Best Leadership Speakers for Construction & Infrastructure Conferences (2025) Discover the Best Leadership Speakers for Construction & Infrastructure Conferences in 2025—experts in safety, culture, resilience, and operational excellence.

October 28, 2025

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If you’re searching for the Best Leadership Speakers for Construction & Infrastructure Conferences, you’re in the right place.

This long-form, research-driven guide was built for general contractors, EPC firms, civil engineers, infrastructure developers, trade associations, and project executives who need keynote speakers that understand the industry’s language: safety, productivity, workforce development, project delivery, supply chain management, digital twins, and resilience.

We reviewed major event agendas like ENR FutureTech, AGC’s Annual Convention, and Lean Construction Institute Congress, alongside emerging leadership trends and TKC’s roster, to deliver a guide that’s practical, credible, and immediately actionable.

Why This Matters Now

Construction and infrastructure leaders are facing extraordinary pressure: navigating labor shortages, accelerating digital adoption, managing safety culture, and building resilient operations amid material cost volatility and climate constraints. The Best Leadership Speakers for Construction & Infrastructure Conferences balance inspiration with execution—they help leaders connect strategy to site-level behavior, improve team trust, and model clarity under pressure.

Speakers who connect operational realities (safety briefings, jobsite coordination, project margins) with executive leadership themes (innovation, retention, technology adoption) earn lasting credibility with field and office audiences alike.

What Planners Are Actually Searching For

When people look up the Best Leadership Speakers for Construction & Infrastructure Conferences, these intent patterns appear again and again:

Safety & culture: Reducing recordables, improving near-miss reporting, and building psychological safety across field teams.

Digital transformation: Adopting AI, BIM, drones, and digital twins for productivity, predictability, and sustainability.

Labor & talent: Recruiting the next generation, reducing turnover, and creating pathways for women and underrepresented talent.

Resilient operations: Managing volatility in materials, supply chains, and weather disruption.

Sustainability & ESG: Decarbonization, efficiency, and long-term infrastructure stewardship.

Cross-functional communication: Aligning field, office, owner, and partner communication so everyone rows in the same direction.

These themes shape every recommendation that follows—helping planners design content that matches what real construction audiences care about right now.

Who This Guide Is For

Construction & Infrastructure Organizations: General contractors, subcontractors, and design-build firms seeking impactful leadership programs.

Industry Associations: AGC, ABC, CMAA, ASCE, LCI, AIA, Infrastructure Week, and regional chapters.

Developers & EPCs: Executives managing capital projects, utilities, and infrastructure portfolios.

Trade Shows & Conferences: National construction leadership summits, workforce development conferences, and safety events.

Government & Public Works: Departments of transportation, energy, and water infrastructure programs.

How We Selected The Best Leadership Speakers for Construction & Infrastructure Conferences

We prioritized speakers who:

1. Have real industry proximity (engineering, safety, operations, or leadership consulting in the built environment).
2. Translate leadership into behaviors—clear takeaways that improve safety, culture, and communication.
3. Deliver in multiple formats: keynote, moderated panel, workshop, or leadership roundtable.
4. Earn repeat bookings and high ratings—signals of practical value and industry credibility.

Pro Tip: Pair your opening keynote with a moderated panel (executive + field leaders + safety officers) to align culture, risk, and project execution, then follow with a workshop to build your 90-day improvement plan.

Best Leadership Speakers for Construction & Infrastructure Conferences: Our Top Picks

Note: Characters in the image are not real; they are for illustration purposes only.

Order is alphabetical. Click through for full bios, videos, and availability.

• Mercedes Ramirez Johnson — Leadership and resilience expert who helps teams turn near misses into lasting change. Her story from aviation to construction safety inspires operational excellence.
  Great for: safety culture programs, all-hands meetings, workforce development.
• Robert Wachter, M.D. — Physician and digital transformation leader connecting risk, quality, and communication lessons that transfer directly to construction management.
  Great for: leadership retreats, innovation forums, technology adoption keynotes.
• David Michaels, Ph.D., MPH — Former OSHA head who delivers authoritative insights on safety leadership, risk communication, and accountability.
  Great for: safety leadership summits, regulatory and compliance events.
• Wylie McGraw — Veteran and leadership performance coach known for unlocking emotional resilience and clarity under extreme pressure.
  Great for: executive sessions, team cohesion, personal performance workshops.
• William “Gus” Pagonis — Legendary logistics commander and leadership strategist; teaches operational excellence and communication under high-stakes conditions.
  Great for: large-scale project operations, logistics, and risk management.
• Walt Stasinski — Leadership storyteller who uses humor and heart to connect safety, teamwork, and resilience.
  Great for: culture-building sessions, safety stand-downs, and leadership retreats.
• Wally Adamchik — Construction industry veteran and author specializing in practical leadership development and culture transformation.
  Great for: field leader training, manager development, and operational culture events.

Comparison Snapshot (at-a-glance)

Speaker	Construction relevance	Leadership focus	Great for	Formats
Mercedes Ramirez Johnson	Safety, resilience	Culture change, accountability	Safety summits, workforce events	Keynote • Workshop
Robert Wachter, M.D.	Digital transformation	Communication, technology adoption	Innovation days, leadership forums	Keynote • Fireside
David Michaels, Ph.D., MPH	OSHA, safety regulation	Compliance, risk, safety culture	Safety events, compliance meetings	Keynote • Roundtable
Wylie McGraw	Performance coaching	Emotional intelligence, clarity under stress	Executive programs, workshops	Keynote • Interactive
William “Gus” Pagonis	Logistics & operations	Leading under pressure	Project leadership, operations	Keynote • Panel
Walt Stasinski	Humor, storytelling	Engagement, teamwork, resilience	Culture sessions, retreats	Keynote
Wally Adamchik	Construction management	Leadership, retention, culture	Supervisor training, field sessions	Keynote • Workshop

Fees vary by date, location, routing, and format. Request a proposal for precise quotes and availability.

What “Leadership” Means in Construction & Infrastructure Right Now

Leadership in construction isn’t about slogans—it’s about translating complexity into clarity. The best speakers show leaders how to:

• Connect safety, productivity, and culture into a unified story.
• Coach through high-pressure moments using calm, consistent communication.
• Build systems for accountability that don’t sacrifice morale.
• Balance innovation with operational discipline.
• Translate technology (AI, drones, digital twins) into day-to-day behaviors.

Program Design Playbook (Turning Ideas into Results)

Use this simple sequence for a high-impact leadership day:

1. Define the outcome: e.g., “Leaders leave with a 90-day plan to cut incidents by 15% while lifting engagement scores by 10 points.”
2. Mix the audience: field leaders, safety pros, and executives in one room.
3. Anchor with context: start with a macro-economic and risk outlook.
4. Keynote: bring in one of the speakers above to frame behaviors and stories.
5. Panel discussion: moderated conversation connecting safety, operations, and workforce.
6. Workshop: build specific actions, owners, and check-in milestones.
7. Executive roundtable: commit to resources and next steps.

Sample Full-Day Agenda (Construction Leadership Summit)

Buying Guide: How to Secure the Best Leadership Speakers for Construction & Infrastructure Conferences

1. Outcome first: Define what change you want in 90 days.
2. Audience mix: Balance executives, field supervisors, and project managers.
3. Format blend: Keynote + panel + workshop for retention.
4. Calendar: Offer 2–3 date options and ask for nearby routing holds.
5. Pre-brief: Share your safety record, workforce challenges, and success metrics.
6. AV setup: Ensure clear sightlines and sound for large rooms.
7. Follow-through: Request a 30/60/90-day accountability plan.

FAQs — Best Leadership Speakers for Construction & Infrastructure Conferences

Relevant Resources on The Keynote Curators

• Leadership Topic Hub
• Energy & Environment Speakers
• Top Technology Speakers
• Artificial Intelligence Speakers
• Economy Speakers
• TKC Podcast
• Get Proposal (availability & fees)

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