Jacobs: If/When

In this engaging conversation, Mary-Kathryn Adams, CEO of Simetrica-Jacobs, and Toyin Ogunfolaju, Director of Social Value Americas at Jacobs, explore the transformative power of social value in businesses. They stress the importance of prioritizing human values alongside technology and the need for collaboration between sectors. The duo advocates for shifting from traditional economic metrics to a focus on well-being, encouraging organizations to make informed decisions that benefit communities and future generations.

For companies with workers and job sites all over the world, how do you take care of every employee?Emerging technologies and digital tools are a critical part of the solution, but it all must be integrated into a sound, resilient strategy that relies on track record and local experience. This strategy needs to span time zones - and clients/partners - to ensure the health, safety and security of every colleague is paramount, no matter if they’re a hybrid employee, based in an office or working on a job site.  To ensure this strategy works on the ground, you also need the right partners. Our guests for this episode are Joe Olivarez, Executive Vice President and Leader of Health, Safety, Security, Environment & Enterprise Quality at Jacobs, Dr. Myles Druckman, Global Medical Director and SVP at International SOS and Polly Willis, Strategic Account Manager and Market Lead at International SOS.

Bob Pragada, CEO of Jacobs, and Christian Norris, CEO of PA Consulting, share their journeys as new leaders in the corporate world. They discuss the importance of versatility, resilience, and empathy in modern leadership. The conversation highlights the significance of collaboration, citing transformative projects like the Copenhagen Metro. They delve into work-life balance, sharing personal stories about managing stress and the support systems that shape their careers. Their insights blend professional strategies with humor, illustrating the human side of leadership.

Dr. Laura Schewel, CEO of StreetLight Data, champions data-driven solutions for sustainable transportation, while Jenny Jones, Head of Transport Planning for Europe at Jacobs, emphasizes the integration of urban design with mobility planning. They delve into the Transportation Climate Impact Index, revealing insights on emissions from U.S. cities and the evolution of transport behaviors post-pandemic. The conversation highlights strategies for creating climate-resilient cities, tackling urban sprawl, and promoting social equity through innovative and data-informed transportation systems.

How can we modernize airports to be better for passengers, communities, balance sheets and our environment?  It’s a complex challenge that can’t be solved by talent or policy alone — it also requires the right application of digital tools and technologies. These transport hubs play a vital role in our communities and economies, and to empower a better, more sustainable future for all, we need an elevation in industry-wide innovation and collaboration.Our guests for this episode are leaders in this field: Ersin Inankul, Head of Aviation Digital at Jacobs, and David Miranda, Digital Expert at PA Consulting.**Jacobs holds a 65% stake in PA Consulting, with the remaining 35% held by PA employees. Both Jacobs and PA operate as separate entities, each responsible for serving clients independently.  Follow Jacobs:Website: jacobs.comIf/When podcast series: If/When podcast seriesLinkedIn: @jacobsconnectsInstagram: @jacobsconnectsX: @JacobsConnectsFollow our guests:Ersin InankulDavid MirandaMore episode details available here. 

How are PFAS affecting your work and our world?Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are a large class of long-lasting, synthetic chemicals used extensively in industrial and household products. Many PFAS don’t degrade readily on their own, and some are highly mobile in the environment. They can be found worldwide in water, soil, air, plants, animals and even our bloodstreams. We’re still uncovering the full impact of these chemicals on the health of humans and our environment, but here’s what is clear: it’s a complex challenge at scale to remediate these so-called “forever” chemicals.  Add fast-changing regulations in different geographies and regional differences to the scale and response to the PFAS challenge, and it all compounds the difficulty. The way forward requires a greater understanding of the risks and challenges of PFAS, but it’s just the start. We’ll need cross-sector collaboration and innovation to tackle these issues and apply the right measurement tools and technology.    Our guests for this episode are defining the solutions for clients and the industry at large: Sharon Minchak, Global Solutions Director for Remediation and Regeneration at Jacobs, and Dr. Russell Ford, Global Director for Drinking Water & Reuse Solutions at Jacobs.Follow Jacobs:Website: jacobs.comIf/When podcast series: If/When podcast seriesLinkedIn: @jacobsconnectsInstagram: @jacobsconnectsX: @JacobsConnectsFollow our guests:Sharon MinchakRussell FordMore episode details available here. 

Transformation has become an over-used buzzword for companies and consultants in the last five years, but the market-proven truth is that companies, and by extension, employees, are now required to be more agile and resilient — and willing to upskill.So, how do large companies manage significant, lasting changes across their operating model during times of transition with organizational performance, innovation and collaboration as priorities? Success is driven by engaged and empowered employees, but it requires the right leadership, corporate culture and silo-busting collaboration. There’s one golden thread that runs through all three: the power of collective purpose.  My name is Arthur Jones, and I’m joined by our guests Shelie Gustafson, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer at Jacobs, and education and leadership development coach Michael Chavez, who is Founder & Managing Director at Broad Vista Partners.  Follow Jacobs:Website: jacobs.comIf/When podcast series: If/When podcast seriesLinkedIn: @jacobsconnectsInstagram: @jacobsconnectsX: @JacobsConnectsFollow our guests:Shelie GustafsonMichael ChavezMore episode details available here. 

Like most markets and industries globally, the water sector is facing greater and more complex challenges due to climate change, population growth, rising costs and a shortage of incoming talent. The question is: how can water companies deliver the best value for customers by turning these challenges into opportunities for people and places? In this episode, we unpack innovation, core values and close collaboration between Jacobs and Northumbrian Water, which supplies 2.7 million people with water and wastewater services in North East England, and 1.8 million people with water only in Essex and Suffolk. My name is Arthur Jones, and I’m joined by our guests, Heidi Mottram, CBE, CEO of Northumbrian Water Group, and Kate Kenny, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Buildings & Infrastructure Europe at Jacobs.Follow Jacobs:Website: jacobs.comIf/When podcast series: If/When podcast seriesLinkedIn: @jacobsconnectsInstagram: @jacobsconnectsX: @JacobsConnectsFollow our guests:Diana AndersonMatthew HolmesMore episode details available here. 

Conventional healthcare design is no longer fit for purpose. The pandemic exposed critical cracks in its foundations, exposing the need for deeper research, connected care and community integration.The question is: How do you build resilient healthcare that benefits patients, health carers and communities?  The future hospital blueprint must go beyond concrete, steel and material decisions, as social factors and architectural design are as crucial for healing and well-being as medicine.In this insightful conversation, several Jacobs teammates, including Matthew Holmes, Global Director of Health Infrastructure at Jacobs, and Dr. Diana Anderson, Dochitect and healthcare principal at Jacobs, discuss the role of design and  technology in healthcare, and explore future trends. Follow Jacobs:Website: jacobs.comIf/When podcast series: If/When podcast seriesLinkedIn: @jacobsconnectsInstagram: @jacobsconnectsX: @JacobsConnectsFollow our guests:Diana AndersonMatthew HolmesMore episode details available here. 

In this insightful conversation, several Jacobs teammates, including Vice President, Global Head Corporate Sustainability Tawny Chritton Keene, Director, Global Corporate Sustainability – Talent and Culture, Bo Storozuk, and Graduate Environmental Consultant Reem Habib, discuss how every role within an organization can contribute to a more sustainable future. Whether you’re an engineer, data analyst, project manager or part of an administrative team, your actions can make a huge difference.Follow Jacobs:Website: jacobs.comIf/When podcast series: If/When podcast seriesLinkedIn: @jacobsconnectsInstagram: @jacobsconnectsX: @JacobsConnectsFollow our guests:Tawny: @tawnychrittonkeeneBo: @bostorozukReem: @reem-thamer-89a744204More episode details available here.