Leadership Blueprints

What does it take to lead with authenticity, build a thriving business, and grow stronger through adversity, both professionally and personally?  In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, BJ Kramer sits down with powerhouse duo Jim Carter of CBRE/Turner Townsend and Barbara Balongue, founder of Balongue Design, to explore the art of leadership through the lens of real-life experience, grit, and long-term vision. From Barbara’s leap into entrepreneurship during a recession to Jim’s three-decade blueprint for career growth focused on technical mastery, networking, and strategic leadership, this conversation offers a masterclass in leading with purpose.   Along the way, they share insights on the importance of vulnerability, the power of intergenerational collaboration, and why running toward problems, not away from them, is the mark of a true leader. For a fresh perspective on resilience, relationship-building, and what it means to lead a life (and business) with integrity and intention, tune in today!  Key Points From This Episode: A three-phase career strategy: competence, network, strategy. Overcoming adversity to build true leadership strength. Reasons to run toward the fire, not away from it. The importance of listening and learning across generations. Embracing risk, leading with vision, and other traits of successful leaders. The likability factor: why charisma is a secret weapon in leadership. Quotes: “Looking back, all of the economic downturns that I've lived through since the start, all the difficult clients, all the challenges, all the project setbacks, those are the things that really informed me and taught me how to be a leader.” — Barbara Balongue   “If you see a big fire, run into it. Don't run away from it. I use that language almost on a weekly basis with my team. If you see a problem, which we equate to a big fire, run right into it and put it out.” — Barbara Balongue  “Being vulnerable, and humble, and showing empathy is core to having a relationship, both in business and in [your personal life].” — Jim Carter  “I don't see a separation between personal and professional. You have to be an authentic person. People are attracted to what they see, not what they hear.” — Barbara Balongue  Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Jim Carter on LinkedIn Turner & Townsend CBRE Barbara Balongue on LinkedIn Balongue Design The Likability Factor: How to Boost Your L-Factor and Achieve Your Life's Dreams Leadership Blueprints Podcast MCFA MCFA Careers BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn 

In this inspiring episode, we are joined by the one and only Allen Kopelson, visionary architect and founding principal behind NK Architects. With decades of experience and a legacy of leadership, Allen shares his remarkable journey through the world of business. We explore why he made the decision to step down as a partner while continuing to contribute to the firm he helped build, the crucial role his support system plays in his personal growth and professional success, how he chose his successors, and so much more! He even talks about his impressive hobbies and passions outside of work and how they have helped him stay grounded in the chaos of running a business. Allen answers our rapid-fire questions before leaving us with wonderful words of wisdom about what it means to live a full life. Thanks for tuning in!   Key Points From This Episode: What made Allen step away from the firm as a partner even though he’s still working there. The support system that guided him and how that contributed to his success.    How he selected his successors and a few of his greatest success stories.  Allen tells us about how his hobbies helped him find peace in the chaos of business. Allen leaves us with his closing thoughts about having a full life.  Quotes: “I knew what my limits were and what I was capable of, and I knew the kind of people I had around me, and I knew what their capabilities were.” — Allen Kopelson  “Forget about the money! Do what makes you happy – it’s the most important part and everything else will follow.” — Allen Kopelson  “I feel bad for people who just go to work and can’t wait to leave. I’m the other way around – I love working and I love all the other things I do.” — Allen Kopelson Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Allen Kopelson on LinkedIn NK Architects  A Confederacy of Dunces How to Read a Book  Leadership Blueprints Podcast MCFA MCFA Careers BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn 

As a special thank you for tuning in, scroll down to enjoy 20% off your first order mizzenandmain.com.What do football, combat deployments, and dress shirts have in common? For Ryan Kent, they’ve all played a role in shaping his evolution as a leader.In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, BJ Kramer sits down with Ryan, a West Point graduate, former Army Ranger, and current CEO of menswear brand Mizzen+Main, to unpack the lessons he learned on his way from the locker room to the boardroom. From his journey as a small-town athlete to leading in Iraq and then navigating the apparel industry with no prior experience, Ryan reflects on the power of curiosity, adaptability, and showing up with presence. Whether you’re a veteran stepping into civilian leadership or guiding teams in construction, engineering, or development, Ryan’s story is a masterclass in leading through uncertainty, failure, and reinvention!Key Points From This Episode:From option quarterback to linebacker and adapting to team needs.Asking better questions to become a more competent and connected leader.Ways that winning and losing both shape leadership.Leading through presence, not just position.Parting wisdom on the connection between sport and leadership.Quotes:“Sports have been the foundation of my leadership. My journey through sports has made me a much better leader because I've had very good highs and lows.” — Ryan Kent“There are frequent times where I’m leading through success, leading through challenge, and leading through failure. The origin of my ability to do that has been through sports.” — Ryan Kent“Change is inevitable. A capitalistic society allows people to innovate, to evolve. If you don’t do that in a business, in our country, you will fail.” — Ryan Kent “It’s very hard to be a good leader consistently. It requires a lot of attention and effort. – Give it that credit. If you don’t spend time on it, you’ll likely not be a great leader.” — Ryan Kent Discount DetailsCode: LEADERSHIP20Offer: 20% off first purchase Expiration: 9/30/25www.mizzenandmain.comLinks Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Ryan Kent on LinkedInMizzen+MainGood ProfitThe Five Dysfunctions of a TeamMastery12 Rules for LifeSapiensTeam of TeamsShoe DogAirDuneFriendly StrifeLeadership Blueprints PodcastMCFAMCFA CareersBJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

In this 4th of July special edition of Leadership Blueprints, BJ Kraemer sits down with Marine Corps veteran, educator, and operations leader Fred Conner for a conversation about legacy, leadership, and renewal. This episode explores the transformation of the historic 75-acre Valley Forge campus- home to Founding Forward, a national civic education nonprofit founded by the Union League of Philadelphia and Freedom’s Foundation.Fred shares his journey from military service to international project management to teaching at Temple University. Along the way, he reveals how landscapes, memory, and mission-based leadership shape how we build -and remember- our most important places. Whether you're a veteran transitioning into the A/E/C world, a project leader tackling deferred maintenance, or a parent wondering what civic education looks like today, this episode offers a reminder: leadership starts with service, and the built environment can inspire generations.Key Points From This Episode:Why project management is a natural fit for transitioning veterans.Lessons from building military camps in Kosovo and Afghanistan.The power of servant leadership- sometimes that means doing dishes and landscaping.Why trust and execution are foundational to any successful project.Quotes: “Vision is a really good thing, but it’s only aspiration if you can’t execute.” - Fred Conner  “Operations occur at the speed of trust.” — Gen. Jim Mattis (quoted by Fred Conner)  “The things we remember most about a place are often how the built environment coexists with the landscape around it.” — Fred ConnerLinks Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Founding ForwardUnion League of PhiladelphiaLeadership Blueprints PodcastMCFAMCFA CareersBJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

What if your next big leadership breakthrough started with booking a vacation?   In this solo episode of Leadership Blueprints, BJ Kraemer dives into a powerful and often overlooked leadership lesson: the transformative value of R&R. With summer in full swing and the midpoint of the year approaching, BJ challenges leaders to rethink their relationship with rest, reframing time off as a strategic imperative for sustained impact, clarity, and growth.   From redefining “busy” to modeling a culture that celebrates vacation time and drawing inspiration from military leadership models and Bill Gates’s Think Week, this episode offers practical insights for leaders ready to recharge and lead with renewed purpose.   Tune in to find out why stepping away might be the most powerful move you make this year!  Key Points From This Episode:  The importance of prioritizing time off and planning ahead. Lessons from military models of reflection and leader development. Investing in your career when you're young and then modeling rest as a leader. Practical tips to help you “disconnect, re-energize, and redeploy.” A leadership challenge: book time off and encourage your team to do the same! Quotes: “Don't confuse action with results. Don't confuse a full calendar with impact.” — BJ Kraemer  “The greatest leaders I know are always creating space for themselves.” — BJ Kraemer “The way that we can – use R&R to grow is [to] disconnect, re-energize, and then redeploy that new energy towards something new.” — BJ Kraemer Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Lead Yourself First: Inspiring Leadership Through Solitude Leadership Blueprints Podcast MCFA MCFA Careers BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn 

What if the future of leadership in construction isn’t about command and control, but about trust and curiosity?  In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, we’re joined by Andrea Janzen, founder of Ambition Theory, a professional development company that specializes in the research, education, and advancement of women in construction.  Andrea shares her unexpected journey from corporate marketing to coaching executives in the construction industry. She unpacks the power of transformational leadership versus transactional leadership, a model based on collaboration, curiosity, and vision, and why it resonates more with women than traditional, top-down structures. Through real-world examples, including a $2 million sales turnaround, she shows how shifting leadership styles can unlock potential, fuel innovation, and drive measurable results.   Tune in to learn how rethinking leadership can unlock hidden potential, build stronger teams, and drive results, whether you're in construction or any other fast-evolving industry!  Key Points From This Episode: Why traditional leadership doesn’t appeal to most women. The value of transformational leadership in highly structured fields. Why tech won’t change construction; leaders will. Giving credit versus claiming ownership: a leadership nuance. Opportunities unlocked by transformational leadership in construction. Quotes: “[Leadership coaching] is so much more than getting someone a job. It's about opening up their potential, helping them see opportunities, [leveraging] relationships, and [making] things happen.” — Andrea Janzen  “We've done research in construction that shows us men are just naturally more transactional. Women are naturally more transformational. It's a thing. It's not one is better than the other. It just is.” — Andrea Janzen   “A lot of times, people get stuck on the surface-level issue, but we don’t actually get to the root cause. – If you spend more time on the problem and define it properly, the path forward is a lot clearer.” — Andrea Janzen Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Andrea Janzen on LinkedIn Ambition Theory Ambition Theory Podcast The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Trust and Inspire: How Truly Great Leaders Unleash Greatness in Others  Rising Together: How We Can Bridge Divides and Create a More Inclusive Workplace What Got You Here Won't Get You There  How Women Rise: Break the 12 Habits Holding You Back Adam Grant Marshall Goldsmith Leadership Blueprints Podcast MCFA MCFA Careers BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn 

Leadership is a never-ending journey with infinite checkpoints for growth and self-discovery. Today, we are joined by Greg Kelly, the CEO of STV, a national, infrastructure-focused professional services firm that exists to make communities better through innovative solutions that connect people, places, and the present to the future. Greg begins by meticulously detailing his professional journey and how he found his feet in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) before explaining why learning never stops for anyone, specifically as a leader. We learn about his role as STV CEO, the work the company is currently engaged in, the best practices for leading with trust, and the leadership characteristics that are non-negotiable for effective leadership. This episode also unpacks plans for STV’s future, how it solves common and pressing industry pain points, how crisis begets great leaders, and the books that have influenced Greg Kelly’s leadership style.To end, our guest shares the quotes that have carried him through difficult times, and he offers noteworthy advice for anyone with similar career aspirations.Key Points From This Episode:Why learning never ends as a leader. How to spend time with your team while also giving them enough space to operate.The importance of self-discovery and humility in leadership. How to identify leadership characteristics in others. Why disasters (like COVID) are also great opportunities for breeding leaders.  Quotes:“What I learned at that point in my career, BJ, was the cultural appreciation that goes with working globally and knowing that there’s different cultural norms, and you have to be very respectful of that.” — Greg Kelly “Let’s meet the moment and solve the problem, not hold it to some standard. So, the leadership piece, there’s no playbook. It’s about self-discovery and humility.” — Greg Kelly“I’m a big fan of betting on people. We grew up betting on ourselves, so let’s bet on others.” — Greg Kelly “Create your own comfort crisis – your greatest learning comes in the greatest periods of discomfort.” — Greg Kelly Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Greg Kelly on LinkedInSTV ASCE Opal Awards GalaDaily Stoic Trust Matters More Than EverThe Comfort Crisis The End of the World Is Just the Beginning Strength in Stillness Life After Power ACECNYNational Academy of ConstructionLeadership Blueprints PodcastMCFAMCFA CareersBJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

The lessons learned on the sports field teach us so much about leadership on the battlefield and in life.  This episode marks the launch of a special segment highlighting the power of youth sports in shaping the leaders of tomorrow. Joining us on this episode is Head Men’s Swimming and Diving Coach at Princeton University, Matt Crispino, a key player in shaping leadership and character development through sports at the Military Academy.  Matt shares success tactics, core team values, and why he believes that there truly is no one-size-fits-all approach to leadership. We also explore how college sports may change, what this means for coaches and the Ivy League, and what it looks like to develop a culture of growth within your team. Finally, we discuss what it truly means to be a coach, why it is so challenging, and why it is so rewarding. Don’t miss this episode with an inspiring coach and leader!  Key Points from This Episode:•   The power of youth sports in shaping leaders in the military.•   Developing the character of your team while training to win.•   Tactics for team and individual success. •   Principles that have led his leadership over the past year. •   The mental health epidemic is prevalent in athletes. Quotes:“If I am surrounded by the right people, I am displaying and modelling and promoting the right values, there’s going to be a lot of fast swimming in that pool.” - Matt Crispino “I think the team has to always trump the individual.” - Matt Crispino “I just think everyone’s got more in them than they ever truly believe.” - Matt Crispino  Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Matt Crispino on LinkedInMatt Crispino on InstagramMatt Crispino on XMen’s Swimming and DivingThe Friendly Strife Foundation Concussion Trust and InspireDaniel CoyleMalcolm GladwellThe Boys in the BoatLeadership Blueprints PodcastMCFAMCFA CareersBJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

What happens when engineering leaders prioritize people over profit and community over convenience?  In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, we’re joined by Phil Wursta, a seasoned strategist with over 40 years of experience in municipal agency and private sector engineering. He’s also the founding partner of WK2 Consulting, a woman-owned civil engineering and public management firm serving Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  From his early days as an archaeology-obsessed teen to his leadership role building resilient infrastructure and compassionate teams, Phil shares how clear communication, community engagement, and employee-first values have guided his career and company culture. You’ll learn how to balance technical expertise with emotional intelligence, simplify infrastructure funding for stakeholders, and lead with authenticity by caring for your people. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation packed with practical insights for building a business and a team that truly makes a difference! Key Points from This Episode:•   What goes into launching a people-first engineering firm and scaling fast.•   Strategies for overcoming early-stage startup challenges.•   People-first leadership through community-focused problem solving.•   How engineers can build trust in politically sensitive environments.•   How to align diverse political stakeholders around shared goals.•   Building a team culture rooted in care, values, and purpose. Quotes:“[WK2 is] employee-oriented. We want to take care of our people. We're not in it to make a ton of money. We're just in it to do the right thing, serve clients, and feel good about ourselves with the projects that we do.” — Phil Wursta  “We try to say, ‘How can we get it done?’ Rather than why we can't get it done.” — Phil Wursta “Involving your people and [caring for them] sets the stage for success because, at the end of the day, you're doing this for the people, whether they're the people of the country [or the] people of your company.” — Phil Wursta Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Phil Wursta on LinkedInWK2 Consulting‘Inside the C-Suite: The CFO’s Role in Capital Program Investment and Decision-Making with Gail Kosyla’The RifleLeadership Blueprints PodcastMCFAMCFA CareersBJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

Memorial Day isn't just the start of summer—it's a time to honor those who gave their lives for our freedom. Every Memorial Day, BJ has decided to play an episode he recorded two years ago to honor his late friend and everyone who has given their lives to service. In this tribute episode, we speak with Marion Zilinski, known as Mama Z, about the true meaning of Memorial Day through the eyes of someone who lost a loved one in service. She shares the story of her son Dennis, his journey to West Point, the impact of 9/11 on his life, and his incredible generosity. Marion reflects on the pain of losing him and the signs she still receives from him today. We also highlight Run with Dennis and the Dennis Zilinski Memorial Fund, and how you can get involved. Mama Z leaves us with a powerful reminder of what this day is really about. To hear all this and be inspired to honor the brave men and women who give you your freedom this Memorial Day, tune in now! Key Points From This Episode:•   Dennis Zilinski, and his life of service.•   Marion reflects on the events of 9/11 and how they impacted Dennis•   The touching revelations about Dennis’ selflessness and generosity found in his will.•   The motivation behind creating Run with Dennis and the Dennis Zilinski Memorial Fund.•   Insights into the service dog initiative and its role in supporting veterans with PTSD.•   Where to find out more about these incredible volunteer-run organizations.•   A powerful reminder of the true meaning of Memorial Day and the cost of our freedom. Quotes: “[Dennis] was the protector. Always the protector.” — Marion Zilinski “[Dennis] said, ‘I would never leave West Point, especially now when my country needs me the most.’” — Marion Zilinski  “I was so angry [when my son died]. I have never been so angry in my life.” — Marion Zilinski  “We want people to understand the dedication of our military.” — Marion Zilinski  “Freedom is not free. It’s bought and paid for only by our military – not by anybody else.” — Marion Zilinski “22 warriors a day commit suicide because of post-traumatic stress and/or TBI injuries.” — Marion Zilinski  “Our freedom is bought and paid for by men and women that pledge to each of [us] their lives. And not all of them will come home. Many will be killed – or – wounded and their lives will be so impacted.”  — Marion Zilinski Longer Quotes:“The worst thing that anybody could ever say to me is, ‘Happy Memorial Day’. It’s not a happy day. It’s not the first day of summer. It’s not all about the beach and the sales, it’s about your freedom. It’s about the men and women that step up, raise their right hand, and take that oath to give us our freedom.” — Marion Zilinski  Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Marion Zilinski on LinkedInRun with DennisZilinski Memorial Fund on FacebookFisher House FoundationBrooke Army Medical CenterThe Strong Gray LineLeadership Blueprints PodcastMCFAMCFA CareersBJ Kraemer on LinkedIn