Design+Construction Conference 2021

PIVOT Logo

Dunwoody College of Technology is committed to advancing current and future professions in the Construction Sciences and Building Technology industry. The 2021 PIVOT: Our New Tomorrow Conference will bring together industry leaders, educators, and future professionals for an all-day, virtual conference, exploring current trends and the future reality of the construction industry and design professions.

Sessions will include:

  • The changing landscape of the Design and Construction industries
  • New technologies
  • Professional development opportunities/strategies

Date+Time

Tuesday, February 2, 2021 | 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Conference Schedule

  • Welcome & Keynote Speakers | 8-8:25 a.m.
  • Mini Sessions 1 | 8:30-8:55 a.m.
  • Breakout Sessions A | 9-9:45 a.m.
  • Breakout Sessions B | 10-10:45 a.m.
  • Mini Sessions 2 (or virtual lunch) | 11-11:30 a.m.
  • Mini Sessions 3 (or virtual lunch) | 11:30 a.m. – noon
  • Career Fair & Expo | noon-2 p.m.

Session Speakers

Note: To access the link for each session, click on the session title just before the listed time the session begins. You can view the sessions with either the desktop or mobile MS Teams app or in an internet browse such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge. 

8-8:25 a.m. – Keynote Speakers: 

Construction: The Next Generation | Yolanda McIntosh | Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | Associated General Contractors of Minnesota 

About Yolanda McIntosh:

Yolanda McIntosh is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota; the state’s largest and longest-established commercial construction trade association. McIntosh is responsible for leading efforts in building more intentional and inclusive initiatives to assist member contractors in establishing equity in business cultures and providing greater opportunity for diverse populations in the commercial construction industry.

McIntosh possess a wealth of industry experience with an advanced education and employment history in the public sector and most recently with a large commercial road and bridge contractor. McIntosh has been a leading voice for more diversity and inclusion throughout the trades, in the Twin Cities, and was selected as a finalist for Finance & Commerce Top Women In Construction 2020 for her Outstanding Service to the Profession.

Design Focus | Karen Lu, AIA, NOMA | Snow Kreilich Architects 

About Karen Lu:

Karen Lu’s commitment to design excellence and to positively impacting future generations of architecture professionals and global citizens is evident in her professional work and service to the AIA and her community. She has led and collaborated on projects that have won National AIA Honor Awards, AIA/COTE Top Ten Green Project Awards, AIA Minnesota Honor Awards, and Progressive Architecture Awards. Lu has been recognized for her leadership both locally and nationally with the AIA Minnesota and National AIA Young Architect Awards.

Lu is the AIA Minnesota Immediate Past President and a board adviser for MSP NOMA, the local National Organization for Minority Architects (NOMA) chapter. She has served as board secretary of MSP NOMA, as well as co-chair of the AIA MN Committee on Design and the AIA MN Leadership Forum Advisory Committee. Lu is also actively involved at Dunwoody College where she serves on the architecture program’s Professional Advisory Committee, and Yinghua Academy, a K-8 Chinese immersion school, where she served as board chair for three years.

8:30-8:55 a.m. – Mini Sessions 1: 

9-9:45 a.m. – Breakout Sessions A: 

10-10:45 a.m. – Breakout Sessions B: 

11-11:30 a.m. – Mini Sessions 2 (or virtual lunch):

11:30 a.m. – noon – Mini Sessions 3 (or virtual lunch): 

About the Career Fair (noon-2 p.m.)

This virtual event will connect employers with future professionals.

Employers will be able to:

  • Speak to students across all majors in our Construction Sciences and Building Technology department. We will also invite Engineering students and Welders.
  • Have unlimited company representatives participate.
  • View any resume from a participating student, downloadable before, during, and after the fair.
  • Be able to reach out to RSVP’d students ahead of time.
  • Sponsorship opportunities are available and we’ll be seeking volunteers to help with a number of sessions ahead of the fair.

Students will be able to:

  • Speak with employers representing various aspects of the industry you are entering. Network and learn more about their companies and your industry.
  • View positions that companies are actively seeking to fill
  • Share your resume across a broad number of industry representatives.
  • Wait in up to 4 virtual queues at a time to maximize your time

Click here for more information and to register for the career fair.

Dunwoody College of Technology is the leading educational provider in the Design and Construction industries.

Thank you to our sponsors!