Tune in as Mike and Amanda share stories from their podcasting experiences while they encourage and inspire you to be a Workplace Innovator! Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandajeanschneider/ Learn more about ThinkLab: https://thinklab.design/ Watch Amanda’s TEDx talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/amanda_schneider_work_is_broken_gen_z_can_help_fix_it_mar_2025 Listen to “Design Nerds Anonymous” podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/design-nerds-anonymous/id1534887549 Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://www.workplaceinnovator.com/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/  

Pendrick Brown is Managing Director for EMEA and Principal at HLW where he is passionate about delivering architecture and design for commercial clients helping them create the spaces they need. Mike Petrusky asks Pendrick about the evolving workplace, design practices, and the role of technology in creating innovative and effective spaces. They discuss the top priorities for workplace leaders today and explore hybrid models and the importance of agile and flexible spaces. Pendrick believes that understanding the unique culture and ethos of each company is essential for creating a design that meets their specific needs and future goals. Human experience and behavior is crucial in workplace design, aiming to enhance collaboration, well-being, and serendipitous engagements, while technology, such as AI-infused booking systems and biometric data, can help optimize space usage and improve the employee experience. Tune in as Mike and Pendrick share practical insights and advice that will encourage and inspire you to be a Workplace Innovator! Connect with Pendrick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pendrickbrown/ Learn more about HLW: https://hlw.com/ Find workplace research at ARK: https://www.workwithark.com/ Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://www.workplaceinnovator.com/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/  

John Mackay, CFM is Senior Director, Sales & Business Development and Lauren Ross, NCIDQ, LEED AP is CAFM Manager at Aleto, Inc. where they are passionate about aligning the performance of people, process, and technology in the built environment. Mike Petrusky asks John and Lauren about how they work with clients to align workplace strategies with the specific needs of an organization’s workforce and the role of technology in tracking space utilization and occupancy. They explore the value of data in making informed decisions about space management and utilization and agree there is a need for open communication and flexibility in adopting industry best practices tailored to specific client needs. Lauren shares the power of IWMS (Integrated Workplace Management Systems) in consolidating information and improving efficiency and John encourages facility managers to develop strong interpersonal skills to enable collaboration and project success. Tune in for the insights and inspiration that you need to be a Workplace Innovator in your organization! Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmackaycfm/ Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-ross-b25a5a232/ Learn more about Aleto, Inc.: https://aletosolutions.com/ Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://www.workplaceinnovator.com/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/  

Ashleigh Fiora is Vice President and Head of Strategy & Sales at Striden where she creates customized solutions that redefine the workplace experience, fostering collaborative environments and bringing people back into the office to reconnect. Mike Petrusky asks Ashleigh about the newly branded facilities management division of 1Rivet called Striden, which provides outsourced hospitality and facilities services to enhance the workplace experience. They explore the importance of change management, employee engagement, and the integration of new technologies with a hospitality mindset to enhance employee satisfaction and collaboration. In-person connections are powerful in the workplace, so FM leaders must deliver clear communication, transparency, and executive buy-in to be effective. Mike and Ashleigh share their experiences with the IFMA community and inspire listeners to create partnerships to create environments where people can be productive and thrive, as they offer inspiration that will help you be a Workplace Innovator in your organization! Connect with Ashleigh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-fiora-6b631614/ Learn more about Striden: https://www.striden.com/ Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://www.workplaceinnovator.com/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/  

Lisa Mitchell-Kastner is Head of People & Culture and CHRO at ISS Americas where she is passionate about enhancing workplace culture, leveraging technology tools to create an engaging employee experience. Mike Petrusky asks Lisa about her career journey from operations into HR and she shares her perspectives on current workplace trends, including the evolving talent landscape in a post-Covid workplace where employees have expectations for flexible working arrangements and desire a strong alignment with the company's purpose and values. Lisa believes that multigenerational workforces and diverse teams necessitate the creation of inclusive environments that foster open communication and value diverse perspectives, so she promotes the power of storytelling and the development of a strong employee value proposition to attract and retain talent. Mike and Lisa agree that delivering workplace technologies that match the frictionless and intuitive experiences in our personal lives is essential, so they offer practical advice to help you be a Workplace Innovator in your organization! Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-mitchell-kastner-22984b13/ Learn more about ISS Americas: https://www.issworld.com/en Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://www.workplaceinnovator.com/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/  

Tica Masuku is a Human Geographer and the Global Workplace Strategy Director at Spaceful where she is passionate about understanding the interrelatedness of the environment and the human condition. Mike Petrusky asks Tica to share insights from her training in human geography and her experiences helping clients manage their workplaces. They explore the trends and challenges in corporate real estate and facility management, the importance of understanding the interplay between people and place, and the impact of the digital age on our workplace experiences. Tica believes that the physical environment can influence behaviors, emotions, and productivity, so FM and CRE leaders must use storytelling to help people appreciate the value of design strategy and the power of place. Mike and Tica share stories about Australia, music, and their community of professionals, as they offer the inspiration you need to be a Workplace Innovator! Connect with Tica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ticamasuku/ Learn more about Spaceful: https://spaceful.com.au/ Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://www.workplaceinnovator.com/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/  

Christine Mueller is Vice President and Director of Office Services Operations & Engineering at Capital Group where she is passionate about creating excellence through coaching, strong relationships, and inspiring others to achieve their most challenging goals. Mike Petrusky asks Christine about her career journey and how she currently views the role of facility management, the evolution of the built environment and moving from traditional FM to a focus on workplace experience. They explore the challenges of talent acquisition in the industry, the impact of technology, and the importance of active listening in facility management. Christine believes that AI and other technologies will allow enable FM professionals to better support the workplace while creating seamless user experiences. In a fast-changing work environment, Mike and Christine offer practical advice and inspiration to help you be a Workplace Innovator in your organization! Connect with Christine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinelmueller/ Learn more about Capital Group: https://www.capitalgroup.com/ Find out more about IFMA: https://www.ifma.org/ Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://www.workplaceinnovator.com/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/