The Workplace Makeover: Approaches to Construction, Design and Communication For a Safety Focused Workforce

Joe is a Managing Principal for Gensler’s Northeast and Latin America Regions, with offices in: New York; Morristown; Boston; Toronto; San José, Costa Rica, São Paulo, Mexico City, and Bogota consisting of over 1,300 professionals. He is Co-Chairman of the firm’s Board of Directors, for which he sits on the Executive & Governance Committee and the Global Practice Committee. With vision and focus, Joe has led Gensler into new markets, providing leadership to the architecture, urban planning and design studios. He provides thought leadership and regularly speaks on topics such as the impact of driverless cars and ride-sharing on urban planning and development, shaping the future of cities, experience-driven design, and the urbanization of suburbia. Joe is also active in talent development and mentoring, having shaped Gensler’s gConnect program, which focuses on professional development for next-generation leaders in the firm. Engaged in professional outreach, he is an active member of AIA, NAIOP, ULI, Urban Design Forum, and CoreNet Global. He is a registered architect in 23 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces. Joe holds Bachelor Degrees in Architecture and Urban Studies from the University of Maryland.

Razia Ferdousi-Meyer is a Managing Director and the Global Leader of Real Estate & Business Administration, focused on employee engagement and retention through fostering a positive work environment and providing competitive amenities in all office locations. She brings creativity and experience in both luxury hospitality and corporate office management to this role. Razia is based in New York. Prior to joining Ankura, Razia spent nearly five years at Shutterstock, overseeing global locations, managing daily operations and annual budgets, and guiding long-term investments into new office spaces. She coordinated build-outs from start to finish, finalizing design and choosing architects, project managers, construction firms, IT service providers, and realtors. Her projects included the expansion of the company’s headquarters at the Empire State Building through the addition of the 36th floor, representing 25,000 square feet, for a total of 110,000 square feet in that one location. Razia had previously worked at the Ritz-Carlton, with diverse experience that included serving on the team that spearheaded the redevelopment and rebranding of the former Taj Boston. She began her professional career in graphic design and art.

Craig joined Marx Realty as its President and CEO in 2017 and has been responsible for growing the company as well as streamlining the company’s strategy by focusing on value-add office investments in three core markets: New York City, Washington D.C. and Atlanta. Craig is also charged with repositioning Marx’s entire portfolio as well as growing the Marx team and profitability. Over his 25-year career, Craig has vast experience in every aspect of the real estate industry and believes in a very hands-on approach. Prior to Marx, he held senior roles at both private equity and private development companies, including redeveloping over 50 assets in major markets across the country with a particular emphasis on NY and DC. Craig’s projects have received various awards from industry groups such as NAIOP, BOMA, Globe St., Crain’s, Washington Business Journal and AIA. He has been interviewed as a thought and innovation leader in several features in the Wall Street Journal, CNN, Bloomberg and on CNBC, and was selected as one of the Real Estate Forum’s Best Bosses of 2019. Craig was named to the 2020 Commercial Observer’s Power 100 List. Craig previously practiced law in the real estate and litigation departments at Skadden before transitioning to the business side of the industry. Craig graduated Cum Laude from Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business (where he currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Advisory Board) and earned a J.D. at Fordham University’s School of Law. Craig serves on the Mixed-Use Council of the Urban Land Institute and on the Strategic Advisory Council of Shadow Ventures, a venture capital firm specializing in PropTech investments.

Mr. Robinson serves as Principal and Director of Construction at OC Development Management. With more than 25 years of extensive experience, Mr. Robinson is responsible for the oversight of a team of internal project managers and superintendents with accountability for all projects managed by that team. His focus includes the safety protocols and quality controls for the company and its projects while developing and training a diverse team of leaders. Through unique and strong complementary skills in project management, development and civil engineering, he has consistently led successful teams on large public and private sector projects through critical elements of all development and construction phases. Mr. Robinson coordinates among clients, public agencies, designers, consultants and subcontractors while providing insight into risks, requirements and opportunities for effective project and personnel leadership. Mr. Robinson’s work on both coasts include JFKIAT Terminal 4, WTC Recovery, New York Times Building, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Kaiser Permanente Hospital and Medical Office Facilities and 150 5th Avenue. The proud alumnus of the University of Virginia served as Secretary for the Contractors Association of Greater New York, is an avid supporter of the NYC ACE mentoring program and currently enjoys his time volunteering as an AYSO soccer coach and Mites hockey coach for his children.

Jessica L. Rothman has 20+ years of litigation experience focused on representing owners, contractors and design professionals in a range of performance and payment disputes including breach of contract, mechanic’s lien, negligence and building defect claims. Her practice extends to mediation and arbitration of these disputes. Jessica’s knowledge and experience is often sought out by owners, contractors, architects and engineers in negotiating contracts for construction and design projects. Jessica is skilled in negotiating the critical risk, performance and payment terms under those agreements, and managing the implementation and practical effects of the critical terms over the course of a project. Jessica is admitted to the United States District Court for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York and the New York State Bar.