Newsletter - Happy 2026!

Happy 2026!

As we step into a fresh season of opportunity, it’s hard to ignore how noisy the world can feel. Between constant notifications, shifting priorities, and the fast pace of change, distractions are everywhere. But a new year gives us something powerful: a moment to reset, refocus, and recommit to what truly matters.

I jumped right into the new year with some exciting new work opportunities—starting my solo podcast hosting at the Management Under Construction podcast and it has been a blast!  This year, I am leaning hard into who not how and that means networking. It’s easy for networking and life to dominate your time and energy, so I will be intentional about protecting my time and energy and invite you to do the same. Stay focused on your personal and professional goals, take steady steps toward growth, and just as importantly, prioritize the people around you—your team, your clients, your family, and your community.

When we align our goals with purpose and invest in the relationships that support us, we build meaningful progress that lasts well beyond the noise.

Dee Davis

New Team Member

Ethan Charles, Virtual Assistant

Ethan is joining the team as a virtual assistant. Ethan brings a wealth of creative and design knowledge to the team, supporting them with content creation, graphic design, and creative strategy. This creativity translates into his hobbies and passions as well. He’s an indie filmmaker and visionary, offering unique creativity not just in his projects, but in other people’s projects to the same degree. Ethan believes there is always a story to be told, and loves to help tell it.

2026 Construction Industry Trends

Technology is rapidly reshaping how we live and work, with AI influencing everything from daily decisions to complex operations. The construction industry is evolving just as quickly, adapting to these advances in meaningful ways.

The industry is experiencing significant shifts in how projects are designed, built, and managed. Energy efficiency, smart buildings, AI integration, and automation are driving a more connected, data-driven, and sustainable future.

Energy-efficient design is now essential, with advanced materials, renewable energy systems, and real-time monitoring improving building performance. At the same time, AI-powered tools and automation—from predictive project management to robotics and immersive training—are increasing productivity, enhancing safety, and helping address workforce challenges.

Together, these trends signal a future where construction companies that embrace innovation, sustainability, and workforce reskilling will be best positioned to lead.

NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) recently posted a blog on what we can expect this year construction industry trends. 

NAWIC provides support, networking and mentorship, and education in construction leadership and the trades for female construction workers at all levels and has more than 6,000 members in 120 chapters across the U.S. Want to know more? Contact a chapter near you. 

👉 Read the full blog here: 2026 Construction Industry Trends

🎧 Management Under Construction Podcast – 150,000 views and downloads! 🎧 

I’m now the solo host and am off and running with an exciting lineup of guests to share with you this year. Topics so far have covered remote vs. in office work, the value of contract labor, dealing with difficult people and much more.

Our audience is growing—and not just here at home. We’re excited to share that our listener community has expanded internationally, with followers now tuning in from countries around the world. Because of this incredible global reach, we’re welcoming upcoming guests who bring expertise from across the globe, including one from Australia and another from Africa, with more international voices in the queue.

We’re also excited to share a milestone for the podcast. Thanks to listeners like you, the podcast has surpassed 150,000 views and downloads across platforms like Apple, Spotify, Audible, and YouTube. Whether you’re interested in business leadership, sustainability, project management, or personal growth within the built environment, there’s something here to inspire your next step. Keep tuning in each week as new episodes drop and be sure to share with colleagues who love learning and leading in construction.

📧 Have a topic idea or want to be a guest? Email us at [email protected]

👉 Listen and subscribe at: https://managementunderconstruction.com

ASHRAE Family Picnic 2026 – San Diego

Event is March 7, 2026.

My journey in the HVAC industry started in San Diego and I have been a member of ASHRAE for over 20 years. The Management Under Construction Podcast is a proud sponsor of this family event in San Diego next month. Bring your family and enjoy a NO COST day of fun with industry friends! When you are a member of ASHRAE San Diego, you are family. A taco cart, dessert truck, bounce house, face painting and other fun activities. Mix and mingle with great company at this family friendly event.  Sponsors are still needed!

You can learn more here: ASHRAE Family Picnic

2026 NAWIC NEF Block Kids              

 Ever since 1989 NAWIC chapters across the country have hosted block kids Lego building competitions. The winner from each chapter continues onto regionals, and those winners onto nationals. This year the Denver Metro chapter 112 had 26 participants with 13 boys and 13 girls aged 5-12 compete. As usual the kid’s designs were incredible!

 This was our largest turnout in several years, and the second year in a row where a kindergartener placed in the top 3! To learn more about block kids, listen the Management Under Construction podcast episode explaining the history and the competition NEF Block Kids and visit https://nef-edu.org/k-12-and-college/block-kids/  Get your kids or grandkids signed up for 2027!

Soft Skills Course

The ability to communicate well – both giving and receiving information - is essential to creating an environment that allows for harmony, satisfaction, and efficiency. This important skill can take some work to understand and learn how to do it effectively.

My friend and colleague, Karine Leblanc, and I are delivering a 2-day Soft Skills series of classes for the NYC transportation district. We also delivered this course for ASHRAE audiences and are available to deliver it for your company too!

This workshop is taught in person, and those that complete it will receive a certificate showing the earned Professional Development Hours, Learning Units, and CEUs upon course completion.  

Contact me for more information – [email protected].

Running Effective Meetings Workshop

One of the things I do to help companies and their employees become more efficient and focused on their projects is by teaching Running Effective Meetings workshops. These interactive workshops are offered in person for groups up to 25 people at your location.

The Running Effective Meetings workshop introduces real world solutions to problems like dealing with personalities that derail your meetings, clearly defining expectations, limiting meetings, limiting attendance, setting structured agendas, and empowering team members to stay on topic. Through learning these skills we have less meetings, and the meetings we do have become shorter, more focused, and measurably more productive.

If you’re ready to transform your project meetings from frustrating to focused, join our Running Effective Meetings workshop and give your team the tools to lead with clarity and efficiency. Let’s make every meeting count. Contact me at [email protected]

Women in Construction Revolution Book

I’m excited to share an update on my upcoming book, (working title Women in Construction Revolution). Progress is moving forward, and I’m energized by how the project is taking shape. After more than 25 years in the construction industry, I’m gathering a wide range of experiences—my own and those of others —- the wins, the challenges, and the lessons learned along the way—and this book will bring those stories together in a meaningful way.

 I’m looking for women—currently working or retired—to share their experiences in the construction industry. Your information will remain completely confidential.

Please fill out the form to tell me a little bit about yourself and I’ll be in touch. Thank you! https://www.yspe.co/book-interview  

LOOKING AHEAD

Earth Day

The time changes on March 7 and that means we’re looking forward to spring and longer daylight hours to get outside. We should also start thinking about Earth Day and one thing we can do to live more sustainably every day.  I had my clothing swap last year – maybe you want to try it this year?  Here’s more information on how to host one: CLOTHING SWAP

Zero Waste Textile Expo

Last year I attended the Solana Center’s Textile Expo and learned so much about the impact of clothing and textile waste, especially as it relates to fast fashion. If you’re in the San Diego area, you can attend the upcoming 2026 Zero Waste Textile Expo on March 22.  Learn More: TEXTILE EXPO

New Composting Course

With spring approaching, it’s time to think about working in the garden. The first step is to prepare your soil and that means introducing organic matter like compost. I’m launching my new online composting course in time for Earth Day – stay tuned with our social media! In an easy to follow and implement steps, you can compost wherever you live.   I’m also teaching an in-person composting class on June 13^th here in Berthoud, CO. 

Stay tuned for more information!