Workplace Innovator Podcast | Enhancing Your Employee Experience | Facility Management | CRE | Digital Workplace Technology

Valerie Spencer is Assistant VP of Strategic Growth and Engagement at Didlake where she is passionate about creating opportunities that enrich the lives of people with disabilities, especially in the world of facility management. Mike Petrusky asks Valerie about her recent role volunteering with the Capital Chapter of IFMA to put on a local "Chapter Workplace & Expo" event where professionals shared experiences and insights on facility management and innovation. Valerie believes that the FM industry is evolving with technology, making it more accessible to individuals with limitations, so she and Mike explore the importance of creating a healthy, safe, and productive environment for all people. Innovation in the workplace is driven by technology and joining professional organizations like IFMA can provide valuable resources and support for individuals seeking collaboration and networking opportunities. Mike and Valerie offer practical advice and inspiration to help you connect with the IFMA community and share stories that will encourage you to be a Workplace Innovator in your organization! Connect with Valerie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriespencer/ Learn more about Didlake: https://www.didlake.org/ Check out "The Didlake Difference" podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0dH-97_y-SPN3QmczhfO-160VbItcgzh&si=oKz_HmNNQFkVFbOa Explore the IFMA community: https://www.ifma.org/ 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/

Vera van de Loo is part of the Media & Events team at Ifmec in The Netherlands where she is passionate about helping facility management organizations create events and content that connect, inspire and deliver results. Mike Petrusky asks Vera about her career as a young professional in the FM industry and her recent experience hosting the video stage at IFMA's World Workplace 2025 in Minneapolis, MN. They discuss the future of the workplace and facility management industry and the exciting opportunities available for FM leaders as they seek to have an impact on not only the workplace, but on a societal level. She shares how intergenerational differences must be understood if we are to care for the built environment effectively going forward and she discusses how leaders must consider the needs of younger generations in the workplace. Vera believes that asking how others are doing and prioritizing people over products is essential, so she and Mike share stories that will encourage and inspire you to be a Workplace Innovator in your organization! Connect with Vera on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veravandeloo/ Learn more about Ifmec: https://www.ifmec.nl/ 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/

Darlene Pope is CEO of Brava Systems where she is passionate about delivering a flexible system that lets you configure, launch, and seamlessly interact with AI across your organization, using your own data. Mike Petrusky asks Darlene about her career journey as a smart building and digital workplace expert who is also a globally recognized visionary and passionate advocate for disruptive technology applications in real estate. They discuss the importance of embracing AI and using technology to support businesses and the built environment as they explore why workplace leaders need to rethink the traditional office setup and expectations around return to office. Darlene believes that AI should be considered a "surge" rather than a "bubble," with significant potential to impact businesses over the next 5-10 years, so she emphasizes gathering clean data to implement AI effectively. Location-based services and dynamic assignment of space are emerging technologies that can improve the workplace experience and drive energy efficiency, so Mike and Darlene encourage facility management and real estate leaders to "follow the money" as they inspire you to be a Workplace Innovator in your organization! Connect with Darlene on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darlene-pope-b8548a2/ Learn more about Brava Systems: https://bravasystems.com/ 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/

Dominique Burgauer is CEO at Archilogic where he is passionate about mapping the world's interiors to make them more useful with an integrated suite of products that allows you to build apps, websites, and experiences. Mike Petrusky asks Dom about why he believes that connectivity and interoperability in systems are essential for accelerating decision-making in the workplace. They discuss AI, worktech tools and the importance of capturing the right data to deliver on desired business outcomes. Breaking down silos and fostering collaboration across departments is paramount for CRE and facility management leaders hoping to bring frictionless experiences to their teams while creating a more productive built environment. Dom says that the best workplace technologies are those that are seamless and unnoticeable, so he and Mike share some practical advice as they encourage you to be a Workplace Innovator in your organization! Connect with Dom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominique-burgauer/ Learn more about Archilogic: https://www.archilogic.com/ 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/

Martin Frohock is Global Workplace Experience Director at AVEVA where he is passionate about delivering a strategy that aligns with his team's mission is to connect trusted information and insights that spark industrial ingenuity and help create a more sustainable future. Mike Petrusky asks Martin about how the role of corporate real estate and facility management professionals has evolved to focus on strategy enablement rather than just services and operational support. They explore the power of technology, such as AI and data analytics, and how it will shape the future of real estate and the workplace. Martin says that workplace innovators will need to be fluent in data, understand technologies impact while also speaking the language of the business. Collaboration, curiosity, and being attentive listeners are essential skills for workplace leaders as they care for the future of the built environment and the workforce. Our industry needs to move away from reactive execution and head towards more strategic partnerships, so Mike and Martin offer practical advice and the inspiration you will need to be a Workplace Innovator in your organization! Connect with Martin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-frohock-0001/ Learn more about AVEVA Group Limited: https://www.aveva.com/ 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/