In our latest episode of Women at WIRC, Michal Porter, senior lead scientist at Dupont's performance building solutions business, including their Corian Design brand, spoke with us about her work in advancing sustainable building materials and practices and what other businesses can do to lower their own impact.

Sara Jorgensen, senior designer at Harrell Design + Build believes that homes should be designed to adapt with owners as they age. In this episode of the Women at WIRC podcast, Jorgensen discusses the pros of universal design for all homeowners, no matter their age or ability.

In this episode, Pauline Hammerbeck of Custom Builder talks with Melissa Kennedy, president of Meadowlark Design Build in Southeast Michigan, about the evolution of project management in custom homebuilding. They discuss the rise of the “construction concierge” model, how client expectations have changed post-COVID, and strategies for delivering high-touch service without burning out your team. Melissa shares practical insights on client communication, plus tips on building strong relationships that support both project success and long-term trust.

Books Melissa recommends in this episode:

• The Gift of Criticism by Bill Neely
• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer