TZL 1369 (web)

BUSINESS NEWS DEWBERRY’S HOLLY BERGMAN AND MELISSA LEMASTER NAMED AMONG OKLAHOMA NEXTGEN UNDER 30 AWARD RECIPIENTS NextGen, an organization that promotes and encourages the millennial generation to pursue and continue careers in Oklahoma, has announced its 2020 winners of the Under 30 Awards. Among the award recipients are Holly Bergman, AIA, LEED Green Associate, and Melissa Lemaster, NCIDQ, IIDA, LEED Green Associate, of Dewberry , a privately held professional services firm. Award recipients are selected based on their community involvement and professional accomplishments. Those awarded have the opportunity to influence economic change and growth across Oklahoma. “There are many incredible aspiring leaders across Oklahoma, and I am proud to be named among them,” says Bergman. Lemaster adds, “The NextGen organization does a fantastic job of elevating young professionals throughout the state, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to work alongside a great team of professionals.”

Bergman is an architect in Dewberry’s Tulsa, Oklahoma, office and has more than five years of experience. She specializes in library and higher education programming and design. Bergman earned her master’s degree in architecture from Kansas State University and is a member of the American Institute of Architects, Environmental Design Research Association, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, and the U.S. Green Building Council. Bergman is actively engaged in the Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma communities. She serves on the board for Fab Lab Tulsa and AIA Eastern Oklahoma, a chapter of The American Institute of Architects. In addition, she participates in numerous volunteer opportunities throughout the community. Lemaster is a project interior designer in the Tulsa office with six years of experience. Her specialties include higher education, healthcare, libraries, public safety, and corporate office projects. Lemaster earned a master’s degree in

interior architecture and product design from Kansas State University and is a member of the International Interior Design Association and the National Council for Interior Design Qualification. She leads the community engagement committee for Dewberry’s Tulsa office and helps coordinate office volunteer and donation opportunities. Lemaster served on the IIDA Tulsa City Center Board from 2014-2020, and won the IIDA Tulsa City Center Volunteer of the Year award in 2016. Dewberry is a leading, market-facing firm with a proven history of providing professional services to a wide variety of public- and private-sector clients. Recognized for combining unsurpassed commitment to client service with deep subject matter expertise, Dewberry is dedicated to solving clients’ most complex challenges and transforming their communities. Established in 1956, Dewberry is headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, with more than 50 locations and more than 2,000 professionals nationwide.

ALEX MANDEVILLE, from page 11

you can trust and be honest with them. If you have questions, reach out. If they do not know the answer, allow them to connect you with someone else. A mentor or trusted advisor can guide you through project issues, assist you with the feeling of disengagement, or other related items. Since we work with many of our colleagues on project related items, we should also be able to engage with each other on items not related to projects. Speak to your supervisor or manager and be honest. Your company will put in the effort to find a solution for you as long as you put in the effort, ask questions, and make your feelings known. 3)Taking advantage of the technical and professional webinars that industries are offering will help you continue to grow, even while you are remote. If you are feeling a lack of professional development in your career, there are more virtual webinars and resources available than ever. Search for a course that interests you and set aside some time to participate. Many companies have reduced overhead due to reduced BD spending, so they can likely afford the price of a virtual conference or webinar. Also, do not be afraid to reach out to your manager and see if they have feedback or ideas on how you can continue to develop professionally. Find time on their calendar to talk, ask questions, and be honest! They will likely support you or get you involved with projects to help with your professional development. While technology remains an invaluable tool we can use to help connect us with others in the company, we are still human beings. The technology itself won’t collaborate for us or mentor us. We need to continue to use the tools available and define our work environment in this new reality. Through collaboration, mentoring, and continued professional development, we can continue to grow and support each other, no matter what the pandemic throws at us. ALEX MANDEVILLE, P.E., is a civil engineer at SCS Engineers. Contact him at amandeville@scsengineers.com.

with managing projects by the seat of our pants prior to the pandemic, but this remote work environment makes it extremely difficult to be successful using the same approach. Scheduling routine team meetings is important in establishing, well, a routine. Some teams and projects may need more or less communication depending upon the project and necessary deliverables. More frequent meetings can ensure that the team remains on the same page regarding progress and the project goals. A routine meeting schedule should be decided on by the project manager. But the important thing is to make them routine. It is worthwhile to hold video calls whenever possible as they are more personable and the closest we can get to meeting in person. 2)Engaging frequently with peers and/or finding a mentor to connect you within the company will help you feel supported and connected. As a manager, it is important to touch base with staff frequently with one-on-one calls. This allows the conversation to be exclusive and private. In this setting, employees feel more engaged and comfortable discussing topics and feelings beyond project work. It is also worthwhile to call other coworkers from your office who may not be directly involved in projects; those who you used to engage with around the water cooler. In the age of the pandemic, a lot of water cooler talk has been lost, causing employees to be more disengaged than ever. It is a small ask, but it’s a great way to let someone know you are thinking of them and that they are appreciated. As an employee, never be afraid to speak up. Find a mentor “It is crucial that managers understand that these recent changes are not just affecting companies, but employees as well, and perhaps especially young professionals.”

THE ZWEIG LETTER NOVEMBER 30, 2020, ISSUE 1369

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