Workplace Innovator Podcast | Enhancing Your Employee Experience

David Yeager, PhD, is a professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and the co-founder of the Texas Behavioral Science and Policy Institute. Mike Petrusky asks David about his closing keynote address during IFMA’s Facility Fusion 2025 where he inspired facility management leaders to have a growth mindset as they care for the people in the built environment. They explore how the best managers of high-performing teams are those who maintain high standards while also being supportive as they create a mentor mindset. David shares the research behind his new book, “10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation—And Making Your Own Life Easier” and offers practical advice for workplace leaders of all kinds. Mike and David discuss leadership, communication and fostering better relationships with team members as they offer insight and inspiration you need to be a Workplace Innovator today! Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin

Amanda Muzzarelli is a Director at Trascent where she is a Global Real Estate & Facilities Executive and an AI Enthusiast empowering innovation in complex enterprises. Mike Petrusky asks Amanda about her focus on the importance of interpreting the less visible aspects of workplace strategy, such as trust, meaning, and community while they explore the concept of "invisible architecture" in workplace design, which influences psychological safety, culture, and belonging. Amanda believes that the value of facility management as a field is highlighted by the fact that it is an industry where strategic generalists can thrive, balancing operational and visionary roles. She shares the potential of AI to enhance workplace environments by making buildings smarter and more responsive to human needs, while warning about the risk of automating dysfunctional processes without addressing the underlying issues. Mike and Amanda agree that communication in workplace management is essential, and they encourage attendance at

Richard Peterson, CFM, FMP, SFP is Director of IFM at ABM Industries Supporting Waymo where he is responsible for overseeing facility management operations and is passionate about driving operational excellence, safety, and innovation. He also serves as Vice President of the IFMA Silicon Valley Chapter and Secretary for IFMA’s Corporate Facilities Council with a mission is to assist FMs in navigating their career journey using leadership skills training, peer mentoring, and specialized education. Mike Petrusky asks Richard about his experiences in the profession and why he believes that knowing one's strengths and attributes is essential for success in facility management. Being a workplace leader in FM today involves a balance between the technical aspects of the job and the human element of creating spaces that foster innovation and productivity. Richard brings his personal passion for leadership development and community engagement to his career, which has resulted in his attaining IFMA credentials that ha

Philip Ross is Founder and CEO of UnGroup where he is an author, advisor, speaker, futurist and commentator on the new world of work. Mike Petrusky asks Philip about the upcoming WORKTECH New York conference and why embracing technology and continuous innovation is essential for workplace leaders who want to stay ahead in our rapidly evolving industry. AI is becoming a conversational technology that will significantly impact workplace dynamics, while data is being gathered so workplace experiences can be measured and optimized to remove friction and create memorable moments. Philip says that the post-COVID workplace is seeing a trend towards "espresso offices" where spaces are more compact and utilized more intensely and he believes that the intersection of music, art, and workplace design offers a rich analogy for diverse and innovative approaches to work. Philip and Mike remember their time together in Melbourne, Australia as they offer you the inspiration and advice you’ll need to be a Workplace Innovator!

Barry Conchie is an executive leadership advisor and co-author of the book "The Five Talents That Really Matter: How Great Leaders Drive Extraordinary Performance" which demystifies the aura and complexity surrounding high performing leaders through original research and interviews with high-performing global leaders. Mike Petrusky asks Barry about how his book can help facility management and workplace leaders identify specific talents that are most predictive of superior leadership performance, providing a scientific basis for leadership development. They explore how many selection systems fail to place people in roles that best fit their strengths, leading to dissatisfaction and underperformance, therefore leadership development should focus on identifying and enhancing individuals' strengths rather than trying to improve weaknesses. Barry believes that innovation in the workplace should not only focus on products and processes but also on people development, so he and Mike offer the inspiration and advice

Kyle de Bruin is Managing Director at Leesman where he is passionate about measuring and analyzing the experiences of employees in their places of work. Mike Petrusky asks Kyle about how high-performance offices deliver a great employee experience and they review lessons learned from the past five years of workplace change. The lack of variety in office design is a significant challenge, as employees are staying at their desks due to the increased use of video calls and the need for private conversations. Kyle believes that the facility management and corporate real estate industry is data-rich but insights-poor, so he hopes AI advancements can help organize and analyze unstructured data. The value of real estate assets should not solely be measured by occupancy rates and workplace leaders need to focus on creating spaces where employees can focus and be productive, so Mike and Kyle offer the advice and inspiration you need to be a Workplace Innovator! Take the Eptura™ Podcast Survey: https://forms.office.com

Michael Amos is Managing Director at Waste to Wonder Worldwide where he is passionate about managing office clearances that empower disadvantaged communities. Mike Petrusky asks Michael about his recent learning lab presentations during IFMA’s Facility Fusion where he shared that organizations should consider social enterprises when making procurement decisions to maximize social impact. The ethical reuse of office equipment can have a profound generational impact on disadvantaged communities and sustainability in the workplace is a core competency for facility management professionals, so this approach can enhance the ROI of your commercial spend by delivering positive social outcomes. Mike and Michael discuss the concept of a "spherical economy" which emphasizes the holistic view of the lifecycle of materials and products as the offer the inspiration you need to be a Workplace Innovator in your organization! Take the Eptura™ Podcast Survey: https://forms.office.com/r/jY577CbNcx Connect with Michael on Linke

Lily Pritchett is Regional Sales Manager at Humanscale and Past President of the IFMA Houston Chapter where she is passionate about consulting with organizations to create experiences that spur creativity and drive innovation with purposeful space design. Mike Petrusky asks Lily about their time together at IFMA’s Facility Fusion conference in Austin where industry partners and FM professionals connected to focus on leadership and caring for the built environment. There is a significant shift in corporate real estate towards flexible spaces, reflecting changes in how people use offices, so the role of facility managers is expanding, requiring a more holistic approach to ergonomics and accessibility. Lily believes that mentoring the next generation of FMs should be a priority for the industry, sustainability is critical, and technology should be leveraged to understand space and align with our goals for the future workplace, so Mike and Lily share practical advice and the inspiration that you will need to be a

Daniel Castner, AIA, LEED AP is Principal and Director of the Life Science practice at Mancini Duffy where he is passionate about workplace strategy with a focus on research labs, medical space, and anything requiring a helpful orchestrator of AEC coordination. Mike Petrusky asks Dan about his experiences helping the IFMA community, the importance of client relationships and the use of technology in workplace strategy. They explore design trends and emphasize the core elements of flexibility and being intentional when delivering spaces that meet the needs of the workforce. Dan believes that change management has evolved to focus more on the employee experience and wellbeing, rather than just specific projects, so using sensors and analytics can help leaders understand human priorities. Dan’s unique experience in life science workplaces have led him to focus on building a culture of collaboration and innovation, so he shares some encouragement, practical advice and the inspiration you will need to be a Workpla

Sabrina Pagani is Principal and Interiors Practice Leader at AECOM where she is passionate about helping clients create impactful environments in which to live, learn, work, and play. Mike Petrusky asks Sabrina about the importance of trust and giving people freedom and clear objectives when creating thriving environments. They explore how facility management leaders must cut through the noise and focus on the essential aspects of human behavior and needs when designing spaces. Sabrina believes that the physical environment is crucial for human connection, but it must be integrated with policies, procedures, and behaviors to enhance its effectiveness. She shares how neuroscience and data are beginning to inform design practices, helping to understand how the environment affects human emotions and behaviors. In an AI-driven world, maintaining human skills such as critical thinking, trust, and care is essential for thriving, so Mike and Sabrina offer the encouragement and advice you need to be a Workplace Innov

Porschia Parker-Griffin, MS, PCC is Founder and CEO at Fly High Coaching where she is an organizational consultant, career services and strategy leader, and Host of the “Career 101 Podcast”. Mike Petrusky asks Porschia about how the physical workspace impacts company culture and employee engagement, while leading to collaboration, innovation and better business outcomes. They explore the marketplace today where organizational change, including reorganizations, mergers and acquisitions are all significant challenges for companies. Employee engagement is at its lowest point globally since the start of the pandemic, so leaders must bridge generational differences to deliver results while recognizing people want to feel valued and make a difference. Porschia believes that being innovative today involves continuous learning and adapting to new ideas, technologies, and insights to improve processes, so she and Mike encourage listeners to make incremental changes over time that can lead to better outcomes, as they i

Jess Baker is a Chartered Psychologist, Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society and Author of the book, “The Super-Helper Syndrome: A Survival Guide for Compassionate People” which is for anyone who wants to understand how helping works and to be better at it. Mike Petrusky asks Jess why she believes that empathy in the workplace is often misunderstood, and she shares the difference between cognitive empathy and emotional empathy. She explains that compassionate leadership involves both empathy and taking action to relieve the suffering of others, which leads to better team performance and a more inclusive environment. Jess says that change management in the workplace should involve asking employees about their needs and how they would design their workspaces to optimize their well-being and productivity, but advises we ask more questions since the first answer may not always reveal the true needs or feelings of individuals. Mike and Jess share inspiration and encouragement as you seek to be a W

Adam Stoltz is a corporate real estate and workplace leader with a focus on strategy, operations, and workplace experience and he is Cofounder at The Idea Kitchen, a shared workspace in the heart of Larchmont, NY. Mike Petrusky asks Adam about his career journey and his current focus on understanding the evolving workplace and how leaders can meet the needs of professionals today. They discuss how businesses must foster a culture of continuous improvement and adaptation while providing flexibility in their operations as they explore the challenges of delivering dynamic workspaces. Adam believes that empowering a diverse talent pool with different skill sets will be essential for the future of the built environment, so he suggests looking beyond traditional industry boundaries to find people that can drive innovation. Mike and Adam share stories from their community of FM and CRE leaders and offer some practical advice as they seek to inspire you to be a Workplace Innovator! Connect with Adam on LinkedIn: http

Silvija Martincevic is CEO of Deputy, a global workforce management platform, where she is passionate about creating a culture that expects high performance, but also one where high care and the importance of open and respectful communication is prioritized. Mike Petrusky asks Silvija about her years of experience building, growing and scaling global businesses, including Affirm and Groupon, and her current views of Gen Z and the expectations of frontline workers today. They explore flexibility as a strategy for long-term business success, improving employee sentiment, engagement, and retention. Silvija sees a significant generational shift in work preferences and believes that Gen Z workers prefer micro shifts (4 to 6 hours) for better work-life balance, making traditional 9-to-5 shifts less appealing. Technology and tools that promote recognition and communication can enhance the dignity and satisfaction of frontline workers. Mike and Silvija agree that the future of work requires innovative approaches to c

Kelly Duff is Employee Experience Manager at Sentinel Technologies where she is passionate about creating meaningful and engaging workplace experiences that foster growth, community, and purpose. Mike Petrusky asks Kelly for an update on her career journey and they explore how her role has expanded to include a variety of responsibilities such as building community, recognizing employees, and planning social events. Mike and Kelly agree that the pandemic dramatically changed the concept of workplace experience, shifting the focus from physical office amenities to remote and hybrid work models, while simultaneously making human connection and physical spaces essential. So Kelly shares strategies for identifying opportunities, addressing pain points and team-building activities that focus on employee well-being. The future of work is about adapting to change, staying curious, and being human-centered, so Mike and Kelly offer inspiration to help you be a Workplace Innovator in your organization! Connect with Kel

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 J

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

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 a

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 encourag

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