Lorri Rowlandson is Senior Vice President, Strategy and Innovation at BGIS where she is a strategic and operational real estate executive with global experience delivering integrated real estate services in a distributed portfolio of diverse assets. Mike Petrusky asks Lorri about her updated perspectives on delivering "practical innovation" in the workplace with a focus on measurable results rather than just ideas or "innovation theater". They explore how AI and automation are rapidly evolving and encourage FM professionals to view change through a variety of lenes including personal productivity, organizational efficiency, and client value creation. Lorri says that leadership and change management, including emotional intelligence and process documentation, are essential skills today when adopting new technologies and optimizing operations. Curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving are more valuable than static knowledge, which is increasingly accessible via AI tools, so Lorri shares how workplace leaders can continuously upskill to prepare for the future. A sense of humor, pop culture references, and staying connected with industry peers contribute to a vibrant and innovative workplace culture, so Mike and Lorri offer the practical advice and the inspiration you will need to be a Workplace Innovator in your organization!

Connect with Lorri on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorri-rowlandson/

Learn more about BGIS: https://www.bgis.com/

Find out more about Eptura Flex/26 New York: https://eptura.com/discover-more/events/

Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSkmmkVFvM4H3pwnlU2AuqynuRDpvnh4J

Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://eptura.com/discover-more/podcasts/workplace-innovator/

Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/

Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/

Tonya Thornburgh is an accomplished workplace leader with years of experience and a passion for leaving people, places and things better than she found them. Mike Petrusky asks Tonya about her career journey and why she believes continuous evolution, experimentation, and learning from failures are essential to long-term innovation and maintaining relevance in the workplace industry today. They explore how innovation in the built environment is less about adopting flashy new tools and more about deeply understanding human behavior, removing friction, and designing adaptable systems. As AI is transforming workplace strategy by enabling more personalized, intuitive, and data-driven experiences for employees, Tonya says that empathy and human experience should remain central to workplace innovation. Mike and Tonya agree that FM and workplace leaders should maintain curiosity, be open to continuous learning and nurture cross-functional relationships to stay relevant and effective, so they offer inspiration and encouragement to help you be a Workplace Innovator in your organization!

Connect with Tonya on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonya-thornburgh-4440186/

Find out more about Eptura Flex/26 New York: https://eptura.com/discover-more/events/

Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSkmmkVFvM4H3pwnlU2AuqynuRDpvnh4J

Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://eptura.com/discover-more/podcasts/workplace-innovator/

Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/

Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/

Raul Garcia-Moncada, IIDA, NCIDQ, LEED AP, WELL AP is Principal & Director of Design at BR Design Associates where he is passionate about collaborating with real estate executives to develop strategies and resource plans that empower teams to achieve high-quality, sustainable results. Mike Petrusky asks Raul why he believes that good design is not just about aesthetics but is intrinsically linked to positive business outcomes. They explore innovation in workplace design and encourage leaders to embrace flexibility, adaptability, and prioritizing well-being in their organizations. Raul says that multi-sensory design which includes fragrance, lighting, and even influences from fashion and music, can subtly enhance the workplace experience and emotional connection for occupants. Hospitality and residential influences are shaping the evolution of workplace design, and technology can help measure space utilization, but understanding sensory impact often requires direct feedback from users. Cross-functional collaboration, particularly with HR, IT, facilities, and commercial real estate, is vital for successful workplace transformation, so Mike and Raul share the inspiration you will need to be a Workplace Innovator in your organization!

Connect with Raul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raulgarciamoncada/

Learn more about BR Design Associates: https://www.brdesignassociates.com/

Find out more about Eptura Flex/26 New York: https://eptura.com/discover-more/events/

Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSkmmkVFvM4H3pwnlU2AuqynuRDpvnh4J

Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://eptura.com/discover-more/podcasts/workplace-innovator/

Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/

Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/